OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
•Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating
positions
• Advanced Front Airbags for driver and front
passenger
• An energy-absorbing steering column and steering
wheel
• Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
• Seat belts incorporate pretensioners to enhance occu-
pant protection by managing occupant energy during
an impact event — if equipped
• Passenger side seatbelt incorporates an Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR), which locks the seat belt
webbing into position by extending the belt all the way out and then adjusting the belt to the desired length to
restrain a child seat or secure a large item in a seat —
if equipped
If you will be carrying children too small for adult-sized
seat belts, the seat belts or the Lower Anchors and Tether
for CHildren (LATCH) feature also can be used to hold
infant and child restraint systems. For more information
on LATCH, see Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).
NOTE: The Advanced Front Airbags have a multistage
inflator design. This allows the airbag to have different
rates of inflation based on several factors, including the
severity and type of collision.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver Airbag/Passenger Airbag Inflator Units
The Driver Airbag Inflator Unit is mounted in the steer-
ing wheel. The Passenger Airbag Inflator Unit is
mounted underneath a cover in the passenger side of the
instrument panel. When the ORC detects a collision
requiring the Advanced Front Airbags, it signals the
inflator units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is gener-
ated to inflate the airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on several factors, includingcollision severity and occupant size. The steering wheel
hub trim cover and the upper right side of the instrument
panel separate and then fold out of the way, as the
airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags inflate fully in
about 50 to 70 ms. This is about half of the time it takes
to blink your eyes. The airbags then deflate quickly while
helping to restrain the driver and passenger. The airbag
gas is vented toward the instrument panel through vent
holes in the airbag material. In this way, the airbags do
not interfere with your control of the vehicle.Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
underneath the passenger seat. The OCM uses input
from the Flex Mat to classify the occupant in the passen-
ger seat into a size category. The OCM communicates this
information to the ORC. The ORC may modify the rate of
passenger airbag inflation or prevent passenger airbag
deployment based on occupant classification.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.13. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine control systems. The light will
illuminate when the ignition is in the ON/RUN position,
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
cycling the ignition from OFF to ON/RUN, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as poor fuel quality, etc., may
illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should
be serviced if the light stays on through several of your
typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will
drive normally and will not require towing.
158 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
WARNING!(Continued)
•The Anti-Lock Brake 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 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
collisions, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning.
• The capabilities of an Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner, that could jeopar-
dize 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 mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The “Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light” will turn
on and stay on briefly as a bulb check when the
ignition is first turned on. If the light does not
turn on during starting, have it repaired
promptly.
This light also illuminates at vehicle start-up to indicate
that the ABS self-check is in process. If the light remains
on after start-up, or turns on and remains on at road
speeds, it may indicate a system malfunction or that the
system is inoperative. In this case, the system reverts to
standard non-anti-lock brakes. If this occurs, safely bring5
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
Information” placard for the size designation of your tire.
The Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the
Tire Sizing Chart example found in the Tire Safety
Information section of this manual for more information
relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two
rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a
wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match
those of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact your original equipment
or an authorized tire dealer with any questions you may
have on tire specifications or capability. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
WARNING!(Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Tire Storage
Tire storage is addressed in the Pirelli Limited Tire
Warranty Booklet.
Specific recommendations on guidelines for long term
tire storage for this vehicle should be requested of the
Pirelli Tire Corporation 1-800-747-3554.
SNOW TIRES
There are no snow tires that are compatible with the
wheels on this vehicle.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on all season type
tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain
mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to a
smooth, quiet ride.
244 STARTING AND OPERATING
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance interval. Remember, more frequent rotation
is permissible if desired. Also, correct for anything caus-
ing rapid or unusual wear prior to performing the tire
rotation.
NOTE:Each wheel on your vehicle contains a tire pres-
sure sensor. The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
learns the location of each sensor though system pro-
gramming. Although not required, the manufacturer
recommends reprogramming the TPMS after rotating the
tires so that the system can relearn each sensor ’s location.
See your authorized dealer for system reprogramming.
The front and rear tires are different sizes and cannot be
used in place of each other. Rotate the tires “side-to-side”
as shown in the diagram.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem transmit tire pressure
Tire Rotation
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 245
readings to the receiver module. It is particularly impor-
tant for you to check the tire pressure in all of the tires on
your vehicle monthly and to maintain the proper pres-
sure. The TPMS consists of the following components:•
Receiver module, •Four TPM sensors, •Various TPMS
messages, which display in the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC), and •TPM Telltale Light The
matching full size spare wheel and tire assembly (if
equipped) has a TPM sensor.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The TPM Telltale Light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster and a chime will sound when
tire pressure is low in one or more of the four active road
tires. In addition, the EVIC will display a LOW TIRE
message and a graphic showing the pressure values of
each tire with the low tire pressure values flashing or
changing color. Should this occur, you should stop as soon as possible
and inflate the tires with a low pressure condition (those
flashing or in a different color in the EVIC graphic) to the
vehicle’s recommended cold placard pressure inflation
value. Once the system receives the updated tire pres-
sures, the system will automatically update, the graphic
display in the EVIC will stop flashing or change color
back to the original color, and the TPM Telltale Light will
turn off. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20
minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the TPMS
to receive this information.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING