
However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately. As the airbags deflate you may see some
smoke-like particles. The particles are a normal by-
product of the process that generates the nontoxic gas
used for airbag inflation. These airborne particles may
irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin
or eye irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For
nose or throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the
irritation continues, see your doctor. If these particles
settle on your clothing, follow the garment manufac-
turer’s instructions for cleaning.
•It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioners, and the front passenger seat
belt retractor assembly, replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Also, have the Occupant
Classification System serviced as well.
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Enhanced Accident Response System (E.A.R.S.)
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, the interior lights will turn on
and the power door locks (if equipped) will unlock 5
seconds after airbag deployment.
Also, the fuel system will shut off immediately upon
airbag deployment (gasoline models only). The ignition
switch will need to be cycled (i.e. turn the ignition key
from the ON position to the LOCK position) after ap-
proximately 5 seconds in order to restart the vehicle.
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 if the
airbag system is 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 structure, or add
aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced
airbag system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced
airbag system service. If your seat including your trim
cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way, take
the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer
approved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify an advanced airbag system for persons with
disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
•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 an airbag system.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
•Does not come on during the 6 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
•Remains on after the 6 to 8 second interval.
•Comes on for any period of time 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.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
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infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.
•Rearward-facing child seats must NEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
•Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who
are older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible
child seats used in the forward-facing direction are for
children who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg), and are
older than one year old. These child seats are also held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.
•The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weigh-
ing more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small
to fit the vehicle’s seat belts properly. If the child
cannot sit with knees bent over the seat cushion while
the child’s back is against the seatback, they need a
belt-positioning booster seat. The child and booster
seat are held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.
(Some booster seats are equipped with a front shield
and are held in the vehicle by the lap portion.)
•For additional information refer to www.seatcheck.org
or call 1-866-SEATCHECK.
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WARNING!
•Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
•A rearward facing infant restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward facing infant
restraint in the front seat may be struck by a
deploying passenger airbag which may cause se-
vere or fatal injuries to the infant.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety Standards. The manufacturer recommends that you
try a child restraint in the vehicle seats where you will
use it before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•The passenger seat belts are equipped with either
cinching latch plates or automatic locking retractors,
which are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to
use a locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch
plate, 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
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
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Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
pretensioners, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
NOTE: The “Seat Belt Indicator Light” will remain on
until the driver’s seat belt is buckled.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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Also, the light will come on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE: This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
If the parking brake is off and the light remains on, have
the brake system inspected as soon as possible.
19. Full Time Indicator Light — If Equipped This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the FULL TIME four–wheel drive mode, and
employs the inter-axle differential which al-
lows the front and rear wheels to rotate at
different speeds. (See page 234 for more information.)
20. Sentry Key/Security Alarm Indicator Light — If
Equipped
Refer to “Sentry Key Immobilizer System” or “Vehicle
Security Alarm” in Section 2 of this manual for more
information. 21. Fuel Gage
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the pointer
will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. A
small arrow indicates the side of the vehicle where the
filler cap (gas cap) is located.
22. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 2.3 U.S.
Gallons (8.7 Liters) this light will come on and
remain on until fuel is added. The “Low Fuel
Warning Light” may turn on and off again, especially
during and after hard braking, accelerations, or turns.
This occurs due to the shifting of the fuel in the tank.
Also, a single chime will sound.
23. Airbag Warning Light This indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned on. If the
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
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