
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 414.
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, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted 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 414.
83

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 376
for 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 roof-mounted side impact airbag
covering (if equipped) on the garnish trim and
ceiling near the side windows, 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
airbag, or the side impact airbag module,
garnish trim and the ceiling covering for
roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped).
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
84

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 assemblies. Be sure to do so. Then the
new assemblies 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 assemblies,
even if the frontal airbags have not deployed.
The driver and front passenger’s safety belt
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 167.
85

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.
To lock the driver’s door from the outside, turn the
key clockwise. To unlock the door, turn the key
counterclockwise.
You can also use the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if equipped, to lock and unlock the
doors.
From the inside, use the manual lock knobs on
each door or the power door lock switch to
lock and unlock all doors.
98

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 142
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 144
Other Warning Devices............................. 144
Horn.......................................................... 144
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 145
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 145
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 146
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 146
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 146
Windshield Wipers..................................... 147
Windshield Washer.................................... 148
Cruise Control........................................... 149
Headlamps................................................ 152
Wiper Activated Headlamps....................... 153
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 153
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 153
Fog Lamps................................................ 154
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 154
Dome Lamp.............................................. 155
Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 155
Mirror Reading Lamps............................... 155
Electric Power Management...................... 155
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 156
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 156
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 157Climate Controls......................................... 158
Climate Control System............................. 158
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 161
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 162
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 164
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 165
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 166
Tachometer............................................... 166
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 166
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 167
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 167
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 168
Charging System Light.............................. 170
Up-Shift Light............................................ 171
Brake System Warning Light..................... 171
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 172
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light......................................... 173
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 174
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 174
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 178
Security Light............................................ 179
Fog Lamp Light......................................... 179
Section 3 Instrument Panel
139

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Your vehicle’s odometer works together with the
driver information center. You can set a Trip A and
Trip B odometer. See “Trip Information” under
DIC Operation and Displays on page 181.
The odometer mileage can be checked without
the vehicle running. Simply open the driver’s door
and the mileage will be displayed brie y.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer
installed, the new one will be set to the correct
mileage total of the old odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your
vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
in the shaded warning area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind you and
your passengers to buckle your safety belts.
The driver safety belt light will also come on and
stay on for several seconds, then it will ash for
several more.
You should buckle your
seat belt.
If the vehicle is equipped with the passenger
sensing system, this chime and light will be
repeated if the driver remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s belt
is buckled, neither the chime nor the light will
come on. SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 77for more information.
166

Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
If your vehicle has this feature, several seconds
after the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt. This would
only occur if the passenger airbag is enabled. See
Passenger Sensing System on page 77for more
information. The passenger safety belt light will also
come on and stay on for several seconds, then it
will ash for several more.
This light and chime
reminder will be
repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and the
vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, 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 sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 68.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
167

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 18.
{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.
226