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In many crashes severe enough to in ate an
airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle
deformation. Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to in ate only once.
After an airbag in ates, 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 Recording
and Privacy on page 443andEvent Data
Recorders on page 443.
Let only quali ed technicians work on the
airbag system. Improper service can mean
that your airbag system will not work properly.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
The passenger airbag status indicator on the
instrument panel will be visible when you turn
your ignition key to RUN or START. The words
ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off,
will be visible during the system check.
If you use remote start to start your vehicle from
a distance, if your vehicle has this feature,
you may not see the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the word ON
or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the
symbol for off will be visible. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 179.
United StatesCanada
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CAUTION: (Continued)
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag if the system
detects a rear-facing child restraint, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend
that rear-facing child restraints be secured
in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger seat
as far back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a rear seat.The passenger sensing system is designed to turn
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.
The system determines that an infant is
present in a rear-facing infant seat.
The system determines that a small child is
present in a forward-facing child restraint.
The system determines that a small child is
present in a booster seat.
A right front passenger takes his/her weight off
of the seat for a period of time.
The right front passenger seat is occupied by
a smaller person, such as a child who has
outgrown child restraints.
Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system
When the passenger’s frontal airbag has been
turned off by the passenger sensing system, the
off indicator on the instrument panel will light
and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
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Restart the vehicle and have the person remain
in this position for about two minutes. This
will allow the system to detect that person and
then enable the passenger’s airbag.
{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.
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 airbag(s). See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 178for
more on this, including important safety
information.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can
affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. You may want to consider not using
seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if
your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
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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 426.
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 426.
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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. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 390
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 side impact airbag covering
(if equipped) on the 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 side impact airbag
module and ceiling covering for roof-mounted
side impact airbags (if equipped.) Do not
open or break the airbag coverings.
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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. If you
must drive with the trunk lid open or if
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 124.
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Trunk Release
To open the trunk from the outside, press the
open trunk button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if equipped.
Remote Trunk Release
You can also open the trunk from inside the
vehicle.
G(Remote Trunk Release):Press the button
with the open trunk symbol on it. The button is
located next to the exterior lamps control on
the left side of the instrument panel. The shift lever
must be in PARK (P) for the remote trunk
release button to work.
If your vehicle ever loses power, you can open the
trunk by lowering the rear seat and pulling the
emergency trunk release handle located inside the
trunk. SeeSplit Folding Rear Seat on page 15
and “Emergency Trunk Release Handle” following.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk
release handle as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk as it could
damage the handle. The emergency trunk
release handle is only intended to aid a person
trapped in a latched trunk, enabling them to
open the trunk from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle
located on the latch inside the trunk. This handle
will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release
handle to open the trunk from the inside.
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Changes or modi cations to this system by other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
PASS-Key
®III+ uses a radio frequency
transponder in the key that matches a decoder in
your vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent
system. PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent
system. This means you do not have to do anything
special to arm or disarm the system. It works when
you transition the key to RUN, ACCESSORY or
START from the OFF position.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that
someone is using the wrong key, it prevents
the vehicle from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will
be discouraged because of the high number
of electrical key codes.If the engine does not start and the security light on
the instrument panel cluster comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, the key may have a damaged
transponder. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key
appears to be undamaged, try another ignition key.
At this time, you may also want to check the fuse,
seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 398.Ifthe
engine still does not start with the other key, your
vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the
rst key may be faulty. See your dealer/retailer who
can service the PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key
made. In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder
to learn the transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to nine additional keys may
be programmed for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming additional keys only.
If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do
not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer or a
locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have
keys made and programmed to the system.
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