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one year oldandweigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and “convertible” child seats.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). “Convertible” child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the
LATCH child restraint anchorage system. Refer to
“LATCH — Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren)” in this section.
•Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
airbag unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag
deployment could cause severe injury or death to
infants in this position.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for children
who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who are older
than one year. These child seats are also held in the
vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child
restraint anchorage system. Refer to “LATCH — Child
Seat Anchorage System (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)” in this section.
The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weighing
more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small to fit
the vehicle’s seat belts properly. If the child cannot sit
with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat cushion while the
child’s back is against the seat back, they should use a
belt-positioning booster seat. The child and belt-
positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
LATCH — Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CH ildren)
Your vehicle’s rear seat is equipped with the child
restraint anchorage system called LATCH. The LATCH
system provides for the installation of the child restraint
without using the vehicle’s seat belts, instead securingthe 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 retro-fit 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 adjacent
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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The 60/40 split-folding rear seat provides cargo-carrying
versatility. The seatbacks fold down easily by pulling
nylon tabs between the seatbacks and the bolsters. When
the seats are folded down, they provide a continuous,
nearly flat extension of the removable tri-fold load floor.
Tri-Fold Upper Load Floor
The removable tri-fold upper load floor has two different
surfaces for increased utility. One side is carpeted for a
plush appearance and the other side is covered with
vinyl for easy cleaning. The panel, sandwiched between
the carpet and the washable-vinyl, is constructed from a
strong lightweight material that gives the floor its load-
bearing strength.
You can place the load floor in a partially folded position,
a fully folded position, or a flat position. You can also
remove it from the vehicle. Folding and/or removing the
load floor will add four inches to the height of the cargo
area for increased utility. Use the handle to adjust the
position of the load floor. The load floor positions are
shown in the following illustrations.
Load Floor Handle
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
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Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
The tie-downs located on cargo area floor and on the rear
trim panels should be used to safely secure loads when
vehicle is moving.
WARNING!
•Cargo tie-down hooks are not safe anchors for a
child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion, a hook could pull loose and allow the child
seat to come loose. A child could be badly injured.
Use only the anchors provided for child seat
tethers.
•The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and
vehicle handling. To avoid loss of control result-
ing in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
WARNING!
To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
ROOF LUGGAGE RACK — IF EQUIPPED
The roof luggage rack consists of side rails and adjustable
crossbars. The roof luggage rack is designed to carry up
to 150 lbs (68 kg) of cargo uniformly distributed over
both crossbars.
When loading cargo on the roof luggage rack, distribute
the cargo weight evenly on the crossbars. The roof
luggage rack does not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle.Be sure that the total load of
cargo inside the vehicle plus that on the external rack
does not exceed the maximum vehicle load capacity.
Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for
more information about cargo and load capacity. The
placard is located on either the driver’s side “B” pillar or
the driver door.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
3
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Vehicles with the 5.7L Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
may be equipped with the FUEL SAVER MODE in the
Trip Functions of the EVIC. The FUEL SAVER MODE
message will display above the average fuel economy in
the EVIC display. This message will appear whenever
MDS allows the engine to operate on four cylinders,
which will vary depending on driving habits and vehicle
usage.This feature allows you to monitor when the MDS
switches off the fuel on four of the eight cylinders and it
can be used to modify driving habits in order to increase
the time in which the fuel saver mode is active.
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
4 Cylinder Operation - MDS On
8 Cylinder Operation - MDS Off
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 151
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▫Premium System — If Equipped..........258
▫General Information...................261
Fuel Requirements.....................261
▫2.7L Engine.........................261
▫3.5L And 5.7L Engines..................261
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................262
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............262
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................263
▫Materials Added To Fuel................263
▫Fuel System Cautions..................263
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............264
Adding Fuel..........................265
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............265
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............267
Vehicle Loading.......................267
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............267▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......268
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........268
▫Overloading.........................268
▫Loading............................268
Trailer Towing........................270
▫Common Towing Definitions.............270
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............273
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................273
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............275
▫Towing Requirements..................276
▫TowingTips .........................280
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)
................282
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................282
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
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Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on either the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side
“B” pillar.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about
the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Tire Placard Location
Tire and Loading Information
240 STARTING AND OPERATING