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²The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the six to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the six to eight
second interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
NOTE:If the speedometer, tachometer or any engine
related gauges are not working, the airbag control mod-
ule may also be disabled. The airbags may not be ready
to inflate for your protection. Promptly check the fuse
block for blown fuses. Refer to ªFuse Blockº in Section 7..
See your authorized dealer if the fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see the following list) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment and up to a
quarter-second of high-speed deceleration data during
and/or after airbag deployment. EDR data are ONLY
recorded if an airbag deploys and are otherwise unavail-
able.
NOTE:
1. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by DaimlerChrysler Corporation and others to learn
more about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. The manufacturer recommends that you
try a child restraint in the vehicle seats where you will
use it before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
²The second row outside seating positions and all third
row seats have cinching latch plates. The second row
center position has an Automatic Locking Retractor.
These are designed to keep the lap portion tightaround the child restraint so that it is not necessary to
use a locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch
plate, pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching
latch plate will keep the belt tight; however, any seat
belt system will loosen with time, so check the belt
occasionally and pull it tight if necessary. If the seat
belt has an Automatic Locking Retractor, it will have a
distinctive label. Pull the belt from the retractor until
there is enough to allow you to pass through the child
restraint and slide the latch plate into the buckle. Then,
pull the belt until it is completely extended from the
retractor. Allow the belt to return to the retractor,
pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the lap
portion about the child restraint. Refer to9Automatic
Locking Mode9in this section.
²Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the
manufacturer's instructions tell you.
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reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
an unattended child in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
The second and third row seats have either cinching latch
plates or Automatic Locking Retractors which are de-
signed to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking clip. If
the seat belt has a cinching latch plate, pulling up on the
shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten the
belt. The cinching latch plate will keep the belt tight,
however, any seat belt system will loosen with time, so
check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if necessary. If
the seat belt has an Automatic Locking Retractor, it will
have a distinctive label. Pull the belt from the retractor
until there is enough to allow you to pass through the
child restraint and slide the latch plate into the buckle.
Then, pull the belt until it is completely extended from
the retractor. Allow the belt to return to the retractor,
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pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the lap portion
around the child restraint. Refer to9Automatic Locking
Mode9in this section.Child Restraints in Third Row Seating (If
Equipped)
For vehicles equipped with third row split bench (60/40)
seating, the tether strap anchorage is located on the
seatback behind the center seating position. The hooks in
the rear floor areNOTdesigned to withstand the forces
that may occur during a crash.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap. Children and infants are safer when properly
restrained in a child restraint system secured in a rear
seating position.
Second Row Seat Tether Anchors
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected, the cause should be located and corrected.
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SEATS
Front Seat Manual Seat Adjustment
The adjusting lever is at the front of the seat, near the
floor. Lift the lever and move the seat to the desired
position. Release the bar to lock the seat into position.
Using body pressure, move forward and rearward on the
seat to be sure the seat adjusters have latched.
Manual Seat Adjuster
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WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Front Seat Manual Seat Recliners
The bucket seats are equipped with recliners. The reclin-
ing mechanism is operated by a lever located on the right
side of the passenger's seat and the left side of the
driver's seat. To recline, lean forward slightly beforelifting the lever, then push back to the desired position
and release the lever. Lean forward and lift the lever to
return the seatback to its normal position. Using body
pressure, lean forward and rearward on the seat to be
sure the seatback is locked.
WARNING!
Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your chest.
In a collision you could slide under the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured. Use the recliner
only when the vehicle is parked.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
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To fold the 20% seatback, pull the strap forward to release
the seatback. Fold the seatback down for use as an
armrest or to carry cargo. When returning the seatback to
the upright position, push the seatback rearward to latch
the seatback. Pull the seatback forward to ensure that it is
locked in the upright position.
WARNING!
The 20% seatback contains the center shoulder belt.
A 20% seatback that is not fully latched in the
upright position will not protect you properly.
To tumble the 40% seat, fully raise the lever on the side of
the seat to release the floor latches and tumble the seat.
Fold, Tumble And Recline Lever
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