Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
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. 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.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-30for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-82.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-30for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules, seeWhat Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-63. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
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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 (if equipped) parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary.
But the belt assemblies that were used during any
crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your
dealer/retailer to have your safety belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
If your vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being
used during a crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not being used
at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your
vehicle has been in a crash, if your airbag readiness
light stays on after you start your vehicle, or while you
are driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-30.
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Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
You can lock and unlock your vehicle’s doors from
about 20 ft (6 m) away using the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The following functions may be available if your vehicle
has the RKE system:
Hatchback
Q(Lock):Press this button to lock all of the doors.
If all of the doors and the trunk or liftgate are closed,
the hazard lamps will flash once to indicate that locking
has occurred and that the theft-deterrent system is
active.
K(Unlock):Press this button to unlock all of the
doors. The hazard lamps will flash twice to indicate
that unlocking has occurred and that the theft-deterrent
system is deactivated.
Sedan
n(Lock/Unlock):Press this button to lock all of the
doors. The hazard lamps will flash once and the horn
will sound to indicate that locking has occurred and that
the theft-deterrent system is active. Press this button
again to unlock all of the doors. The hazard lamps will
flash twice to indicate that unlocking has occurred
and that the theft-deterrent system is deactivated.
V(Remote Trunk Release):Press and hold this
button for approximately one second to open the trunk.
The LED light, on the transmitter, will flash when the
buttons on the transmitter are pressed.
The lock and unlock buttons will not operate and the
theft-deterrent system will not activate while the key is
in the ignition. Hatchback
Sedan
2-4
All doors, except for the driver’s door, can be locked by
pushing down the manual door lock and then closing
the door. The driver’s door can only by locked from
the outside by using the key or the optional remote
keyless entry transmitter.
From the inside, you can lock and unlock all of the
doors by pushing or pulling the manual door lock
located on each door.
Central Door Unlocking System
Your vehicle may be equipped with the central door
unlocking system. This system is activated from
the driver’s door.
From the outside, you can lock or unlock all the doors
by using either the key or the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if equipped. From the inside, you can lock
or unlock all the doors by using the driver’s door
lock switch while the driver’s door is closed.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors on
the sedan is not closed
properly while the ignition
is on, the door ajar light on
the instrument panel comes
on and stays on until the
doors are closed.
If one of the doors on the hatchback is not closed
properly while the ignition is on, the door ajar light
on the secondary information center comes on and
stays on until the doors are closed.
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If your vehicle has a trunk
release lever located on the
outboard side of the driver’s
seat, you can open the
trunk from inside your
vehicle by pulling the
release lever.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only
intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the underside of the trunk lid.
This handle will glow following exposure to light.
Pull the release handle down to open the trunk
from the inside. Trunk Release Lever
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3. Lock the doors by pressing the lock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
•The LED light on the transmitter will flash once.
•All of the doors will lock.
•The hazard warning lamps will flash once and
the horn will sound.
•The security light will flash to indicate that the
theft-deterrent system is armed. For hatchback
models, the security light is located on the
secondary information center (SIC) on the
center of the instrument panel. SeeSecondary
Information Center (SIC) (Hatchback Only) on
page 3-43. For sedan models, the security light is
located on the center of the instrument panel near
the clock. SeeInstrument Panel Overview on
page 3-4.
To avoid activating the alarm by accident, do one of the
following:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
•Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will activate the alarm
when a door or the trunk or liftgate is opened.
If you do not want to arm the theft-deterrent system,
lock the vehicle using the key or the manual door locks.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the following:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
•Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
- The LED light on the transmitter will
flash once.
- All of the doors will unlock.
- The hazard warning lamps will flash twice.
If the door is not opened or if the engine is not started
within 30 seconds after disarming the system using
the transmitter, all of the doors will automatically lock
and the theft-deterrent mode will rearm.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If a door or the trunk or liftgate is opened without using
the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the
horn will sound and the lamps will flash for up to
30 seconds.
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How to Turn Off the System Alarm
If the system alarm is active, it can be deactivated using
one of the following methods:
•Press the lock or unlock buttons on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
Otherwise, the alarm will automatically stop after
30 seconds. The system will then lock the doors
and rearm the theft-deterrent system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If the hazard warning lamps flash once when you
press the lock or unlock buttons on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the theft-deterrent system alarm
was activated while you were away.
Immobilizer
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle may have a passive theft-deterrent system.
The immobilizer system prevents your vehicle from
being started by unauthorized persons.
The system is automatically armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
If your vehicle has an immobilizer system, your vehicle
has a special key that works with the theft-deterrent
system. There is a transponder in the key head that is
electronically coded. The correct key will start the vehicle.
An invalid key immobilizes the engine. The immobilizer
system isolates the power supply to the ignition system,
the fuel pump and the fuel injectors.
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If the immobilizer system does not recognize the
electronic code when the key is turned to START,
the engine will not start and the security indicator will
continue blinking. If your key is ever damaged, you may
not be able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the security light continues flashing, there
may be a problem with the theft-deterrent system.
Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another key. At this time, you may
also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-89. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty. See your
dealer/retailer who can have a new key made.
Up to five keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
If you lose or damage your keys, only a dealer/retailer
can have new keys made.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-8.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast
or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
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