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²Knee Impact Bolster
²Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
²Front Passenger Seat Occupant Classification System
(OCS) Ð If OCS Equipped
þOccupant Classification Module
þPassenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
þInterconnecting Wiring
þBladder Assembly
þBelt Tension Sensor
How The Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. Based on the level of collision
severity, the front control module determines theproper rate of inflation. The front airbag inflators are
designed to provide different rates of airbag inflation.
²The ORC will not detect side, roll over, or rear impacts.
²The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts
of the system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, instrument panel and passenger knee bol-
sters. If the key is in the OFF position, in the ACC
position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are not on
and will not inflate.
²Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warn-
ing light and PAD indicator light in the
center of the instrument panel for 6 to 8
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the AIRBAG
warning light will turn off. If equipped, the PAD
indicator light will function normally. If the ORC
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
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detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the AIRBAG warning light either momentarily or
continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC and
impact sensors detects a collision requiring the air-
bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity ofnontoxic gas is generated to inflate the front airbags.
Different airbag inflation rates may be possible based
on collision severity. The steering wheel hub trim
cover and the upper right side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the airbags inflate
to their full size. The airbags fully inflate in about
50±70 milliseconds. This is about half of the time it
takes to blink your eyes. The airbags then quickly
deflate while helping to restrain the driver and front
passenger.
The driver's and passenger's front airbag gas is vented
through the airbag material towards the instrument
panel. In this way the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.²TheSide Airbag Inflatable Curtainsare designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
and the side impact sensors (with side impact option)
detects a collision requiring the window bags to
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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another object in the vehicle (i.e. feet on the dash-
board), the OCS may not be able to properly approxi-
mate occupant size. Furthermore, the occupant size
may appear to increase or decrease due to objects
hanging on the seat, other passengers pushing on the
seat, or objects lodged underneath the seat.
If there is a rapid change in temperature or humidity,
the OCS may not be able to properly approximate
occupant size. If your seat including your trim cover
and cushion needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of seat attach-
ment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized dealer.
Only manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used.If there is a fault present in the system, the AIRBAG
warning light will illuminate indicating that you should
take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. In the presence
of an occupant in the passenger seat, if both the PAD
indicator light and AIRBAG warning light are illumi-
nated the airbag will be disabled.
The ORC will not allow front airbag deployment in the
event of a collision for occupants classified into the
empty or child size categories. The PAD indicator light
will illuminate indicating that the Passenger Airbag is
OFF when the OCS has determined that the occupant size
category is a child. Also, when the seat is empty or an
object that weighs less than a predetermined threshold is
placed on the seat, the light will remain OFF. (The PAD
indicator light is an amber light located on the center of
the instrument panel above the climate controls.)
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or frame.
²Do not attempt to modify any part of your ad-
vanced airbag system. The airbag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if modi-
fications are made. Take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for any advanced airbag system ser-
vice. If it is necessary to modify an advanced
airbag system for persons with disabilities, contact
your authorized dealer.
WARNING!
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
NOTE:Perchlorate Material Ð special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system immediately.
64 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 tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) 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,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
80 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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mLights...............................134
NOverhead Console Map/Reading Lights.....134
NInterior Lights.......................135
NMulti-Function Lever...................136
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights.............................136
NAutomatic Headlights..................137
NDaytime Running Lights (Canada Only).....138
NLights-On Reminder...................138
NHeadlight Time Delay..................138
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped...............138
NTurn Signals.........................139
NHighbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch.........139NPassing Light........................139
mWindshield Wipers And Washers...........140
NWindshield Washers...................140
NMist Feature.........................140
NWindshield Wiper Operation.............141
NIntermittent Wiper System...............141
NRear Window Wiper/Washer.............141
mTilt Steering Column....................143
mElectronic Speed Control..................144
NTo Activate..........................144
NTo Set a Desired Speed.................145
NTo Deactivate........................145
NTo Resume Speed.....................145
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When calling a number with your UConnectŸ system
that normally requires you to enter in a touch-tone
sequence on your cellular phone keypad, you can push
the 'Voice Recognition' button and say the sequence you
wish to enter followed by the word9Send.9For example,
if required to enter your pin number followed with a
pound3746#,youcanpressthe'Voice Recognition'
button and say93746#Send.9Saying a number, or
sequence of numbers, followed by9Send9is also to be
used to navigate through an automated customer service
center menu structure and to leave a number on a pager.
Barge In - Overriding Prompts
The 'Voice Recognition' button can be used when you
wish to skip part of a prompt and issue your voice
recognition command immediately. For example, if a
prompt is playing9Would you like to pair a phone, clear
a{,9you could press the 'Voice Recognition' button and
say9Pair a Phone9to select that option without having to
listen to the rest of the voice prompt.
Turning Confirmation Prompts On/Off
Turning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g., the UConnectŸ
system will not repeat a phone number before you dial
it).
²Press the 'Phone' button to begin.
²After the9Ready9prompt and the following beep, say
9Setup Confirmations.9The UConnectŸ system will
play the current confirmation prompt status and you
will be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status Indicators
If available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cell phone, the UConnectŸ system will provide
notification to inform you of your phone and network
status when you are attempting to make a phone call
using UConnectŸ. The status is given for roaming net-
work signal strength, phone battery strength, etc.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
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Tilt Mirrors in Reverse (Available with Memory
Seat Only) Ð If Equipped
This additional feature provides automatic outside mir-
ror positioning which will aid the driver's view of the
ground rearward of the front doors. The outside mirrors
will move slightly downward from the present position
when the vehicle is shifted into the Reverse position. The
outside mirrors will then return to the original position
when the vehicle is shifted out of Reverse position. Each
stored memory setting will have an associated Tilt Mir-
rors in Reverse position.
NOTE:The Tilt Mirrors in Reverse feature is not en-
abled when delivered from the factory. The Tilt Mirrors in
Reverse feature can be enabled or disabled through the
customer programmable features in the Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªTilt Mirrors in
Reverse?º under ªUse Factory Settingsº.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever
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