THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys..................12
NIgnition Key Removal...................12
NKey-In-Ignition Reminder................14
mSentry Key............................14
NReplacement Keys......................16
NCustomer Key Programming..............16
NGeneral Information....................17
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped..........18
NTo Manually Lock The Steering Wheel.......18NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........18
mSecurity Alarm System Ð If Equipped.........18
NRearming Of The System.................19
NTo Arm The System.....................19
NTo Disarm The System...................19
mIlluminated Entry System..................20
mRemote Keyless Entry.....................20
NTo Unlock The Doors And Liftgate..........21
NTo Lock The Doors And Liftgate............22
2
STEERING WHEEL LOCK Ð IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock (manual transmission only). This lock pre-
vents steering the vehicle without the ignition key. If the
steering wheel is moved a half turn in either direction
and the key is not in the ignition, the steering wheel will
lock.
To Manually Lock the Steering Wheel
With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel 1/2
revolution from straight ahead position, turn off the
engine, and remove the key. Rotate the steering wheel
slightly in both directions until the lock engages.
To Release the Steering Wheel Lock
Insert the key in the ignition and turn the wheel slightly
to the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right todisengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) system monitors the
vehicle doors, liftgate, and liftgate flip-up window for
unauthorized entry and ignition for unauthorized opera-
tion.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will sound
the horn intermittently, flash the headlights and tail-
lights, and flash the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator
Light in the cluster.
NOTE:The ªPanicº and ªSecurityº alarms are quite
different. Please take a moment to activate the ªPanicº
and the ªSecurityº modes to hear the differences in the
horn. In case one should go off in the future, you will
need to know which mode has been activated in order to
deactivate it.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and front
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's airbag is mounted in the steering
wheel. The passenger's front airbag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
1 Ð Driver Airbag
2 Ð Passenger Airbag 52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
4. Do not lean against the door or window, airbags will
inflate forcefully into the space between you and the
door.
5. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided under ªIf
You Need Assistanceº in Section 9 of this manual.WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
²The side curtain airbags need room to inflate. Do
not lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Front Passenger Airbag
²Side Curtain Airbags above Side Windows
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Front Acceleration Sensors
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioner and
Retractor
²Front Passenger Seat Track Position Sensors
²Occupant Classification System (OCS) Ð Front Pas-
senger Seat Only
þOccupant Classification Module (OCM)
þPassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
þWeight Sensors
How The Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal, side, or rollover collision is severe enough
to require the airbags to inflate. The front airbag
inflators are designed to provide different rates of
airbag inflation from direction provided by the ORC.
The ORC may also modify the rate of inflation based
on the occupant size. The ORC receives this data from
the Occupant Classification Module (OCM). The ORC
will detect roll over, but not rear impacts.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the Passenger Airbag Disable
(PAD) Indicator Light, the instrument 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 they will not inflate.
The ORC also turns on the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº and ªPAD Indicator Lightº for 6 to 8
seconds as a self-check when the ignition is
first turned ON. After the self-check, the
ªAirbag Warning Lightº will turn off. The ªPAD
Indicator Lightº will function normally (refer to infor-
mation on Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator
Light in this section). If the ORC detects a malfunction
in any part of the system, it turns on the ªAirbagWarning 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.
²TheOccupant Classification System (OCS)is part of
a Federally regulated safety system required for this
vehicle. It is designed to turn off the front passenger
airbag for an empty seat and for occupants classified
in a category other than that of an adult. This could be
a child, teenager, or even a small size adult.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
lodged under the seat and interferes with operation of
the weight sensors, a fault will occur which turns on both
the ªPAD Indicator Lightº and the ªAirbag Warning
Light.º Once the lodged object is removed, the fault will
be automatically cleared after a short period of time.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the
passenger 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 passenger 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 that it takes
to blink your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. Thedriver's front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger's 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.²TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC). The ORC uses the occupant category to
determine whether the front passenger airbag should
be turned off. It also determines the rate of airbag
inflation during a collision.
²Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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.
NOTE:The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
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 passenger side of the instrument panel. Do not modify the front
bumper or vehicle body structure.
²Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system. The
airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if modifica-
tions are made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any advanced
airbag system service. If your seat including your trim cover and cushion
needs to be serviced in any way (including removal or loosening/
tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories may be used. If it is
necessary to modify an advanced airbag system for persons with disabili-
ties, contact your authorized dealer.
²Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the front
passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause the Occupant
Classification System to be unable to classify the front seat passenger
correctly. This could allow the passenger frontal airbag to inflate when it
is not desired.
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.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE