Page 43 of 420

Of the different seats available, we
recommend those that have a f ive-
point harness system as shown.
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.
A child who is at least 1 year old, and
who f its within the child seat maker’s
weight and height limits, should be
restrained in a f orward-f acing,
upright child seat.We strongly recommend placing a
forward-facing child seat in a back
seat, not the f ront.
Even with advanced front airbags,
which can automatically turn the
passenger’s front airbag off (see
page ), a back seat is the saf est
place f or a small child.
29
Protecting Small Children
Child Seat T ype Child Seat Placement
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
42
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.
Page 50 of 420
To remove slack, it may help to put
weight on the child seat, or push on
the back of the seat while pulling up
on the belt.Push and pull the child seat
f orward and f rom side-to-side to
verif y that it is f irmly secured. If
the child seat is not secure,
unlatch the belt, allow it to retract
f ully, then repeat these steps.
To deactivate the locking
mechanism and remove a child seat,
unlatch the buckle, unroute the seat
belt, and let the belt f ully retract.
Af ter conf irming that the belt is
locked, grab the shoulder part of
the belt near the buckle, and pull
up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. Remember, if
the lap part of the belt is not tight,
the child seat will not be secure.
5.
4.
Installing a Child Seat
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
49
Page 53 of 420
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?
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.
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.
Protecting L arger Children
Checking Seat Belt Fit
52
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.
Page 54 of 420

Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets f ederal
saf ety standards (see page ) and
that you f ollow the booster seat
maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in f ront, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
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.
A child who has outgrown a forward-
f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.
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 f or the whole trip?
Some states 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 state or states where you
intend to drive.
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.
37
3.
4.
5.
Protecting L arger Children
Using a Booster Seat
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
53
Page 65 of 420

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates that the
passenger’s side airbag has
automatically shut off. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position. If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a
potential problem with your f ront
airbags. This indicator will also alert
you to a potential problem with your
side airbags, passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system, side curtain
airbags, automatic seat belt
tensioners, driver’s seat position
sensor, or the f ront passenger’s
weight sensors. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to f asten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
f astened your seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position bef ore f astening
your belt, the beeper sounds and the
indicator f lashes. If you do not f asten
your seat belt bef ore the beeper
stops, the indicator stops f lashing
but remains on.
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals. On the
Touring model, you will also see a
‘‘FASTEN SEAT BELT’’ message in
the multi-information display.
On the Touring model, you will also
see a ‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message in the multi-inf ormation
display.On the Touring model, you will also
see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
OFF’’ message in the multi-
inf ormation display.
32 33
Instrument Panel Indicators
Side Airbag Of f
Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
64
U.S. Canada
Page 183 of 420
You can store items in the f loor
storageareaupto22lbs(10kg).Do
not exceed this weight limit, or you
may damage the floor storage area.
Theinsideof thestorageareacan
get very hot. Do not store any items
that should be kept cool, or items
that can be easily damaged, warped,
or def ormed by heat.
Dust, sand, etc., can accumulate in
the f loor storage area. If you spill
liquid on the f loor around the f loor
storage area, it can get inside the
storage area, and the moisture can
be trapped inside. Always keep the
inside of the storage area dry and
clean.To prevent items f rom being thrown
about the vehicle and possibly
hurting someone in an accident or
sudden stop, be sure the storage
area lids are securely closed bef ore
driving away.
To lock the small lid, open the large
lid, and turn the lock knob clockwise.
Interior Convenience Items
182
Page 290 of 420
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages. See
(page ).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
f uel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
329For example,
Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Bef ore Driving
289
Page 294 of 420

µ·
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is:
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
the maximum load.
This f igure includes, cargo,
accessories, and the tongue weight if
you are towing a trailer.
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle. Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 1,208
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard (on
the driver’s doorjamb) if your
vehicle is the Touring model, f or
example. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load f rom your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
To determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle, see
page .
For example, if the maximum load is
1,388 lbs (EX model), and there will
be f ive 150 lbs passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
638 lbs [1,388 750 (5 150) = 638
lbs]. Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4
(458lbsinthisexample).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
312
LX model: 1,349 lbs (612 kg)
EX model: 1,388 lbs (630 kg)
EX-L model: 1,322 lbs (600 kg)
Touring models: 1,208 lbs (548 kg)
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
293
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.