6 || 7
S
AFETYSAFETY
Seat Belt Inspection
regularly check the condition of your seat belts as follows:
•
Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear.
• Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily. If a belt does
not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem. Use only mild soap
and warm water. Do not use bleach or cleaning solvents. Make sure the belt is
completely dry before allowing it to retract.
Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not prov\
ide proper
protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.
A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level \
of
protection in a subsequent crash. Have your seat belts inspected by a de\
aler after
any collision.
Fastening a Seat Belt Adjust your seat to the proper position (see page 40), and then follow\
the below
steps.
1. Pull the seat belt out slowly.
2. Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug
on the belt to make sure the buckle is secure.
Make sure that the belt is not twisted or caught
on anything.
3. Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible
across your hips, then pull up on the shoulder
part of the belt so the lap part fits snugly. This lets
your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash
and reduces the chance of internal injuries.
4. If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove
any slack, then make sure that the belt rests
across the center of your chest and over your
shoulder. This spreads the forces of a crash over
the strongest bones in your upper body.
To release the belt, push the red PreSS button
then guide the belt by hand until it has retracted
completely.
Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or d\
eath if
the seat belts do not work properly when needed.
Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon a\
s
possible.
WARNING
Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor
The front seats have adjustable shoulder anchors to accommodate taller a\
nd
shorter occupants.
1. Move the anchor up and down while pulling the
release outward.
2. Position the anchor so that the belt rests across
the center of your chest and over your shoulder.
Pull out
slowly.
Lap belt
as low as
possible.
Latch
plate
Buckle
Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death \
in a
crash.
Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.
WARNING
Pull
outward
42 || 43
V
EHICLE CONTROLSVEHICLE CONTROLS
Adjusting the Head Restraints
Your vehicle is equipped with head restraints in all seating positions. H\
ead
restraints are most effective for protection against whiplash and other \
rear-impact
crash injuries.
The center of the back of the occupant’s head
should rest against the center of the restraint. The
tops of the occupant’s ears should be level with the
center height of the restraint.
To raise the head restraint: Pull it upward.
To lower the head restraint: Push it down while
pressing the release button.
To remove the head restraint: Pull the restraint up
as far as it will go. Then push the release button,
and pull the restraint up and out.
To reinstall a head restraint: Insert the legs back in place, then adjust the head
restraint to an appropriate height while pressing the release button. Pu\
ll up on the
restraint to make sure it is locked in position.
In order for the head restraint system to work properly:
• Do not hang any items on the head restraints, or from the restraint legs\
.
• Do not place any object between an occupant and the seat-back.
• Install each restraint in its proper location.
Position head in the
center of the head
restraint.
Improperly positioning head restraints reduces their effectiveness and
increases the likelihood of serious injury in a crash.
Make sure head restraints are in place and positioned properly before dr\
iving.
WARNING
Failure to reinstall, or correctly reinstall, the head restraints can re\
sult in
severe injury during a crash.
Always replace the head restraints before driving.
WARNING
Folding Down the Rear Seats
The rear seat-back(s*) can be folded down to make room for large items\
in the
trunk.
1. Pull the release lever in the trunk to release the
lock.
2. Fold down the seat-back.
Push the seat-back up firmly until it locks into
place to return it to its original position.
Make sure all items in the trunk or items
extending through the opening into the rear
seats are properly secured. Loose items can fly
forward if you have to brake hard.
*if equipped
Release
lever*
Release lever
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
The steering wheel height and distance from your body can be adjusted so\
that you
can comfortably grip the steering wheel in an appropriate driving postur\
e.
1. Pull up the steering wheel adjustment lever.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down, and in or out.
3. Push down the steering wheel adjustment lever to
lock the steering wheel in position.
Adjusting the steering wheel position while driving may cause you to los\
e
control of the vehicle and be seriously injured in a crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only when the vehicle is stopped.
WARNING
To adjust
To lock Lever
90 || 91
DRIVING
DRIVING
DRIVING
Learn about preparation for driving, as well as other features.
Before Driving
Check the following items before you begin driving.
Exterior Checks
• Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
•
remove any frost, snow, or ice.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
• Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite flammable materials left u\
nder
the hood, causing a fire. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an exte\
nded period,
inspect and remove any debris that may have collected, such as dried grass
and leaves that have fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by\
a small
animal. Also check under the hood for leftover flammable materials aft\
er you or
someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
• Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
Interior Checks
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
• Do not pile items in the cargo area higher than the seatback height.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure t\
he floor
mats.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move freely around in \
the
vehicle.
• Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
• Adjust your seating position, mirrors, and steering wheel properly.
• Make sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll\
under the
seats.
•
everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
• Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you s\
tart
the vehicle, and go off soon after.
If the doors are frozen shut, use warm water around the door edges to me\
lt any
ice. Do not try to force them open, as this can damage the rubber trim a\
round the
doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
NOTICE In addition:
• During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acc\
eleration or
full throttle operation so as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this
when the brake pads are replaced.
Improper accessories or modifications can affect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, and performance, and cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual regarding accessories
and modifications.
WARNING