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and for most properly installed child restraint systems.
However, under certain conditions, even with a properly
installed child restraint system, the PAD Indicator Light
may not be on, even though the airbag is disabled. This
can occur if the child restraint is lighter than the thresh-
old weight necessary to turn the PAD Indicator Light on.
In any case,DO NOTassume the airbag is turned off if
the PAD Indicator Light is not illuminated.
WARNING!
An infant in rear facing child safety seat, designed
for a child up to one year or approximately 20 lbs
(9 kg), should NEVER ride in the front seat of a
vehicle equipped with a passenger airbag, unless the
airbag is shut OFF. An airbag deployment can cause
severe injury or death to an infant in this position.
•TheFlex Matis located beneath the passenger seat
cushion foam. The Flex Mat sends signals to the OCM
for classifying the occupant in the passenger seat.
Any weight on the seat will be sensed by the Flex Mat.
Therefore, the occupant in the passenger seat needs to
sit in a normal position (with their feet on or near the
floor) in order to be classified properly. If an occu-
pant’s weight is transferred to another part of the
vehicle (like the door or instrument panel), the system
may not classify the occupant properly. Furthermore,
objects lodged under the seat can prevent the occu-
pant’s weight from being measured properly and may
result in the occupant being classified improperly.
The passenger seat assembly contains critical compo-
nents that affect passenger airbag deployment. Correctly
functioning passenger seat components are critical for the
OCS to classify the passenger properly and calculate the
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and side wall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and High
Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 66 of 299
▫Lights-On Reminder................... 84
▫Battery Saver Feature — Exterior Lights...... 84
▫Fog Lights.......................... 84
▫Turn Signals......................... 85
▫High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 86
▫Flash-To-Pass........................ 86
▫Interior Lights........................ 86
Windshield Wipers And Washers............ 89
▫Intermittent Wiper System............... 90▫Mist Feature......................... 90
▫Windshield Washers.................... 91
Tilt Steering Column.................... 91
Adjustable Pedals....................... 92
▫Adjustable Foot Rest................... 94
Console Features....................... 94
Rear Window Features................... 95
▫Electric Rear Window Defroster........... 95
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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LIGHTS
Exterior and Interior Lighting Control
The multifunction lever on the left side of the
steering column controls the operation of the
headlights, parking lights, turn signal lights, front
fog lights, instrument panel lights, and interior lights.
Headlights and Parking Lights
Turn the end of the multifunction lever to the first detent
for parking light operation. Turn the end of the lever to
the second detent for headlight operation.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature is particularly useful when exiting your
vehicle in an unlit area. It provides the safety of headlight
illumination for about 90 seconds after turning the igni-
tion switch OFF.
To activate the delay, turn the ignition switch OFF while
the headlights are still on. Then, turn off the headlights
within 45 seconds. The delay interval begins when the
headlight switch is turned off.
If you turn the headlights, parking lights, or ignition
switch ON again, the system will cancel the delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.
Multifunction Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
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Turn Signals
Move the multifunction lever upward or downward and
the corresponding turn signal indicator on the instru-
ment panel will flash to show proper operation of the
front and rear turn signal lights.You can also signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially upward or downward without moving beyond
the detent. The turn signals will continue to operate until
you release the multifunction lever.
If either light has a very fast flash rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If an indicator fails to light
when the multifunction lever is moved, it would suggest
that the fuse or indicator is defective or there may be a
circuit failure.
Turn Signal Control
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
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High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction lever toward you to switch the
headlights to high beam. Pull the lever a second time to
switch the headlights back to low beam.
Flash-to-Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multifunction lever toward you. This
will cause the headlights to turn on at high beam and
remain on until the lever is released.
Interior Lights
The interior lights will turn on whenever a door is
opened or the liftgate is opened (Coupe models) and the
dimmer switch is not in the defeat position.
The interior lights will turn on, remain on for about
30 seconds, and then fade to off if any of the following
occur:
•A door is opened using the outside door handle and
then closed.
•A door is unlocked using the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter.Headlight Beam Control
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
remains on through several of your typical driving
cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally
and will not require towing.
The MIL flashes to alert you to serious conditions that
could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
Turn Signal Indicators
The left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signals when the
TURN SIGNAL switch is operated.
Hazard Indicators
Both turn signal arrows will flash in unison with the
front and rear turn signals when the HAZARD
WARNING button is operated.
NOTE:Leaving the hazard flashers on for extended
periods will wear down the battery.
Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for six to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the light does not turn on during
starting, remains on after starting, or turns on
while driving, have the system checked immediately by
an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 103
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond
that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type as the original equipment and the tires must be
properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the
computer.
WARNING!
Significant over- or under-inflation of tires, or mix-
ing sizes of front or rear tires or wheels on the vehicle
can lead to loss of braking effectiveness.
150 STARTING AND OPERATING