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Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on
wheels.Put someone on it.
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There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag
symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-24
for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the bag might not in ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in ating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag,
and do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
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Frontal airbags may in ate at different crash speeds.
For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could in ate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags
could in ate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits an object does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbags could in ate at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbags could in ate at a different crash speed than if
the vehicle goes straight into the object.
The frontal airbags are not intended to in ate during
vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag
should have in ated simply because of the damage to a
vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. In ation
is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the
impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down.
What Makes an Airbag In ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The
sensing system triggers a release of gas from the
in ator, which in ates the airbag. The in ator, airbag,
and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the right front passenger.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But airbags would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those
airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
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What Will You See After an Airbag
In ates?
After an airbag in ates, it quickly de ates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the airbag in ated.
Some components of the airbag module — the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s airbag or the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s bag — will be hot for a
short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact
with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
de ated airbags. Airbag in ation does not prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor
does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag in ates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so. If you have breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an airbag in ates,
then get fresh air by opening a window or a
door. If you experience breathing problems
following an airbag deployment, you should
seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock
the doors, turn the interior lamps on, turn the hazard
warning ashers on and turn off the HVAC when the
airbags in ate (if battery power is available). You can
lock the doors again, turn the interior lamps off, turn the
hazard warning ashers off and turn the HVAC on by
using the controls for those features.
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Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the passenger’s airbag, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the airbag module
in the steering wheel or both the airbag module and
the instrument panel for the passenger’s airbag.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if
worn during a more severe crash, then you need
new parts.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the key.
Use the correct key and turn the key only with your
hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If it is, turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
9(LOCK):This position locks your steering column.
It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able
to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition switch
cannot be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, the ignition switch can
be turned to LOCK in any shift lever position.
{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transmission removing the
key from the ignition switch will lock the
steering column and result in a loss of ability to
steer the vehicle. This could cause a collision. If
you need to turn the engine off while the vehicle
is moving, turn the key to ACC.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position operates some of
your electrical accessories. It unlocks the steering wheel
and ignition.
R(RUN):This is the position the switch returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the RUN position when the engine is running. But
even when the ignition is not running, you can use RUN
to operate your electrical accessories and to display
some warning and indicator lights.
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3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
brie y but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for ve or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
Automatic Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission,
the shift lever is located on the center console between
the front seats.There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow.
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