Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, front
end or side sheet metal or height, they may
keep the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work
properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance
before you modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 482.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, the inside rearview
mirror, steering wheel, ceiling headliner, ceiling
and pillar garnish trim, or airbag wiring can
affect the operation of the airbag system.
If you have questions, call Customer
Assistance. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 482.
89
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. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 439for more
information.
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 right front passenger’s airbag,
or the airbag covering on the driver’s and
right front passenger’s seatback, or the side
impact airbag covering on the ceiling near the
side windows, the bag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the airbag module
in the steering wheel, both the airbag module
and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s airbag, the airbag module
and seatback for the driver’s and right front
passenger’s seat-mounted side impact airbags,
or side impact airbag module and ceiling
covering for the roof-mounted side impact
airbag. Do not open or break the airbag
coverings.
90
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 or
LATCH system parts?
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.
If the LATCH system was being used during a
more severe crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.If belts are cut or damaged, replace them.
Collision damage also may mean you will need to
have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts
repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may
be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system
was not being used at the time of the collision.
If an airbag in ates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system
earlier in this section.
If the frontal airbags in ate, you will also need to
replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s
safety belt buckle assembly. Be sure to do so.
Then the new buckle assembly will be there to help
protect you in a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the
driver and front passenger’s safety belt buckle
assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have
not deployed. The driver and front passenger’s
safety belt buckle assemblies contain the
safety belt pretensioners. Have your safety belt
pretensioners checked if your vehicle has been in
a collision, or if your airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle or while you
are driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 201.
91
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not open it.
You increase the chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the
doors whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out.
A child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock your vehicle whenever
you leave it.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop your vehicle. Locking your
doors can help prevent this from
happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your
vehicle.
Because your vehicle has the theft-deterrent
system, you must unlock the doors from the
outside with the key or Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter to avoid setting off the
alarm. If the windows are down and the doors are
locked, do not reach in to manually unlock the
vehicle because you will set off the alarm.
100
Instrument Panel Overview........................ 166
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 168
Other Warning Devices............................. 168
Horn.......................................................... 168
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 169
Recon gurable Steering Wheel
Controls (SWC) (CTS)........................... 169
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 171
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 171
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 172
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 172
Windshield Wipers..................................... 173
Windshield Washer.................................... 174
Headlamp Washer..................................... 175
Cruise Control........................................... 176
Headlamps................................................ 180
Wiper Activated Headlamps....................... 180
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 181
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 181
Fog Lamps................................................ 183
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver.................. 183
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 184
Entry Lighting............................................ 184Parade Dimming........................................ 185
Reading Lamps......................................... 185
Electric Power Management...................... 185
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 186
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 186
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 188
Climate Controls......................................... 189
Dual Climate Control System..................... 189
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 194
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 195
Steering Wheel Climate Controls (CTS)..... 196
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 197
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 198
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 200
Trip Odometers......................................... 200
Tachometer............................................... 200
Engine Speed Limiter................................ 201
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 201
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 201
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 202
Charging System Light.............................. 204
Brake System Warning Light..................... 205
Section 3 Instrument Panel
163
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at
too many revolutions per minute (rpm). When
the engine’s rpms are too high, the throttle
is closed to reduce speed. If this is not sufficient,
then the fuel supply to the engine will be
limited. When the rpms return to normal, the fuel
supply will return to normal. This helps prevent
damage to the engine.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime
will come on for several seconds to remind
people to fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and
stay on for several
seconds, then it will
ash for several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, the chime
will not come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the
airbag sensors, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 70.
This light will come
on when the ignition
key is turned to ON
and it will ash for
a few seconds.
Then the light should go out. This means the
system is ready. If it does not go out, have your
vehicle serviced right away.
201
If this message appears while driving or after
starting your vehicle and stays on, have it checked
by your dealer immediately to determine the
cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
you can reduce the load on the electrical system
by turning off the accessories.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to
15.5 volts. You can monitor battery voltage on the
DIC by pressing the INFO button until BATTERY
VOLTS appears.
Buckle Passenger
This message reminds you to buckle the
passenger’s safety belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound
when the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt
is buckled, the passenger’s safety belt is
unbuckled with the passenger airbag enabled, and
the vehicle is in motion. You should have the
passenger buckle their safety belt.The reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on,
the vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled
and the passenger is still unbuckled, and
the passenger airbag is enabled. If the
passenger’s safety belt is already buckled, this
message and chime will not come on.
Buckle Seat Belt
This message reminds you to buckle the driver’s
safety belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound
when the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt
is unbuckled, and the vehicle is in motion.
You should buckle your safety belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition
is on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder
will be repeated. If the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled, this message and chime will not
come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the
Safety Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel
cluster. SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light on
page 201for more information.
234
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in
your vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They
Are for Everyone on page 20.
{CAUTION:
Defensive driving really means “Be ready
for anything.” On city streets, rural roads,
or expressways, it means “Always expect
the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians
or other drivers are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do and be ready. Rear-end collisions
are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow
enough following distance. Defensive
driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts
from the driving task makes proper
defensive driving more difficult and can
even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do these
things, or pull off the road in a safe place to
do them. These simple defensive driving
techniques could save your life.
286