A thick layer of additional material such as a
blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers,
can affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. Remove any additional material from
the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the
child restraint and before a small occupant,
including a small adult, sits in the right front
passenger position. You may want to consider not
using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment
if your vehicle has the passenger sensing
system. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 83for more
information about modi cations that can affect how
the system operates.
The passenger sensing system may suppress the
airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into
the seat. If this happens, the off indicator in the
passenger airbag status indicator and the
airbag readiness light on the instrument panel will
be lit. The system should resume normal
operation after the seat is allowed to dry. If the
system operates incorrectly after the seat
has dried, have your retailer check the system.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to in ate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a
service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 425.
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
If your vehicle has one of the indicators pictured in
the following illustrations, then your vehicle has
a passenger sensing system.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it means that
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled
(may in ate).{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have
a rear-facing child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not
turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag.
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. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun
visor 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.
United StatesCanada
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{CAUTION:
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 the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the
airbag status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has turned off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 77for more on this,
including important safety information.If, after several seconds, all 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 retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, 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 seat may not have
the protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 167.
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{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If things like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else are put inside the vehicle, they will
go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
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CD, MP3 ..................................................... 205
Center Console Storage Area...................... 133
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)..... 324
Chains, Tire................................................. 348
Change Engine Oil Message....................... 183
Check
Engine Light............................................ 174
Check Gage Message................................. 184
Check Gas Cap Message........................... 185
Checking Things Under the Hood................ 278
Chemical Paint Spotting.............................. 373
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems............................. 47
Infants and Young Children........................ 44
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children....... 53
Older Children........................................... 41
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position................................. 61
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position........................ 64
Where to Put the Restraint........................ 52
Cigarette Lighter.......................................... 154
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels.................................... 371
Exterior Lamps/Lenses............................. 370
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 367
Finish Care.............................................. 370Cleaning (cont.)
Inside of Your Vehicle .............................. 366
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.................................... 368
Tires........................................................ 372
Underbody Maintenance........................... 372
Washing Your Vehicle .............................. 369
Weatherstrips........................................... 369
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 370
Climate Control System......................155, 157
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment........... 161
Outlet Adjustment..................................... 160
Clock..................................................187, 188
Clutch, Hydraulic......................................... 293
Collision Damage Repair............................. 420
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt................. 36
Compact Spare Tire.................................... 365
Compass............................................122, 125
Competitive Driving, Racing or Other........... 234
Content Theft-Deterrent............................... 103
Control of a Vehicle..................................... 222
Convenience Net......................................... 134
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage........................ 173
Surge Tank Pressure Cap........................ 297
Cooling System........................................... 300
Cruise Control
............................................. 147
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