Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. 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 570.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, rollover sensor
module, instrument panel, steering wheel,
ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim,
roof-mounted rollover airbag modules, 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 570.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 190
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 192
Other Warning Devices............................. 192
Horn.......................................................... 192
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 193
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 193
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 194
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 195
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 195
Windshield Wipers..................................... 196
Rainsense™ II Wipers............................... 197
Windshield Washer.................................... 198
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...................... 199
Cruise Control........................................... 200
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 203
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 205
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 205
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 205
Fog Lamps................................................ 206
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 207
Dome Lamps............................................. 207
Dome Lamp Override................................ 207
Entry Lighting............................................ 207
Exit Lighting.............................................. 207Front Reading Lamps................................ 208
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 208
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...... 208
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 213
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 214
Climate Controls......................................... 214
Dual Automatic Climate Control System....... 214
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 222
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System and Electronic Climate
Controls................................................. 223
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 225
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 226
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 227
Trip Odometer........................................... 227
Tachometer............................................... 227
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 228
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 228
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 229
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 230
Charging System Light.............................. 232
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 232
Brake System Warning Light..................... 233
Section 3 Instrument Panel
187
Tilt Wheel
Your vehicle has a tilt wheel, that lets you adjust
the steering wheel before driving. Raising it to
the highest level gives more room to exit and enter
your vehicle.
The tilt steering wheel lever is located on the
lower left side of the column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull
the lever. Then move the steering wheel to a
comfortable position and release the lever to lock
the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G(Turn and Lane Change Signals):See
Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 194.
53(Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer):SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 195.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 195.
193
Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).When you apply your brakes, cruise control is
turned off.
If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 349. When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.
The cruise control
buttons are located
on left side of the
steering wheel.
200
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at both rear wheels.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
348
Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Locking Differential
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking
differential can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the wheels
has no traction and the other does, this feature will
allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with the
StabiliTrak®system which combines antilock
brake, traction and stability control systems and
helps the driver maintain directional control of the
vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to
drive away, the system performs several diagnostic
checks to ensure there are no problems. You
may hear or feel the system working. This
is normal and does not mean there is a problem
with your vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
In some cases, it may take approximately
two miles of driving before the system initializes.
349
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
With this feature, engine power is sent to all
four wheels all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no
separate lever or switch to engage or disengage
the front axle. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself
as needed for road conditions.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires against the
road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to
change its path when you turn the front wheels. If
there is no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle
going in the same direction. If you have ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
353
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps
avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction
control system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
358