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.
2-7 FEATURES AND CONTROLS
78J00-03E
LiftgateTo unlock the liftgate, press the unlock but-
ton on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter twice or use the power door
lock switch.
To lock the liftgate, press the lock button
on the RKE transmitter or use the power
door lock switch. The liftgate does not
have a key lock cylinder.To open the liftgate, pull up on the handle
located in the center of the liftgate.
When closing the liftgate, use the molded
handles to pull the liftgate down. Push the
liftgate closed until it latches.
Liftgate Operation with Loss of Power
The liftgate is equipped with an electric
latch. If the battery is disconnected or has
low voltage, the liftgate will not open.
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To open the liftgate if this happens,
remove the interior trim plug located at the
base of the liftgate from inside the vehicle.
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Use a tool to push the service release
lever located on the latch until you hear or
feel the gate release. The liftgate can now
be opened and closed manually. You will
need to use this procedure to open the lift-
gate until the power is restored.
WARNING
It can be dangerous to drive with the
liftgate or liftglass open because car-
bon monoxide (CO) gas can come
into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconscious-
ness and even death. If you must
drive with the liftgate open or if elec-
trical wiring or other cable connec-
tions must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftgate or
liftglass:
Make sure all other windows are
shut.
Turn the fan on your climate con-
trol system to its highest speed
and select the control setting that
will force outside air into your vehi-
cle. See “Climate Control System”
in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under
the instrument panel, open them all
the way. Refer to “Engine Exhaust”
in this section.
3-16 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
TachometerThe tachometer shows your engine speed
in revolutions per minute (rpm).Safety Belt Reminder LightWhen the key is turned to RUN or START,
a chime will come on for several seconds
to remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
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The safety belt light will also come on and
stay on for several seconds, then it will
flash for several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, nei-
ther the chime nor the light will come on.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder
LightSeveral seconds after the key is turned to
RUN or START, a chime will sound for sev-
eral seconds to remind the front passenger
to buckle their safety belt. This would only
occur if the passenger airbag is enabled.
Refer to “Passenger Sensing System” in
“Airbag System” in the “Seats and
Restraint Systems” section for more infor-
mation. The passenger safety belt light will
also come on and stay on for several sec-
onds, then it will flash for several more.
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This chime and light will be repeated if the
passenger remains unbuckled and the
vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled,
neither the chime nor the light will come
on.
Airbag Readiness LightThere is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions. The
light tells you if there is an electrical prob-
lem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
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This light will come on when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for a few seconds.
Then the light should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start the vehicle or comes on when
you are driving, your airbag system may
not work properly. Have your vehicle ser-
viced right away.
CAUTION
If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the solid red area, your
vehicle could be damaged. The dam-
ages would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not operate the engine
in the solid red area.
4-24 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added
weight of the trailer. And always keep in
mind that the vehicle you are driving is now
a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety chains, elec-
trical connector, lamps, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer mov-
ing and then apply the trailer brake control-
ler by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lamps and any trailer brakes are still work-
ing.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving your
vehicle without a trailer. This can help you
avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up
ahead when you are towing a trailer. And,
because you are a good deal longer, you
will need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the
left, just move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you are turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer will not strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to
have extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also flash, telling other drivers
you are about to turn, change lanes or
stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if
the bulbs on the trailer are burned out.
Thus, you may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure
the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you do not shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work
well.
Parking on Hills
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, do the following:
1) Apply your regular brakes, but do not
shift into PARK (P) yet.
2) Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3) When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
CAUTION
Making very sharp turns while traile-
ring could cause the trailer to come
in contact with the vehicle. Your vehi-
cle could be damaged. Avoid making
very sharp turns while trailering.
WARNING
You really should not park your vehi-
cle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be
injured, and both your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.
5-53 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Service Parts Identification LabelThis label is on the inside of the glove box.
It is very helpful if you ever need to order
parts. The label has the following informa-
tion:
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equip-
ment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
Electrical SystemAdd-On Electrical EquipmentAdd-on equipment can drain your vehicle’s
battery, even if your vehicle is not operat-
ing.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to
your vehicle, refer to “Servicing Your Air-
bag-Equipped Vehicle” in “Airbag System”
in the “Seats and Restraint Systems” sec-
tion.Windshield Wiper FusesThe windshield wiper motor is protected by
a circuit breaker and a fuse. If the motor
overheats due to heavy snow or ice, the
wiper will stop until the motor cools. If the
overload is caused by some electrical
problem, have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
OptionsCircuit breakers in the fuse panel protect
the power seats. When the current load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the prob-
lem is fixed.Fuses and Circuit BreakersThe wiring circuits in your vehicle are pro-
tected from short circuits by fuses and cir-
cuit breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of circuit overload and fire caused
by electrical problems.
Your vehicle has an underhood fuse block
and an instrument panel fuse block.
To identify and check fuses, circuit break-
ers, and relays, refer to the Fuse Usage
Chart on the inside surface of the fuse
panel door.
CAUTION
Do not add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your
dealer first. Some electrical equip-
ment can damage your vehicle and
the damage would not be covered by
your warranty. Some add-on electri-
cal equipment can keep other compo-
nents from working as they should.