Page 82 of 523

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
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.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 (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should turn on and remain on for four to six
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, or if the
light stays on, flickers, or turns 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.
80 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 127 of 523
WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
adjusted properly and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Recliner Adjustment
The control lever is on the outboard side of the seat. To
recline the seat, lean forward slightly and lift the lever.
Then lean back to the position desired and release the
lever. To return the seatback to its normal upright posi-
tion, lean forward and lift the lever. Release the lever
once the seatback is in the upright position.
Manual Seat Adjustment
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
3
Page 128 of 523
WARNING!
•Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat
could cause you to lose control. The seat belt might
not be adjusted properly and you could be injured.
Adjust the seat only while the vehicle is parked.
•Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your
chest. In a collision you could slide under the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured. Use
the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.
Seatback Release
126 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 132 of 523
CAUTION!
Do not place any article under any seat as it may
cause damage to the seat controls.
WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
adjusted properly and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Head Restraints
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear.
Front Seats
Adjust the head restraints so that the upper edge is as
high as practical. The left sleeve that the head restraint
post slides through contains a lock release button. You
can raise the head restraint without pressing this button.
However, you must press this button to lower the head
restraint.
Power Seat Switch
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 136 of 523

60/40 Split Second-Row Passenger Seats
To provide additional storage area, each second-row
passenger seat can be folded flat. This allows for ex-
tended cargo space and still maintains some seating room
if needed.
NOTE:Prior to folding the second-row passenger seat,
make sure the front seatback is not in a reclined position.
This will allow the seat to fold easily.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 seri-
ously 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.
•On seven passenger models, do not allow a pas-
senger to sit in a third row seat with the second
row seatback(s) folded flat. In a collision, the
passenger could slide underneath the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 139 of 523
WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
adjusted properly and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Recliner Adjustment
The control lever is on the outboard side of the seat. To
recline the seat, lean back, lift the lever, position the
seatback as desired, and then release the lever. To return
the seatback to its normal upright position, lean back, lift
the lever, lean forward, and then release the lever once
the seatback is in the upright position.
Seatback Release
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
3
Page 140 of 523
WARNING!
•Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat
could cause you to lose control. The seat belt might
not be adjusted properly and you could be injured.
Adjust the seat only while the vehicle is parked.
•Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your
chest. In a collision you could slide under the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured. Use
the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.
20% Seatback/Armrest — Second Row Passenger
Seat
The latch release-loop is located at the top of the 20%
seatback/armrest. Pull the release-loop upward to re-
lease the latch and then downward to lower the 20%
seatback/armrest.
Latch Release-Loop
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 145 of 523
The seatback can also be locked in a reclined position. To
do so, pull the latch release-loop located at the top of the
seatback upward, allow the seatback to recline, and
release the release-loop.WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is locked securely into
position. Otherwise, the seat will not provide the
proper stability for passengers. An improperly
latched seat could cause serious injury.
•Do not allow a passenger to sit in a third row seat
without having the head restraint unfolded and
locked in place. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury to the passenger in the
event of an accident.
•Do not allow a passenger to sit in a third row seat
with the second row seatback(s) folded flat. In a
collision, the passenger could slide underneath the
seat belt and be seriously or even fatally injured.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3