1-39 SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
78J00-03E
In many crashes severe enough to inflate
the airbag, windshields are broken by vehi-
cle deformation. Additional windshield
breakage may also occur from the right
front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inflate only
once. After an airbag inflates, you will
need some new parts for your airbag
system. If you do not get them, the air-
bag system will not be there to help pro-
tect you in another crash. A new system
will include airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other
parts.
Your vehicle has a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records infor-
mation after a crash.
Let only qualified technicians work on
the airbag system. Improper service can
mean that an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for service.Passenger Sensing SystemYour vehicle has a passenger sensing sys-
tem for the right front passenger. The pas-
senger airbag status indicator will be
visible when you start your vehicle in the
instrument panel.United States
1476572
Canada
1476529
The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for
on and off, will be visible during the system
check. When the system check is com-
plete, either the word ON or the word OFF,
or the symbol for on or the symbol for off,
will be visible. Refer to “Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator” in “Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instrument
Panel” section.
The passenger sensing system will turn off
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag
under certain conditions. The driver’s air-
bags are not part of the passenger sensing
system.
The passenger sensing system works with
sensors that are part of the right front pas-
senger’s seat and safety belt. The sensorsare designed to detect the presence of a
properly seated occupant and determine if
the passenger’s frontal airbag should be
enabled (may inflate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are
safer if they are restrained in the rear
rather than the front seat. We recommend
that child restraints be secured in a rear
seat, including an infant riding in a rear-
facing infant seat, a child riding in a for-
ward-facing child seat, and an older child
riding in a booster seat.
There is a label on your sun visor that
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.
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.
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.
3-2 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
The main components of your instrument
panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. Refer to “Outlet Adjust-
ment” in this section.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. Refer
to “Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever” in
this section.
C. Cruise Controls. Refer to “Cruise
Control” in this section.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. Refer to
“Instrument Panel Cluster” in this sec-
tion.
E. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. Refer
to “Audio Steering Wheel Controls” in
this section.
F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever.
Refer to “Windshield Wipers” in this
section.
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button.
Refer to “Hazard Warning Flashers” in
this section.
H. Audio System. Refer to “Audio Sys-
tem(s)” in this section.
I. Glove Box. Refer to “Glove Box” in
“Storage Areas” in the “Features and
Controls” section.
J. Power Mirror Control. Refer to “Out-
side Power Mirrors” in “Mirrors” in the
“Features and Controls” section.
K. Instrument Panel Brightness Control.
Refer to “Instrument Panel Bright-
ness” in this section.
L. Hood Release. Refer to “Hood
Release” in “Checking Things Underthe Hood” in the “Service and Appear-
ance Care” section.
M. Tilt Wheel Lever. Refer to “Tilt Wheel”
in this section.
N. Horn. Refer to “Horn” in this section.
O. Climate Controls (If Equipped). Refer
to “Climate Control System” in this
section or Automatic Climate Controls
(If Equipped). Refer to “Automatic Cli-
mate Control System” in this section.
Heated Seats Buttons (If Equipped).
Refer to “Heated Seats” in “Front
Seats” in the “Seats and Restraint
Systems” section.
P. Driver Information Center Controls.
Refer to “DIC Operation and Displays”
in this section. Rear Window Wiper/
Washer Buttons. Refer to “Rear Win-
dow Wiper/Washer” in this section.
Fog Lamps Button. Refer to “Fog
Lamps” in this section.
Q. Power Window Switches. Refer to
“Power Windows” in “Windows” in the
“Features and Controls” section.
R. Traction Control System Button. Refer
to “Traction Control System (TCS)” in
“Your Driving, the Road, and Your
Vehicle” in the “Driving Your Vehicle”
section.
S. Shift Lever. Refer to “Shifting Into
Park (P)” in “Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle” in the “Features and
Controls” section.
T. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.
Refer to “Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator” in this section.U. Accessory Power Outlet. Refer to
“Accessory Power Outlet(s)” in this
section.
3-17 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
The airbag readiness light should flash for
a few seconds when you turn the ignition
key to RUN. If the light does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.Passenger Airbag Status IndicatorYour vehicle has the passenger sensing
system. Your instrument panel has a pas-
senger airbag status indicator.United States
1476572
Canada
1476529
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or
START, the passenger airbag status indi-
cator 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.
There is a label on your sun visor that
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.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:
WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be work-
ing properly. The airbags in your
vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or
they could even inflate without a
crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness
light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
WARNING
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.
3-18 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
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 air-
bag is enabled (may inflate).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 air-
bag. Refer to “Passenger Sensing System”
in “Airbag System” in the “Seats and
Restraint Systems” section for 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 dealer for service.
WARNING
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.
WARNING
If the on indicator comes on when
you have a rear-facing child restraint
installed in the right front passen-
ger’s seat, it means that the passen-
ger 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
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating airbag.
Do not use a rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passen-
ger’s seat if the airbag is turned on.
WARNING
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on
together, it means that something
may be wrong with the airbag sys-
tem. 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 air-
bag. Refer to “Airbag Readiness
Light” in this section.
3-21 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
This light will also come on when starting
your vehicle. If it does not, have your vehi-
cle serviced.Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
1716501
This gage shows the engine coolant tem-
perature. If the pointer moves towards the
H, the engine is too hot.
A temperature indicator light will turn on
and a chime will sound.
If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, and the
temperature indicator light comes on, you
should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possi-
ble.
Tire Pressure Light
1198521
This light will come on briefly when you
turn the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or
more of your tires are significantly underin-
flated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE DIC mes-
sage will accompany the light.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the
proper pressure. Refer to “Tires” in the
“Service and Appearance Care” section for
more information.
This light will flash for 60 seconds and then
turn on solid if a problem is detected with
the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
Refer to “Tire Pressure Monitor System” in
“Tires” in the “Service and Appearance
Care” section for more information.
Malfunction Indicator LampCheck Engine Light
805353
Your vehicle has a computer which moni-
tors operation of the fuel, ignition, and
emission control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is
intended to assure that emissions are at
acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle,
helping to produce a cleaner environment.
The check engine light comes on to indi-
cate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indi-
cated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is
also designed to assist your service techni-
cian in correctly diagnosing any malfunc-
tion.
3-26 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
Service Vehicle Soon Light
1254434
This light will come on if a condition exists
that may require the vehicle to be taken in
for service.
If the light comes on, see your dealer for
service as soon as possible.Fuel Gage
1716499
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage tells
you about how much fuel you have left in
your fuel tank.When the indicator nears empty, the low
fuel light will come on. You still have a little
fuel left, but you should get more soon.
Refer to “Low Fuel Warning Light” in this
section for more information.
Here are four things that some owners ask
about. None of these show a problem with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the fuel pump
shuts off before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up
than the gage indicated. For example,
the gage may have indicated the tank
was half full, but it actually took a little
more or less than half the tank’s capacity
to fill the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
The gage takes a few seconds to stabi-
lize after the ignition is turned on, and
will go back to empty when you turn the
ignition off.
For your fuel tank capacity, refer to “Capac-
ities and Specifications” in the “Service
and Appearance Care” section.
Low Fuel Warning Light
1406936
This light is located below the fuel gage.
This light also comes on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. When you add fuel the light
should go off. If it does not, have your vehi-
cle serviced.