
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 deceleration.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle 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 protection in all colli-
sions, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.
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 Advanced
Front Air Bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and front passenger, and position the front occu-
pants for improved interaction with the Advanced Front
Air Bags.
WARNING!
•Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact
bolsters in any way.
•Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact
bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65

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 seat belt retractor
assemblies replaced by an authorized dealer imme-
diately. Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller
System serviced as well.
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.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communication network
remains intact, and the power remains intact, depending
on the nature of the event, the ORC will determine
whether to have the Enhanced Accident Response Sys-
tem perform the following functions:
•Cut off fuel to the engine.
•Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or
until the ignition is placed in the “OFF” position.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition is placed in
the “OFF” position.
•Unlock the doors automatically.
System Reset Procedure
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response System
functions after an event, the ignition must be changed
from ignition START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF.
Air Bag Warning Light
The air bags must be ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. The Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC) monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the air bag system whenever the ignition is in the START
or ON/RUN position. If the ignition is in the OFF
position or in the ACC position, 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.
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 ignition is first placed in the
ON/RUN position. 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 to alert you if the light comes on
again after initial startup.
The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate
the instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunc-
tion is detected that could affect the air bag system. The
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73

Heated Seats — If Equipped
On some models, the front driver and passenger seats
may be equipped with heaters in both the seat cushions
and seatbacks. The controls for the front heated seats are
located on the center instrument panel area.
You can choose from HI, LO or OFF heat settings. Amber
indicator lights in each switch indicate the level of heat in
use. Two indicator lights will illuminate for HI, one for
LO and none for OFF.
Push the switch once to select HI-level heating.
Push the switch a second time to select LO-
level heating. Push the switch a third time to
shut the heating elements OFF.
When the HI-level setting is selected, the heater will
provide a boosted heat level during the initial stages of
operation. Then, the heat output will drop to the normal
HI-level. If the HI-level setting is selected, the system will
automatically switch to LO-level after approximately 30
minutes of continuous operation. At that time, the dis-
play will change from HI to LO, indicating the change.
When the LO-level heating is selected, the system auto-
matically turns the heater and the indicator light OFF
after approximately 30 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE:Once a heat setting is selected, heat will be felt
within two to five minutes.
WARNING!
•Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaus-
tion or other physical condition must exercise care
when using the seat heater. It may cause burns
even at low temperatures, especially if used for
long periods of time.
(Continued)
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check
for a defective outside light bulb.
9. High Beam Indicator
This indicator shows that the high beam head-
lights are on. Push the multifunction lever for-
ward to switch the headlights to high beam and pull
toward yourself (normal position) to return to low beam.
10. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light — If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
11. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned to ON/
RUN, this light will turn on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb check, if
the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound.
After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver or
front passenger’s seat belt remains unbuckled, the Seat
Belt Reminder Light will illuminate, and the chime will
sound. Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
220 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) on could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect fuel economy and
driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
26. Hill Descent Indicator — If Equipped
The symbol illuminates (is armed) when the
4WD Lock switch is activated and the trans-
mission range indicator is in LOW or REVERSE
position (Off-Road Mode).
27. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front
fog lights are on.
28. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator
Light — If Equipped
This light indicates the Electronic Stability Con-
trol system (ESC) has been turned off by the
driver.
230 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Cleaner...........................486
Block Heater..........................324
Break-In Recommendations.................99
Checking Oil Level......................483
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................495
Cooling..............................495
Exhaust Gas Caution.....................101
Fuel Requirements......................409
Jump Starting..........................461
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..483
Oil Filler Cap..........................477
Oil Selection...........................484
Oil Synthetic..........................485
Overheating...........................437
Temperature Gauge......................218
Enhanced Accident Response Feature............72
Ethanol................................410
Event Data Recorder........................76
Exhaust Gas Caution.......................101
Exhaust System...........................101
Exterior Lights...........................104
Filters
Air Cleaner...........................486
Air Conditioning.......................314
Engine Oil............................486
Engine Oil Disposal.....................485
Flashers................................437
Hazard Warning........................437
Turn Signal...........................104
Flooded Engine Starting....................323
Fluid, Brake.............................529
Fluid Capacities..........................526
Fluid Leaks.............................104
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.....................507
Automatic Transmission..................505
Cooling System.........................495
10
INDEX 555

Gear Select Lever Override..................468
General Information.......................145
Glass Cleaning...........................514
Gross Axle Weight Rating...................419
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating..................416
GVWR.................................416
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect®)...............113
Hazard Warning Flasher....................437
Headlights..............................524
Cleaning.............................514
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch.........170
Passing..............................170
Replacing.............................524
Switch...............................168
Head Restraints..........................158
Heated Mirrors...........................112
Heated Seats.............................154
Heater.................................303
Heater, Engine Block.......................324
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . .170
Hill Descent Control.......................218
Hill Start Assist...........................367
Hitches
Trailer Towing.........................422
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener)............182
Hood Release............................164
Ignition.................................12
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Ignition Key Removal.......................12
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)....................15
Information Center, Vehicle..................234
Inside Rearview Mirror.....................109
Instrument Cluster........................218
Instrument Panel And Controls...............216
Instrument Panel Cover.....................514
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning...............515
10
INDEX 557