Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2017 Owner's Manual

2017

OWNER’S MANUAL

VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA

With respect to any Vehicles Sold in Canada, the name FCA
US LLC shall be deemed to be deleted and the name FCA
Canada Inc. used in substitution therefore.

DRIVING AND ALCOHOL

Drunken driving is one of the most frequent causes of
accidents.

Your driving ability can be seriously impaired with blood
alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you are
drinking, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non­drinking driver, call a cab, a friend, or use public trans­portation.

WARNING!

Driving after drinking can lead to an accident.
Your perceptions are less sharp, your reflexes are
slower, and your judgment is impaired when you
have been drinking. Never drink and then drive.

This manual illustrates and describes the operation of
features and equipment that are either standard or op­tional on this vehicle. This manual may also include a
description of features and equipment that are no longer
available or were not ordered on this vehicle. Please
disregard any features and equipment described in this
manual that are not on this vehicle.

FCA US LLC reserves the right to make changes in design
and specifications, and/or make additions to or improve­ments to its products without imposing any obligation
upon itself to install them on products previously manu­factured.

Copyright © 2016 FCA US LLC

SECTION PAGE

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................3

1

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE ..................................7

2

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE ..................................61

3

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL .......................................89

4

STARTINGANDOPERATING ....................................................131

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
2
3
4
5

WHATTODOINEMERGENCIES .................................................191

6

MAINTAININGYOURVEHICLE ..................................................207

7

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ....................................................259

8

IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE . . ..........................................269

9

INDEX .....................................................................275

10

6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

䡵 INTRODUCTION .......................4

1

䡵 VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER .......6

䡵 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL .............4

䡵 WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS .............6

䡵 VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS . . .6

4 INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on selecting your new vehicle. Be
assured that it represents precision workmanship, dis­tinctive styling, and high quality.

This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the
assistance of service and engineering specialists to
acquaint you with the operation and maintenance of
your vehicle. It is supplemented by Warranty Informa­tion, and various customer-oriented documents. Please
take the time to read these publications carefully. Fol­lowing the instructions and recommendations in this
manual will help assure safe and enjoyable operation of
your vehicle.

The enclosed Warranty Information lists the services
that FCA US LLC offers to its customers:

• The Warranty with terms and conditions for main­taining its validity

• The range of additional services available to FCA US
LLC customers

NOTE: After reviewing the owner information, it
should be stored in the vehicle for convenient refer­encing and remain with the vehicle when sold.

When it comes to service, remember that your autho­rized dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory­trained technicians and genuine MOPAR® parts, and
cares about your satisfaction.

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

Consult the Table of Contents to determine which
section contains the information you desire.

Since the specification of your vehicle depends on the
items of equipment ordered, certain descriptions and
illustrations may differ from your vehicle’s equipment.

The detailed index at the back of this Owner’s Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.

Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or through­out this Owner’s Manual:

INTRODUCTION 5

1

6 INTRODUCTION

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

This Owner’s Manual contains WARNINGS against
operating procedures that could result in a collision,
bodily injury and/or death. It also contains CAU-
TIONS against procedures that could result in damage
to your vehicle. If you do not read this entire Owner’s
Manual, you may miss important information. Observe
all Warnings and Cautions.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on
the left front corner of the instrument panel, visible
through the windshield. This number also appears
engraved on an Aluminum plate glued and riveted on
the floor crossmember under the passenger seat.

Vehicle Identification Number

NOTE: It is illegal to remove or alter the VIN.

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS

WARNING!

Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle
could seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety
and may lead to a collision resulting in serious
injury or death.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

䡵 A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS .............9

▫ To Lock The Doors ....................15

2

▫ Ignition Key Removal ..................9

▫ Locking Doors With A Key ..............11

▫ Key-In-Ignition Reminder ...............11

䡵 SENTRY KEY .........................11

▫ Replacement Keys ....................12

▫ General Information ...................12

䡵 VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM — IF

EQUIPPED ...........................12

▫ To Arm The System ...................13

▫ To Disarm The System .................13

䡵 ILLUMINATED ENTRY ..................14

䡵 REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) — IF

EQUIPPED ...........................14

▫ To Unlock The Doors ..................15

▫ Key Fob Battery Replacement ............16

▫ General Information ...................17

䡵 DOOR LOCKS ........................18

▫ Central Door Locking/Unlocking ..........18

▫ Locking/Unlocking Doors From The Inside . .19

▫ Emergency Door Locking Device ..........19

▫ Door Opening/Closing Mechanism Reset ....20

䡵 WINDOWS ..........................20

▫ Power Windows ......................20

䡵 DECKLID ............................22

䡵 OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .........23

▫ Occupant Restraint Systems Features .......24

▫ Important Safety Precautions .............24

8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫ Seat Belt Systems .....................25

▫ Transporting Passengers ................55

▫ Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS).......33

▫ Child Restraints ......................46

▫ Transporting Pets .....................54

䡵 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . .55

䡵 SAFETY TIPS .........................55

▫ Exhaust Gas ........................56

▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The

Vehicle ............................56

▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make

Outside The Vehicle ...................59

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS

The key fob contains the key fob with an integrated
mechanical key. To use the mechanical key, simply push
the key release button.

Lock or unlock the door with a push of the button.

Key Fob

1 — Vehicle Key
2 — Push To Open/Close Vehicle Key
3 — Unlock Button
4 — Lock Button

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 9

Ignition Key Removal

1. Push the brake pedal and place the transmission into
first (1) or reverse (R) gear by selecting/pushing the
buttons on the console.

Transmission Gear Selector

2. Rotate the key to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position
and engage the handbrake and release brake pedal.

3. Remove the key from the ignition switch lock cylin­der.

2

10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Ignition Switch Positions

1 — STOP (OFF/LOCK)
2 — MAR (ON/RUN)
3 — AVV (START)

WARNING!

• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the auto­matic transmission into PARK or the manual
transmission into REVERSE, apply the parking
brake, turn the engine OFF, remove the key fob
from the ignition and lock your vehicle.

WARNING! (Continued)

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.

• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil­dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec­tor.

• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.

• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up
may cause serious injury or death.

CAUTION!

An unlocked vehicle is an invitation. Always re­move the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.

(Continued)

Locking Doors With A Key

You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key to the left. To unlock the door, turn
the key to the right. Refer to “Body Lubrication” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for maintenance informa­tion.

Key-In-Ignition Reminder

Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the
ignition and the ignition switch position is in the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position, sounds a signal to remove the
key.

SENTRY KEY

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unauthor­ized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Opera­tion is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is
locked or unlocked.

The system uses ignition keys which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro­grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
the vehicle.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

NOTE: A key which has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.

If the Vehicle Security Light is on after the key is turned
to the MAR/ON/RUN position, it indicates that there
is a problem with the electronics.

CAUTION!

• Always remove the Sentry Key from the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle
unattended.

• The Sentry Key Immobilizer system is not com­patible with some aftermarket remote starting
systems. Use of these systems may result in
vehicle starting problems and loss of security
protection.

All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.

2

12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Replacement Keys

NOTE: Only keys that have been programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Key has been programmed to a vehicle, it
cannot be programmed to any other vehicle.

NOTE: When having the Sentry Key Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.

General Information

The following regulatory statement applies to all radio
frequency (RF) devices equipped in this vehicle:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and
with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

NOTE: Changes or modifications not expressly ap­proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the doors and
decklid for unauthorized entry. It will also activate the
siren and emit a visual flash of the turn signals (front
and rear) for any of the following intrusion cases.

Operation

The alarm activates in the following cases:

1. Wrongful opening of one of the doors or the decklid
(perimeter protection);

2. Cutting of the battery leads;

3. Movement inside the passenger compartment (volu­metric protection);

4. Anomalous lifting/tilting of the vehicle.

Operation of the alarm is indicated by a visual signal
(flashing of the direction indicators for several seconds).
There is a maximum number of visual cycles. When this
is reached the system returns to normal operation.

To Arm The System

With the doors and decklid closed and the ignition key
either turned to STOP (OFF/LOCK) or removed, point
the key towards the vehicle then push and release the
lock button.

The system emits a visual signal and activates door
locking.

A self-diagnosis stage lasting approximately 30 seconds
precedes the activation of the alarm. During the self­diagnosis, the vehicle security light flashes in the instru­ment panel at a frequency of about one flash per second.

After the self-diagnosis stage, the vehicle security light
flashes at a lower frequency (approximately one flash
every three seconds).

If, after the alarm is switched on, a second visual signal
emit via the vehicle security light in the instrument
panel, wait about four seconds and switch off the alarm
by pushing the lock button, check that the doors and
decklid are closed correctly and then reactivate the
system by pushing the unlock button.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

If the alarm emits a visual signal even when the doors
and decklid are closed correctly, a system malfunction
has occurred: in this case, contact a authorized vehicle
Dealership.

To Disarm The System

Deactivation

Push the unlock button.

The following operations are performed:

• Two brief flashes of the direction indicators.

• Unlocking of the doors.

NOTE:

• If the central door locking system is released using

the metal insert of the key, the alarm is not disabled.

• In the event of accidental activation of the alarm, or

in any case to interrupt the visual signal cycle when
activated, it is possible to push the unlock button or
turn the ignition key to MAR (ON/RUN) for at least
five seconds, after which the system will deactivate.

2

14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Disarming

To completely disable the alarm (e.g. during a lengthy
period of vehicle inactivity), lock the vehicle by turning
the metal insert of the key in the door lock.

NOTE: If the batteries of the key fob run out or there is
a fault in the system, the alarm can be switched off by
inserting the key in the ignition switch and turning it to
MAR (ON/RUN).

ILLUMINATED ENTRY

The interior lights will turn on whenever a door is
opened and the dimmer switch is not in the defeat
position.

The interior lights will turn on, remain on for approxi­mately 30 seconds, and then fade to off if a door is
opened using the outside door handle and then closed
or a door is unlocked using the vehicles key.

The interior lights will turn on and remain on for about
four seconds and then fade to off if a door is opened
using the inside door handle.

NOTE: The interior light is located in the headliner in
between the sun visors. The interior light can be set to
three different positions (Off/Left Position, Center Po­sition, On/Right Position).

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) — IF EQUIPPED

This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors from
distances up to approximately 66 ft (20 m) using a
hand-held key fob. The key fob does not need to be
pointed at the vehicle to activate the system.

Key Fob

1 — Vehicle Key
2 — Push To Open/Close Vehicle Key

NOTE: The line of transmission must not be blocked
with metal objects.

To Unlock The Doors

Push and release the unlock button on the key fob to
unlock the doors. The park lights and turn signal lights
will flash to acknowledge the signal and the illuminated
entry system will turn on.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15

NOTE: The door unlock indicator will illuminate in the
instrument panel when one or both doors are unlocked.

To Lock The Doors

Push and release the lock button on the key fob will lock
the doors, switching off the internal roof light and
single flashing of direction indicators.

If one or more doors are open, the doors will not be
locked. This is indicated by a rapid flashing of the
direction indicators. The doors will be locked if the
decklid is open however.

When a speed of more than 12 MPH (20 km/h) is
reached, the doors will be locked automatically if the
Autoclose function was selected. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Display” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.

2

16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

When the doors are locked from outside the vehicle
(using the key fob), the door lock indicator will illumi­nate for a few seconds and then start flashing (deterrent
function).

Door LED Lock Indicator

Key Fob Battery Replacement

NOTE: Perchlorate Material – special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate

The recommended replacement battery is CR2032.

Battery Replacement Procedure

1 — Mechanical Key
2 — Release Button
3 — Battery
4 — Battery Compartment
5—Screw

Replace the Key Fob battery with the following proce­dure:

1. Push release button and move the mechanical key to
opening position.

2. Turn screw to unlock using a fine bit screwdriver.

Key Fob Screw Location Key Fob Screw Location

3. Remove battery compartment.

4. Replace battery respecting the polarity.

5. Reinsert battery compartment in the key and secure
it by turning screw to lock.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17

2

General Information

The following regulatory statement applies to all Radio
Frequency (RF) devices equipped in this vehicle:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and
with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE: Changes or modifications not expressly ap­proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

DOOR LOCKS
Central Door Locking/Unlocking

Locking Doors From The Outside

With the doors closed, push the lock button on the key
fob or turn the metal insert (located inside the key fob)
in the door lock.

The door lock LED indicator button will illuminate to
indicate that the doors have locked.

NOTE: Door locking is carried out with all doors shut.

Unlocking Doors From The Outside

Push the unlock button on the key fob or turn the metal
insert (located inside the key fob) in the driver side door
lock.

WARNING!

• For personal security and safety in the event of a
collision, lock the vehicle doors before you drive
as well as when you park and leave the vehicle.

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the transmission gear selector.

• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.

Door Lock LED Indicator

Locking/Unlocking Doors From The Inside

Push the lock LED indicator button . The button has an
LED that indicates whether the doors are locked or
unlocked.

Pushing the lock LED indicator button again centrally
unlocks all doors and switches off the LED.

Pushing the lock LED indicator button again centrally
locks all the doors. The doors will be locked only if all
the doors are properly shut.

Once the doors have been locked using the remote
control or the key, it will no longer be possible to unlock
them by pushing the lock LED indicator button.

NOTE: In the absence of electrical power supply (blown
fuse, battery disconnected, etc.), it is still possible to
lock the doors manually.

Emergency Door Locking Device

Passenger Side Door

The passenger side door has a device to lock it when
there is no current.

To lock it, place the metal insert of the ignition key in
the child protection lock and turn it clockwise.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19

2

Emergency Door Lock Function

1 — Child Protection Lock

To restore the starting condition of the door locks (only
if battery charge restored), proceed as follows:

• Push the unlock button on the key fob;

• Push the door locking/unlocking LED indicator but-

ton on the dashboard; or

• Introduce the metal insert of the ignition key in the
front door pawl; or

• Pull the internal door handle.

20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Door Opening/Closing Mechanism Reset

If the battery is disconnected or the protection fuse
blows, the door opening/closing mechanism must be
reset as follows:

1. Close all the doors.

2. Push the unlock button on the key fob or the door
locking/unlocking LED indicator button on the
dashboard.

3. Push the lock button on the key fob or the door
locking/unlocking LED indicator button on the
dashboard.

WINDOWS

Power Window Switch

1 — Driver Power Window Switch
2 — Passenger Power Window Switch

Power Windows

NOTE:

• These operate when the ignition key is turned to

MAR/ON/RUN and for about three minutes after
the ignition key is turned to STOP or removed unless
one of the doors is opened.

• The buttons are located on the center console.

Push/Pull the corresponding buttons to open/close the
desired window.

When one of the two buttons is pushed briefly, the
window moves in stages; if the button is held down to
open, ⬙continuous automatic⬙ operation is activated.

