NOTE:When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
your child unattended in the vehicle.
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
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2
Folding Rear Seat
The rear seatbacks can be folded forward to provide an
additional storage area. Pull on the loops shown in the
illustration to fold down either or both seatbacks. These
loops can be tucked away when not in use.When the seat back is folded to the upright position make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the seat
back above the seat strap.
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.
Folding Rear Seats
92 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.
192 STARTING AND OPERATING
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
194 STARTING AND OPERATING
Location.........................248,266
Bearings.............................. 279
Belts, Drive........................... 262
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 269
B-Pillar Location....................... 213
Brake Assist System..................... 103
Brake Control System, Electronic........... 103
Brake, Parking......................... 203
Brake System.......................204,276
Anti-Lock........................103,205
Fluid Check......................277,296
Hoses.............................. 276
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 201
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 57
Bulb Replacement...................... 290
Bulbs, Light........................... 289
Calibration, Compass.................... 143
Capacities, Fluid....................... 295
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 235
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 273Car Washes........................... 280
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............57,234
Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 124
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 176
Catalytic Converter..................... 264
CD Player.........................150,156
Cellular Phone.......................... 68
Chains, Tire........................... 228
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 210
Child Restraint...................50,52,54,55
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 54
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 232
Climate Control........................ 178
Clock..........................151,157,173
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 177
Compass............................. 142
Compass Calibration.................... 143
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 141
Console.............................. 124
Console, Floor......................... 124
Console, Overhead...................... 111
INDEX 323
10
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer)
Switch................................ 99
Holder, Cup........................... 122
Homelink Transmitter................... 112
Hood Release.......................... 94
Horn................................. 12
Hoses............................275,278
Ignition
Key ................................ 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 15
Immobilizer............................ 12
Infant Restraint......................... 50
Information Center, Vehicle............... 139
Instrument Cluster...................131,132
Instrument Panel and Controls............. 130
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 283
Interior Appearance Care................. 282
Interior Fuses.......................... 283
Interior Lights.......................... 96
Intermittent Wipers..................... 101
Introduction............................ 4Jump Starting......................... 247
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 13
Key, Sentry............................ 12
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 19
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 36
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 29
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 54
Latch Plate............................ 30
Latches
Hood............................... 94
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 231
Lights..............................59,95
Airbag.......................41,48,58,134
Anti-Lock........................... 138
Brake Assist Warning.................. 107
Brake Warning....................... 136
INDEX 327
10
Bulb Replacement..................... 289
Courtesy/Reading..................... 95
Daytime Running...................... 98
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 97
Electronic Stability Program Indicator...... 107
Engine Temperature Warning............ 134
Fog .............................99,135
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 242
Headlight Switch...................... 98
Headlights........................... 98
High Beam Indicator................... 135
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 98
Interior.............................. 96
License............................. 294
Lights On Reminder.................... 98
Malfunction Indicator.................. 138
Oil Pressure......................... 135
Reading............................ 111
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 135
Service..........................289,290
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 138
Traction Control...................... 107Turn Signal........................97,99
Voltage............................. 132
Loading Vehicle.....................237,238
Capacities........................... 238
Tires ............................... 213
Locks
Door............................... 15
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 54
Lubrication, Body....................... 269
Lumbar Support........................ 90
Maintenance Free Battery................. 266
Maintenance Procedures.................. 259
Maintenance Schedule................... 298
ScheduleA......................... 308
ScheduleB......................... 301
Malfunction Indicator Light............138,257
Manual, Service........................ 317
Mini-Trip Computer..................... 141
Mirrors............................... 65
Automatic Dimming.................... 65
Electric Remote....................... 67
328 INDEX
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 34
Seat Belts.............................. 29
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 33
And Pregnant Women.................. 35
Child Restraint......................50,55
Extender............................ 35
Front Seat............................ 30
Operating Instructions.................. 30
Pretensioners......................... 33
Reminder........................... 135
Seats................................. 88
Heated.............................. 90
Lumbar Support....................... 90
Power.............................. 88
Rear Folding......................... 92
Reclining............................ 89
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 22
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........272,296
Selection of Oil........................ 261
Sentry Key............................ 12
Service Assistance...................... 314
Service Contract........................ 316Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator).................. 138
Service Manuals........................ 317
Setting the Clock.................151,157,173
Settings, Personal....................... 147
Shift Speeds........................... 194
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 33
Side Airbag............................ 45
Signals, Turn.......................... 134
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 249
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 228
Snow Tires............................ 229
Spark Plugs........................... 263
Speed Control......................... 108
Speedometer.......................... 132
Starting.............................. 192
Engine Fails to Start................... 193
Starting and Operating................... 192
Steering
Linkage............................ 269
Power...........................207,268
Tilt Column......................... 102
Wheel, Tilt.......................... 102
INDEX 331
10