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•AIRBAGReadiness Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Left and Right Window Bags Above Side Windows —
If Equipped
•Left and Right Side Impact Sensors — If Equipped
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How The Airbag System Works
•
The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate. The control module receives the level of colli-
sion severity, determines the proper level of airbag to
be deployed. The frontal airbag inflators are designed
to provide three different rates of air bag inflation.
•The airbag control module will not detect rollover or
rear collisions.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolster, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the “off” position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
•The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAGlight in the instrument panel for 6 to
8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on,
then turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in
any part of the system, it turns on the light either
momentarily or continuously.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in an impact. While the airbag system is designed to
be maintenance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•TheAIRBAGlight does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 193 of 300
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
4 - Pin Connector
STARTING AND OPERATING 193
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Page 252 of 300
Fog Light Bulb Replacement
1. Remove the screws securing the light assembly to the
front fascia.
2. Pull the light assembly away from the vehicle to
expose the bulb and socket assembly.
3. Disconnect the wiring connector from the bulb and
socket assembly.4. Turn the bulb and socket assembly counterclockwise
to remove it from the housing.
5. Install the new bulb and socket assembly, reattach the
wiring connector, and reinstall the fog light assembly.
252 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 253 of 300
Center Stoplight Bulb Replacement
1. Open the trunk. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise
to remove it from the housing.
2. Pull the bulb out of the socket, replace the bulb and
reinstall the bulb and socket assembly.
Rear Light Bulb Replacement
1. Open the trunk and pull the trunk liner away to
expose the wiring connector and light housing plastic
retainers.
2. Disconnect the wiring connector and remove the plas-
tic retainers. Remove the light housing from the vehicle.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the housing. Remove and replace the bulb then
reinstall the bulb and socket assembly.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 253
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Page 254 of 300

4. Reinstall the light housing and reconnect the wiring
connector. Push the trunk liner back into place.
License Plate Bulb Replacement
1. Locate both small slots on the outboard side of the
license lamp. Using a small screwdriver, remove the
entire housing.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the housing. Pull the bulb out of the socket. Replace
the bulb and snap it back into place on the housing of the
chrome appliqué.
Headlight Aiming
The headlights on your new vehicle were aimed at the
factory. The factory setting was made at a no load setting.
A great increase in weight will change the aiming and it
may be necessary to readjust the headlights if carrying an
excessive amount of weight in the trunk, rear seats or
pulling a trailer. To readjust the headlights first mark the
position of the headlights on a wall prior to loading the
vehicle. Load the vehicle and then readjust the headlights
to the original position. If any further adjustments are
necessary contact your manufacturer’s dealer. A detailed
service procedure is contained in the manufacturer’s
Service Manual. Information on purchasing a Service
Manual can be found at the back of this Owner’s Manual.
254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 298 of 300

Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 163
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 162
Tire Markings......................... 158
Tire Safety Information................... 158
Tires ...........................47,167,283
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 173
Air Pressure......................... 167
Alignment.......................... 174
Chains............................. 175
Changing........................... 200
Compact Spare....................... 170
Flat Changing........................ 200
General Information................... 167
High Speed......................... 169
Inflation Pressures.................... 168
Jacking............................. 200
Life of Tires......................... 173
Load Capacity....................163,164
Quality Grading...................... 283
Radial............................. 170
Replacement......................... 173
Rotation............................ 175
Safety...........................158,167Sizes............................... 160
Snow Tires.......................... 175
Spinning............................ 172
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 172
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 189
Towing.........................185,209,210
Disabled Vehicle...................... 209
Guide.............................. 188
Weight............................. 188
Traction Control....................69,88,157
Traction Control Switch................69,157
Trailer Towing......................... 185
Cooling System Tips................... 195
Hitches............................. 187
Minimum Requirements................ 190
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 189
Wiring............................. 193
Trailer Towing Guide.................... 188
Trailer Weight......................... 188
Transaxle............................. 238
Additives........................... 240
Automatic.....................149,151,238
Filter.............................. 240
298 INDEX