Page 77 of 436

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an
airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle
deformation. Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front passenger airbag.
•Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there to help protect
you in another crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly other parts. The
service manual for your vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
•Your vehicle has a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information
after a crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection and
Event Data Recorders on page 413.
•Let only qualified technicians work on your
airbag system. Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work properly. See
your dealer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible when you
turn your ignition key to ON or START.
If you have a sedan, the airbag off symbol will be
visible near the clock, located in the center of
the instrument panel, during the system check.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator (Sedan) on
page 161.
United States – SedanCanada – Sedan
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Page 81 of 436

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something
may be wrong with the airbag system.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the frontal airbag and side
airbag (if equipped). SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 176for more on
this, including important safety
information.
A thick layer of additional material such as a
blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers
can affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. Remove any additional material from
the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the
child restraint or small occupant. You may want
to consider not using seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the
passenger sensing system. SeeAdding Equipment
to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 83for
more information about modifications that can
affect how the system operates.
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Page 83 of 436

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the
exterior 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 402.
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, steering wheel,
instrument panel, 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 402.
Your dealer/retailer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic module and
airbag wiring.
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Page 84 of 436

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. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 348.
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 frontal
airbag, or an airbag covering on a seatback
(if equipped), the airbag 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 frontal airbag, or both the airbag
module and the seatback for seating positions
with a side impact airbag (if equipped). Do not
open or break the airbag coverings.
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Page 95 of 436

All doors, except for the driver’s door, can be
locked by pushing down the manual door lock and
then closing the door. The driver’s door can
only by locked from the outside by using the key
or the optional remote keyless entry transmitter.
From the inside, you can lock and unlock all of the
doors by pushing or pulling the manual door
lock located on each door.
Central Door Unlocking System
Your vehicle may be equipped with the central
door unlocking system. This system is activated
from the driver’s door.
From the outside, you can lock or unlock all the
doors by using either the key or the remote
keyless entry transmitter, if equipped. From the
inside, you can lock or unlock all the doors
by using the driver’s door lock switch while the
driver’s door is closed.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors on
the sedan is not closed
properly while the
ignition is on, the door
ajar light on the
instrument panel comes
on and stays on until
the doors are closed.
If one of the doors on the hatchback is not closed
properly while the ignition is on, the door ajar
light on the secondary information center comes
on and stays on until the doors are closed.
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Page 97 of 436

Lockout Protection
This feature helps prevent locking the key in the
car. The driver’s door can only be locked with
the door closed. From the outside of the vehicle,
close the driver’s door and lock it using the key or
the Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never
be locked out of your vehicle. Always remember
to take your key with you.
Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
trunk lid open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You
cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you must drive with the trunk lid open
or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or
cooling system to its highest speed
and select the control setting that will
force outside air into your vehicle. See
Climate Control System.
If you have air outlets on or under
the instrument panel, open them all
the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 122.
To open the trunk on your sedan from outside of
your vehicle, insert the key into the lock cylinder
and turn the key clockwise or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter, if equipped.
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Page 100 of 436

Liftgate (Hatchback)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
liftgate open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You
cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death. If you
must drive with the liftgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or
cooling system to its highest speed
and select the control setting that will
force outside air into your vehicle. See
Climate Control System on page 150.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 122.To open the liftgate on your hatchback from
outside of the vehicle, insert the key into the lock
cylinder and turn it counterclockwise or use
the remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped.
Then pull up the handle above the license
plate to open the liftgate.
When closing the liftgate, close from the center to
ensure it fully latches.
To lock the liftgate, insert the key into the lock
cylinder and turn it clockwise or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter, if equipped.
The liftgate can also be locked or unlocked by the
central door unlocking system or remote keyless
entry, if equipped. SeeCentral Door Unlocking
System on page 95andRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 91.
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Page 104 of 436

Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Close the doors, the windows, the hood, and
the trunk or liftgate.
Ensure that the windows are closed, as the
system can be armed even if the windows
are open.
2. Turn the key to LOCK and remove the key
from the ignition.
If the key is inserted in the ignition, the
transmitter will not arm the theft-deterrent
system.
3. Lock the doors by pressing the lock button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
•The LED light on the transmitter will
flash once.
•All of the doors will lock.
•The hazard warning lamps will flash once
and the horn will chirp.
•The security light will flash to indicate that
the theft-deterrent system is armed. For
hatchback models, the security light
is located on the secondary information
center (SIC) on the center of the instrument
panel. SeeSecondary Information Center
(SIC) (Hatchback Only) on page 174.
For sedan models, the security light is
located on the center of the instrument
panel near the clock. SeeInstrument Panel
Overview on page 132.
To avoid activating the alarm by accident, do one
of the following:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door
using the key.
•Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will activate the
alarm when a door or the trunk or liftgate is
opened.
If you do not want to arm the theft-deterrent
system, lock the vehicle using the key or the
manual door locks.
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