Do not attempt sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers or other
unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle
control. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result
in an accident, roll over of the vehicle, and severe or fatal
injury. Drive carefully. Failure to use driver and passenger seat belts
provided
is a major cause of severe or fatal injury. In fact, the U.S.
government notes that the universal use of existing seat
belts could cut the highway death toll by 10,000 or more
each year, and could reduce disabling injuries by 2
million annually. In a roll over crash an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Always buckle up.
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
Roll Over Warning Label
INTRODUCTION 5
1
▫To Unlock The Doors ...................23
▫ To Lock The Doors .....................23
▫ To Unlatch The Swing Gate Flip-Up Window . .24
▫ Panic Alarm ..........................25
▫ To Use The Panic Alarm .................25
▫ To Program Additional Transmitters .........25
▫ General Information ....................26
▫ Transmitter Battery Service ...............27
Security Alarm System — If Equipped .........27
▫ To Set The Alarm ......................28
▫ To Disarm The System ...................28
Rear Swing Gate ........................29
Windows .............................32 ▫
Power Windows .......................32
▫ Wind Buffeting ........................34
Occupant Restraints ......................34
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belts .....................36
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions .....37
▫ Rear Center Lap/Shoulder Belt Retractor
Lock-Out ............................41
▫ Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage ....41
▫ Automatic Locking Mode — If Equipped .....42
▫ Energy Management Feature ..............43
▫ Seat Belt Pretensioners ...................44
▫ Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert) ...........................45
▫ Seat Belts And Pregnant Women ............46
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
▫Seat Belt Extender ......................46
▫ Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS) — Airbags ..........47
▫ Child Restraint ........................61
Engine Break-In Recommendations ...........71
Safety Tips ............................72 ▫
Exhaust Gas ..........................72
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
The Vehicle ..........................73
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle ..........................73
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
2
Rear Passenger Window Switches
The rear passenger window switches are located on the
back of the center floor console.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to minimize
the buffeting.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. These include the front
and rear seat belts for the driver and all passengers, front
airbags for both the driver and front passenger and, if
equipped, window bags for the driver and passengers
seated next to a window. If you will be carrying children
too small for adult-size belts, your seat belts also can be
used to hold infant and child restraint systems.
Rear Power Window Switches
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:The front airbags have a multi stage inflator
design. This allows the airbag to have different rates of
inflation that are based on collision severity.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
WARNING!
In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buck-
led up. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or
other passengers, or you can be thrown out of the
vehicle. Always be sure you and others in your
vehicle are buckled up properly.
Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor driver
and cause a collision which includes you. This can
happen far away from home or on your own street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision. Some
of the worst injuries happen when people are thrown
from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibility of
ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking the
inside of the vehicle. Everyonein a motor vehicle should
be belted at all times.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
2
Lap/Shoulder Belts
All the seats in your vehicle are equipped with lap/
shoulder belts.
The belt webbing retractor is designed to lock during
very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the belt to move freely with you under
normal conditions. But in a collision, the belt will lock
and reduce the risk of you striking the inside of the
vehicle or being thrown out.WARNING!
•Wearing a seat belt incorrectly is dangerous. Seat
belts are designed to go around the large bones of
your body. These are the strongest parts of your
body and can take the forces of a collision the
best. Wearing your belt in the wrong place could
make your injuries in a collision much worse. You
might suffer internal injuries, or you could even
slide out of part of the belt. Follow these instruc-
tions to wear your seat belt safely and to keep
your passengers safe, too.
•Two people should never be belted into a single
seat belt. People belted together can crash into one
another in an accident, hurting one another badly.
Never use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt for
more than one person, no matter what their size.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions
1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.
2. The seat belt latch plate is above the back of your seat.
Grasp the latch plate and pull out the belt. Slide the latch
plate up the webbing as far as necessary to make the belt
go around your lap.
Latch Plate
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2
3. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”WARNING!
A belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will not
protect you properly. The lap portion could ride too
high on your body, possibly causing internal injuries.
Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.
A belt that is too loose will not protect you as well. In
a sudden stop you could move too far forward, increas-
ing the possibility of injury. Wear your seat belt snugly.
A belt that is worn under your arm is very dangerous.
Your body could strike the inside surfaces of the
vehicle in a collision, increasing head and neck injury.
A belt worn under the arm can cause internal injuries.
Ribs aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. Wear the belt
over your shoulder so that your strongest bones will
take the force in a collision.
A shoulder belt placed behind will not protect you
from injury during a collision. You are more likely to
hit your head in a collision if you do not wear your
shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder belt are meant to
be used together.
Latch Plate To Buckle
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE