1-40 SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
78J00-03E
If your vehicle does not have a rear seat
that will accommodate a rear-facing child
restraint, never put a child in a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger
seat unless the passenger airbag status
indicator shows off and the airbag is off.
Here is why:The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passen-
ger’s frontal airbag if:
The right front passenger seat is unoc-
cupied.
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 occu-
pied by a smaller person, such as a child
who has outgrown child restraints.
Or, if there is a critical problem with the
airbag system or the passenger sensing
system.
When the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag has been turned off by the passen-
ger sensing system, the off indicator will
light and stay lit to remind you that the air-
bag 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 to “Securing a Child Restraint in
the Right Front Seat Position” in this sec-
tion.
WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child restraint
can be seriously injured or killed if
the right front passenger’s airbag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag if the sys-
tem 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 you need to secure a forward-fac-
ing child restraint in the right front
seat, always move the front passen-
ger seat as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.
WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child restraint
can be seriously injured or killed if
the right front passenger’s airbag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating airbag.
Be sure the airbag is off before using
a rear-facing child restraint in the
right front seat position.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag if the sys-
tem 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 trans-
ported in vehicles with a rear seat
that will accommodate a rear-facing
child restraint, whenever possible.
If you need to secure a forward-fac-
ing child restraint in the right front
seat, always move the front passen-
ger seat as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.
1-41 SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
78J00-03E
If, after reinstalling the child restraint and
restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is
still lit, check to make sure that the vehi-
cle’s seatback is not pressing the child
restraint into the seat cushion. If this hap-
pens, 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.
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 dealer.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to enable (may inflate) the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime
the system senses that a person of adult
size is sitting properly in the right front pas-
senger’s seat. When the passenger sens-
ing 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 fron-
tal 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 prop-
erly – 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 per-
son is not sitting properly 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 per-
son’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.
849515
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 pas-
senger sensing system operates. Remove
any additional material from the seat cush-
ion before reinstalling or securing the child
restraint and before a small occupant,
including a small adult, sits in the passen-
ger position. You may want to consider not
using seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment. Refer to “Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle” in this sec-
tion for more information about modifica-
tions that can affect how the system
operates.
WARNING
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes
on and stays on, it means that some-
thing 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. Refer to “Airbag
Readiness Light” in “Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instru-
ment Panel” section for more on this,
including important safety informa-
tion.
1-42 SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
78J00-03E
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
VehicleAirbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag
system in several places around your vehi-
cle. You do not want the system to inflate
while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing your vehicle
and the airbag system.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-
Equipped VehicleQuestion:
Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep
the airbags from working properly?
Answer:
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 prop-
erly. 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 Assis-
tance before you modify your vehicle.
Question:
Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my airbag sys-
tem?
Answer:
Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, rollover sensor module,
steering wheel, instrument panel, over-
head console, ceiling headliner, ceiling
and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted roll-
over airbag modules, or airbag wiring can
affect the operation of the airbag system. If
you have questions, call Customer Assis-
tance.
Restraint System CheckChecking the Restraint SystemsNow 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.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. Refer to
“Care of Safety Belts” in “Appearance
Care” in the “Service and Appearance
Care” section 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.
WARNING
Stowing of articles under the passen-
ger’s seat or between the passen-
ger’s seat cushion and seatback may
interfere with the proper operation of
the passenger sensing system.
WARNING
For up to 10 seconds, after the igni-
tion is turned off and the battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inflates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of
the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work for
you is qualified to do so.
1-43 SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
78J00-03E
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
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 dur-
ing 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 inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See the part
on the airbag system earlier in this section.
If the frontal airbags inflate you will also
need to replace the driver and front pas-
senger’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 air-
bags have not deployed. The driver and
front passenger’s safety belt retractor
assemblies contain the safety belt preten-
sioners. Have your safety belt pretension-
ers checked if your vehicle has been in acollision, or if your airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle or
while you are driving. Refer to “Airbag
Readiness Light” in “Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instrument
Panel” section.
CAUTION
If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s
airbag, or the side impact airbag cov-
ering on the ceiling near the side win-
dows, 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 rollover airbags. Do
not open or break the airbag cover-
ings.
WARNING
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 prop-
erly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as pos-
sible.
2-4 FEATURES AND CONTROLS
78J00-03E
Remote Vehicle StartYour vehicle may have the remote start
feature. This feature allows you to start the
engine from outside the vehicle. Refer to
“REMOTE START” under “DIC Vehicle
Personalization” in “Driver Information
Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument Panel”
section for instructions on how to enable
and disable this feature.
During a remote start, the climate control
system will turn on at the fan, temperature,
and mode settings the vehicle was set to
when the vehicle was last turned off and
will also turn on the rear window defogger.
Laws in some local communities may
restrict the use of remote starters. For
example, some laws may require a person
using remote start to have the vehicle in
view when doing so. Check local regula-
tions for any requirements on remote start-
ing of vehicles.
(Remote Vehicle Start):
Press and release the lock button and then
press and hold the remote start button to
start the vehicle.
Your RKE transmitter, with the remote start
button, provides an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less
while the vehicle is running. As a result,
you may need to be closer to your vehicle
to turn it off, than you were to turn it on.If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not use the
remote start feature. The vehicle may run
out of fuel.
To start the engine using the remote start
feature, do the following:
1) Aim the RKE transmitter, that has a
remote vehicle start button, at the vehi-
cle.
2) Press and release the transmitter’s lock
button, then immediately press and
hold the remote vehicle start button
until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps
flash, or for at least four seconds, if the
vehicle’s lights are not visible. The vehi-
cle’s doors will be locked. Pressing the
remote start button again after the vehi-
cle has started will turn off the ignition.
3) When the vehicle’s engine starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and remain
on while the engine is running.
4) If it is your first remote start since last
driving, repeat these steps while the
engine is still running for a 10 minute
time extension.
When you enter the vehicle during a
remote start, and the engine is still running,
turn the key to the RUN position to drive
the vehicle
.After a remote start, the engine will auto-
matically shut off after 10 minutes unless a
time extension has been done or the vehi-
cle’s key is inserted into the ignition switch
and turned to RUN.The maximum number of remote starts or
remote start attempts between ignition
cycles with the key is two.
If the remote start procedure is used again
before the first 10 minute time frame has
ended, the first 10 minutes will immediately
expire and the second 10 minute time
frame will start.
For example, if the lock button and then
the remote start buttons are pressed again
after the vehicle has been running for five
minutes, 10 minutes are added, allowing
the engine to run for 15 minutes.
After your vehicle’s engine has been
started two times using the remote vehicle
start button, the vehicle’s ignition switch
must be turned to RUN and then back to
LOCK using the key before the remote
start procedure can be used again.
If you enter the vehicle after a remote start,
and the engine is running, insert the key
into the ignition switch and turn it to the
RUN position to drive the vehicle.
To manually shut off the engine after a
remote start, do any of the following:
Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle
and press the remote start button until
the parking lamps turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Insert the vehicle’s key into the ignition
switch and turn the switch to RUN and
then back to LOCK.
2-11 FEATURES AND CONTROLS
78J00-03E
If you are driving and the security light
comes on and stays on, you may be able
to restart your engine. Your PASS-Key
®
III+ system, however, may not be working
properly and must be serviced by your
dealer.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®
III+ key, see your dealer or a locksmith
who can service PASS-Key
® III+ to have a
new key made.
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving1) Make sure that windows, mirrors, lights
and reflectors are clean and unob-
structed.
2) Visually check the tires for the following
points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel nuts
– existence of foreign material such as
nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tires” in the “SERVICE AND
APPEARANCE CARE” section for details.
3) Look for oil or other fluid leaks.
NOTE:
It is normal for water to drip from the air
conditioning system after use.
4) Make sure the hood is fully closed and
latched.
5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper opera-
tion.
6) Lock all doors.
7) Adjust the seat and adjustable head
restraints (if equipped).
8) Check the brake pedal.
9) Adjust the mirrors.
10)Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your safety
belts.11)Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” or
“START” position.
12)Check all gauges.
13)Make sure that the BRAKE light turns
off when the parking brake is released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Power steering (if equipped) fluid level
5) Windshield washer fluid level
6) Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without
releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after check-
ing for proper latch operation. Refer to
“Lubricate body components” under
“Scheduled Maintenance” in the
“Maintenance Schedule” section for the
lubrication schedule.
WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
2-12 FEATURES AND CONTROLS
78J00-03E
Starting and Operating Your
VehicleNew Vehicle Break-InIgnition Positions
1410037
With the key in the ignition switch, you can
turn it to four different positions. A warning
tone will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the key has not been removed
from the ignition. (LOCK):
You will only be able to remove your key
when the ignition is turned to LOCK.
The ignition switch cannot be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is in PARK (P).
ACC (Accessory):
This position operates some of your elec-
trical accessories.
(RUN):
This is the position the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in the RUN posi-
tion when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can
use RUN to operate your electrical acces-
sories 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 driv-
ing.
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 igni-
CAUTION
Your vehicle does not need an elabo-
rate break-in. But it will perform bet-
ter in the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant
speed, fast or slow, for the first 500
miles (805 km). Do not make full-
throttle starts. Avoid downshifting
to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the
first 200 miles (322 km) or so. Dur-
ing this time your new brake linings
are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean prema-
ture wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake lin-
ings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
Refer to “Towing a Trailer” in “Tow-
ing” in the “Driving Your Vehicle”
section for the trailer towing capa-
bilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and
load can be gradually increased.
CAUTION
Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage
or break the key. Use the correct key
and turn the key only with your hand.
Make sure the key is in all the way. If
none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
2-17 FEATURES AND CONTROLS
78J00-03E
SECOND (2) Gear Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a
stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may
want to shift into SECOND (2). A higher
gear, and light application of the gas pedal,
may allow you to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.
With the MANUAL SHIFT MODE, the vehi-
cle can accelerate from a stop in SECOND
(2).
1) Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D)
into the MANUAL SHIFT MODE (M)
position.
2) With the vehicle stopped, press the
plus (+) paddle forward to select SEC-
OND (2). The vehicle will start from a
stop position in SECOND (2).
3) Once the vehicle is moving select the
desired drive gear.
Parking Brake
1722713
The parking brake lever is located to the
right of the driver’s seat.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake
pedal down and pull up on the parking
brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake
lever up until you can press the release
button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
Make sure to release the parking brake
before driving the vehicle.
If the parking brake is applied and the vehi-
cle is moving at least 4 mph (6 km/h), a
chime will activate to remind you to release
the parking brake.
Shifting Into Park (P)1) Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2) Move the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing it all the way
toward the front of the vehicle.
3) Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
CAUTION
If you attempt a third gear start while
trailering or towing a heavy load, you
will notice reduced engine power.
This could overheat and damage
your transaxle. Do not attempt a third
gear start while trailering or towing
your vehicle.
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake
system parts. Verify that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake
firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To be sure
your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, refer to “Towing a
Trailer” in “Towing” in the “Driving
Your Vehicle” section.