Page 45 of 422

In any of these situations, we
strongly recommend that you install
the child seat directly behind the
f ront passenger’s seat, move the seat
as far forward as needed, and leave it
unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get
a smaller rear-f acing child seat.Many states, Canadian provinces and
territories allow a child one year of
age or older who also meets the
minimum size and weight
requirements to transition f rom a
rear-facing child seat to a forward
f acing seat. Know the requirements
where you are driving and follow the
child seat instructions. Many experts
recommend use of a rear-f acing seat
up to age two, if the child’s heightand weight are appropriate f or a
rear-facing seat.
If the vehicle seat is too
f ar f orward, or the child’s head is
thrown f orward during a collision, an
inf lating airbag can strike the child
with enough force to cause very
serious or fatal injuries. We strongly recommend placing a
forward-facing child seat in a back
seat, not the f ront. We also recommend that a small
child use the child seat until the child
reaches the weight or height limit
for the seat. Of the different seats available, we
recommend those that have a f ive-
point harness system as shown.
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
Protecting Small Children
Child Seat T ype
Placing a f orward-f acing child seat inthe f ront seat of a vehicle equippedwith a passenger’s airbag can behazardous.
Child Seat Placement
40
Placing a rear-facing child seat
in the front seat can result in
serious injury or death during a
crash.
Always place a rear-facing child
seat in the back seat, not the
front.
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Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Page 46 of 422

If it is necessary to put a f orward-
f acing child seat in the f ront, move
the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, and be sure the child seat is
f irmly secured to the vehicle and the
child is properly strapped in the seat. Even with advanced front airbags
that automatically turn the
passenger’s front airbag off (see
page ), a back seat is the saf est
place f or a small child.Most child seats are LATCH-
compatible (Lower Anchors and
Tethers f or CHildren). Some have a
rigid-type connector, while others
have a f lexible-type connector. Both
are equally easy to use. Some
existing and previously owned child
seats can only be installed using the
seat belt. Whichever type you
choose, f ollow the child seat
manufacturer’s use and care
instructions as well as the
instructions in this manual. Proper
installation is key to maximizing your
child’s saf ety.In seating positions and vehicles not
equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-
compatible child seat can be installed
using the seat belt and a top tether
f or added security. This is because
all child seats are required to be
designed so that they can be secured
with a lap belt or the lap part of a
lap/shoulder belt.
In addition, the child seat
manufacturer may advise that a seat
belt be used to attach a LATCH-
compatible seat once a child reaches
a specif ied weight. Please read the
child seat owner’s manual f or proper
installation instructions.
31
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children, Selecting a Child Seat
Selecting a Child Seat
41
Placing a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat can result
in serious injury or death if the
front airbag inflates.
Ifyoumustplaceaforward-
facing child seat in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, and properly restrain
the child.
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Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Page 52 of 422
Af ter conf irming that the belt is
locked, grab the shoulder part of
the belt near the buckle, and pull
up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. Remember, if
the lap part of the belt is not tight,
the child seat will not be secure.Push and pull the child seat
forward and from side-to-side to
verify that it is secure enough to
stay upright during normal
driving maneuvers. If the
child seat is not secure,
unlatch the belt, allow it to retract
fully, then repeat these steps.
To remove slack, it may help to
putweightonthechildseat,or
push on the back of the seat while
pulling up on the belt. To deactivate the lockable retractor
and remove a child seat, unlatch the
buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let
the belt fully retract.
4. 5.
Installing a Child Seat
47
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Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Page 56 of 422

The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.To determine if a lap/shoulder
belt properly fits a child, have the
child put on the seat belt,
then ask yourself:Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comfortably over the edge of
the seat?
When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear the lap/
shoulder belt.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Protecting L arger Children
Checking Seat Belt Fit
51
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger’s front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.
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Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Page 57 of 422

Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this f or the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat. A child who has outgrown a f orward- f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.
Some states, Canadian provinces and
territories also require children to
use a booster seat until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60 lbs). Be sure to check currentterritories where you intend to drive.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat. If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in f ront, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly. Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster seat meets
f ederal saf ety standards (see page
) and that you f ollow the booster
seat maker’s instructions.
3.
4.
5.
42
Protecting L arger Children
Using a Booster Seat
52
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Driver and Passenger Saf ety
laws in the states, provinces and
Page 119 of 422

To swing open the tailgate, f irst
make sure it is f ully closed, then pull
up the right lower handle, and swing
the tailgate to the lef t.
To close, swing the tailgate back,
and push it f irmly until it is latched.
The dropped open tailgate can be
used as an extended pickup bed.
Make sure to secure the items in the
pickup bed, and do not exceed the
maximum allowable weight on the
tailgate(seepage ).
To turn the bed lights on or off, use
the bed light switch on the
dashboard (see page ).
Bef ore opening or closing the
tailgate, check that passengers,
especially children, are not in the
tailgate’s path.
144
261 T o Swing Open the T ailgate
Dual-Action Tailgate
114
HANDLESwinging the tailgate open or
closed while anyone is in its
path can cause serious injury.
Make sure all passengers are
clear of the tailgate’s path
before opening or closing it.
Do not drive with the tailgate swung
open. This could damage the tailgate.
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Inst rument s and Cont rols
Page 120 of 422

See page for information on
cargo loading and weight limits.
You can also store and lock items in
the In-Bed Trunk (see page ). If you do not f asten the seat belt, you
f irst hear the seat belt reminder
alarm, then the tailgate reminder
beeper sounds.
The indicator does not monitor the
tailgate when it is dropped open.
Do not allow anyone to hang on the
swung open tailgate. This could
damage the tailgate.
Do not leave the tailgate swung open.
The tailgate may swing and shut
accidentally. This could cause
serious injuries.
Thebedlightscomeonwhenyou
swing open the tailgate. You can also
turn the bed lights on or off by
pushing the bed light switch on the
dashboard (see page ).
If the tailgate is swung open or not
closed tightly when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position,
you will hear six beeps and see the
indicator blinking. The indicator
stays on until you close the tailgate.
The beeper also sounds and the
indicator blinks when you move the
shift lever out of the Park or
neutral position. This indicator is in the door and
tailgate open monitor on the
instrument panel. It comes on when
the tailgate is swung open or it is not
completely closed. This indicator
works even if the key is not in the
ignition switch.The tailgate open indicator appears
on the multi-information display (see
page ).
11
144 116
257
On models without navigation system
On models with navigation system
Loading Cargo
T ailgat e Open Indicat or
Dual-Action Tailgate
115
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Inst rument s and Cont rols
Page 121 of 422

YoucanopentheIn-BedTrunktwo
dif f erent ways:Push the release button on the
lower right side of the In-Bed
Trunk lid when the driver’s door
is unlocked. To close the In-Bed Trunk, lower
the lid, then press down on the
back edge. If your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the
release button on the In-Bed Trunk
lid is disabled. To open the In-Bed
Trunk, use the master key.
Usethemasterkeytoopenthe
In-Bed Trunk when the driver’s
door is locked. Thebedlightscomeonwhenyou
open the In-Bed Trunk. You can also
turn the bed lights on or off by
pushing the bed light switch on the
dashboard (see page ).
You can store items in the In-Bed
Trunk up to 300 lbs (136 kg). Do not
exceed this weight limit, or you may
damage the In-Bed Trunk. See page
f or inf ormation on loading cargo
and weight limits.
To store items separately in the
In-Bed Trunk, optional divider
guides are available f rom your dealer.
When the In-Bed Trunk is closed
securely, it can be locked or
unlocked along with the power door
locks (see page ). 144
103 261
In-Bed Trunk
116
RELEASE
BUTTON
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Inst rument s and Cont rols