
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching latch
plates which are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to use
a locking clip. Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch
plate will keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt occasion-
ally and pull it tight if necessary.In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path opening
on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt several times
to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the
release button facing out.
If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
to do something more. Disconnect the latch plate from
the buckle, turn the buckle around, and insert the latch
plate into the buckle again. If you still can’t make the
child restraint secure, try a different seating position.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Rotate the cover over the anchor directly behind the
seat where you are placing the child restraint.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children should
be seated and using the proper restraint system.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS
This feature allows both the brake and accelerator pedals
to move toward or away from the driver to provide
improved position with the steering wheel. The adjust-
able pedal system is designed to allow a greater range of
driver comfort for steering wheel tilt and seat position.
The switch is located on the front side of the driver’s seat
cushion side shield.Press the switch forward to move the pedals forward
(toward the front of the vehicle).
Press the switch rearward to move the pedals rearward
(toward the driver).
•The pedals can be adjusted with the ignition OFF.
•The pedals can be adjusted while driving.
•The pedalscannotbe adjusted when the vehicle is in R
(Reverse) or when the Speed Control is ON. A message
Adjustable Pedal Switch
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING PROCEDURES
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Startingof either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the “START” position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the “OFF” position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather(below20°F or29°C) To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
STARTING AND OPERATING 183
5

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle you should shift
the transmission into Park, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the park brake. Once the key is
removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the Park position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle. The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the transmission shift
lever into the “Park” position:
•When shifting into Park move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console
to ensure it is in the “P” position.Gear Selector
STARTING AND OPERATING 185
5

The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
gear selector lever. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engine
off), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems lose normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. There will be some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This may be evident
by increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and potential
activation of the Brake Warning Lamp.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle
stability and brake performance under most braking
conditions. The system automatically “pumps” the
brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 195
5

Bearings.............................. 266
Belts, Drive........................... 250
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 256
B-Pillar Location....................... 204
Brake Assist System..................... 108
Brake, Parking......................... 194
Brake System.......................195,262
Anti-Lock........................... 195
Fluid Check......................264,282
Hoses.............................. 263
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 192
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 276
Bulbs, Light........................... 275
Calibration, Compass.................... 144
Capacities, Fluid....................... 281
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 224
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 260
Car Washes........................... 267
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............56,223Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 126
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 171
Catalytic Converter..................... 251
CD Player............................ 152
Cellular Phone.......................... 66
Chains, Tire........................... 217
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 201
Child Restraint...................48,50,52,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 52
Child Safety Locks....................... 17
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 221
Climate Control........................ 173
Clock.............................151,153
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 172
Compass............................. 143
Compass Calibration.................... 144
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 142
Console.............................. 126
Console, Floor......................... 126
Console, Overhead...................... 113
Contract, Service....................... 302
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 260
INDEX 309
10

Homelink Transmitter................... 114
Hood Release.......................... 95
Horn................................. 12
Hoses............................262,265
Ignition
Key ................................ 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 15
Immobilizer............................ 12
Infant Restraint......................... 49
Information Center, Vehicle............... 140
Instrument Cluster...................133,134
Instrument Panel and Controls............. 132
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 269
Interior Appearance Care................. 268
Interior Fuses.......................... 270
Interior Lights.......................... 97
Intermittent Wipers..................... 103
Introduction............................ 4
Jump Starting......................... 235
Key, Programming....................... 14Key, Replacement....................... 13
Key, Sentry............................ 12
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 18
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 35
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 28
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)............................. 52
Latch Plate............................ 29
Latches
Hood............................... 95
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 220
Lights..............................58,96
Airbag.......................40,47,57,135
Anti-Lock........................... 135
Automatic Headlights................... 99
Brake Warning....................... 136
Bulb Replacement..................... 275
Courtesy/Reading..................... 96
Daytime Running..................... 100
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............98,101
INDEX 313
10

Engine Temperature Warning............ 135
Fog .............................100,134
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 230
Headlight Switch...................... 99
Headlights........................99,276
Headlights On With Wipers...........99,103
High Beam.......................... 101
High Beam Indicator................... 138
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 99
Interior.............................. 97
License............................. 281
Lights On Reminder................... 100
Malfunction Indicator.................. 139
Oil Pressure......................... 134
Reading............................ 114
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 138
Service..........................275,276
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 139
Turn Signal........................98,100
Voltage............................. 139
Loading Vehicle.....................225,226
Capacities........................... 226Tires ............................... 204
Locks
Door............................... 15
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 52
Lubrication, Body....................... 256
Lumbar Support........................ 89
Maintenance Free Battery................. 253
Maintenance Procedures.................. 247
Maintenance Schedule................... 284
ScheduleA......................... 294
ScheduleB......................... 287
Malfunction Indicator Light............139,245
Manual, Service........................ 303
Memory Feature (Memory Seat)............. 90
Memory Seat........................... 90
Mini-Trip Computer..................... 142
Mirrors............................... 63
Automatic Dimming.................... 63
Electric Remote....................... 64
Exterior Folding....................... 64
Heated.............................. 65
314 INDEX