
Ignition Key Removal
Place the selector lever in ªPº (Park). Turn the key to the
LOCK position, and remove the key.
NOTE:
²If you try to remove the key before you place the
selector lever in ªPº (Park), it may become trapped
temporarily in the ignition switch. If this occurs, rotate
the key to the right slightly, then remove the key as
described. If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap
the key in the ignition switch to warn you that this
safety feature is inoperable. The engine can be started
and stopped, but the key cannot be removed until you
obtain service.
²For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, power sunroof (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for up to 60 minutesafter the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either front door will cancel this feature.
The time for this feature is programmable. For details,
refer to ªDelay Power Off to Accessories Until Exit,º
under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features),º under ªElectronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Remote Key Lock,º under ªPersonal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features),º under ªElectronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this
manual for details.
To Release the Liftgate Flipper Glass
Press the ªFlipper Glass/Trunk Releaseº button on the
transmitter two times to release the flipper glass.
WARNING!
Driving with the flipper glass open can allow poi-
sonous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the flipper glass closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
Using The Panic Alarm
To turn the panic alarm feature ON or OFF, press and
hold the PANIC button on the transmitter for at least one
second and release. When the panic alarm is on, the
headlights and park lights will flash, the horn will pulse
on and off, and the interior lights will turn on.
The panic alarm will stay on for 3 minutes unless you
turn it off by either pressing the PANIC button a second
time or drive the vehicle at a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h)
or greater.
NOTE:
²The interior lights will turn off if you turn the ignition
switch to the ACC or ON position while the panic
alarm is activated. However, the exterior lights and
horn will remain on.
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

the first detent, release, and the window will go down
automatically. To cancel the ªAuto Downº movement,
operate the switch in either the up or down direction and
release the switch.
To stop the window from going all the way down during
the auto-down operation, pull up on the switch briefly.
To open the window part way, press to the first detent
and release it when you want the window to stop.
The power window switches remain active for 10 min-
utes after the ignition has been turned off. Opening either
front door will cancel this feature.
Auto Up Feature with Anti-Pinch Protection
(Driver's and Front Passenger Door Only)
Lift the window switch to the second detent, release, and
the window will go up automatically.
To stop the window from going all the way up during the
auto-up operation, push down on the switch briefly.To close the window part way, lift the window switch to
the first detent and release when you want the window to
stop.
NOTE:If the window runs into any obstacle during the
auto-closure it will reverse direction and then stop.
Remove the obstacle and use the window switch again to
close the window. Any impact due to rough road condi-
tions may trigger the auto reverse function unexpectedly
during auto closure. If this happens pull the switch
lightly to the first detent and hold to close the window
manually.
WARNING!
There is no anti-pinch protection when the window
is almost closed. Be sure to clear all objects from the
window before closing.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced
if the seat belt assembly ªautomatic locking retrac-
torº feature or any other seat belt function is not
working properly when checked according to the
procedures in the Service Manual.
²Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly
could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The driver and front passenger seat belts are equipped
with a pretensioning device that is designed to remove
any slack from the seat belt systems in the event of a
collision. This device improves the performance of the
seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight around the
occupant early in a collision. Pretensioners work for all
size occupants, including those in child restraints.NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt must still be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Control (ORC) Module. Like the front airbags, the
pretensioners are a single use item. After a collision that
is severe enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners,
they must be replaced.
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
If the driver's seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert) will alert the driver to buckle their seat
belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to
buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered, the
Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will continue to
chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning Light for 96
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

seconds or until the driver's seat belt is buckled. The
Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) will be reactivated
if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled for more than 10
seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8
km/h).
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:
NOTE:The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or START position. The manufacturer does not recom-
mend deactivating the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, and
buckle the driver's seat belt.2. Turn the ignition key to the ACCESSORY/RUN posi-
tion (engine does not need to be running), and wait for
the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn off.
3. Within 60 seconds of starting the vehicle, unbuckle
and then re-buckle the driver's seat belt at least three
times with 10 seconds, ending with the seat belt buckled.
4. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. A single
chime will sound to signify that you have successfully
completed the programming.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be reacti-
vated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:Although the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert) has been deactivated, the Seat Belt Warning
Light will continue to illuminate while the driver's seat
belt remains unfastened.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
2

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Control Module
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Side Curtain Airbags above Side Windows
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Front Acceleration Sensors
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner
How The Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Control (ORC) Modulede-
termines if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe
enough to require the front and/or side airbags to
inflate. The front airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of airbag inflation from direc-
tion provided by the ORC. The ORC will not detect
rear impacts.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
key is in the LOCK position, in the ACC position, or
not in the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not
inflate.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

Also, the ORC turns on the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº for 6 to 8 seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the ªAirbag Warning Lightº will
turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part
of the system, it turns on the ªAirbag Warning Lightº
either momentarily or continuously. A single chime
will sound if the light comes on again after initial start
up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the ªAirbag Warning Lightº 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 detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
are possible, based on collision severity and occupant
size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold
out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags fully inflate in about 50±70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides
of the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere
with your control of the vehicle.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven't healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
²As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioners, and seat belt retractor assem-
bly, replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Enhanced Accident Response Feature
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will illuminate to aid visibility.
NOTE:The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE