Window Lockout Switch
The window lockout switch on the driver’s door trim
panel allows you to disable the window control on the
other doors. To disable the window controls, press and
release the window lockout button (setting it in the down
position). To enable the window controls, press and
release the window lockout button again (setting it in the
up position).
Reset
It may be necessary at some point in time to reactivate the
Auto-up/Auto-down feature. To do so, perform the
following steps:
1. Pull the window switch up to close window com-
pletely and continue to hold the switch up for an
additional two seconds after the window is closed.
2. Push the window switch down firmly to the second
detent to open the window completely and continue to
hold the switch down for an additional two seconds after
the window is fully 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
Window Lockout Switch
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the rear windows open, then open the front and rear
windows together to minimize the buffeting. If the
buffeting occurs with the sunroof open, adjust the sun-
roof opening to minimize the buffeting or open any
window.
LIFTGATE
The liftgate can be unlocked or locked with the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or by activating the
power door lock switch located on either front door trim
panel.
NOTE:The liftgate cannot be unlocked or locked with
the manual door lock plungers on the door trim panels or
the door lock cylinder on the driver’s door.
To open the unlocked liftgate, squeeze the handle and
pull the liftgate toward you. Gas props will raise and
support the liftgate in the open position. NOTE:
Because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
Liftgate Release
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
•Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. These fumes
could injure you and your passengers. Keep the
liftgate closed when you are operating the vehicle.
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
blower switch on the climate control is set at high
speed. DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems. The following safety
features are standard on your vehicle:
•Front airbags for both the driver and front passenger
•Supplemental side curtain airbags for the driver and
passengers seated next to a window
•Supplemental front seat mounted side airbags
•An energy-absorbing steering column and steering
wheel
•Knee Bolsters/Blockers for front seat occupants
•Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating
positions
•Pretensioning and load-limiting retractors for the front
seat belts to enhance occupant protection by managing
occupant energy during an impact event.
•All seat belt systems (except the driver’s and second
row center position) include Automatic Locking Re-
tractors (ALRs).
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Lap/Shoulder Belts
All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with
lap/shoulder belts.
The belt webbing retractor is designed to lock during
very sudden stops or impacts. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the belt to move freely with you under
normal conditions. However, in a collision, the belt will
lock and reduce your risk of striking the inside of the
vehicle or being thrown out.WARNING!
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that
is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat
belt properly.
• Wearing a seat belt incorrectly is dangerous. Seat belts are
designed to go around the large bones of your body. These
are the strongest parts of your body and can take the forces
of a collision best.
• Wearing your belt in the wrong place could make your
injuries in a collision much worse. You might suffer internal
injuries, or you could even slide out of part of the belt.
Follow these instructions to wear your seat belt safely and to
keep your passengers safe, too.
• Two people should never be belted into a single seat belt.
People belted together can crash into one another in an
accident, hurting one another badly. Never use a lap/
shoulder belt or a lap belt for more than one person, no
matter what their size.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 412
you will prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage try to move it up and down to make sure that
it is locked in position.
In the rear seat, move toward the center of the seat to
position the belt away from your neck.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure
Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted lap/
shoulder belt.
1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the
anchor point.
2. At about 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate,
grasp and twist the belt webbing 180 degrees to create a
fold that begins immediately above the latch plate.
3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded webbing.
The folded webbing must enter the slot at the top of the
latch plate.4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it clears the
folded webbing.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The driver and front passenger’s seat belts are equipped
with pretensioning devices that are designed to remove
any slack from the seat belt systems in the event of a
collision. These devices improve 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 Controller (ORC). Like the front airbags, the
pretensioners are single use items. After a collision that is
severe enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners,
both must be replaced.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position. A
single chime will sound to signify that you have success-
fully completed the programming.
The BeltAlertcan be reactivated by repeating this pro-
cedure.
NOTE: When the BeltAlert is deactivated, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will continue to illuminate as long as the
driver’s seat belt is unbuckled/retracted.
Automatic Locking Mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-
locked. However, the belt will still retract to remove slack
in the shoulder belt. Use The Automatic Locking mode
any time a child safety seat is installed in a seating
position that has a seat belt with this feature. Children 12
years old and younger should be properly restrained in
the rear seat whenever possible.
How to Engage the Automatic Locking Mode
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until
the entire belt is extracted.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will
here a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is
now in the Automatic Locking mode.
How to Disengage the Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap and shoulder belt and
allow it to retract completely to disengage the Automatic
Locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer-
gency) locking mode.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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WARNING!
•Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high enough
to block the location of the side curtain airbag. The
area where the side curtain airbag is located should
remain free from any obstructions. Do not have any
accessory items installed which will alter the roof,
including adding a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not
add roof racks that require permanent attachments
(bolts or screws) for installation on the vehicle roof.
Do not drill into the roof of the vehicle for any reason.
• Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the supplemental front seat
mounted side airbags; the performance could be
adversely affected and/or objects could be pushed
into you, causing serious injury.
• Do not attach cupholders or any other objects on or
around the door. The inflating supplemental front
seat mounted side airbags could drive the object into
occupants, causing serious injury.
NOTE: Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat
hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the
proper performance of the curtain airbags.
Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved
protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain
and seat airbags also work with seat belts to improve
occupant protection.
While the seat belts are designed to protect you in many
types of collisions, the front airbags will deploy in
moderate to severe frontal collisions. The supplemental
side curtain airbag and supplemental front seat mounted
side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle will also
trigger in moderate to severe side collisions. However,
even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the
seat belts to keep you in the correct position for the
airbags to protect you properly.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
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•The ORC and other systems monitor the readiness of
the electronic components whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or ON position. These include
all of the items listed above except the knee impact
bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering wheel
and column. Furthermore, the airbag system is not
active if the key is in the LOCK position, the ACC
position, or not in the ignition.
•The ORC commands Airbag Warning Light
operation. The Airbag Warning Light in the
instrument panel turns on for four to six
seconds as a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the light will turn
off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, the light will turn on until the malfunction is
corrected. A single chime will sound if the light comes
on again after initial start-up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light 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.
•The Driver and Front Passenger Airbag/Inflator
Units are located in the center of the steering wheel
and the passenger’s side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the air-
bags, 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 collision severity. The steering wheel hub trim
cover and the upper passenger’s side of the instrument
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