
The passenger sensing system will turn off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain
conditions. The driver’s airbag is not part of the
passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s
seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed
to detect the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal
airbag should be enabled (may in ate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear rather than the front
seat. We recommend that child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in
a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat and an older child riding
in a booster seat.
Your vehicle may have a label on your sun visor
that says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the
front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing
child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger’s airbag in ates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the
in ating airbag.
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.
104

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 passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator will
light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
If a child restraint has been installed and the on
indicator is 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
(Regular and Extended Cab) (With Passenger
Sensing System)in the Index.
If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting
the vehicle, the on indicator is still 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 on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the
child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle if
one is available and check with your dealer.
The passenger sensing system is designed to
enable (may in ate) the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag 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 to be
enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to
remind you that the airbag is active.
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, 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.
106

Q:What if I added a snow plow? Will it keep
the airbags from working properly?
A:We have designed our airbag systems to work
properly under a wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles that have
the optional Snow Plow Prep Package
(RPO VYU). But do not change or defeat the
snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you
do, it can damage your snow plow and your
vehicle, and it may cause an airbag in ation.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my advanced airbag
system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, the inside review mirror, 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 638.
110

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 592
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,
the airbag may not work properly. You may
have to replace the airbag module in the
steering wheel or both the airbag module and
the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s airbag. Do not open or break the
airbag coverings.
111

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.
112

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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
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.
120

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 210
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 212
Other Warning Devices............................. 213
Horn.......................................................... 213
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 213
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 214
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 214
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 215
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 216
Windshield Wipers..................................... 216
Windshield Washer.................................... 217
Cruise Control........................................... 217
Headlamps................................................ 221
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 222
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 222
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 223
Fog Lamps................................................ 225
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.................... 226
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 226
Dome Lamps............................................. 226
Dome Lamp Override................................ 227
Entry Lighting............................................ 227
Exit Lighting.............................................. 227Front Reading Lamps................................ 227
Cargo Lamp.............................................. 228
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 228
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 229
Climate Controls......................................... 230
Climate Control System............................. 230
Dual Climate Control System..................... 231
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.... 235
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 243
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 244
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 245
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 246
Trip Odometer........................................... 246
Tachometer............................................... 246
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 247
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 247
Airbag Off Light......................................... 248
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 250
Battery Warning Light................................ 253
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 253
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)........ 254
Brake System Warning Light..................... 254
Section 3 Instrument Panel
207

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a
chime will sound for several seconds to remind
people to buckle their 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.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled
and the vehicle
is in motion.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 270for
more information on driver and passenger
safety belt reminders.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will come on.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 103for
more information.
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 sensors, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module and, if
equipped, the passenger sensing system. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 91.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
This means the system
is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while you are
driving, the airbag system may not be working
properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.
247