If the liftgate release button isactivated while the power lift-
gate is closing, the liftgate will
reverse to the full open position.
The power liftgate buttons will not operate if the shift lever is in
gear or the vehicle speed is
above 0 km/h.
The power liftgate will not oper- ate in temperatures below 24°C
or temperatures above 62°C. Be
sure to remove any buildup of
snow or ice from the liftgate be-
fore pressing any of the power
liftgate buttons.
If the power liftgate encounters multiple obstructions within the
same cycle, the system will auto-
matically stop and must be
opened or closed manually.WARNING!
Driving with the liftgate open canallow poisonous exhaust gases
into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by
these fumes. Keep the liftgate
closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
If you are required to drive with the liftgate open, make sure that
all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is
set at high speed. Do not use the
recirculation mode.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety
features in your vehicle are the re-
straint systems:
Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating positions
Advanced Front Air Bags for driver and front passenger Supplemental Active Head Re-
straints (AHR) located on top of the
front seats (integrated into the head
restraint)
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflat- able Curtains (SABIC) that span
the front, second, and third row
seating for the driver and passen-
gers seated next to a window
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
An energy-absorbing steering col- umn and steering wheel
Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
Front seat belts incorporate preten- sioners that may enhance occupant
protection by managing occupant
energy during an impact event
All seat belt systems (except the
driver’s) include Automatic Locking
Retractors (ALRs), which lock the
seat belt webbing into position by
extending the belt all the way out
and then adjusting the belt to the
35
Air Bags are not expected to reduce
the risk of injury in rear, side, or roll-
over collisions.
The Advanced Front Air Bags will not
deploy in all frontal collisions, includ-
ing some that may produce substan-
tial vehicle damage — for example,
some pole collisions, truck under-
rides, and angle offset collisions. On
the other hand, depending on the type
and location of impact, Advanced
Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage
but that produce a severe initial decel-
eration.
The side air bags will not deploy in all
side collisions. Side air bag deploy-
ment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure ve-
hicle deceleration over time, vehicle
speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not
an air bag should have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your pro-
tection in all collisions, and also areneeded to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.
The ORC monitors the readiness of
the electronic parts of the air bag sys-
tem whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON/RUN position. If
the key is in the OFF 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 de-
ployment.
Also, the ORC turns on the
Air Bag Warning Light in
the instrument panel for
approximately four to eight
seconds for a self-check when the ig-
nition is first turned on. After the self-
check, the Air Bag Warning Light will
turn off. If the ORC detects a mal-
function 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 instrument cluster Air
Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag
system. The diagnostics also record
the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light
in your instrument 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 lo-
cated in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the
instrument panel. When the ORC de-
tects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the
51
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. In-
spect 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 pres-
sure.
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 over-
night parking for fuel, engine coolant,
oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gaso-
line 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.
71
5
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING PROCEDURES..................231
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION .............231
KEYLESS ENTER-N-GO™ (for versions/markets, where provided) ...................... .232
NORMAL STARTING — GASOLINE ENGINE . .232
EXTREME COLD WEATHER (BELOW 29°C). .233
IF ENGINE FAILS TO START ..............233
AFTER STARTING ..................... .234
NORMAL STARTING – DIESEL ENGINE .....234
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ...............236
KEY IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK .........237
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM ............................ .237
SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . . .237
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ..........242
ACCELERATION ....................... .242
TRACTION ........................... .242
DRIVING THROUGH WATER ...............243
FLOWING/RISING WATER ................243
SHALLOW STANDING WATER .............243
POWER STEERING ...................... .244
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK .........245
227
CAUTION!(Continued)
Driving through standing watermay cause damage to your vehi-
cle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids
(i.e., engine oil, transmission,
axle, etc.) for signs of contamina-
tion (i.e., fluid that is milky or
foamy in appearance) after driv-
ing through standing water. Do
not continue to operate the ve-
hicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in
further damage. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Getting water inside your vehi- cle’s engine can cause it to lock up
and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine.
Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
WARNING!
Driving through standing waterlimits your vehicle’s traction ca-
pabilities. Do not exceed 8 km/h
when driving through standing
water.
Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s braking ca-
pabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after
driving through standing water,
drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to
dry the brakes.
Getting water inside your vehi- cle’s engine can cause it to lock up
and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are se-
rious or fatal to you, your passen-
gers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system
will give you good vehicle response
and increased ease of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system will pro-
vide mechanical steering capability if
power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is
interrupted, it will still be possible to
steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially
at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
Increased noise levels at the end
of the steering wheel travel are
considered normal and do not
indicate that there is a problem
with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a
short amount of time. This is due
to the cold, thick fluid in the
steering system. This noise
should be considered normal,
and it does not in any way dam-
age the steering system.
244
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced
power steering assist could pose a
safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon
as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering
system at the end of the steering
wheel travel will increase the steer-
ing fluid temperature and it should
be avoided when possible. Damage
to the power steering pump may
occur.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid
level at a defined service interval is
not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnor-
mal noises are apparent, and/or the
system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts
through an authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
power steering system as the
chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage
is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a
level surface and with the engine off
to prevent injury from moving parts
and to ensure accurate fluid level
reading. Do not overfill. Use only
manufacturer's recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the
proper indicated level. With a clean
cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further in-
formation.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully applied
and place the shift lever in the PARK
position.
The foot operated parking brake is
positioned below the lower left corner
of the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park
brake pedal fully. To release the park-
ing brake, press the park brake pedal
a second time and let your foot up as
you feel the brake disengage.
When the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switch in the ON
position, the “Brake Warning Light”
in the instrument cluster will illumi-
nate.
Parking Brake
245
WARNING!
The TCS cannot prevent thenatural laws of physics from act-
ing on the vehicle, nor can it in-
crease the traction afforded.
The TCS cannot prevent colli- sions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning.
The capabilities of a TCS- equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety
of others.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
(BAS) (for versions/markets,
where provided)
The Brake Assist System (BAS) is de-
signed to optimize the vehicle’s brak-
ing capability during emergency
braking maneuvers. The system de-
tects an emergency braking situation
by sensing the rate and amount of
brake application, and then applies
optimum pressure to the brakes. This
can help reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the ABS. Ap-
plying the brakes very quickly results
in the best BAS assistance. To receive
the benefit of the system, you must
apply continuous braking pressure
during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless
braking is no longer desired. Once the
brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
WARNING!
The BAS cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from act-
ing on the vehicle, nor can it in-
crease the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions.
The BAS cannot prevent colli- sions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns,
driving on very slippery surfaces,
or hydroplaning.
The capabilities of a BAS- equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety
of others.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) enhances directional control
and stability of the vehicle under vari-
ous driving conditions. ESC corrects
for over/under steering of the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appro-
priate wheel to assist in counteracting
the over/under steer condition. En-
gine power may also be reduced to
help the vehicle maintain the desired
path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to
determine the vehicle path intended
by the driver and compares it to the
actual path of the vehicle. When the
actual path does not match the in-
tended path, ESC applies the brake of
the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the oversteer or under-
steer condition.
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than appropriate for
the steering wheel position.
249
Understeer - when the vehicle isturning less than appropriate for
the steering wheel position.
WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control
System (ESC) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent all
accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driv-
ing on very slippery surfaces, or hy-
droplaning. ESC also cannot prevent
accidents resulting from loss of ve-
hicle control due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Only
a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of an ESC equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
ESC Operating Modes
The “ESC Off” switch is lo-
cated in the center switch
bank, next to the hazard
flasher switch.
ESC On
This mode is the normal operating
mode for ESC on two-wheel drive ve-
hicles. Whenever the vehicle is
started, the ESC system will be in this
mode. This mode should be used for
most driving situations. ESC should
only be turned off for specific reasons
as noted below.
ESC Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch.
When in the “Partial Off” mode, the
TCS portion of ESC, except for the
“limited slip” feature described in the
TCS section, has been disabled and
the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be
illuminated. When in the “Partial
Off” mode, ESC will operate without
engine torque management. This
mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than
ESC would normally allow is required
to gain traction. To turn ESC on
again, momentarily press the “ESC
Off” switch. This will restore the nor-
mal “ESC On” mode of operation.
NOTE: To improve the vehicle's
traction when driving with snow
chains, or starting off in deep
snow, sand or gravel, it may be
desirable to switch to the “Partial
Off” mode by pressing the “ESC
Off” switch. Once the situation re-
quiring ESC to be switched to the
“Partial Off” mode is overcome,
turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch.
This may be done while the vehicle
is in motion.
WARNING!
In partial ESC mode, the engine
power reduction feature of ESC is
disabled. Therefore, enhanced ve-
hicle stability offered by the ESC
system is reduced.
250