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WARNING!(Continued)
functional. The protective covers for the air bag
cushions are designed to open only when the air
bags are inflating.
• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have air bags.
Front Air Bag Operation
Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional
protection by supplementing the seat belts. Front air
bags are not expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear,
side, or rollover collisions. The front air bags will not
deploy in all frontal collisions, including some that may
produce substantial vehicle damage — for example,
some pole collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset
collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and location
of impact, 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
collisions, and also are needed to help keep you in
position, away from an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the front air
bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the front air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
passenger side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to their full
size. The front air bags fully inflate in less time than it
takes to blink your eyes. The front 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
occupants for improved interaction with the front air
bags.
112 SAFETY
Page 210 of 292

WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer sol-
vents are flammable. They could ignite and burn
you. Care must be exercised when filling or work-
ing around the washer solution.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free bat-
tery. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery
fluid to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do
not lean over a battery when attaching clamps. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area
immediately with large amounts of water. Refer
to “Jump Starting Procedure” in “In Case Of
Emergency” for further information.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow
cable clamps to touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
• The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that
should not be disconnected and should only be
replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).
CAUTION!
• It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) and are identified on the
battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the
terminal posts and free of corrosion.
•
If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in the
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables be-
fore connecting the charger to the battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
208 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Page 223 of 292

MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs
may result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (anti-
freeze) performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” in this section for the
proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnor-
mally high brake temperatures, excessive lining
wear, and possible brake damage. You would not
have your full braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” is on.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area
before removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring
the fluid level up to the requirements described on the
brake fluid reservoir. Fluid level can be expected to fall
as the brake pads wear. The brake fluid level should be
checked when the pads are replaced. However, low
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a checkup may
be needed.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 221
Page 281 of 292

Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......117,194
Ethanol .............................. .259
Euro Twin Clutch Transmission Fluid Type .......................... .225
Exhaust Gas Cautions ..................130, 261
Exhaust System ..................... .130, 215
Exterior Lights ....................... .30, 133
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... .210
Engine Fuel ......................... .262
Engine Oil .......................... .210
Engine Oil Disposal ....................210
Flashers Hazard Warning ...................... .166
Turn Signals ...................... .82, 133
Flooded Engine Starting ...................138
Fluid, Brake ........................... .263
Fluid Capacities ........................ .261
Fluid Leaks ........................... .133
Fluids And Lubricants .....................262
Fold-Flat Seats ...........................25
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ..................166
Fuel ................................. .258
Adding ............................ .158Additives
........................... .258
Capacity ........................... .261
Clean Air ........................... .258
Ethanol ............................ .259
Gasoline ........................... .258
Materials Added ...................... .258
Methanol ........................... .259
Octane Rating ........................ .258
Requirements ........................ .258
Tank Capacity ....................... .261
Fueling .............................. .158
Fuses ................................ .177
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... .258
Gasoline,
(Fuel) ..................... .258, 261
Gasoline, Reformulated ....................258
General Information ....................98, 268
General Maintenance ..................... .209
Glass Cleaning ......................... .254
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ....................... .161
Hazard Warning Flashers ...................166
Headlights ..............................31
12
INDEX 279