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If it says AIR BAG on the middle part of the steering
wheel and AIR BAG on the instrument panel in front of
the right front passenger’s seat, your vehicle has an
airbag for the driver and an airbag for the right
front passenger.If it says AIR BAG on the middle part of the steering
wheel, but it does not say AIR BAG on the instrument
panel in front of the right front passenger’s seat,
your vehicle has an airbag for the driver only.
If it says AIR BAG on the middle part of the steering
wheel, but there is no right front passenger seat,
your vehicle has an airbag for the driver only.
If it does not say AIR BAG on the middle part of the
steering wheel, your vehicle does not have airbags.
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Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
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{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not in ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in ating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
When Should an Airbag In ate?
Airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to
inflate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined
deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take into
account a variety of desired deployment and
non-deployment events and are used to predict how
severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the occupants.Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not
based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends
largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact
and how quickly your vehicle slows down. (The
threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle
design, so that it can be somewhat above or below
this range.)
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds.
For example:
•If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could inflate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
•If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.
•If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
•If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
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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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Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, the instrument panel, or
airbag wiring can affect the operation of the airbag
system. If you have questions, call Customer
Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on
page 5-86for more information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
airbag module in the steering wheel or both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger’s airbag. Do not open or break
the airbag coverings.
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Ignition Positions
With your key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
five different positions.
A (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio, power windows and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off. To get into ACCESSORY,
push in the key and turn it toward you. Your steering
wheel will remain locked, just as it was before you
inserted the key.B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.
C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It does not lock the
steering wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off.
D (RUN):This is the position for driving.
E (START):This position starts your engine.
Engine Starter Over-Crank
Protection
Your vehicle may have an engine starter over-crank
protection system. If the starter motor overheats
and shuts off due to over-cranking, the motor must cool
down before it will reset and allow starter operation.
It can take up to six minutes before the starter will
work again.
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Overdrive Defeat
If your vehicle has this feature, you can select not to
shift up to fifth gear. This is useful when towing or under
a heavy load.
The overdrive defeat
switch is located in the
instrument panel to
the right of the steering
column.
Press the switch to limit the transmission to fourth gear.
This will allow for fewer downshifts while pulling a
trailer or under a heavy load. The indicator light in the
switch will come on whenever overdrive defeat is active.
Manual Transmission Operation
Using the Clutch
When you are starting to move the vehicle, it is
important to begin with the engine speed at idle. Then
start to engage the clutch and listen for an engine speed
drop of about 100 rpm. At this point, the clutch is
engaging, so you should increase the engine speed and
fully engage the clutch. It is important not to increase
the engine speed sooner or before the clutch begins its
engagement. If you do, you can cause damage to
your vehicle.
Double-Clutching
You must use the double-clutching method when you
shift an unsynchronized gear set. Disengage the clutch,
shift to NEUTRAL and engage the clutch. When
upshifting, slow the engine until the engine rpm and
road speed match. When downshifting, accelerate the
engine until the engine rpm and road speed match. Then
quickly disengage the clutch and move the shift lever
to the next gear position and engage the clutch.
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Locking Hubs
Turn the dial of the hublock (A) from the “Free” position
to the “Lock” position to lock the front axle.
Turn the dial of the hublock (A) from the “Lock” position
to the “Free” position to unlock the axle.
You do not have to back the vehicle up to disengage
the hublocks.If your vehicle is equipped
with four-wheel drive, the
transfer case knob is
located to the right of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel. Use this
knob to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive.
An indicator light will show you which position the
transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on
briefly when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on.
If the lights do not come on, you should take your
vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will
flash while shifting the transfer case. It will remain
illuminated when the shift is complete. If for some
reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift,
it will return to the last chosen setting. Hublock Dial Location
Hublock Dial
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