Page 20 of 454

²When the system is armed, the interior power door
lock switches will not unlock the doors.
The VSA system is designed to protect your vehicle;
however, you can create conditions where the system will
give you a false alarm. If one of the previously described
arming sequences has occurred, the system will arm
regardless of whether you are in the vehicle or not. If you
remain in the vehicle and open a door, the alarm will
sound. If this occurs, disarm the system.
If the alarm system is armed and the battery becomes
disconnected the system will remain armed when the
battery is reconnected. The exterior lights will flash, the
horn will sound, and the ignition will not start the
vehicle. If this occurs, disarm the system.Tamper Alert
If something has triggered the alarm in your absence, and
the warning signals have timed out, the park and tail-
lights will flash three times when unlocking the vehicle
with a valid RKE transmitter.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The courtesy/reading lights will turn on when you use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or open
either door.
This feature also turns on the approach lighting (if so
equipped). For details, refer to ªIlluminated Approach,º
under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable Fea-
tures),º under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual.
20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 49 of 454

NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
The front airbags have a dual-stage inflator design. This
may allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation
that are based on collision severity and occupant size.
WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured because
the airbags are no longer functional. These protective
covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open
only when the airbags are inflating.
²Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the seat airbags; the performance
could be adversely affected and/or objects could be
pushed into you, causing serious injury.
²Do not attach cup holders or any other objects on or
around the door. The inflating seat airbag could drive
the object into occupants, causing serious injury.
²Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in
any way.
²Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster such
as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios etc.
Front Airbag Components
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2
Page 58 of 454

Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment,
with the vehicle stopped, and the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced
Accident Response System performs the following func-
tions:
²Cuts off fuel to the engine.
²Flashes hazard lights.
²Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
²Unlocks the doors automatically.
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 if the airbag system is 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 add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
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 an airbag system.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 138 of 454
Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position. Place the upper end of the prop rod in the hole
on the underside of the hood.
Before closing the hood, make sure to stow the prop rod
in its proper location. To prevent possible damage, do notslam the hood to close it. Use a firm downward push at
the center of the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
LIGHTS
Exterior & Interior Lighting Control
The Multi-Function Control Lever on the left side
of the steering column controls the operation of
the headlights, parking lights, turn signal lights,
instrument panel lights, instrument panel light dimming,
interior lights, and fog lights (if equipped).
Hood Prop Rod Hole Location
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 148 of 454
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
Mist Feature
Push downward on the Windshield Wiper / Washer
Control Lever to activate a single wipe cycle to clear the
windshield of road mist or spray from a passing vehicle.
The wipers will continue to operate until you release the
lever.
Headlights with Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
When this feature is active, the headlights will turn ON
approximately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on
if the Multi-Function Control Lever (on the left side of the
steering column) is placed in the (A) AUTO position. In
Mist Control
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 183 of 454

The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
20. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever.
21. Front Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.22. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
The yellow ESP/BAS malfunction indicator
light will turn on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ªONº position. The light should
go out with the engine running. If the light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and you have
driven the vehicle several miles at speeds greater than 30
mph (48 km/h), and the ESP is synchronized (refer to
Synchronizing ESP), see your authorized dealer as soon
as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
23. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS)
This light monitors the ABS. This light will
come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for as long as
four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183
4
Page 330 of 454

þTrailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (450 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing, you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 434 of 454

Fluid Check.......................383,412
Hoses.............................. 382
Master Cylinder....................... 383
Parking............................. 264
Warning Light........................ 182
Brakes.............................267,381
Brake/Transaxle Interlock.................. 256
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 72
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 144
Bulb Replacement.....................400,401
Bulbs, Light..........................76,400
Calibration, Compass..................... 192
Capacities, Fluid........................ 409
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 316
Oil (Engine)..................354,355,356,363
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 378
Car Washes............................ 388Carbon Monoxide Warning...............74,311
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 319
Catalytic Converter...................... 366
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............213,217
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 231
Cellular Phone..................99,217,218,231
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 408
Certification Label....................... 319
Chains, Tire............................ 297
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 338
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 281
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 358
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 73
Checks, Safety........................... 73
Child Restraint..................62,63,64,68,69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............66,68
Cigar Lighter........................... 163
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 309
434 INDEX