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•TheDriver and Front 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 may be possible based on colli-
sion severity. 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 to 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. The
driver’s front airbag gas is vented through vent holes
in the sides of the airbag. The passenger’s front airbag
gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of the
airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.•TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagis designed
to activate only in certain side collisions. When the
ORC (with side impact option) detects a collision
requiring the side curtain airbag to inflate, it signals
the inflators on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity
of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the side curtain
airbag. The inflating side curtain airbag pushes the
outside edge of the headliner out of the way and
covers the window. The airbag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one quarter of the time that it
takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the side curtain
airbag inflates. This especially applies to children. The
side curtain airbag is only about 3-1/2 in (9 cm) thick
when it is inflated.
•TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!
If you are required to drive with the deck lid/liftgate
open, make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
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.Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defroster
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. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
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Rear Window Features...................162
▫Rear Window Wiper/Washer.............162▫Rear Window Defroster.................163
Roof Luggage Rack — If Equipped..........164
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77
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Page 80 of 438
MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror — If Equipped
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two-point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical mirror adjustment.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward the rear of vehicle). The mirror should be ad-
justed while set in the day position (toward the wind-
shield).
Adjusting Rearview Mirror
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Repeat the words and phrases when prompted by the
UConnectsystem. For best results, the Voice Training
session should be completed when the vehicle is parked
with the engine running, all windows closed, and the
blower fan switched OFF.
This procedure may be repeated with a new user. The
system will adapt to the last trained voice only.
To restore the Voice Recognition system to factory default
settings, enter the Voice Training session via the above
procedure and follow the prompts.
Voice Recognition (VR)
•
For best performance, adjust the rearview mirror to
provide at least1 2in (1 cm) gap between the overhead
console (if equipped) and the mirror.
•Always wait for the beep before speaking.
•Speak normally, without pausing, just as you would
speak to a person sitting a few feet/meters away from
you.
•Make sure that no one other than you is speaking
during a voice recognition period.
•Performance is maximized under:
•low-to-medium blower setting,
•low-to-medium vehicle speed,
•low road noise,
•smooth road surface,
•fully closed windows,
•dry weather condition.
•Even though the system is designed for users speaking
in North American English, French, and Spanish ac-
cents, the system may not always work for some.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 101
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•When navigating through an automated system such
as voice mail, or when sending a page, at the end of
speaking the digit string, make sure to saySend.
•Storing names in the phonebook when the vehicle is
not in motion is recommended.
•It is not recommended to store similar sounding
names in the UConnectphonebook.
•The UConnectphonebook nametag recognition rate
is optimized for the person who stored the name in the
phonebook.
•You can sayO(letterO) for0(zero).800must be
spokeneight-zero-zero.
•Even though international dialing for most number
combinations is supported, some shortcut dialing
number combinations may not be supported.
•In a convertible vehicle, system performance may be
compromised with the convertible top down.
Far End Audio Performance
•
Audio quality is maximized under:
•low-to-medium blower setting,
•low-to-medium vehicle speed,
•low road noise,
•smooth road surface,
•fully closed windows,
•dry weather conditions, and
•operation from the driver’s seat.
•Performance, such as audio clarity, echo, and loudness
to a large degree rely on the phone and network, and
not the UConnectsystem.
102 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Sunshade Operation
The sunshade can be opened manually. However, the
sunshade will open automatically as the sunroof opens.
NOTE:The sunshade cannot be closed if the sunroof is
open.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
The sunroof will also operate up to 45 seconds after the
ignition has been turned off. The sunroof operation will
be canceled if either of the front doors are opened during
the 45 second time period.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS — IF EQUIPPED
There is a standard 12 Volt power outlet in the instrument
panel and a 115 Volt (150 Watts Maximum) power outlet
in the center console on certain models for added conve-
nience. These outlets can power cell phones, electronics
and other low power devices.
NOTE:Due to overload protection the inverter will shut
down if the power rating is exceeded.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
A switch on the right side of the steering column controls
operation of the rear wiper/washer function. Rotating
the center of the switch forward to the ON position will
activate the wiper. The rear wiper operates in an inter-
mittent mode only. Rotating the center of the switch all
the way forward will turn on the wash function. The
wash pump will continue to operate as long as the button
is pressed. Upon release, the wipers will cycle two times
before returning to the set position.
If the rear wiper is operating when the ignition is turned
OFF, the wiper will automatically return to the “Park”
position if power accessory delay is active. Power acces-
sory delay can be cancelled by opening the door, if this
happens the rear wiper will stop at its current position
and will not go to “Park”.
Rear Wiper/Washer Control
162 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE