the child restraint using lower anchorages and upper
tether straps from the child restraint to the vehicle
structure.
LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchorages are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those anchorages will continue to
have features for installation using the vehicle's seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for
connection to the top tether anchorages have been avail-
able for some time. For some older child restraints, many
child restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether strap
kits or retrofit kits. You are urged to take advantage of all
the available attachments provided with your child re-
straint in any vehicle.
All three rear-seating positions have lower anchorages
that are capable of accommodating LATCH-compatible
child seats. You shouldNEVERinstall LATCH-
compatible child seats such that two seats share a com-
mon lower anchorage. If installing child seats in adjacentrear-seating positions, or if your child restraints are not
LATCH-compatible, install the restraints using the vehi-
cle's seat belts.
Installing the LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
were provided with the child restraint system.
LATCH Anchorages
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The rear seat lower anchorages are round bars,
located at the rear of the seat cushion where it
meets the seat back, and are just visible when
you lean into the rear seat to install the child
restraint. You will easily feel them if you run your finger
along the intersection of the seatback and seat cushion
surfaces.
In addition, there are tether strap anchorages
behind each rear seating position located in the
panel between the rear seat back and the rear
window. These tether strap anchorages are
under a plastic cover with this symbol on it.
Many, but not all restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector for attachment to the lower anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension in the strap. Forward-
facing toddler restraints and some rear-facing infant
restraints will also be equipped with a tether strap, a
hook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension of the strap.
You will first loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and
on the tether strap so that you can more easily attach thehooks or connectors to the vehicle anchorages. Next,
attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top of the
seat cover material. Then rotate the tether anchorage
cover directly behind the seat where you are placing the
child restraint and attach the tether strap to the anchor-
age, being careful to route the tether strap to provide the
most direct path between the anchor and the child
restraint. Finally, tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat,
removing slack in the straps according to the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE:
²
Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seat backs as you remove slack in
the strap.
²When using the LATCH attaching system to install a
child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through
the child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This
should stow the seat belt out of the reach of an
inquisitive child. Remind all children in the vehicle
that the seat belts are not toys and should not be
played with, and never leave your child unattended in
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which are
designed to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking clip.Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder
belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate will
keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally, and pull
it tight if necessary.
Seat belts with an automatic locking retractor have a
distinctive label on the seat belt webbing. The seat belt
must be in the automatic locking mode in order to enable
a child restraint to be tightly installed. Refer to ªAuto-
matic Locking Modeº in this section for details. A locking
clip should not be necessary once the automatic locking
feature is enabled. Position the shoulder and lap belt on
the child restraint. The automatic locking retractor is
activated by first attaching the child seat, then pulling all
of the webbing out of the retractor, then allowing back in.
Tighten webbing. To release, simply unbuckle the seat
belt by depressing the button, allowing the webbing to
retract into the retractor.
In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path opening
on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate from the
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt several times
to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the
release button facing out.
If the belt still can't be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
to do something more. Disconnect the latch plate from
the buckle, turn the buckle around, and insert the latch
plate into the buckle again. If you still can't make the
child restraint secure, try a different seating position.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Rotate the cover over the anchor directly behind the
seat where you are placing the child restraint.
2. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat.
3. Attach the tether strap hook (A) of the child restraint to
the anchor (B) and remove slack in the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
NOTE:Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into
the opening between the seat backs as you remove slack
in the strap.
Tether Strap Mounting
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 500 miles (800 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
However, wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can
be detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle lubricant
installed at the factory is high quality and energy con-
serving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant changes should be
consistent with anticipated climate and conditions under
which vehicle operations will occur. The recommended
viscosity and quality grades is shown in Section 7 of this
manual.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................... 265
Child Restraint...................46,48,50,52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........49,50
Child Safety Locks....................... 23
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 238
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 289
Climate Control........................ 174
Clock..........................146,152,163
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 174
Compass............................. 136
Compass Calibration.................... 136
Compass Variance...................... 137
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 134
Console.............................. 115
Console, Floor......................... 115
Console, Overhead...................... 103
Contract, Service....................... 330
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)........ 281
Cooling System........................ 278
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 280
Coolant Capacity..................... 304Coolant Level.....................278,282
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 281
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 279
Inspection........................... 282
Points to Remember................... 282
Pressure Cap........................ 281
Radiator Cap........................ 281
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....279,304,305
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 100
Cruise Light........................... 124
Cup Holder........................ 114,291
Customer Assistance.................... 328
Data Recorder, Event..................... 45
Daytime Running Lights.................. 92
Dealer Service......................... 266
Defroster, Rear Window.................. 185
Defroster, Windshield...............57,176,181
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................ 96
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 264
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 93
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 281
338 INDEX
Restraint, Head......................... 86
Restraints, Child........................ 46
Restraints, Occupant..................... 29
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 257
Rotation, Tires......................... 229
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 56
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 57
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 331
Safety Information, Tire.................. 213
Safety Tips............................. 55
Satellite Radio......................163,167
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 170
Schedule, Maintenance................... 308
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 290
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 34
Seat Belts.............................. 29
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 33
And Pregnant Women.................. 36
Child Restraint.................46,47,48,52
Extender............................ 36
Front Seat.........................29,30
Operating Instructions.................. 30Pretensioners......................... 34
Rear Seat............................ 29
Reminder........................... 127
Untwisting Procedure................... 34
Seats................................. 84
Heated.............................. 86
Lumbar Support....................... 86
Power.............................. 84
Rear Folding......................... 88
Reclining............................ 85
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............15,129
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........279,305
Sentry Key (Immobilizer).................. 12
Service Assistance...................... 328
Service Contract........................ 330
Service Engine Soon Light (Malfunction
Indicator)............................. 131
Service Manuals........................ 331
Setting the Clock.................146,152,163
Settings, Personal....................... 140
Shifting.............................. 193
Automatic Transmission.............193,196
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 33
346 INDEX
Shoulder Belts.......................... 29
Side Airbag............................ 42
Signals, Turn........................93,126
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 202
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 227
Snow Tires............................ 228
Spark Plugs........................... 270
Speed Control (Cruise Control)............. 100
Speedometer.......................... 124
Starting.............................. 190
Automatic Transmission................ 190
Engine Fails to Start................... 191
Starting and Operating................... 190
Starting Procedures..................... 190
Steering
Column Controls...................... 93
Linkage............................ 276
Power...........................207,276
Tilt Column.......................... 98
Wheel, Tilt........................... 98
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 171
Storage............................ 115,297Storage, Vehicle.....................182,297
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 297
Sun Roof............................. 109
Sunglasses Storage...................... 104
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 37
System, Navigation..................... 162
Tachometer........................... 124
Telescoping Steering Column............... 98
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)....... 177
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......125,249
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............. 49
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 15
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 15
Tilt Steering Column..................... 98
Tire and Loading Information Placard.....217,218
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 216
Tire Markings......................... 213
Tire Safety Information................... 213
TIREFIT.............................. 249
Tires ...........................57,221,332
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 225
Air Pressure......................... 221
INDEX 347
10