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 440.
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, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling
and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted 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 440.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 140
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 142
Horn.......................................................... 142
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 142
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 143
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 143
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 144
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 144
Windshield Wipers..................................... 144
Windshield Washer.................................... 145
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...................... 146
Cruise Control........................................... 146
Headlamps................................................ 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 150
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 151
Fog Lamps................................................ 152
Interior Lamps........................................... 152
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 152
Dome Lamp.............................................. 153
Entry Lighting............................................ 153
Map Lamps............................................... 153
Footwell Lamps......................................... 153
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 154
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 154
Cigarette Lighter........................................ 155Climate Controls......................................... 155
Climate Control System............................. 155
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 159
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 159
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 161
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 162
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 163
Trip Odometer........................................... 163
Tachometer............................................... 164
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 164
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 165
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 165
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 166
Battery Warning Light................................ 169
Up-Shift Light............................................ 169
Brake System Warning Light..................... 170
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 171
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 172
Low Traction Light..................................... 173
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 173
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 174
Low Coolant Warning Light....................... 174
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 175
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 178
Change Engine Oil Light........................... 179
Security Light............................................ 179
Reduced Engine Power Light.................... 179
Highbeam On Light................................... 180
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light........................................ 180
Gate Ajar Light.......................................... 180
Service Vehicle Soon Light........................ 180
Fuel Gage................................................. 181
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 181Audio System(s)......................................... 182
Setting the Time (Without Date Display).... 183
Setting the Time (With Date Display)......... 184
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 186
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 192
Radio with CD and DVD........................... 202
Using an MP3........................................... 202
XM Radio Messages................................. 209
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 211
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 223
Radio Reception........................................ 224
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 225
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 225
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 225
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 225
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The band on the wiper lever with the smaller
arrow operates the rear wiper/washer.
9(Off):Turn the band to this position to turn off
the rear wiper.
Z(Rear Wiper):Turn the band with the smaller
arrow to this position to turn on the rear wiper.
To set for a shorter or longer delay between wipes,
turn the other band with the larger arrow pointing
to the numbers (1, 2, or 3). Select 3 for the
most frequent movement; select 1 for the least
frequent. The band with the arrow pointing to
the numbers (1, 2, or 3) will affect both the front
and rear wipers if they are on at the same time.
Y(Wash):Turn and hold the band in this
position to spray washer uid on the rear window.
The rear wiper will also come on. Release the
band when enough uid has been sprayed on the
window. The rear wiper will run a few additional
times after you release it.
The rear window washer uses the same uid
bottle as the windshield washer. However, the
rear window washer will run out of uid before the
windshield washer. If you can wash your windshield
but not your rear window, check the uid level.
Cruise Control
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 25 mph (40 km/h).
{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.
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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 wheel.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, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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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 the 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 might feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS,
your rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal
hard and hold it down — might be the wrong
thing to do. Your wheels can stop rolling.Once they do, the vehicle cannot respond to your
steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever
direction it was headed when the wheels stopped
rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding,
ease off the brake pedal. This will help you
retain steering control. If you do have ABS, it is
different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
on page 235.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
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Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the
power steering assist system will continue
to operate until you are able to stop your vehicle.
If you lose power steering assist because the
electric power steering system is not functioning,
you can steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems and/or the Service
Vehicle Soon light comes on, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs.
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 the 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.
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Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change signal
before moving out of the right lane to pass.
When you are far enough ahead of the passed
vehicle to see its front in your vehicle’s inside
mirror, activate the right lane change signal and
move back into the right lane. Remember that
an outside convex mirror makes the vehicle
you just passed seem farther away from you
than it really is.
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing
the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too
rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are not
ashing, it might be slowing down or starting to
turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for
the following driver to get ahead of you.
Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
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,
the 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.
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