
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Airbag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with airbag system electrical components. While the
airbag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any
of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer ser-
vice the airbag system immediately.
• The Airbag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition is first
cycled to the ON/RUN position.
• The Airbag Warning Light remains on after the four to
eight-second interval.
• The Airbag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving. NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The airbags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to the label
located on the inside of the fuse block cover for the
proper airbag fuses. See your authorized dealer if the
fuse is good.
Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Rearward-facing infant restraints must never be se-
cured in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a
passenger airbag. In a collision, a passenger airbag
may deploy causing severe injury or death to infants
riding in rearward-facing infant restraints.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown
their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-
facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and
convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc-
tion are for children who are over two years old or who
have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of
their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should
remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for
as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height
allowed by the child seat.All children whose weight or height is above the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belts
fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent over
the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is against
the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning booster
seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat are held
in the vehicle by the seat belt.WARNING!
•
Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the child restraint manufacturer ’s
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint.
(Continued)
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To restrain the child seat:
1. Pull enough webbing from the retractor to allow thebelt to pass through the child restraint and insert the
latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull all of the webbing out of the retractor.
3. Allow some of the webbing to retract back into the retractor. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound indicating that the belt is now in Automatic
Locking Mode.
4. Tighten the lap portion of the belt and allow the excess webbing to retract back to the retractor. If it still does
not make the child restraint secure, then secure the
child restraint with the Child Restraint Tether Anchor.
NOTE:
Once the belt is in Automatic Locking Mode, you
will not be able to pull any more of the webbing out of the retractor. In this mode, you will only be able to retract excess
webbing into the retractor to secure the child restraint.
Transporting Pets
Deploying airbags could harm your pet. An unrestrained
pet will be thrown about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in an collision.
Pets should be restrained in pet harnesses or pet carriers
that are secured by seat belts.
BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Following these few simple guidelines is all that is
necessary for a good break-in.
For the first 500 miles (800 km):
•
Keep your vehicle speed below the legal, posted speed
limit and your engine speed below 4,000 RPM.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the 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 belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is first cycled
to ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see yourauthorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized 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.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the foot well of
your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that
they cannot slip out of position and interfere with the
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other
ways.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

the EVIC’s compass/outside temp line. Examples of this
message type are “Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Out”
and “Low Tire Pressure”.
•Unstored Messages
This message type is displayed indefinitely or until the
condition that activated the message is cleared. Examples
of this message type are “Turn Signal On” (if a turn signal
is left on) and “Lights On” (if driver leaves the vehicle).
• Five Second Unstored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of
message takes control of the main display area for five
seconds and then returns to the previous screen. An
example of this message type is “Automatic High Beams
On”.Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Messages
• Front Seatbelts Unbuckled
• Driver Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Passenger Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Key Fob Battery Low
• Service Airbag System
• ESC Status
• Oil Pressure Low
• Fuel Low
• Service Antilock Brake System
• Service Electronic Throttle Control
• Cruise Off
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Cruise Ready
• Cruise Set To XXX MPH
• Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire Pressure Warnings
• Service Tire Pressure System
• Parking Brake Engaged
• Brake Fluid Low
• Service Electronic Braking System
• Engine Temperature Hot
• Battery Voltage Low
• Service Electronic Throttle Control
• Lights On •
Right Turn Signal Light Out
• Left Turn Signal Light Out
• Turn Signal On
• Service Airbag System
• Service Airbag Warning Light
• Driver Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Passenger Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Front Seatbelts Unbuckled
• Door Open
• Doors Open
• Engage Park Brake to Prevent Rolling
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169

About Your Brakes....................... .218
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................219
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............294
Adding Fuel ............................ .252
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .289
Additives, Fuel .......................... .250
Adjustable Pedals ........................ .125
Airbag ..................................39
Airbag Deployment ........................44
Airbag Light .............................45
Airbag Maintenance ........................51
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .283
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................287
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............198
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................287
Air Conditioning System ....................287
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .238
Alarm Light ............................ .156
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ................14Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle
...............7
Antenna ............................... .190
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................293
Capacities ........................... .321
Disposal ............................ .296
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................219
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................163
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..........14
Appearance Care ........................ .302
Assistance Towing .........................85
Auto Down Power Windows ..................25
Automatic Door Locks ......................23
Automatic Headlights ......................116
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................23
Auto Up Power Windows ....................25
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ........141
Auxiliary Power Outlet .....................141
354 INDEX

Hood Release............................113
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid .....................301
Illuminated Entry ..........................16
Infant Restraint ...........................52
Inside Rearview Mirror ......................68
Instrument Cluster ....................... .153
Instrument Panel and Controls ................151
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ...............306
Interior Appearance Care ....................304
Interior Lights ............................119
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) .............122
Introduction ..............................4
Jump Starting ........................... .269
KeyFob.................................11
Key-In Reminder ..........................12
Keyless Entry System .......................11 Keyless Go
...............................11
Knee Bolster ..............................39
Lane Change and Turn Signals ................118
Lap/Shoulder Belts .........................30
Latches .................................63
Hood ...............................113
Latch Plate ...............................32
Lead Free Gasoline ....................... .248
Leaks, Fluid ..............................63
Life of Tires ............................ .242
Liftgate .................................26
Light Bulbs ..............................63
Lights ..................................63
Airbag ...............................52
Alarm .............................. .156
Anti-Lock ........................... .163
Automatic Headlights ....................116
Brake Warning ........................ .155
360 INDEX