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NOTE:
•Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim,
but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag •
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
• Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Seat Track Position Sensor (STPS)Advanced Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system provides
output appropriate to the severity and type of collision as
determined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC),
which may receive information from the front impact
sensors.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. This low output
is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy output is
used for more severe collisions.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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WARNING!
•No objects should be placed over or near the air
bag on the instrument panel, because any such
objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the air bag to
inflate.
• Do not put anything on or around the air bag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the air bags and you could be injured
because the air bags may no longer be functional.
The protective covers for the air bag cushions are
designed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If your vehicle is equipped with Supplemental
Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB), do not use
accessory seat covers or place objects between you
and the SAB; the performance could be adversely
affected and/or objects could be pushed into you,
causing serious injury. Being too close to the Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bag (SAB) during deployment
could cause you to be severely injured or killed.
• If your vehicle is equipped with SAB, do not attach
cupholders or any other objects on or around the
door. The inflating SAB could drive the objects
into occupants, causing serious injury.
• Do not cover or place items on the air bag covers.
These items may cause serious injury during infla-
tion.
(Continued)
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in the
ignition, the air bag system is not on and the air bags will
not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light for four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will turn
off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, it turns on the Air Bag Warning Light either
momentarily or continuously. A single chime will sound
if the light comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.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 And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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are possible, based on several factors, including the
collision type and severity. The steering wheel hub trim
cover and the upper right side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to
their full size. The air bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70
milliseconds. This is about half of the time it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
Inflator Units — If Equipped
The Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags Inflator
Units (if equipped) are designed to activate only in
certain side collisions.The ORC determines if a side collision requires the side
air bags to inflate, based on the severity and type of
collision.
Based on the severity and type of collision, the side air
bag inflator on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered
releasing a quantity of non-toxic gas. The inflating SAB
exits through the seat seam into the space between the
occupant and the door. The SAB fully inflate in about 10
milliseconds. The side air bag moves at a very high speed
and with such a high force that it could injure you if you
are not seated properly, or if items are positioned in the
area where the side air bag inflates. This especially
applies to children.Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, impact sensors can aid the
ORC in determining appropriate response to impact
events.
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WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any
way (including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved
seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify the air bag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
• Modifications to any part of the air bag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag 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 or vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
• You need proper knee impact protection in a colli-
sion. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
(Continued)
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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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 or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
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 (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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▫60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat — Four-Door
Models ........................... .167
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD .........169
LIGHTS ............................ .170
▫ Multifunction Lever ....................170
▫ Headlights And Parking Lights ............170
▫ Automatic Headlights — If Equipped .......171
▫ Turn Signals ........................ .172
▫ Lane Change Assist ...................172
▫ Lights-On Reminder ...................172
▫ High/Low Beam Switch .................173
▫ Flash-To-Pass ....................... .173
▫ Front Fog Lights ..................... .173▫
Instrument Panel Dimmer ...............173
▫ Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .....174
▫ Interior Lights ...................... .174
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS ......177
▫ Windshield Wiper Operation .............177
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ...............178
▫ Windshield Washers ....................179
▫ Mist Feature ........................ .180
TILT STEERING COLUMN ...............180
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .181
▫ To Activate ......................... .182
▫ To Set A Desired Speed .................183
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CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning, never
spray any cleaning solution directly onto the mirror.
Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and wipe the
mirror clean.
Power Mirrors — If Equipped
The power mirror switch is located on the center of the
instrument panel, below the climate controls. A rotary
knob selects the left mirror, right mirror or off position.
Automatic Dimming Mirror
Power Mirror Switch
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