
The automatically controlled functions are:
•Air temperature at the driver/front passenger side
vents.
• Blower speed (continuous variation of the air flow).
• Compressor engagement (for cooling/dehumidifying
the air).
• Air recirculation.
All these functions can be adjusted manually by operat-
ing the system, selecting one or more functions and
modifying their parameters.
Automatic control of the functions will be suspended: the
system will only override the settings for safety reasons.
Manual selections always take priority over automatic
ones and are stored until the AUTO button is pushed or
the system itself intervenes for specific safety reasons. The amount of air introduced into the passenger com-
partment is not affected by car speed; it is regulated by
the fan, which is controlled electronically.
The air temperature is always automatically controlled
according to the temperature set on the display (except
for when the system is off or in certain conditions when
the compressor is not running).
The system allows the following to be set or adjusted
manually:
•
Driver/passenger side air temperature
• Blower speed (continuous variation)
• Air distribution to seven positions
• Compressor activation
• Rapid defrosting/demisting function
• Air recirculation
118 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

•Defrost and Panel Modes – Air flow distribution
between windshield defrosting diffusers and side and
central instrument panel vents.
• Defrost, Panel and Floor Modes – Air flow distribution
to all the diffusers.
NOTE: Air always flows from the side instrument panel
diffusers: it is, however, possible to interrupt the air flow
by operating the wheel located near the corresponding
vents.
In AUTO mode, the climate control system automatically
manages air distribution (LEDs on the Mode Control
buttons are off).
When set manually, the air distribution is indicated by
the LEDs on the selected buttons turning on.
In combined function mode, functions are enabled to-
gether with those already set when the relevant button is pushed. If a button whose function is already active is
pushed, the operation is cancelled and the corresponding
LED turns off.
To restore automatic control of the air distribution after a
manual selection, push the AUTO button.
Adjusting The Fan Speed
Rotate the Blower Control knob to increase/decrease the
fan speed.
The speed is indicated by the eight Blower Control
Indicator LEDs, located above the Blower Control knob,
turning on.
•
Maximum blower speed = all LEDs illuminated
• Minimum blower speed = one LED illuminated
The blower can only be turned off if the A/C compressor
has been turned off by pushing the A/C Control button.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 121

NOTE:To restore automatic control of the fan speed after
a manual adjustment, push the AUTO button.
AUTO Button
When the AUTO button is pushed (LED illuminated), the
Climate Control system automatically adjusts the follow-
ing settings in the corresponding zones:
• Quantity and distribution of the air introduced into the
passenger compartment.
• Climate Control system compressor.
• Air Recirculation.
Cancelling all previous manual adjustments.
This is indicated by the AUTO button LED turning on. If the AUTO button is pushed when the AUTO LED is on,
the system changes to manual mode; it displays the
current flow and distribution status, which will no longer
be managed automatically.
If a manual adjustment is made to the air distribution, the
A/C button or the blower speed, the LED turns off to
indicate that the system is no longer controlling all
functions automatically.
To restore automatic system control after one or more
manual adjustments, push the AUTO button.
SYNC Button
Push the “SYNC” button (LED illuminated) to correlate
the passenger side air temperature with that of the driver
side.
This function makes temperature regulation easier when
the driver is travelling alone.
122 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Climate Control System Compressor
Push the A/C Control button to activate/deactivate the
compressor (activation is indicated by the LED on the
button turning on).
The system remembers that the compressor has been
turned off, even after the engine has stopped.
Pushing the A/C button will stop AUTO MODE (AUTO
LED will turn off). To restore automatic control of com-
pressor, push the AUTO button again.
NOTE:With the compressor off, air cannot be introduced
to the passenger compartment with a temperature lower
than the outside temperature. Under certain environmen-
tal conditions, windows could mist rapidly since the air
is not dehumidified.
MAX A/C
MAX A/C sets the system for maximum cooling perfor-
mance. Rotate the driver temperature control adjust knob
counter-clockwise for MAX A/C. Both driver and pas-
senger temperature displays will show MAX A/C LO.
In MAX A/C, the blower speed and mode position can be
adjusted to desired user settings. Pressing other settings
will cause the MAX A/C operation to switch to the
selected setting and MAX A/C to exit.
Rapid Window Demisting (MAX-Defrost function)
Push the MAX-defrost button to activate (LED on) the
windshield and side window demisting function.
The Climate Control system carries out the following
operations:
•
Turns on the air conditioning compressor when envi-
ronmental conditions are suitable.
• Turns air recirculation off.
• Sets blower fan to the maximum speed.
124 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

•Directs air flow to windshield and front side window
diffusers.
• Activates the heated rear window defrost.
• Activates the heated windshield (if equipped).
• Displays the fan speed (Blower Control Indicator LED
illuminated).
When the function is activated, the AUTO button LED
turns off. With the function activated, the only possible
manual adjustments are pushing the A/C control button,
adjusting the fan speed and turning the heated rear
window off.
When the Recirculation Control or AUTO buttons are
pushed, the Climate Control system will deactivate the
Front Defrost (MAX-DEF) function. Selecting the footwell/windshield or only windshield
distribution activates the Climate Control system com-
pressor and the air recirculation is set to
outside air
intake.
This logic guarantees optimum visibility at the windows.
Max-defrost is also available in manual mode.
Rear Window Defrosting
Push and release the rear window defrost button to turn
the function on/off.
Activation of this function is indicated by the rear defrost
indicator light on the instrument panel turning on. The
function is automatically deactivated after 20 minutes.
If equipped, push the rear defrost button to activate the
defrosting of door mirrors and heated rear window.
4
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 125

The SABICs and SABs (“Side Air Bags”) are designed to
activate in certain side impacts and certain rollover
events. The Occupant Restraint Controller (“ORC”) de-
termines whether the deployment of the Side Air Bags in
a particular side impact or rollover event is appropriate,
based on the severity and type of collision. Vehicle
damage by itself is not a good indicator of whether or not
Side Air Bags should have deployed.
Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt restraint
system. Side Air Bags deploy in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. Occupants, including children, who are
up against or very close to Side Air Bags can be seriously
injured or killed. Occupants, including children, should
never lean on or sleep against the door, side windows, or
area where the Side Air Bags inflate, even if they are in an
infant or child restraint.
Seat belts (and child restraints where appropriate) are
necessary for your protection in all collisions. They alsohelp keep you in position, away from inflating Side Air
Bags. To get the best protection from the Side Air Bags,
occupants must wear their seat belts properly and sit
upright with their backs against the seats. Children must
be properly restrained in a child restraint or booster seat
that is appropriate for the size of the child.
WARNING!
•
Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during deploy-
ment could cause you to be severely injured or
killed.
• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead to
more severe injuries in a collision. The Side Air
Bags work with your seat belt to restrain you
(Continued)
232 SAFETY

NOTE:EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a
non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by
the EDR under normal driving conditions and no per-
sonal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location)
are recorded. However, other parties, such as law en-
forcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a
crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed.
In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties,
such as law enforcement, that have the special equip-
ment, can read the information if they have access to the
vehicle or the EDR.
Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times, including babies and children. Every state in the United States, and every Canadian
province, requires that small children ride in proper
restraint systems. This is the law, and you can be pros-
ecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years or younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child can become a
projectile inside the vehicle. The force required to
hold even an infant on your lap could become so
great that you could not hold the child, no matter
how strong you are. The child and others could be
badly injured. Any child riding in your vehicle
should be in a proper restraint for the child’s size.
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SAFETY 241

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles
Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age Recommended Type Of Child Restraint
Infants and Toddlers Children who are two years old or
younger and who have not reached the
height or weight limits of their child re- straint Either an Infant Carrier or a Convertible
Child Restraint, facing rearward in the rear seat of the vehicle
Small Children Children who are at least two years old or who have out-grown the height or weightlimit of their rear-facing child restraint Forward-Facing Child Restraint with a
five-point Harness, facing forward in the rear seat of the vehicle
Larger Children Children who have out-grown their forward-facing child restraint, but are too
small to properly fit the vehicle’s seat belt Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the ve-
hicle seat belt, seated in the rear seat of the vehicle
Children Too Large
for Child Restraints Children 12 years old or younger, who
have out-grown the height or weight limit of their booster seat Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear seat of
the vehicle
6
SAFETY 243