The frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during
vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an
airbag should have inflated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs
were. Inflation is determined by what the vehicle hits,
the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle
slows down.
What Makes an Airbag In ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But airbags
would not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those
airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What Will You See After an Airbag
In ates?
After an airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the airbag inflated.
Some components of the airbag module — the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s airbag or the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s bag — may be hot for a
short time.
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Starting the Gasoline Engine
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
shows the code letter for your engine. Use this number to
verify the type of engine in your vehicle. SeeVehicle
Identi cation Number (VIN) on page 5-91. Follow the
proper steps to start the engine.
To start a diesel engine, seeStarting the Diesel Engine
on page 2-15.
Automatic Transmission
Set the parking brake and move your shift lever to
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), if so equipped. Your engine
will not start in any other position — that is a safety
feature.
Manual Transmission
Set the parking brake, shift to neutral NEUTRAL (N)
and hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the
engine.
Starter Motor Operation
•The starter motor will disengage if you release the
key or the engine reaches a predetermined engine
speed.
•To prevent overheating, the starter motor will
disengage after continuously operating for
15 seconds. You must release the key from the
start position to re-engage the starter.
•The starter motor will not engage if the engine is
already running.
•The starter motor will disengage if, after
two seconds, the starter pinion gear does not
engage the flywheel or there is no engine rpm signal
from the engine speed sensor.
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