NOTE:
•Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.
•When using the LATCH attaching system to install a
child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
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.
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 passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which are
designed to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking clip.
Pulling up on the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder
belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate will
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
keep the belt tight; however, any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and pull
it tight if necessary.
Seat belts with an automatic locking retractor have a
distinctive label on the seat belt webbing. The seat belt
must be in the Automatic Locking mode in order to
enable a child restraint to be tightly installed. (Refer to
“Automatic Locking Mode” in this section). A locking
clip should not be necessary once the automatic locking
feature is enabled. Position the shoulder and lap belt on
the child restraint. The automatic locking retractor is
activated by first attaching the child seat, then pulling all
of the webbing out of the retractor, then allowing the
webbing to retract back into the retractor. Tighten web-
bing. To release, simply unbuckle the seat belt by de-
pressing the button, allowing the webbing to retract into
the retractor.In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path opening
on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle end belt several times
to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the
release button facing out.
If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
to do something more. Disconnect the latch plate from
the buckle, turn the buckle 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
2
When the seatback is folded to the upright position, make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the
seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback is not securely locked into
position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children
should be seated and using the proper restraint
system.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
Two latches must be released to open the hood. First, pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
•The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt or soft until after the
break-in period. This is a normal condition, and pre-
cision shifts will develop within a few shift cycles.
The shift lever is automatically locked while in the PARK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the brake pedal must be firmly depressed before
the shift lock will release.
Move the shift lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is applied.
Do not release the brake pedal until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise accelerate quickly when the shift
lever is in DRIVE or REVERSE position.WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the transmission into PARK, remove the key
from the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once
the key is removed from the ignition, the transmis-
sion shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave unattended
children inside a vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 283
5
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator Light)......................... 382
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 74
Checks, Safety........................... 74
Child Restraint.................... 63,65,69,70
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 67,69
Child Safety Locks........................ 30
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 338
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 410
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 395
Climate Control......................... 258
Clock ........................207,210,226,231
CoinHolder ........................... 157
Cold Weather Operation................... 279
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 257
Compass.............................. 195
Compass Calibration..................... 195
Compass Variance....................... 196Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 189
Connector
UCI ................................ 251
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......... 251
Console, Floor.......................... 157
Console, Overhead....................... 142
Contract, Service........................ 445
Converter, Catalytic...................... 389
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 400
Cooling System......................... 397
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 399
Coolant Capacity...................... 429
Coolant Level......................398,401
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 401
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 398
Inspection........................... 401
Points to Remember.................... 401
Pressure Cap......................... 400
Radiator Cap......................... 400
INDEX 455
10
Instrument Cluster....................174,175
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 173
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 411
Interior Appearance Care.................. 410
Interior Fuses.......................... 413
Interior Lights.......................... 131
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........133,269
Introduction............................. 4
Jump Starting.......................... 371
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Key-In Reminder......................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster.......................... 48,49Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 130
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 39
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether
forCHildren) ......................... 67,69
Latch Plate............................. 40
Latches................................ 77
Hood............................... 124
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 337
Leaks, Fluid............................ 77
LifeofTires ............................ 321
Liftgate................................ 36
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer..........269,396
LightBulbs .......................... 77,420
Lights .............................. 77,126
Airbag........................ 56,61,76,178
Anti-Lock.........................184,299
Automatic Headlights................... 127
Brake Assist Warning................... 307
Brake Warning.....................180,297
INDEX 461
10
VanityMirror .......................... 86
Voltage............................. 175
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 175
Load Leveling System.................... 168
Loading Vehicle......................344,345
Capacities........................... 345
Tires ............................... 312
Locks................................. 27
Auto Unlock.......................... 29
Automatic Door........................ 28
Child Protection........................ 30
Door................................ 27
Power Door........................... 28
Low Tire Pressure System.................. 327
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)............................ 67,69
Lubrication, Body....................... 395
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................. 165
Lumbar Support........................ 120Maintenance Free Battery.................. 390
Maintenance, General..................... 384
Maintenance Procedures................... 384
Maintenance Schedule.................... 434
Maintenance, Sunroof..................... 152
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 184,382
Manual, Service......................... 447
Map/Reading Lights..................131,142
Master Cylinder (Brakes).................. 405
Methanol............................. 338
Mini-Trip Computer...................... 189
Mirrors ................................ 83
Automatic Dimming..................... 83
Electric Powered....................... 85
Electric Remote........................ 85
Exterior Folding........................ 85
Heated.............................. 86
Outside.............................. 84
Rearview............................. 83
INDEX 463
10