²If the belt still can't be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the latch plate
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can't make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's directions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don't leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren. The LATCH system
provides for the installation of the child restraint withoutusing the vehicle seat belt. Both rear seating positions
have exclusive lower anchorages located at the rear of the
seat cushion. They are round bars, part of the seat and
body structure, and are readily visible. In addition, there
are two tether strap anchorages located behind the rear
seat head form, in the convertible top storage area.
Latch Anchors
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 111
2
Child restraints systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the top tether anchorage have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for some of their older
products. Tether anchorage kits are also available for
most older vehicles.
Because the lower anchorages are to be introduced to
passenger carrying vehicles over a period of years, child
restraint systems having attachments for those anchor-
ages will continue to have features for installation in
vehicles using the lap or lap/shoulder belt. They will also
have tether straps, and you are urged to take advantage
of all of the available attachments provided with your
child restraint in any vehicle.
NOTE:When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat beltsnot being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
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
your child unattended in the vehicle.
Installing the Child Restraint System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Many,
but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector and a means for adjusting the tension in the
strap. Forward-facing toddler restraints and some
112 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
rearward-facing infant restraints will also be equipped
with a tether strap with a hook and means for adjusting
the tension in the strap.
In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
and tether straps so that you can more easily attach the
hook or connector to the lower and tether anchorages.
The tether strap should be routed over the center of the
head form and attached to the tether anchor, located
behind the rear seat head form, in the convertible top
storage area. Then tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat.
NOTE:To gain access to the anchorages, locate the child
tether anchorage decals on the carpet behind the rear seat
head forms and use a small screwdriver to pry the carpet
flap open. The carpet flap is attached in two different
places.Not all child restraint systems will be installed as we
have described here. Again, carefully follow the instruc-
tions that come with the child restraint system.
NOTE:If your child restraint seat is not LATCH com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Tether Strap Mounting
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 113
2
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
²If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
114 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 215
Carrier, Luggage........................ 215
Catalytic Converter...................... 389
Caution, Exhaust Gas..................... 115
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............251,259
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 277
Cellular Phone.......................138,277
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 428
Chains, Tire............................ 330
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 360
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 314
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 381
Child Restraint.......................72,107
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............77,111
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 76
Child Safety Locks........................ 22
Child Seat...........................78,112Clean Air Gasoline....................... 337
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 413
Climate Control......................... 277
Clock...........................250,253,261
Clutch............................... 406
Clutch Fluid........................... 406
Coin Holder........................... 208
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 277
Compact Spare Tire...................... 325
Compass.....................234,235,238,248
Compass Calibration................238,247,248
Compass Variance....................... 236
Computer, Trip/Travel.................234,235
Console.............................. 208
Contract, Service........................ 463
Convertible............................ 123
Convertible Boot.....................128,132
Convertible Top......................... 123
472 INDEX
Radio (Sound Systems).................251,259
Rear Liftgate (Sedan)...................... 37
Rear Seat, Folding...............171,173,175,177
Rear Seat Removal....................... 181
Rear Shelf Panel........................ 210
Rear Window........................... 43
Rear Window Defroster................... 217
Rear Window Features.................... 217
Rear Wiper/Washer...................... 217
Recorder, Event Data...................70,105
Recreational Towing...................... 356
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 337
Refrigerant............................ 394
Reminder, Seat Belt.....................54,89
Remote Keyless Entry (Convertible)........... 30
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan)............... 24
Replacement Bulbs....................... 424
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 383Replacement Tires....................... 328
Reporting Safety Defects................... 464
Restraints, Child..................72,78,107,112
Restraints, Infant......................73,107
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................. 215
Rotation, Tires.......................... 331
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................ 116
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 117
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 464
Safety Information, Tire................... 313
Safety Tips............................ 115
Satellite Radio.......................... 273
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 276
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 434
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 416
Seat Belt Reminder.....................54,89
Seat Belts
Adjustable Shoulder Belt.................. 52
482 INDEX
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage........ 52
And Pregnant Women.................54,89
Child Restraint......................72,107
Front Seat..........................45,82
Pretensioners........................53,88
Rear Seat...........................45,82
Reminder............................ 232
Untwisting Procedure..................52,88
Seat Belts (Convertible).................... 81
Seat Belts (Sedan)........................ 44
Seats................................. 164
Adjustment.......................... 164
Cleaning............................ 414
Easy Entry........................... 168
Emergency Seat Back Release (Sedan)......... 40
Folding Front Passenger................. 167
Head Restraints....................... 169
Heated............................. 169
Lumbar Support....................... 166Power.............................. 165
Rear Folding.................171,173,175,177
Rear Folding (Convertible)................ 173
Rear Folding (Sedan).................... 171
Removal............................ 181
Seatback Release....................167,168
Tilting...........................167,168
Tumbling Rear (Convertible).............. 177
Tumbling Rear (Sedan).................. 175
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)................ 36
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 399
Sentry Key (Immobilizer).................15,37
Sentry Key Programming................... 17
Service and Maintenance.................. 434
Service Assistance....................... 461
Service Contract......................... 463
Service Manuals........................ 465
Setting the Clock..................250,253,261
Settings, Personal........................ 244
INDEX 483
10
Severe Service.......................... 437
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle.............. 304
Shoulder Belts.........................45,82
Side Airbag..........................65,100
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters).......... 285
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 369
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 330
Snow Tires............................ 330
Spare Tire..........................325,361
Spark Plugs............................ 388
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........194,229
Speedometer........................... 226
Speedometer and Odometer................ 223
Starting............................291,292
Automatic Transmission................. 291
Engine Fails to Start.................... 293
Manual Transmission................... 292
Starting and Operating.................291,292
Starting Procedures...................... 291Steering
Linkage............................. 395
Power...........................310,394
Tilt Column.......................... 193
Wheel Lock........................... 18
Storage............................209,423
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 370
Sun Roof.............................. 204
Sun Visor Extension...................... 138
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag......55,90
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 387
Tachometer............................ 227
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......226,359
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............77,111
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 36
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 36
Tilt Steering Column..................... 193
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 317
484 INDEX