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{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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
frontal airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 130for more on this, including
important safety information.
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 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 55for more information about
modi cations that can affect how the system
operates.
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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 318
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.
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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?
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 belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have
safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New
parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
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’s and 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. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 130.
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Emergency Trunk Release HandleNotice:Do not use the emergency trunk
release handle as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk as it
could damage the handle. The emergency
trunk release handle is only intended to aid a
person trapped in a latched trunk, enabling
them to open the trunk from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk
release handle located inside the trunk on
the driver’s side. This handle will glow following
exposure to light. If someone is locked in the trunk,
they can pull the release handle and push the
trunk lid open from the inside to open the trunk.
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Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some
cities. Although your vehicle has a number of
theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we
put on it can make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
The security light,
located on the
instrument panel cluster,
will turn on to indicate
that arming has
been initiated.
Once the system is armed, the security light will
ash once every three seconds.
If the security light is ashing twice per second,
this means that a door is open.
Arming the System
While the ignition is off, press the remote keyless
entry transmitter lock button, to arm the system.
The system will arm after either of these
things occur:
Thirty seconds after all the doors are closed.
Sixty seconds with any door open.
If you press the lock button on the transmitter a
second time while all the doors are closed,
the system will arm immediately. The system arms
in 60 seconds if a door is open, or after the
open door is closed.
If you do not want to arm the system, lock the car
with the manual door lock knobs.
Disarming the System
You can disarm the system by doing any one of
the following:
Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Turn the ignition on.
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If the system is armed and the trunk is opened
using the trunk release button on the transmitter,
the system will temporarily disarm itself and re-arm
when the trunk has been closed. This allows you to
exit the vehicle, lock the doors using the transmitter,
or open the trunk using the transmitter without
having to disarm and re-arm the system.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light will
stop ashing.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If the system is armed, it can be activated by:
Opening the driver’s door or trunk. This causes
a ten second pre-alarm chirping noise followed
by the horn sounding and lights ashing for
30 seconds.
Opening a passenger’s door. This immediately
causes a full alarm of the horn sounding and
lights ashing for 30 seconds.
After the 30 second alarm ends, the system will
re-arm itself.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
To turn off the system alarm, do one of the
following:
Press the lock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. The system will then
re-arm itself.
Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. This will also disarm the
system.
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on.
This will also disarm the system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If you hear three chirps when you press the
unlock, lock, or trunk release buttons on the
remote keyless transmitter, it means that
the content theft security system alarm was
activated previously.
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PASS-Key®III+
The PASS-Key®III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry
Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
PASS-Key
®III+ uses a radio frequency transponder
in the key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security System)
theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key
®III+ is a
passive theft-deterrent system. This means you do
not have to do anything special to arm or disarm
the system. It works when you insert or remove the
key from the ignition.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that
someone is using the wrong key, it prevents the
vehicle from starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error
method to start the vehicle will be discouraged
because of the high number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light
on the instrument panel cluster comes on
when trying to start the vehicle, the key may have
a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off
and try again.
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If the engine still does not start, and the key does
not appear to be damaged, try another ignition key.
At this time, you may also want to check the fuse,
seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 325.
If the engine still does not start with the other key,
your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does
start, the rst key may be faulty. See your retailer
who can service the PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new
key made. In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 359.
It may be possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder
to “learn” the transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to 10 keys may be
programmed for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming additional keys
only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see your retailer or
a locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to
have keys made and programmed to the system.
See your retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is
cut exactly as the ignition key that operates
the system.To program the new key do the following:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the already programmed key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine
will not start, see your retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK, and remove the key.
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to
the RUN position within ve seconds of the
original key being turned to LOCK.
5. The security light will turn off once the key
has been programmed.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 if additional keys
are to be programmed.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes
on and stays on, you may be able to restart
your engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
®III+
system, however, is not working properly and
must be serviced by your retailer. Your vehicle is
not protected by the PASS-Key
®III+ system
at this time.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key,
see your retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
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