How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder
belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull down-
ward until the entire seat belt is extracted.
3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat
belt retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This indicates the seat belt is now
in the Automatic Locking Mode.
How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt
and allow it to retract completely to disen-
gage the Automatic Locking Mode and acti-
vate the vehicle sensitive (emergency) lock-
ing mode.
WARNING!
• The seat belt assembly must be replaced
if the switchable Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) feature or any other seat
belt function is not working properly
when checked according to the proce-
dures in the Service Manual.
WARNING!
• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly
could increase the risk of injury in colli-
sions.
• Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode
to restrain occupants who are wearing
the seat belt or children who are using
booster seats. The locked mode is only
used to install rear-facing or forward-
facing child restraints that have a har-
ness for restraining the child.
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)
Some of the safety features described in this
section may be standard equipment on some
models, or may be optional equipment on
others. If you are not sure, ask an authorized
dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to protect
you in a collision. The Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) monitors the internal cir-
cuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with the electrical Air Bag System Compo-
nents. Your vehicle may be equipped with the
following Air Bag System Components:
Air Bag System Components
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
Air Bag Warning Light
The ORC monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the air bag system when-
ever 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.
SAFETY
108
Front Air Bags
This vehicle has front air bags and lap/shoulder
belts for both the driver and front passenger.
The front air bags are a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver front air bag
is mounted in the center of the steering wheel.
The passenger front air bag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compart-
ment. The words “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG”
are embossed on the air bag covers.WARNING!
• Being too close to the steering wheel or
instrument panel during front air bag
deployment could cause serious injury,
including death. Air bags need room to
inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending
your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel.
• NEVER use a rearward facing child re-
straint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE
AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH or SERI-
OUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
• It is advisable to always carry children in
a child restraint system on the rear seat,
which is the most protected position in
the event of a collision.
• Should it be necessary to carry a child on
the passenger side front seat in a rear-
facing child restraint system, the pas-
senger side front airbag must be deacti-
vated. Always make sure the airbag
deactivation indicator light is illumi-
nated when using a child restraint sys-
tem. The passenger seat must also be
positioned backward as far as possible
WARNING!
to avoid the child restraint system from
coming into contact with the dashboard.
• A deploying passenger front air bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in
a rear-facing child restraint.
Driver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features
The front air bag system is designed to inflate
based on the severity and type of collision as
determined by the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC), which may receive information
from the front impact sensors (if equipped) or
other system components. The driver front air
bag system has a single stage air bag. The
passenger front air bag system has a multi-
stage front air bag. The first stage inflator is
triggered immediately during an impact that
requires air bag deployment. For the multi-
stage air bag, a low energy output is used in
less severe collisions. A higher energy output
is used for more severe collisions.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver
and/or front passenger seat belt buckle
switch that detects whether the driver or front
Front Air Bag/Knee Impact Bolster Locations
1—Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags
2 — Driver And Passenger Knee Impact
Bolsters
SAFETY
110
passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat belt
buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of
the passenger multistage Front Air Bag.
WARNING!
• No objects should be placed over or near
the air bag on the instrument panel or
steering wheel because any such objects
could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the air
bag to inflate.
• Do not put anything on or around the air
bag covers or attempt to open them
manually. You may damage the air bags
and you could be injured because the air
bags may no longer be 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 addi-
tional 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 de-
celeration over time, vehicle speed and dam-
age by themselves are not good indicators of
whether or not an air bag should have de-
ployed.
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.
Passenger Air Bag Disable Feature — If
Equipped
This system allows the driver to DISABLE
(OFF) the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
if a child restraintmustbe installed in the
front seat. Only DISABLE (OFF) the Passen-
ger Advanced Front Air Bag if it is absolutely
necessary to install a child restraint in the
front seat. Children 12 years or younger
should ride properly buckled up in a rear seat,
if available. According to crash statistics,
111
WARNING!
• Children 12 years or younger should al-
ways ride buckled up in the rear seat of a
vehicle with a rear seat.
DISABLING (OFF) The Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag
To DISABLE (OFF) the Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag, access the instrument cluster
display main menu located in the instrument
cluster by pushing the Up or Down arrow
button located on the steering wheel, then
complete the following actions:
Action Information
Scroll Up or Down to
“Vehicle Set-Up”
Press the “OK” on
the vehicle steering
wheel to enter “Ve-
hicle Settings”
Scroll Up or Down
using the arrow but-
tons on the steering
wheel to select “Se-
curity”
Action Information
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select “Se-
curity”
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select “Pas-
senger AIRBAG”
Scroll Up or Down to
Passenger AIRBAG
OFF “
OFF”NOTE:
If the Passenger Ad-
vanced Front Air Bag
was previously EN-
ABLED (ON) it will
default to ON and
user will have to
scroll down to select
OFF.
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select Pas-
senger AIRBAG OFF
“
OFF”
Scroll Up or Down to
select “YES” to con-
firm
Action Information
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select
“YES”NOTE:
If this step is not
completed within
1 minute this option
will timeout and this
process will have to
be repeated.
A single chime will
sound with the Pas-
senger AIRBAG OFF
indicator light
illuminated for 4 to
5 seconds confirming
the disabling of the
Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag.
The Passenger AIR-
BAG OFF
indi-
cator light will re-
main continuously
illuminated telling
the driver and front
passenger that the
Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag is DIS-
ABLED (OFF).
SAFETY
114
Following the actions listed in the table above
will DISABLE (OFF) the Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag. The Passenger Air Bag DIS-
ABLE (OFF) Indicator light on the overhead
sports bar will illuminate
to show that the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will not
deploy during a collision.
ENABLING (ON) The Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag
Access the instrument cluster display main
menu located in the instrument cluster by
pushing the Up or Down arrow button located
on the steering wheel, then complete the
following actions:
Action Information
Scroll Up or Down to
“Vehicle Set-Up”
Press the “OK” on
the vehicle steering
wheel to enter “Ve-
hicle Settings”
Scroll Up or Down
using the arrow but-
tons on the steering
wheel to select “Se-
curity”
Action Information
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select “Se-
curity”
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select “Pas-
senger AIRBAG”
Scroll Up or Down to
Passenger AIRBAG
ON “
ON”NOTE:
If the Passenger Ad-
vanced Front Air Bag
was previously DIS-
ABLED (OFF) it will
default to OFF and
user will have to
scroll down to select
ON.
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select Pas-
senger AIRBAG ON “
ON”
Action Information
Press the “OK” but-
ton on the steering
wheel to select “Yes”NOTE:
If this step is not
completed within
1 minute this option
will timeout and this
process will have to
be repeated.
A single chime will
sound with the Pas-
senger AIRBAG ON
indicator light
illuminated for 4 to
5 seconds confirming
the enabling of the
Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag.
The Passenger AIR-
BAG ON
indica-
tor light will remain
continuously illumi-
nated telling the
driver and front pas-
senger that the Pas-
senger Advanced
Front Air Bag is EN-
ABLED (ON).
115
WARNING!
inflate, even if they are in an infant or
child restraint.
• Seat belts (and child restraints where
appropriate) are necessary for your pro-
tection in all collisions. They also help
keep you in position, away from an in-
flating Side Air Bag. To get the best
protection from the Side Air Bags, occu-
pants 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 deployment could cause you to
be severely injured or killed.
• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could
lead to more severe injuries in a colli-
WARNING!
sion. The Side Air Bags work with your
seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t
deploy at all. 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.
Air Bag System Components
NOTE:
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
monitors the internal circuits and intercon-
necting wiring associated with electrical Air
Bag System Components listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
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 oc-
cupants 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 quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly
within a few days, or if you have any blis-
tering, see your doctor immediately.
SAFETY
118
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some
smoke-like particles. The particles are a
normal by-product of the process that gen-
erates the non-toxic gas used for air bag
inflation. These airborne particles may irri-
tate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you
have skin or eye irritation, rinse the area
with cool water. For nose or throat irritation,
move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment manufac-
turer’s instructions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags
have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the air bags will not be in place to
protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
sioners cannot protect you in another col-
lision. Have the air bags, seat belt preten-
sioners, and the seat belt retractor
assemblies replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller System serviced
as well.NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open during air
bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be
taken to an authorized dealer immediately.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communica-
tion 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 (If Equipped)
• Cut off battery power to the electric motor
(If Equipped)
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery
has power
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on
as long as the battery has power or for 15
minutes from the intervention of the En-
hanced Accident Response System.
• Unlock the power door locks.Your vehicle may also be designed to perform
any of these other functions in response to
the Enhanced Accident Response System:
• Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the
HVAC Blower Motor, Close the HVAC Circu-
lation Door
• Cut off battery power to the:
– Engine
– Electric Motor (if equipped)
– Electric power steering
– Brake booster
– Electric park brake
– Automatic transmission gear selector
– Horn
– Front wiper
– Headlamp washer pump
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. Carefully check
the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine com-
partment and on the ground near the engine
compartment and fuel tank before resetting
the system and starting the engine. If there
are no fuel leaks or damage to the vehicle
119
electrical devices (e.g. headlights) after an
accident, reset the system by following the
procedure described below. If you have any
doubt, contact an authorized dealer.
Enhanced Accident Response System Reset
Procedure
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System functions after an event, the
ignition switch must be changed from igni-
tion START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF. Care-
fully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the
engine compartment and on the ground near
the engine compartment and fuel tank before
resetting the system and starting the engine.
Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
• Modifications to any part of the air bag
system could cause it to fail when you
need it. You could be injured if the air
bag system is not there to protect you.
Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim
WARNING!
cover or the upper passenger side of the
instrument panel. Do not modify the
front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running
boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of
the air bag system yourself. Be sure to
tell anyone who works on your vehicle
that it has an air bag system.
• Do not attempt to modify any part of your
air bag system. The air bag may inflate
accidentally or may not function prop-
erly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, in-
cluding your trim cover and cushion,
needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer. Only manufac-
turer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air
bag system for persons with disabilities,
contact an authorized dealer.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data
recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR
is to record, in certain crash or near crash-
like situations, such as an air bag deployment
or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems
performed. The EDR is designed to record
data related to vehicle dynamics and safety
systems for a short period of time, typically
30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur.
SAFETY
120