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inside of the vehicle.Everyonein a motor vehicle should
be belted at all times to reduce or prevent injuries.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
All seating positions in your vehicle have combination
lap/shoulder belts. The belt webbing retractor is de-
signed to lock during very sudden stops or collisions.
This feature allows the shoulder part of the belt to move
freely with you under normal conditions. But in a colli-
sion, the belt will lock and reduce the risk of you 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 seri-
ously injured or killed.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 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 take the forces of a collision the 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 pas-
sengers safe, too.(Continued)
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 7
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NOTE:These airbags are certified to the new Federal
regulations for Advanced Airbags.
The Advanced Front Airbags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the airbag to have different rates of
inflation that are based on the severity and type of
collision.
If the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, they are
located inside the driver and front passenger seats, and
their covers are also labeled SRS.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open during airbag deployment.
Side Airbag Location
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
•Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to manually open them. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured
because the airbags may no longer be functional.
These protective covers for the airbag cushions are
designed to open only when the airbags are inflat-
ing.
•If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, do
not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the side airbags; the performance
could be adversely affected and/or objects could
be pushed into you, causing serious injury.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If your vehicle is equipped with side airbags, do
not attach cupholders or any other objects on or
around the door. The inflating side airbag could
drive the objects into occupants, causing serious
injury.
•Do not cover or place items on the airbag covers.
These items may cause serious injury during in-
flation.
•Do not store or place items under the front seats.
You may damage the airbag wiring harnesses.
The Advanced Front Airbags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the airbag to have different rates of
inflation that are based on severity and type of collision.
Along with the seat belts, Advanced Front Airbags work
with the instrument panel knee bolsters to provide
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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improved protection for the driver and front passenger.
Side airbags also work with seat belts to improve occu-
pant protection.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag:
1. All occupants should ALWAYS use their lap and
shoulder belts properly.
2. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the Advanced Front
Airbags room to inflate.
3. Do not lean against the door. If your vehicle has side
airbags, the side airbags will inflate forcefully into the
space between you and the door.
4. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided under “If
You Need Assistance” in Section 9 of this manual.WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags will not deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury, including death. Airbags need room to
inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending your arms
to reach the steering wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need room
to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit upright
in the center of the seat.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE