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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.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
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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 switch is turned to the “OFF” posi-
tion.
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition switch is
turned to the “OFF” position.
• Unlock the doors automatically.
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 switch is in the
START or ON/RUN position. If the ignition switch 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.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly bypulling back and forth on the child seat at the belt
path. It should not move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm)
in any direction.
Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the
belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH
The vehicle is fitted with a safety switch that, in the event
of an accident, comes into operation by cutting off the
fuel supply and turning off the engine as a consequence.
When the inertia switch cuts in, this cuts off the fuel
supply and also activates the hazard warning lights, side
lights, and courtesy lights while releasing all the doors
and displaying a message; they are deactivated by push-
ing button A.
NOTE: After an accident, remember to cycle the ignition
to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position and remove the key
from the ignition switch to avoid draining the battery. If
no fuel leaks or damage to vehicle electrical devices (e.g.
headlights) are detected after the impact, reactivate the
automatic fuel cut off following the procedure described
below.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
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WARNING!
If, after a crash, you smell fuel or see leaks from the
fuel system, do not reset the switches to avoid the
risk of fire.
Reactivating the fuel cut off switch:
1. Push the button A to reactivate the fuel cut off switch.
WARNING!
Before reactivating the fuel cut off switch, carefully
check for fuel leaks or damage to vehicle electrical
devices (e.g. headlights).
Fuel Cut Off Switch
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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 bolts 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 93 of 425
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Do not slam the hood to close it. Use a firm
downward push at the center front edge of the
hood to ensure that both latches engage. Never
drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
LIGHTS
Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever controls the operation of the
headlights, parking lights, turn signals, headlight beam
selection and the passing lights. The multifunction lever
is located on the left side of the steering column.
Multifunction Lever
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91
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Parking Lights
These lights can only be turned on with ignition key in
the STOP position or removed, by moving the end of the
multifunction lever to O (off) position and then to the
headlight position.
The warning light telltale in the instrument panel comes
on. The lights stay on until the next ignition cycle is
performed.
Lane Change Assist
Tap the lever up or down once, without moving beyond
the detent, and the turn signal (right or left) will flash five
times then automatically turn off.
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction lever toward you to switch the
headlights to high beam. Pull the lever a second time to
switch the headlights back to low beam.
Flash-To-Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.
Follow Me Home/Headlight Delay
When this feature is selected the driver can choose to
have the headlights remain on for a preset period of time.
Activation
Remove the key or turn the ignition to the OFF/LOCK
position, and pull the multifunction lever toward the
steering wheel, within two minutes. Each time the lever
is pulled, the activation of the lights will be extended by
30 seconds. The activation of the lights can be extended to
a maximum of 210 seconds.
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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The warning light on the instrument panel will light up
and the corresponding message will appear in the EVIC
display for as long as the function is activated. The
warning light comes on when the lever is operated and
stays on until the function is automatically deactivated.
Each movement of the lever only increases the amount of
time the lights stay on.
Deactivation
Pull the multifunction lever toward the steering wheel
and hold it for more than two seconds.
Map/Dome/Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors on the
overhead console. Each light is turned on by pushing the
corresponding switch.
Left Switch
•Push the left switch to the left to turn OFF the auto
dome lights. The dome lights will not automatically
turn on when a door is opened.
• Push the left switch to the right to turn ON the dome
lights.
Right Switch
• Push the right switch to the left to turn ON the left
map light.
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