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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 in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately 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.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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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. 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.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or
throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation
continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s in-
structions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have de-
ployed. If you are involved in another collision, the air
bags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the air bags,
seat belt pretensioners, and the front seat belt retrac-
tor assemblies replaced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately. Also, have the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC) system serviced as well.
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, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air
bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag system.
(Continued)
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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WARNING!(Continued)
•Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Always
properly reinstall and secure floor mats that have
been removed for cleaning.
• Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-
jects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
• If required, mounting posts must be properly in-
stalled, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss of
control of the vehicle.
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.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
Page 75 of 410
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in an outside convex
mirror will look smaller and farther away than they
really are. Relying too much on side convex mirrors
could cause you to collide with another vehicle or
other object. Use your inside mirror when judging
the size or distance of a vehicle seen in a side convex
mirror.
Outside Mirrors Folding Feature
All outside mirrors are hinged and may be moved either
forward or rearward to resist damage. The hinges have
three detent positions:
•Full forward position
• Full rearward position
• Normal position
Power Mirrors — If Equipped
The power mirror controls are located on the driver-side
door trim panel.
To adjust a mirror, turn the control knob toward the left
upper, left lower, right upper or right lower mirror
positions indicated by one of the four arrow’s on the
Power Mirror Controls
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73
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switch. Tilt the control wand in the direction you want
the mirror to move. When you are finished adjusting the
mirror, turn the control to the center position “O” to
prevent accidentally moving a mirror.
Heated Mirrors — If Equipped
These mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice. This
feature is activated whenever you turn on the rear
window defroster. Refer to “Rear Window Features” in
“Understanding The Features Of Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
Power Folding Mirrors — If Equipped
The switch for the power folding mirrors is located on the
drivers door panel below the power mirror controls.
Press the switch to the right and the mirrors will fold in,
press the switch to the left and the mirrors will return to
the normal driving position. The power fold mirrors are designed to be folded and
unfolded using the power folding switch. If the mirrors
are manually folded, the mirror head may appear loose.
Power Folding Mirror Switch
1 — Power Folding Mirror (Normal Driving Position)
2 — Power Folding Mirror (Fold In Position)
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 90 of 410
Turn the adjuster wheel to the right or left to adjust the
height of the armrest up or down.TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Open the drivers door to gain access to the hoodrelease lever. Pull the hood release lever located on the
side of the instrument panel.
Adjuster Wheel
Hood Release
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 93 of 410
Headlights
To turn on the headlights, turn the end of the
multifunction lever to the headlight position.
When the headlight switch is on, the parking
lights, taillights, license plate light, the clear-
ance lights and instrument panel lights are also turned
on. To turn off the headlights, turn the end of the
multifunction lever back to the O (Off) position.
Dimmer Controls
The dimmer controls are located on the left side of the
instrument panel below the instrument cluster. Pressing the up or down arrow will increase or decrease
the brightness of the instrument panel lights.Dimmer Controls
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91