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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. The hazard
lights will flash and the fuel will be cut off to the engine.
In addition, after the vehicle has stopped moving, the
interior lights will illuminate to aid visibility and remain
lit until the ignition switch is turned off.
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!
• Modifications 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 right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper or vehicle body structure.
• You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
• It 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.
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•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Impact acceleration and angle
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Transmission gear selection
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
•Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) status
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times — babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner’s manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
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.
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•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for an extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with the engine running for
more than a short time, adjust the ventilation system
to force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside the
vehicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn
into the vehicle.
•On hardtop models, keep the tailgate window closed
when driving your vehicle. On fabric top models, do
not drive with the rear window curtain up unless the
side curtains are also open. This will prevent carbon
monoxide and other poisonous exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat 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 seat belt or
retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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▫To Accelerate For Passing ...............105
Electronic Brake Control System ............105
▫ ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ............105
▫ TCS (Traction Control System) ............106
▫ BAS (Brake Assist System) ...............107
▫ ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) ..........108
▫ ESP (Electronic Stability Program) .........109
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light ................115
Electrical Power Outlet ...................116
▫ Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off .......117
Cupholders ...........................117
▫ Front Cupholders .....................117
▫ Rear Cupholders ......................118
Storage ..............................118
▫ Console Storage Compartment ............118
▫ Rear Storage Compartment ..............119
Dual Top — If Equipped .................120
▫ Removing The Soft Top .................120
▫ Installing The Soft Top .................122
Freedom Top Three-Piece Modular Hard Top . . . 125
▫ Front Panel(s) Removal .................126
▫ Front Panel(s) Installation ...............128
▫ Front Panel(s) Installation Only
(With Rear Hard Top Removed) ...........128
▫ Rear Hard Top Removal ................129
▫ Rear Hard Top Installation ...............131
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
CAUTION!
In cold weather, always turn off the wiper switch and
allow the wipers to return to the park position before
turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to
the wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is
restarted.
Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause be-
tween cycles, desirable. Move the lever to the DELAY
position, then select the delay interval by turning the end
of the lever. The delay can be regulated from a maximum
of approximately 18 seconds between cycles, to a cycle
every second.
Windshield Wiper Operation
The windshield wiper/washer control lever operates the
windshield wipers and washers when the ignition switch
is in the ON position. The lever is located on the right
side of the steering column. Move the lever upward to
the second detent for LO speed wiper operation, or to the
third detent for HI speed operation
Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Tapping RESUME ACCEL once will result in a 1 mph (1.6
km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed increases so that tapping the lever three times will
increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is ON, push down
and hold SET DECEL. Release the lever when the desired
speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
Tapping the SET DECEL button once will result in a 1
mph (1.6 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is
tapped, speed decreases.
NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control System has been
designed to shut down if multiple speed control switch
functions are operated simultaneously in order to ensure
proper operation. If this occurs, the system can be
reactivated by pushing the speed control switch ON/
OFF button and re-setting the desired vehicle SET speed.Manual Transmission
Depressing the clutch pedal will disengage the speed
control. A slight increase in engine RPM before the speed
control disengages is normal.
Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may need
to be shifted into a lower gear to climb hills without
speed loss.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Do not use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ABS cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) to provide
enhanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS
system functions similar to a limited slip differential and
controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel
on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This
will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if
TCS and ESP are in either the “Partial Off” or “Full Off”
modes. Refer to “ESP (Electronic Stability Program)” in
this section.
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE