Page 47 of 303

who is seated properly in the passenger seat. The
driver and passenger should always use the PAD
indicator light as an indication that the passenger is
positioned properly in their seat. If the PAD indicator
light comes on when an adult or teenager is in the
passenger seat, have the passenger reposition their self
in the seat until the light goes out. Remember, if the
PAD indicator light is illuminated the passenger air-
bag will not inflate in the event of a collision.
The passenger airbag will not be enabled for most any
size child who is seated properly in the passenger seat
and for most properly installed child restraint systems.
However, under certain conditions, even with a properly
installed child restraint system, the PAD indicator light
may not be on, even though the airbag is disabled. This
can occur if the child restraint is lighter than the thresh-
old weight necessary to turn the PAD indicator light on.
In any case,DO NOTassume the airbag is turned off if
the PAD indicator light is not illuminated.WARNING!
An infant in rear facing child safety seat, designed
for a child up to one year or approximately 20 pounds
(9 kg), should NEVER ride in the front seat of a
vehicle equipped with a passenger airbag, unless the
airbag is shut OFF. An airbag deployment can cause
severe injury or death to an infant in this position.
²TheFlex Matis located beneath the passenger seat
cushion foam. The Flex Mat sends signals to the OCM
for classifying the occupant in the passenger seat.
Any weight on the seat will be sensed by the Flex Mat.
Therefore, the occupant in the passenger seat needs to
sit in a normal position (with their feet on or near the
floor) in order to be classified properly. If an occu-
pant's weight is transferred to another part of the
vehicle (like the door or instrument panel), the system
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 51 of 303

NOTE:Perchlorate Material Ð special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for
your protection in a collision. While the airbag
system is designed to be maintenance free, if
any of the following occurs, have an autho-
rized dealer service the system immediately:
²The Airbag Warning light does not come on or flickers
during the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require small children
ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law, and you
can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be injured badly. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 59 of 303

WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light does not come on or flickers
during or after the 6 to 8 seconds, or flickers or comes on
while driving have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 77 of 303

WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your
passenger side convex mirror could cause you to
collide with another vehicle or other object. Use your
inside mirror when judging the size or distance of a
vehicle seen in the passenger side convex mirror.
Power Remote Control Mirrors
The power mirror switch is located on the driver's door
trim panel below the door handle. Press the button
marked ªLº to select the driver's outside mirror or the
button marked ªRº to select the passenger's outside
mirror. After selecting a mirror, either press on the top,
bottom, left, or right side of the directional switch and the
mirror will move in the direction that the arrow ispointing. To return the power mirror switch to the
neutral (off) position, press lightly on the push button not
previously pressed until the opposite push button pops
outward.
Power Mirror Controls
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 79 of 303
WARNING!
²Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat
could cause you to lose control. The seat belt might
not be properly adjusted and you could be injured.
Adjust the seat only while the vehicle is parked.
²Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your
chest. In a collision you could slide under the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured. Use
the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.
Recliner Adjustment
The recliner control is located on the outboard side of the
seat. To recline the seat, lean forward slightly, pull the
recliner control lever upward, lean backward until the
seat is in the desired position, and release the lever. Toreturn the seat to its full upright position, lean forward,
pull the recliner control lever upward and hold it until
the seat returns to its full upright position.Recliner Control
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 98 of 303

²The word ªDECKº will flash in the display if the
trunk/liftgate is open.
²The words ªLOW TIREº will flash slowly in the display
and a chime will sound if the tire pressure is low.
²The words ªFLAT TIREº will flash rapidly in the
display and a chime will sound if critically low tire
pressure is detected.
Message Center
When the appropriate conditions ex-
ist, the Message Center displays the
following indicators and warnings:
High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are on. Pull the Multi-Function Leveron the left side of the steering column toward you to
switch the headlights from low beam to high beam. Pull
the lever a second time to switch the headlights back to
low beam. (See page 81 for more information.)
Front Fog Light Indicator
This light will turn on when the front fog lights are
on. (See page 82 for more information.)
Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The amber Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light will
turn on and stay on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition is first turned on. If the light
does not turn on during starting, see your
authorized dealer for service.
This light also illuminates at vehicle start-up to indicate
that the ABS self-check is in process. If the light remains
on after start-up, or turns on and remains on at road
speeds, it may indicate a system malfunction or that the
system is inoperative. In this case, the system reverts to
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 97
4
Page 99 of 303

standard non-anti-lock brakes. If this occurs, safely bring
the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible and
cycle the ignition key to attempt to reset the ABS. If the
light remains on, see your authorized dealer immediately
to have the system serviced. Furthermore, if the red
BRAKE warning light and the amber ABS warning light
are on, and the parking brake is fully released, see your
authorized dealer immediately. (See page 147 for more
information.)
WARNING!
If the ABS and/or Brake Warning lights illuminate,
please seek service immediately! Your vehicle will
have diminished braking capability and control if ABS
and/or service brake systems are not working properly.
Have your brake system serviced immediately.
Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD. The OBD system monitors
engine control systems. The light will turn on
when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the light does not come on when
turning the key from OFF/LOCK to ON/RUN, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
remains on through several of your typical driving
cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally
and will not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See
page 195 for more information.)
98 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 100 of 303

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
Turn Signal Indicators
The left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signals when the
turn signal switch is operated. (See page 82 for more
information.)
Hazard Indicators
Both turn signal arrows will flash in unison with the
front and rear turn signals when the hazard warning
switch is operated. (See page 176 for more information.)
NOTE:Leaving the hazard flashers on for extended
periods will wear down the battery.
Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for 6 to 8 seconds as a
bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the light does not turn on during
starting, remains on after starting, or turns on
while driving, have the system checked immediately by
an authorized dealer. (See page 40 for more information.)
Brake System Warning Light
The red Brake System Warning Light turns on
when the ignition is first turned on. It should
stay on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not turn
on during starting, have it repaired promptly. If the light
remains on following the bulb check, it may be an
indication that the parking brake is not released. If the
light remains on when the parking brake is released, it
indicates a possible hydraulic brake system malfunction.
In this case, immediate repair is necessary and continued
operation of the vehicle in this condition is dangerous.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 99
4