The passenger sensing system is designed to turn
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.
The system determines that an infant is
present in a rear-facing infant seat.
The system determines that a small child is
present in a forward-facing child restraint.
The system determines that a small child is
present in a booster seat.
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, there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.When the passenger sensing system has turned
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off
indicator on the instrument panel 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 on page 69.
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.
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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 retailer.
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.
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit,
it could be because that person is not sittingproperly in the seat. If this happens, turn the
vehicle off and ask the person to place the
seatback in the fully upright position, then sit
upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,
with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in
this position for about two minutes. This will
allow the system to detect that person and then
enable the passenger’s airbag.
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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. 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 165for 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 93.
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.
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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 373
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, or
the side impact airbag covering (if equipped) on
the ceiling near the side windows, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both
the airbag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s airbag, or side
impact airbag module and ceiling covering for
roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped.)
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 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. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 165.
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If you accidentally set off the alarm when
entering/exiting the vehicle, you can shut it off by
pressing any button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter other than the panic alarm button.
If you hear three horn chirps when you press
the unlock button on the transmitter, that means
the vehicle’s alarm was triggered while you
were away.
Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the
Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
This light will come on
for the theft-deterent
system.Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder
is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is
not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered
with, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation, the security light will go
off approximately ve seconds after the key is
turned to RUN following an engine start.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes,
wait until the light stops ashing before trying
to restart the engine. Remember to release the key
from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the security light
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine
if you turn the engine off. However, your
Passlock
®system is not working properly and
must be serviced by your retailer. Your vehicle is
not protected by Passlock
®at this time. You may
also want to check the fuses, seeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 380. See your retailer for
service. Also, seeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 413for more information.
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ACC (Accessory):This position operates some
of your electrical accessories. It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition.
R(RUN):This is the position the switch returns
to after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine
is running. But even when the ignition is not
running, you can use RUN to operate your
electrical accessories and to display some warning
and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACC or RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if
the battery is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch will return to RUN for
normal driving.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember
to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after it
has been parked for an extended period of time.
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After the engine is started and has reached
operating temperature, the AUTO STOP feature
may cause the engine to turn off when you apply
the brakes and come to a complete stop. When you
take your foot off the brake pedal or press the
accelerator pedal, the engine will start. The engine
will continue to run until the next AUTO STOP.
The AUTO STOP mark on the tachometer signi es
that the engine is in AUTO STOP mode. After
parking and then turning off the vehicle, the
tachometer needle will move to OFF. If the driver’s
door is opened while in AUTO STOP mode, a
chime will sound.
If you are on an incline, your vehicle may roll
backwards a short distance until the engine
performs an AUTO START. The Hill Start Assist
feature will help start the vehicle on a moderate or
steep incline. SeeHill Start Assist Light on
page 183for more information. To restart the
engine during the AUTO STOP, release the brake
pedal or press the accelerator pedal. The engine
starts immediately. The vehicle continues to
run until the next stop.
There are several conditions which may prevent
an AUTO STOP or cause an AUTO START.The Engine Will Remain Running When:
The engine, transaxle, or hybrid battery is
not warmed up yet.
The outside temperature is high — usually
above 95°F (35°C) and the climate control
system is working to cool the vehicle in
A/C mode (yellow light illuminated on A/C
button) or if defrost is selected. SeeClimate
Control System on page 156for more
information.
The shift lever is in PARK (P), NEUTRAL (N),
REVERSE (R), INTERMEDIATE (I) or
LOW (L).
The hybrid battery pack charge is low.
The 12V vehicle battery charge is low, or
loads are high.
The hood is not fully closed.
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