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There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the
airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 164for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
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Page 78 of 422

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) 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 sensing system has turned
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped),
the off symbol near the clock will light and stay
lit to remind you that the airbag or airbags are off.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on
page 165.
If a child restraint has been installed and the off
symbol is not lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove
the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the
child restraint following the child restraint
manufacturer’s directions and refer toSecuring a
Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position
on page 62.
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If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting
the vehicle, the off symbol is still not lit, check to
make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not
pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion.
If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s
seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible.
Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped
under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint.
If the off symbol is still not lit, secure the child in
the child restraint in a rear seat position in
the vehicle and check with your dealer.The passenger sensing system is designed to
enable (may inflate) the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting properly in the right
front passenger’s seat. When the passenger
sensing system has allowed the airbag or airbags
to be enabled, the off symbol will not light.
For some children who have outgrown child
restraints and for very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag and side
airbag (if equipped), depending upon the person’s
seating posture and body build. Everyone in
your vehicle who has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt properly — whether or
not there is an airbag for that person.
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Page 81 of 422

{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
frontal airbag and side airbag (if equipped).
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 164
for 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 84 of 422

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 339.
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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If the frontal airbags inflate, you will also need to
replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s
safety belt pretensioners and safety belt. Be sure
to do so. Then the new pretensioner and safety
belt will be there to help protect you in a collision.
If your vehicle has side airbags, the front seat
assembly must be replaced after the side airbag
has been deployed.After a crash you may need to replace the driver
and right front passenger’s safety belt retractor
assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have
not deployed. The driver and right front
passenger’s safety belt retractor 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 164.
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Page 92 of 422

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
The following functions may be available if your
vehicle has the remote keyless entry system.
The LED light (A), on the transmitter, will flash
when the buttons on the remote keyless entry
transmitter are pressed. You can lock and unlock
the vehicle’s doors from about 20 feet (6 m)
away. SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
on page 91for additional information.
W(Unlock):Press this button to unlock all of the
doors and the liftgate, if equipped. If all of the
doors and the liftgate are closed, the hazard lamps
will flash twice to indicate that unlocking has
occurred. The theft-deterrent system will deactivate
and the security light will turn off. The security
light is located on the base of the driver’s
door lock.
If a door is not opened or if the engine is not
started within 30 seconds after pressing unlock on
the remote keyless entry transmitter, all of the
doors will automatically lock and the theft-deterrent
system will reactivate.
Q(Lock):Press this button to lock all of the
doors and the liftgate, if equipped. If all of
the doors and the liftgate are closed, the hazard
lamps will flash once and the horn will chirp
to indicate that locking has occurred. The
theft-deterrent system will activate and the security
light will flash.
If the driver’s door is open while pressing lock, all
of the doors, except for the driver’s door will
lock. If any door other than the driver’s door is
open while pressing lock, all of the doors, including
the driver’s door, will lock.
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S(Panic):If your vehicle has this feature, press
this button to turn on the hazard warning
flashers. The hazard warning lamps will flash for
about 28 seconds. Press this button again to
turn off the hazard warning lamps.
The lock, unlock, and panic buttons, on the
remote keyless entry transmitter, will not operate
while the key is in the ignition. The theft-deterrent
system will not activate while the key is in the
ignition.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking
your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased through your
dealer. Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you go to your dealer.
When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining
transmitters must also be matched. Once your
dealer has coded the new transmitter, the
lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle.
Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in the remote
keyless entry transmitter should last about
two years.
The battery is weak if the LED light fails to
illuminate or if the transmitter will not work at the
normal operating range. If you have to get
close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it is probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care
not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from
your body transferred to these surfaces
may damage the transmitter.
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