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²The operational readiness of the side airbag system is
verified by the airbag indicator light in the instrument
cluster when turning the key in the ignition switch to
the ON/RUN position. If no fault is detected, the light
will go out after approximately four seconds. After the
light goes out, the system continues to monitor the
components and circuitry of the airbag system and
will indicate a malfunction by coming on again. If the
light does not come on at all, or if it fails to go out after
the four seconds, or if it comes on thereafter, a mal-
function in the system has been detected. See your
authorized dealer for service.WARNING!
²The door mounted side airbag deploys with consid-
erable force. Being too close to the door panel during
airbag deployment could cause serious injury or
death.
²All occupants must be in the appropriate restraint for
their size and age, especially children 12 and under.
²To help avoid the potential for serious injury and
death should the side airbag be activated, please
follow these guidelines:
1. Occupants, especially children, should never lean
against the door in the area where the side airbag
inflates;
2. Occupants need to sit upright in the center of the seat
to give the side airbag room to inflate;
3. Always use the appropriate restraint for the occupant
and ensure it is properly used.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
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OCM to ensure that the resultant bladder pressure in-
crease due to applied lap belt tension does not cause a
small occupant to be classified as a larger occupant
How the Bladder Mat and Pressure Sensor Works
The Bladder Mat and Pressure Sensor are located beneath
the seat cushion foam. The pressure sensor sends a signal
to the OCM. The passenger seat assembly contains criti-
cal components that affect the passenger airbag deploy-
ment. Correctly functioning passenger seat components
are critical for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
to properly classify the passenger and calculate the
proper airbag deployment. Do not make any modifica-
tions to the passenger seat components, assembly, or to
the seat cover.
How the Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee
Blockers Works
When the ORC and the impact sensors detect a collision
requiring the Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee Blockers,it signals the inflator unit. A quantity of nontoxic gas is
generated to inflate the Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee
Blockers. The Driver/Passenger Inflatable Knee Blockers
inflates rearward towards the driver 's knees to help
protect the knees and position you for the best interaction
with the front airbag. The Driver/Passenger Inflatable
Knee Blockers fully inflates in about 50 milliseconds, this
is only about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. It then quickly deflates while helping to protect the
driver 's knees.
The Knee Impact Blockers help protect the knees and
position the occupant.
Passenger Front Airbag On/Off Switch
The ON/OFF switch is located at the right end of the
instrument panel and is accessible by opening the pas-
senger door.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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NOTE:When using certain types of child seats, the
passenger airbag light will remain off even though the
passenger front airbags are disabled.
It is always recommended to turn off the passenger front
air bags using the passenger front airbags on/off switch
located at the right end of the instrument panel when the
passenger is:
²an infant (less than 1 year old),
²a child, age 1 to 12,
²an adult with a medical condition which makes pas-
senger airbag inflation (deployment) a greater risk for
the passenger than the risk of hitting the dashboard
(instrument panel) or windshield in a crash.
The on/off switch is accessible by opening the passenger
door.If the airbag is turned off when there is any other
occupant at that position, the supplemental restraint
provided by the airbag will not be available.
To turn OFF the passenger front airbag, use the on/off
switch located on the instrument panel.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
After installing a child safety seat or booster seat on the
passenger seat, do not adjust the back rest forward. This
could cause a higher load being perceived by the OCS
system which in turn could lead to the passenger airbag
being turned on. Failure to follow this warning could
result in serious or fatal injury. It is always recom-
mended to turn off the passenger front air bags using
the passenger front airbags on/off switch located at the
right end of the instrument panel when the passenger is:
²an infant (less than 1 year old),
²a child, age 1 to 12,
²an adult with a medical condition which makes
passenger airbags inflation (deployment) a greater
risk for the passenger than the risk of hitting the
dashboard (instrument panel) or windshield in a
crash.
The on/off switch is accessible by opening the passen-
ger door.
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
Child restraints can be securely fastened in the passenger
seat using the seat belts. For this purpose, the passenger
seat belt retractor provides two modes of operation -
normal emergency locking and automatic locking. For
child restraint installation, the retractor switches to auto-
matic locking when the belt is pulled out to the full extent
of its travel. As the belt retracts, the retractor locks to
prevent the belt from being pulled out again. Pulling the
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive 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
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
NOTE:Use of the air conditioning may cause puddles
of water to form under the vehicle.
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NVanity Mirrors........................88
mSeats.................................88
NManual Seat Adjustments (If Equipped)......89
NDriver Eight-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)....91
NPassenger Four-Way Power Seat (If Equipped) . .92
NHeated Seats (If Equipped)...............92
mTo Open And Close The Hood..............93
mInterior Lights..........................94
NFront Map/Reading Lights...............95
NBattery Saver Feature...................95
NInstrument Panel Lighting................96
NNight Security Illumination...............96mExterior Lights..........................97
NHeadlights And Parking Lights............97
NDaytime Running Lights (Where Applicable) . . .97
NFog Lights (If Equipped).................98
NStanding Lights.......................98
mMultifunction Control Lever................99
NTurn Signals..........................99
NHeadlight Dimmer Switch...............100
NPassing Light........................101
NWindshield Wipers And Washer...........101
NMist Function........................103
mTelescoping Steering Column..............104
mRear Spoiler..........................106
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Coin Holder
With the ashtray open, folding down the cover plate
reveals the coin holder, which can accommodate nine
coins in various sizes up to a U.S. quarter. The coin slots
are shaped to retain the coins, and the cover plate ensures
that the coins remain in the coin holder.
Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter
The dual-purpose power outlet is located in the console,
next to the passenger airbag off warning light. The power
outlet can accommodate a lighter or electrical accessories
up to a maximum of 15 amps. The outlet is protected by
a 15 amp fuse, located behind the fuse cover on the left
end of the instrument panel.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
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Passenger Four-Way Power Seat (If Equipped)
The switches to adjust the passenger seat are also on the
outboard side of the seat. The passenger seat provides
four-way adjustment - horizontal and back angle.
Heated Seats (If Equipped)
This feature heats the driver and passenger seats. The
controls for the heated seats are located on the instrument
panel, below the radio.
After turning the ignition switch ON, you can choose the
HI, LO, or OFF setting. Indicators on the switches show
which setting has been selected.
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE