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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.
Infants and Small Children
•
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and convertible child seats. Both types of child
restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder
belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage system.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). Convertible child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.
WARNING!
Rearward-facing child seats must NEVER be used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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bend over the front of the seat when their back is
against the seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt
in a rear seat.
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•All passenger seating positions contain automatic
locking retractors. However, any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and
pull it tight if necessary.
•In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle end of the
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.
•If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the latch plate
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can’t make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
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Cargo Area
The 60/40 split-folding rear seat provides cargo-carrying
versatility. The seatbacks fold down easily by pulling
nylon tabs between the seatbacks and the bolsters. When
the seats are folded down, they provide a continuous,
nearly flat extension of the load floor.
When the seatback is folded to the upright position, make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the
seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked
into position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children
should be seated and using the proper restraint
system.
•To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The
rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.
•The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and ve-
hicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting
in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
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Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put heavier
objects as low and as far forward as possible.
Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear axle.
Too much weight or improperly placed weight over or
behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the vehicle to
sway.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a dan-
gerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
CONSOLE FEATURES
The center console armrest slides forward from design
position to provide added user comfort. Two cupholders,
each of which can accommodate large beverage contain-
ers. A one piece cupholder insert for both cavities can
easily be removed for cleaning. The cupholders will also
accommodate large size cups and 20 oz. (.5 L) bottles. An
optional removable ashtray may be located in the one
cupholder.
Dual Storage Bins
Lifting a latch at the front of the hinged armrest provides
access to these storage areas.
Console Features
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
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Trip Functions
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following Trip Functions displays in the EVIC:
•ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
•Average Fuel Economy
•Distance To Empty
•Elapsed Time
•Display Units of Measure in
Press and release the STEP button to advance the display
through the Trip Functions. The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
•ECO (Fuel Saver Indicator) — If Equipped
The ECO indicator will illuminate in the EVIC display.
This ECO message will appear when you are driving in a
fuel efficient manner and can be used to modify driving
habits in order to increase fuel economy.
•Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read,
RESET or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the history
information will be erased, and the averaging will con-
tinue from the last fuel average reading before the reset.
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
162 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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▫Ethanol Fuel (E85) ................... 301
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 301
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 302
▫ Starting ........................... 302
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 302
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 303
▫ Maintenance ........................ 303
Adding Fuel ......................... 303
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 303
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 305
Vehicle Loading ...................... 305
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 305
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 306
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 306
▫ Overloading ........................ 306
▫ Loading ........................... 307
Trailer Towing ........................ 307
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 308
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 310
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 311
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▫Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 312
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 313
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 317
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 318
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ........................... 318
5
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This placard tells you important information about
the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) total weight your vehicle can carry
3) tire size designed for your vehicle
4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg”
on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.5
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