An inf ant must be properly
restrained in a rear-f acing, reclining
child seat until the child reaches the
seat maker’s weight or height limit
for the seat and the child is at least
one year old.
Only a rear-f acing child seat provides
proper support f or a baby’s head,
neck, and back.Two types of seats may be used: a
seat designed exclusively f or inf ants,
or a convertible seat used in the rear-
f acing, reclining mode.
If placed
f acing f orward, an inf ant could be
very seriously injured during a
f rontal collision. A rear-f acing child seat can be placed
in any seating position in the back
seat, but not in the f ront.
If the passenger’s front airbag
inflates, it can hit the back of the
child seat with enough f orce to kill or
seriously injure an inf ant.
When properly installed, a rear-
f acing child seat may prevent the
driver or a f ront passenger f rom
moving their seat as far back as
recommended, or f rom locking their
seat-back in the desired position.
It could also interf ere with proper
operation of the passenger’s
advanced front airbag system.
CONT INUED
Protecting Inf ants
Child Seat T ypeDo not put a rear-f acing child seat in
a f orward-f acing position. Rear-f acing Child Seat Placement
Never put a
rear-f acing child seat in t he f ront seat .
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
37
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Of the different seats available, we
recommend those that have a five-
point harness system as shown.
A
child who is at least one year old,
and who fits within the child seat
maker’s weight and height limits,
should be restrained in a forward-
facing, upright child seat. If
the vehicle seat is too
far forward, or the child’s head is
thro wn forward during a collision, an
inflating airbag can strike the child
with enough force to cause very
serious or fatal injuries.
We
strongly recommend placing a
forward-fa cing child seat in a back
seat, not the front.
Ev en with advanced front airbags,
which can automatically turn the
passenger’s front airbag off (see
page ), a back seat is the saf est
place for a small child.
We also recommend that a small
child use the child seat as long as
possible, until the child reaches the
weight or height limit f or the seat.
In any situation, we strongly
recommend that you install the child
seat directly behind the f ront
passenger’s seat, move the seat as
f ar f orward as needed, and leave it
unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get
a smaller rear-f acing child seat.
25
Protecting Small Children
Child Seat T ype
Placing a f orward-f acing child seat in
the f ront seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passenger’s airbag can behazardous.
Child Seat Placement
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
38
Placing a rear-facing child seat
in the front seat can result in
serious injury or death during a
collision.
Always place a rear-facing child
seat in the back seat, not the
front.
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When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear a lap/shoulder
belt.To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly f its a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself :Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comf ortably over the edge of the
seat?
The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.
1.
2. Checking Seat Belt Fit
Protecting L arger Children
46
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger’s front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.
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Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this for the whole trip?
A child who has outgrown a forward-
facing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt fits them
properly without the booster.
If
you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat.
Some states and Canadian provinces
also require children to use a booster
seat until they reach a given age or
weight (e.g., 6 years or 60 lbs). Be
sure to check current laws in the
states or provinces where you intend to
drive.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.
If
a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in front, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly. Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster seat meets
f ederal saf ety standards (see page ) and that you f ollow the booster
seat maker’s instructions.
3.
4.
5.
39
Using a Booster Seat
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
47
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µ
The 4-cylinder EX model has a
power seat bottom height
adjustment. All other driver’s seat
adjustmentsinthismodelare
manual.
The 4-cylinder LX model has manual
driver’s seat adjustments (see next
column). All V6 models and the 4-cylinder
EX-L models have a power
adjustable driver’s seat.
The front passenger’s seat in all
models adjusts manually. Make
all seat adjustm ents before
you start driving.
To adjust the seat forward or
backward, pull up on the bar under
the seat cushion’s front edge. Move
the seat to the desi red position, and
releasethebar.Trytomovetheseat
to make sure it is locked in position. To
change the seat-back angle of the
front seat, pull up on the lever on the
outside of the seat bottom.
Once your seat is adjusted correctly,
rock it back and f orth to make sure it
is locked in position.
See pages f or important saf ety inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position the seats and seat-backs. 1311
Seats
Manual Seat Adjustments
82
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The height of your driver’s seat is
power adjustable. Pull up on the
switch to raise the seat. Push it down
to lower the seat.
Make sure to pull the lever upward
or downward to its f ull range.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
The height of your driver’s seat is
adjustable. To raise the seat,
repeatedly pull up the lever on the
outside of the seat cushion. To lower
the seat, push the lever down
repeatedly.
On 4-cylinder EX model
On 4-cylinder LX model
Driver’s Seat Power Height
Adjustment
Driver’s Seat Manual Height
Adjustment
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
83
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See page for important safety
inf ormation and a warning about how to properly position the head restraints. 13
The head restraints adjust f or height.
You need both hands to adjust the
restraint. Do not attempt to adjust it
while driving. To raise it, pull upward.
To lower the restraint, push the
release button sideways, and push
the restraint down.
Your vehicle is equipped with head
restraints on the f ront seats and on
the outer rear seats.
The head restraints help protect you
and your passengers f rom whiplash
and other injuries.
Theyaremosteffectivewhenyou
adjust them so the back of the
occupant’s head rests against the
center of the restraint. Head Restraints
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
87
RELEASE BUTTON
FRONT REAR
RELEASE BUTTON
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Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At
higher speeds, the trailer may sway
or af f ect vehicle handling. If you
have an automatic transmission, use
D position when towing a trailer on
level roads. When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shifts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed, and shif t down to second
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
3
CONT INUED
Making T urns and Braking
T owing Speeds and Gears Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ingDriving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
Driving
217
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