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, height, front
end or side sheet metal, 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 582.
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, rollover sensor
module, steering wheel, instrument panel,
overhead console, ceiling headliner, ceiling
and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted rollover
airbag modules, 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 582.
87
Instrument Panel Overview........................ 204
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 206
Other Warning Devices............................. 206
Horn.......................................................... 206
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 207
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 207
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 208
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 209
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 209
Windshield Wipers..................................... 209
Rainsense™ II Wipers............................... 210
Windshield Washer.................................... 211
Cruise Control........................................... 212
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 215
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 216
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 216
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 217
Fog Lamps................................................ 218
Exterior Cargo Lamps................................ 219
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 219
Dome Lamps............................................. 220
Dome Lamp Override................................ 220
Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 220
Reading Lamps......................................... 220
Electric Power Management...................... 220Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 221
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)........ 222
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 226
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 226
Climate Controls......................................... 227
Dual Climate Control System..................... 227
Dual Automatic Climate Control System....... 230
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 238
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 239
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 240
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 241
Trip Odometer........................................... 241
Tachometer............................................... 241
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 241
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light......... 242
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 242
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 243
Charging System Light.............................. 245
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 246
Brake System Warning Light..................... 246
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light........ 248
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light......................... 248
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 249
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 250
Section 3 Instrument Panel
201
Tilt Wheel
The tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the
steering wheel before you drive. You can raise
it to the highest level to give your legs more room
when you enter and exit the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located on the driver’s side of the
steering column under the turn signal lever.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and
pull the lever. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock
the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. See
Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 208.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
on page 209.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 209.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 209.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 211.
For information on the exterior lamps, see
Exterior Lamps on page 215.
207
Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, cruise control
is turned off.If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise
control, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 359.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it
again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
The cruise control
buttons are located
on left side of the
steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and
turn off the system. The indicator light is on
when cruise control is on and turns off when cruise
control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press this button
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to
a previously set speed.
212
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps
control is located on
the instrument panel
to the left of the
steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
9(Off):Turn the control to this position to
turn off the automatic headlamps and daytime
running lamps (DRL). Turning the headlamp
control to the off position again will turn the
automatic headlamps or DRL back on.For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the off position
will only work for vehicles that are shifted into
the parked (P) position.
AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this
position to automatically turn on the headlamps
at normal brightness, together with the following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
When the vehicle is turned off and the
headlamps are in AUTO, the headlamps
may automatically remain on for a set time.
You can change this delay time using the DIC.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 257.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this
position to turn on the parking lamps together
with the following:
Instrument Panel Lights
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
215
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at both rear wheels.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
358
Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will
not have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may
notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best braking.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, it can give you
additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the
time, but when one of the rear wheels has no
traction and the other does, this feature will allow
the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with the
StabiliTrak®system which combines antilock
brake, traction and stability control systems and
helps the driver maintain directional control of
the vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to
drive away, the system performs several diagnostic
checks to ensure there are no problems. You
may hear or feel the system working. This
is normal and does not mean there is a problem
with your vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
In some cases, it may take approximately
two miles of driving before the system initializes.
359
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires against the
road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to
change its path when you turn the front wheels.
If there is no traction, inertia will keep the
vehicle going in the same direction. If you have
ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 359.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
363