Page 38 of 348

positioned in the area where the SABICs inflate. Children
are at an even greater risk of injury from a deploying air
bag.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in
certain side impact events.
WARNING!
•Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high enough
to block the deployment of the SABICs. The trim
covering above the side windows where the SABIC
and its deployment path are located should remain
free from any obstructions.
• In order for the SABICs to work as intended, do not
install any accessory items in your vehicle which
could alter the roof. Do not add an aftermarket
sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that
require permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for
installation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the
roof of the vehicle for any reason.
The SABICs and SABs (“Side Air Bags”) are designed to
activate in certain side impacts. The Occupant Restraint
Controller (“ORC”) determines whether the deployment of the Side Air Bags in a particular impact event is appropri-
ate, based on the severity and type of collision. The side
impact sensors aid the ORC in determining the appropriate
response to impact events. The system is calibrated to
deploy the Side Air Bags on the impact side of the vehicle
during impacts that require Side Air Bag occupant protec-
tion. In side impacts, the Side Air Bags deploy indepen-
dently; a left side impact deploys the left Side Air Bags only
and a right-side impact deploys the right Side Air Bags
only. Vehicle damage by itself is not a good indicator of
whether or not Side Air Bags should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side collisions,
including some collisions at certain angles, or some side
collisions that do not impact the area of the passenger
compartment. The Side Air Bags may deploy during
angled or offset frontal collisions where the Advanced
Front Air Bags deploy.
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
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 39 of 348

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 also
help 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 properly. In
some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t deploy at all.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
Always wear your seat belt even though you have
Side Air Bags.
NOTE: Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately after
deployment.
NOTE: Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with the
air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:
• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions
and/or skin reddening to the occupants as the air bags
deploy and unfold. The abrasions are similar to friction
rope burns or those you might get sliding along a carpet
or gymnasium floor. They are not caused by contact with
chemicals. They are not permanent and normally heal
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
Page 52 of 348

SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can even-
tually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO), follow
these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to move your
vehicle in or out of the area.
• If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate/
rear doors open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is set
at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the
blower at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into the
vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 60 of 348

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror — If Equipped
A two-point pivot system allows for horizontal and vertical
adjustment of the mirror. Adjust the mirror to center on the
view through the rear window.
Headlight glare can be reduced by moving the small
control under the mirror to the night position (toward the
rear of the vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted while
set in the day position (toward the windshield).
Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s) to
center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight overlap of
the view obtained on the inside mirror.
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
Manual Rearview Mirror
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 61 of 348

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 posi-
tions indicated by one of the four arrow’s on the 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 acciden-
tally moving a mirror.NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a power blind spot
mirror, you can adjust them when the control wand is
positioned to the lower arrows.
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 button located in the temperature con-
trols. Refer to “Rear Window Features” in “Understanding
The Features Of Your Vehicle” for further 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.
Power Mirror Controls
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 59
Page 160 of 348
Manual Climate Control OverviewThe Manual Temperature Controls consist of a series of
three outer rotary dials (blower speed, temperature and
mode) and three inner push buttons (Recirculation, A/C,
Rear Window Defroster).
Manual Climate Control Descriptions
IconDescription
A/C Button
Push the A/C button to engage the Air Conditioning (A/C). A LED will illuminate when the
A/C system is engaged.
Manual Temperature Controls
158 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 161 of 348

IconDescription
Recirculation Button
Press and release this button to change the system between recirculation mode and outside air
mode. Recirculation can be used when outside conditions such as smoke, odors, dust, or high
humidity are present.
NOTE:
•Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may make the inside air stuffy and window fog-
ging may occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended.
•The use of the Recirculation mode in cold or damp weather could cause windows to fog on
the inside, because of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. Select the outside air position for
maximum defogging.
•Recirculation can be used in all modes except for Defrost.
•The A/C can be deselected manually without disturbing the mode control selection.
Front Defrost Button
Turn the Knob to the Front Defrost position. Air comes from the windshield and side window
demist outlets. When the defrost button is selected, the blower level will increase. Use Defrost
mode with maximum temperature settings for best windshield and side window defrosting and
defogging.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 159
Page 162 of 348
IconDescription
Rear Defrost Button
Push and release the Rear Defrost Control button to turn ON the rear window defroster and the
heated outside mirrors (if equipped). An indicator will illuminate when the rear window de-
froster is ON. The rear window defroster automatically turns OFF after 10 minutes.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the temperature of the air inside the passenger compartment. Rotat-
ing the knob counterclockwise, from top center into the blue area of the scale, indicates cooler
temperatures. Rotating the knob clockwise, into the red area, indicates warmer temperatures.
Blower Control
There are seven blower speeds. Use this control to regulate the amount of air forced through the
system in any mode you select. The blower speed increases as you move the control clockwise
from the OFF position.
NOTE:Depending on the configuration, your vehicle may be equipped with four blower
speeds.
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL