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It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Airbag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted. The diagnostics also record the nature of the
malfunction.
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.
Driver and Passenger Airbag Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units are
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units.
A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflatethe Advanced Front Airbags. Different airbag inflation
rates are possible, based on the collision type and sever-
ity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold out
of the way as the bags inflate to their full size. The bags
fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about
half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through the vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. The passenger front
airbag gas is vented through the vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. In this way, the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
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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, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your ad-
vanced airbag system. The airbag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if modi-
fications are made. Take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for any advanced airbag system ser-
vice. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of seat attach-
ment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accesso-
ries may be used. If it is necessary to modify an
advanced airbag system for persons with disabili-
ties, contact your authorized dealer.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
Page 84 of 436

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
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) 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 area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 86 of 436

▫Folding Rear Seat .................... 103
▫ Folding Rear Seat Center Armrest ........ 104
To Open And Close The Hood ............ 104
Lights ............................. 106
▫ Multifunction Lever .................. 106
▫ Headlights And Parking Lights .......... 107
▫ Automatic Headlights — If Equipped ...... 107
▫ Headlight Time Delay ................. 108
▫ Turn Signals ........................ 108
▫ Lane Change Assist ................... 109
▫ High/Low Beam Switch ............... 109
▫ Flash-To-Pass ....................... 109
▫ Fog Lights — If Equipped .............. 109 ▫
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .... 110
▫ Lights On Reminder .................. 110
▫ Instrument Panel Dimmer .............. 110
▫ Map/Reading/Interior Lights ............111
Windshield Wipers And Washers .......... 112
▫ Intermittent Wiper System .............. 113
▫ Mist Feature ........................ 114
▫ Headlights With Wipers Feature (Available
With Automatic Headlights Only) ......... 115
▫ Windshield Washers .................. 115
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column .......... 116
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ..... 117
▫ To Activate ......................... 117
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 104 of 436
Folding Rear Seat Center Armrest
The rear seat is equipped with a folding armrest with
cupholders.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located under the left side
of the instrument panel.
Folding Rear Seat Armrest
Hood Release Lever
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 106 of 436
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
LIGHTS
Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever controls the operation of the
parking lights, headlights, headlight beam selection,passing light, fog lights, instrument panel light dimming
and turn signals. The multifunction lever is located on
the left side of the steering column.Multifunction Lever
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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NOTE:The front fog lights will only operate with the
headlights on low beam. Selecting high beam headlights
will turn off the front fog lights.
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
The high beam headlights will turn on as Daytime
Running Lights (DRL) and operate at lower intensity
whenever the ignition is ON, the engine is running, the
headlight switch is off, the parking brake is released and
the shift lever is in any position except PARK.
NOTE: The Daytime Running Lights will turn off
automatically when a turn signal is in operation and turn
on again when the turn signal is not operating.
Lights On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver’s door is opened.
Instrument Panel Dimmer
Rotate the dimmer control to the extreme bottom position
to fully dim the instrument panel lights and prevent the
interior lights from illuminating when a door is opened.
Rotate the center portion of the lever up to increase the
brightness of the instrument panel lights when the park-
ing lights or headlights are on.
Rotate the center portion upward to the next detent
position to brighten the odometer and radio when the
parking lights or headlights are on.
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned OFF. Opening either front door will cancel this
feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power sunroof
switch will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned OFF. Opening either front door
will cancel this feature. The time is programmable. For
details, refer to “Key-Off Power Delay,” under “Personal
Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)” under
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
There are two 12 Volt electrical power outlets on this
vehicle. Both of the power outlets are protected by a fuse.The instrument panel power outlet, located below the
climate control knobs, has power available only when the
ignition is ON. This power outlet will also operate a
conventional cigar lighter unit.
To preserve the heating
element, do not hold the lighter in the heating position.Instrument Panel Power Outlet
3
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