
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.
If the frontal airbags in ate you will also need to
replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt
retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the
new retractor assembly will be there to help protect
you in a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver
and front passenger’s safety belt retractor
assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have not
deployed. The driver and 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. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 250.
105

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.
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
From the outside, use the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or the key in the
driver’s door.
From the inside, use the power door locks or
manual door locks. To lock or unlock the door with
the manual locks, push down or pull up on the
manual lock knob.
118

Tailgate
{CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride on the
tailgate, even when the vehicle is operated
at low speeds. People riding on the
tailgate can easily lose their balance and
fall in response to vehicle maneuvers.
Falling from a moving vehicle may result
in serious injuries or death. Do not allow
people to ride on the tailgate. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a safety belt properly.On vehicles with a lock on the tailgate, use the
key to lock or unlock the tailgate.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle while
pulling the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, rmly push it upward until it
latches.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back
towards you to be sure it latches securely.
122

Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 246
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 247
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 248
Trip Odometer........................................... 248
Tachometer............................................... 248
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 249
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
(1500 Series)......................................... 249
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 250
Airbag Off Light......................................... 250
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 252
Charging System Light.............................. 254
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 255
Brake System Warning Light..................... 256
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 257
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light......................... 258
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 258
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 259
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 260
Oil Pressure Gage..................................... 263
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 264
Security Light............................................ 264Fog Lamp Light......................................... 265
Cruise Control Light.................................. 265
Highbeam On Light................................... 265
Four-Wheel-Drive Light.............................. 265
Tow/Haul Mode Light................................ 266
Fuel Gage................................................. 266
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 267
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 267
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)................................. 268
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)............................ 275
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 279
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)................................. 289
Audio System(s)......................................... 300
Setting the Time........................................ 301
AM-FM Radio............................................ 304
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 306
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 312
Radio with CD and DVD (MP3) ................. 322
Section 3 Instrument Panel
204

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.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will come on.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder
Light (1500 Series)
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds
to remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. The passenger safety belt light will also
come on and stay on for several seconds, then it
will ash for several more.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and the
vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on
page 252for more information.
249

If, after several seconds, both status indicator
lights remain on, or if there are no lights at
all, there may be a problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
{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). SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 250for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
If this light comes on
when the engine is
running, there could be
a problem with the
charging system.
This light will also stay on while the key is in RUN
until the engine is started.
If the light stays on after starting the engine it
could indicate a problem with the generator drive
belt, or some other charging system problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, it helps to turn off all of the electrical
accessories, such as the radio and the blower.
254

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving
is: Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in
your vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They
Are for Everyone on page 22.
{CAUTION:
Defensive driving really means “Be ready
for anything.” On city streets, rural roads,
or expressways, it means “Always expect
the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians
or other drivers are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do and be ready. Rear-end collisions
are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow
enough following distance. Defensive
driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts
from the driving task makes proper
defensive driving more difficult and can
even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do these
things, or pull off the road in a safe place to
do them. These simple defensive driving
techniques could save your life.
374