If the button is pushed again, the window will stop in
its current position. If the button is pushed for several
seconds, the window lowers automatically (only with
ignition key in MAR/ON/RUN position).

Continuous Automatic Operation

This is activated by pushing one of the two buttons for
longer than half a second. The window will stop when
it is fully opened, or when the button is pushed again.

It can be used on both the driver side and passenger
side, only for lowering the window.

Electric Window System Reset

After a break in power supply for the control units
(battery replaced or disconnected or protective fuses for
the electric window control units replaced), the auto­matic operation of the windows must be restored.

The restoration procedure must be performed as de­scribed below with the doors closed:

1. Completely open the driver’s door window keeping
the operating button pushed for at least three sec­onds after the (lower) end of travel position is
reached.

2. Completely raise the driver side window and hold
the button down for at least three seconds once the
(upper) end of travel position has been reached.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21

4. Make sure that the reset is correct by checking that
the windows work automatically.

WARNING!

Improper actuation of the power windows may be
dangerous. Never leave children unattended in a
vehicle, and do not let children play with power
windows. Before and during window operation
make sure no one and no object (including cloth­ing) is in the path of the moving glass or its
mechanism. Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to children.
Occupants, particularly unattended children, can
become entrapped by the windows while operating
the power window switches. Such entrapment may
result in serious injury or death.

2

3. Proceed in the same way as described in points 1 and
2 for the passenger side door.

22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

DECKLID

NOTE: During normal vehicle operation, the luggage
compartment can reach temperatures above 149º F (65°
C). Pay attention when transporting objects that may be
damaged at such temperatures. Do not keep aerosol
cans in the vehicle: danger of explosion. Aerosol cans
must not be exposed to temperatures above 122º F (50°
C).

Opening Procedure

With driver side door open, pull the decklid release
lever #1 located at the point illustrated in the figure.

Decklid Release Lever Location

1 — Decklid Release Lever

Raise the decklid and release supporting rod from its
locking device.

Insert the end of the rod in housing, making sure that
the rod engages in the smallest hole of the retaining clip.
Care must be taken to keep the decklid raised until the
rod is fixed in the correct position.

NOTE: Maintain a tight grip on the decklid when
raising, in order to prevent any external occurrence (e.g.
a gust of wind) from suddenly opening the decklid to
end of travel. Additionally, in order to prevent any
damage to the vehicle or broken windows, do not force
the decklid beyond the opening position necessary to
secure the supporting rod in the hole of the retaining
clip.

Closing Procedure

1. Hold the decklid up with one hand and use the other
to remove rod from housing and reinsert it in its
locking device.

2. Lower the decklid approximately 7.8 inches (20 cm)
from the engine compartment and let it drop. Make
sure that the decklid is completely closed and not
only fastened in safety position by trying to open it.
If it is not completely closed, do not push the decklid
down, but raise it and repeat the procedure.

NOTE: Always check that the decklid is closed correctly
to prevent it from opening while the vehicle is travel­ling.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23

WARNING!

• The maximum permitted load in the luggage
compartment, in addition to the kits provided, is

33.1 lbs. (15 kg). Do not exceed the maximum
permitted load in the luggage compartment.

• When accessing the rear luggage compartment, do
not come into contact with engine, or other com­ponents, that may be hot and could burn you if
touched.

• Access the luggage compartment only with the
vehicle stationary. Before exiting a vehicle, always
shift the vehicle into FIRST gear or REVERSE,
apply the parking brake, turn the vehicle OFF,
and remove the key fob from the ignition.

• The decklid may drop suddenly, causing serious
injury, if the supporting rod is not positioned
correctly.

• The decklid must always be closed properly, and
the lock engaged, while the vehicle is in motion.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:

2

24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Occupant Restraint Systems Features

• Seat Belt Systems

• Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air Bags

• Child Restraints

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
your authorized dealer.

Important Safety Precautions

Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.

Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying air bag:

1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat.

2. If a child from 2 to 12 years old (not in a rear-facing
child restraint) must ride in the front passenger seat,
move the seat as far back as possible and use the
proper child restraint (refer to “Child Restraints” in
this section for further information).

3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle
seat belt properly (refer to “Child Restraints” in this
section for further information) should be secured in
a vehicle with a rear seat in child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats. Older children who do
not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster
seats should ride properly buckled up in a vehicle
with a rear seat.

4. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt
behind them or under their arm.

5. You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it
properly.

6. All occupants should always wear their lap and
shoulder belts properly.

7. The driver and front passenger seats should be
moved back as far as practical to allow the front air
bags room to inflate.

8. Do not lean against the door or window. If your
vehicle has side air bags, and deployment occurs, the
side air bags will inflate forcefully into the space
between occupants and the door and occupants
could be injured.

9. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, refer to
the “If You Need Consumer Assistance” section for
customer service contact information.

WARNING!

• NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a
seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of
it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD
can occur.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.

• 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.

Seat Belt Systems

Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor
driver and could cause a collision that includes you.
This can happen far away from home or on your own
street.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25

Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision.
Some of the worst injuries happen when people are
thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibil­ity of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking
the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle
should be belted at all times.

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System

Driver And Passenger BeltAlert (If Equipped)

BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the
driver and outboard front seat passenger (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert) to buckle their seat belts. The Belt Alert
feature is active whenever the ignition switch is in
the AVV/START or MAR/ON/RUN position.

Initial Indication

If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition switch is
first in the AVV/START or MAR/ON/RUN position, a
chime will signal for a few seconds. If the driver or
outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with out­board front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled
when the ignition switch is first in the AVV/START or
MAR/ON/RUN position the Seat Belt Reminder Light

2

26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

will turn on and remain on until both outboard front
seat belts are buckled. The outboard front passenger
seat BeltAlert is not active when an outboard front
passenger seat is unoccupied.

BeltAlert Warning Sequence

The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated when the
vehicle is moving above a specified vehicle speed range
and the driver or outboard front seat passenger is
unbuckled (if equipped with outboard front passenger
seat BeltAlert) (the outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert is not active when the outboard front passen­ger seat is unoccupied). The BeltAlert warning se­quence starts by blinking the Seat Belt Reminder Light
and sounding an intermittent chime. Once the BeltAlert
warning sequence has completed, the Seat Belt Re­minder Light will remain on until the seat belts are
buckled. The BeltAlert warning sequence may repeat
based on vehicle speed until the driver and occupied
outboard front seat passenger seat belts are buckled.
The driver should instruct all occupants to buckle their
seat belts.

Change Of Status

If the driver or outboard front seat passenger (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert)
unbuckles their seat belt while the vehicle is traveling,
the BeltAlert warning sequence will begin until the seat
belts are buckled again.

The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is not active
when the outboard front passenger seat is unoccupied.
BeltAlert may be triggered when an animal or other
items are placed on the outboard front passenger seat or
when the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is recom­mended that pets be restrained in the rear seat (if
equipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are
secured by seat belts, and cargo is properly stowed.

BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by your au­thorized dealer. FCA US LLC does not recommend
deactivating BeltAlert.

NOTE: If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the driver
or outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with
outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled
the Seat Belt Reminder Light will turn on and remain on
until the driver and outboard front seat passenger seat
belts are buckled.

Lap/Shoulder Belts

All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with
lap/shoulder belts.

The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only during
very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the seat belt to move freely with you
under normal conditions. However, in a collision the
seat belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking the
inside of the vehicle or being thrown out of the vehicle.

WARNING!

•

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, the air bags won’t deploy at all. Always
wear your seat belt even though you have air bags.

• In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly
buckled up. You can strike the interior of your
vehicle or other passengers, or you can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Always be sure you and others
in your vehicle are buckled up properly.

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27

WARNING! (Continued)

• It is 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. Occupants, including
the driver, should always wear their seat belts
whether or not an air bag is also provided at their
seating position to minimize the risk of severe
injury or death in the event of a crash.

• Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could make
your injuries in a collision much worse. You
might suffer internal injuries, or you could even
slide out of the seat belt. Follow these instructions
to wear your seat belt safely and to keep your
passengers safe, too.
Two people should never be belted into a single seat

•

belt. People belted together can crash into one an­other in a collision, hurting one another badly. Never
use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt for more than
one person, no matter what their size.

2

28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
injury in a collision. The seat belt forces won’t be
at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap part of your seat
belt as low as possible and keep it snug.

• A twisted seat belt may not protect you properly.
In a collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure
the seat belt is flat against your body, without
twists. If you can’t straighten a seat belt in your
vehicle, take it to your authorized dealer immedi­ately and have it fixed.

• A seat belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle
will not protect you properly. The lap portion
could ride too high on your body, possibly caus­ing internal injuries. Always buckle your seat belt
into the buckle nearest you.

• A seat belt that is too loose will not protect you
properly. In a sudden stop, you could move too far
forward, increasing the possibility of injury. Wear
your seat belt snugly.

• A seat belt that is worn under your arm is dan­gerous. Your body could strike the inside surfaces

WARNING! (Continued)

of the vehicle in a collision, increasing head and
neck injury. A seat belt worn under the arm can
cause internal injuries. Ribs aren’t as strong as
shoulder bones. Wear the seat belt over your
shoulder so that your strongest bones will take
the force in a collision.

• A shoulder belt placed behind you will not pro­tect you from injury during a collision. You are
more likely to hit your head in a collision if you
do not wear your shoulder belt. The lap and
shoulder belt are meant to be used together.

• A frayed or torn seat belt could rip apart in a
collision and leave you with no protection. In­spect the seat belt system periodically, checking
for cuts, frays, or loose parts. Damaged parts must
be replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or
modify the seat belt system. Seat belt assemblies
must be replaced after a collision.

(Continued)

Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions

1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.

2. The seat belt latch plate is above the back of the front
seat, and next to your arm in the rear seat (for
vehicles equipped with a rear seat). Grasp the latch
plate and pull out the seat belt. Slide the latch plate
up the webbing as far as necessary to allow the seat
belt to go around your lap.

Pulling Out The Latch Plate

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29

3. When the seat belt is long enough to fit, insert the
latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”

2

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle

30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

4. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low
across your hips, below your abdomen. To remove
slack in the lap belt portion, pull up on the shoulder
belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, tilt the
latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug seat belt
reduces the risk of sliding under the seat belt in a
collision.

Positioning The Lap Belt

5. Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and
chest with minimal, if any slack so that it is comfort­able and not resting on your neck. The retractor will
withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.

6. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the
buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract to its
stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate
down the webbing to allow the seat belt to retract
fully.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure

Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted lap/
shoulder belt.

1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the
anchor point.

2. At about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above the latch
plate, grasp and twist the seat belt webbing 180
degrees to create a fold that begins immediately
above the latch plate.

3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded web­bing. The folded webbing must enter the slot at the
top of the latch plate.

4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it clears the
folded webbing and the seat belt is no longer
twisted.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31

Seat Belt Pretensioner

The front seat belt system is equipped with pretension­ing devices that are designed to remove slack from the
seat belt in the event of a collision. These devices may
improve the performance of the seat belt by removing
slack from the seat belt early in a collision. Pretension­ers work for all size occupants, including those in child
restraints.

NOTE: These devices are not a substitute for proper
seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still
must be worn snugly and positioned properly.

2

Pregnant Women And Seat Belts

Seat belts must be worn by all occupants including
pregnant women: the risk of injury in the event of an
accident is reduced for the mother and the unborn child
if they are wearing a seat belt.

Position the lap belt snug and low below the abdomen
and across the strong bones of the hips. Place the
shoulder belt across the chest and away from the neck.
Never place the shoulder belt behind the back or under
the arm.

The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re­straint Controller (ORC). Like the air bags, the preten­sioners are single use items. A deployed pretensioner or
a deployed air bag must be replaced immediately.

Energy Management Feature

This vehicle has a seat belt system with an Energy
Management feature in the front seating positions that
may help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of
a collision. The seat belt system has a retractor assembly
that is designed to release webbing in a controlled
manner.

32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

The seat belt in the passenger seating position is
equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retrac­tor (ALR) which is used to secure a child restraint
system. For additional information, refer to “Installing
Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt” under the
“Child Restraints” section of this manual. The figure
below illustrates the locking feature for each seating
position.

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Location

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an
ALR and is being used for normal usage, only pull the
seat belt webbing out far enough to comfortably wrap

around the occupant’s mid-section so as to not activate
the ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a clicking
sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow the webbing to
retract completely in this case and then carefully pull
out only the amount of webbing necessary to comfort­ably wrap around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the
latch plate into the buckle until you hear a ⬙click.⬙

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is auto­matically pre-locked. The seat belt will still retract to
remove any slack in the shoulder belt. Use the Auto­matic Locking Mode anytime a child restraint is in­stalled in a seating position that has a seat belt with this
feature. Children 12 years old and under should always
be properly restrained in a vehicle with a rear seat.

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag
can cause death or serious injury to a child 12
years or younger, including a child in a rear­facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward 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 disengage the Automatic
Locking Mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer­gency) locking mode.

WARNING!

• The seat belt assembly must be replaced if the
switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
feature or any other seat belt function is not
working properly when checked according to the
procedures in the Service Manual.

• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly could
increase the risk of injury in collisions.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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 har­ness 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
your authorized dealer.

The air bag system must be ready to protect you in a
collision. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
monitors the internal circuits and interconnecting wir­ing associated with the electrical Air Bag System Com­ponents. Your vehicle may be equipped with the fol­lowing Air Bag System Components:

Air Bag System Components

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

• Air Bag Warning Light

2

(Continued)

34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Steering Wheel and Column

• Instrument Panel

• Knee Impact Bolsters

• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags

• Supplemental Side Air Bags

• Supplemental Knee Air Bags

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

• Seat Belt Pretensioners

• Seat Track Position Sensors

• Seat Belt Buckle Switch

Air Bag Warning Light

The ORC monitors the readiness of the elec­tronic parts of the air bag system whenever
the ignition switch is in the AVV/START or

MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. If the igni­tion switch is in the STOP/OFF/LOCK position or in
the ACC position, the air bag system is not on and the
air bags will not inflate.

The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bag system even if the battery loses
power or it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.

The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in the
instrument panel for approximately four to eight sec­onds for a self-check when the ignition switch is in the
MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. After the self-check,
the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC
detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily or
continuously. A single chime will sound to alert you if
the light comes on again after initial startup.

The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate
the instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a mal­function is detected that could affect the air bag system.

The diagnostics also record the nature of the malfunc­tion. While the air bag system is designed to be main­tenance free, if any of the following occurs, have an
authorized dealer service the air bag system
immediately.

• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during

the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first in the MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position.

• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four

to eight-second interval.

• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently

or remains on while driving.

NOTE: If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. In this condi­tion the air bags may not be ready to inflate for your
protection. Have an authorized dealer service the air
bag system immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru­ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not
come on as a bulb check when the ignition is first
turned on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if
it comes on as you drive, have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately.

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 compartment.
The words “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” are embossed
on the air bag covers.

2

36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

extending your arms to reach the steering wheel
or instrument panel.

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag
can cause death or serious injury to a child 12
years or younger, including a child in a rear­facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.

Front Air Bag Locations

1 — Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags
2 — Passenger Knee Impact Bolster
3 — Driver Knee Impact Bolster/Supplemental Driver Knee Air
Bag

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

(Continued)

Driver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features

The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system pro­vides output appropriate to the severity and type of
collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint Con­troller (ORC), which may receive information from the
front impact sensors (if equipped) or other system
components.

The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during
an impact that requires air bag deployment. 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 passenger seat belt is
buckled. The seat belt buckle switch may adjust the
inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags.

This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust
the inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based
upon seat position.

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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.

2

(Continued)

38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 right
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.

WARNING!

• Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact
bolsters in any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact
bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.

Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag

This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Driver
Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument panel below
the steering column. The Supplemental Driver Knee Air
Bag provides enhanced protection during a frontal
impact by working together with the seat belts, preten­sioners, and front air bags.

Supplemental Side Air Bags

Supplemental Door-Integrated Side Air Bag Inflat­able Curtains (SABICs)

This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Door­Integrated Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABICs).

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and other
injuries to front seat outboard occupants in certain side

impacts, in addition to the injury reduction potential
provided by the seat belts and body structure.

The SABICs are located in the door trim below the side
windows. The trim covering the SABICs is labeled “SRS
AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG.”

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or
complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side
windows in certain side impact events.

The SABICs deploy upward, covering the side win­dows. An inflating SABIC pushes the outside edge of
the trim out of the way and covers the window. The
SABICs inflate with enough force to injure occupants if
they are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the SABICs inflate. Chil­dren are at an even greater risk of injury from a
deploying air bag.

SABICs are designed to activate in certain side impacts.
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
whether the deployment of the SABIC in a particular
impact event is appropriate, 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 SABIC on the

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39

impact side of the vehicle during impacts that require
SABIC occupant protection. In side impacts, the SABICs
deploy independently; a left side impact deploys the
left side SABIC only and a right-side impact deploys the
right side SABIC only. Vehicle damage by itself is not a
good indicator of whether or not SABICs should have
deployed.

SABICs 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. SABICs may deploy during angled or offset
frontal collisions where the front air bags deploy.

SABICs are a supplement to the seat belt restraint
system. SABICs deploy in less time than it takes to blink
your eyes.

WARNING!

• Occupants, including children, who are up
against or very close to SABICs 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

(Continued)

2

40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

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
an inflating SABIC. To get the best protection
from the SABICs, 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.

• Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high
enough to block the deployment of the SABICs.
The door trim below the side windows where the
SABIC and its deployment path are located
should remain free from any obstructions.

• SABICs 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 SABICs during deployment
could cause you to be severely injured or killed.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Relying on the SABICs alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The SABICs work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, SABICs won’t deploy at all. Al­ways wear your seat belt even though you have
SABICs.

NOTE: Air bag covers may not be obvious to you, but

they will open during air bag deployment.

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or
complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side
windows in certain side impact events.

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the
internal circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with electrical Air Bag System Components listed be­low:

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

• Supplemental Side Air Bags

• Supplemental Knee Air Bags

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

• Seat Belt Pretensioners

• Seat Track Position Sensors

• Seat Belt Buckle Switch

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41

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 blistering, see your doctor imme­diately.

• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the non-toxic gas used for air
bag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate
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 manufacturer’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.

2

42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners can­not protect you in another collision. Have the air
bags, seat belt pretensioners, and the seat belt
retractor assemblies replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the Occupant 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 communication 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 System perform the following functions:

• Cut off fuel to the engine.

• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power

or until the hazard light button is pressed. The
hazard lights can be deactivated by pressing the
hazard light button.

•

Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as the
battery has power or for 15 minutes from the intervention
of the Enhanced Accident Response System.

• Unlock the power door locks.

Enhanced Accident Response System Reset Procedure

After the event occurs, when the system is active, a
message regarding fuel cutoff is displayed. Turn the
ignition switch from ignition AVV/START or MAR/
ACC/ON/RUN to ignition STOP/OFF/LOCK. Care­fully 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.

Depending on the nature of the event the left and right
turn signal lights, located in the instrument panel, may
both be blinking and will continue to blink. In order to
move your vehicle to the side of the road, you must
follow the system reset procedure.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

Customer Action Customer Will See

NOTE: Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds

1. Turn ignition STOP/
OFF/LOCK. (Turn Sig­nal Must be placed in
Neutral State).

2. Turn ignition MAR/
ACC/ON/RUN.

3. Turn right turn signal
switch ON.

Right turn light BLINKS.
Left turn light is OFF.

Right turn light is ON
SOLID.
Left turn light BLINKS.

4. Place turn signal in
neutral state.

5. Turn left turn signal
switch ON.

Right turn light is OFF.
Left turn light BLINKS.

Right turn light BLINKS.
Left turn light is ON
SOLID.

6. Place turn signal in
neutral state.

7. Turn right turn signal
switch ON.

Right turn light BLINKS.
Left turn light is OFF.

Right turn light is ON
SOLID.
Left turn light BLINKS.

Customer Action Customer Will See

NOTE: Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds

8. Place turn signal in
neutral state.

9. Turn left turn signal
switch ON.

Right turn light is OFF.
Left turn light BLINKS

Right turn light is ON
SOLID.
Left turn light is ON
SOLID.

10. Turn left turn signal
switch OFF. (Turn Signal

Right turn light is OFF.

Left turn light is OFF.
Switch Must be placed
in Neutral State).

11. Turn ignition STOP/
OFF/LOCK.

12. Turn ignition MAR/
ACC/ON/RUN. (Entire
sequence needs to be

System is now reset and

the engine may be

started.
completed within one
minute or sequence will
need to be repeated).

2

44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Customer Action Customer Will See

NOTE: Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds
Turn hazard flashers

OFF (Manually)

If a reset procedure step is not completed within 60
seconds, then the turn signal lights will blink and the
reset procedure must be performed again in order to be
successful.

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 cover or the upper right
side of the instrument panel. Do not modify the
front bumper, vehicle body structure, or add after­market side steps or running boards.

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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 properly if modifications are
made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat,
including your trim cover and cushion, needs to
be serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.

(Continued)

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 understanding

of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries
occur.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45

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
personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash loca­tion) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, 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 equip­ment, can read the information if they have access to the
vehicle or the EDR.

2

46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 prosecuted 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.

There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner’s Manual to make sure you have the correct
seat for your child. Carefully read and follow all the
instructions and warnings in the child restraint Own­er’s Manual and on all the labels attached to the child
restraint.

Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. You should also make sure that you can
install it in the vehicle where you will use it.

NOTE:

• For additional information, refer to
www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm or call: 1–888–
327–4236

• Canadian residents should refer to Transport Cana­da’s website for additional information: http://
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safedrivers­childsafety-index-53.htm

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

Child Size, Height, Weight Or

Infants and Toddlers Children who are two years old or

younger and who have not

reached the height or weight limits

of their child restraint

Small Children Children who are at least two

years old or who have out-grown
the height or weight limit of their

rear-facing child restraint

Larger Children Children who have out-grown

their forward-facing child restraint,

but are too small to properly fit

the vehicle’s seat belt

Children Too Large for Child Re-

straints

Children 12 years old or younger,

who have out-grown the height or

weight limit of their booster seat

Infant And Child Restraints

Safety experts recommend that children ride rear-facing
in the vehicle until they are two years old or until they

Recommended Type Of Child Re-

Age

straint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Con-

vertible Child Restraint, facing

rearward in the rear seat of the ve-

hicle

Forward-Facing Child Restraint

with a five-point Harness, facing

forward in the rear seat of the ve-

hicle

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and

the vehicle seat belt, seated in the

rear seat of the vehicle

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

reach either the height or weight limit of their rear­facing child restraint. Two types of child restraints can
be used rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child
seats.

2

48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the vehicle.
It is recommended for children from birth until they
reach the weight or height limit of the infant carrier.
Convertible child seats can be used either rear-facing or
forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child seats
often have a higher weight limit in the rear-facing
direction than infant carriers do, so they can be used
rear-facing by children who have outgrown their infant
carrier but are still less than at least two years old.
Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the
highest weight or height allowed by their convertible
child seat.

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag
can cause death or serious injury to a child 12
years or younger, including a child in a rear­facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.

Older Children And Child Restraints

Children who are two years old or who have outgrown
their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward­facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and
convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc­tion are for children who are over two years old or who
have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of
their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should
remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for
as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height
allowed by the child seat.

All children whose weight or height is above the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat
belts fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent
over the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is
against the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning
booster seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat
are held in the vehicle by the seat belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint.

• After a child restraint is installed in the vehicle,
do not move the vehicle seat forward or rearward
because it can loosen the child restraint attach­ments. Remove the child restraint before adjust­ing the vehicle seat position. When the vehicle
seat has been adjusted, reinstall the child re­straint.

• When your child restraint is not in use, secure it
in the vehicle with the seat belt or LATCH anchor­ages, or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave
it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
accident, it could strike the occupants or seat­backs and cause serious personal injury.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49

Children Too Large For Booster Seats

Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder
belt comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to
bend over the front of the seat when their back is
against the seatback, should use the seat belt in a rear
seat. Use this simple 5-step test to decide whether the
child can use the vehicle’s seat belt alone:

1. Can the child sit all the way back against the back of
the vehicle seat?

2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the front
of the vehicle seat – while they are still sitting all the
way back?

3. Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s shoulder
between their neck and arm?

4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching
the child’s thighs and not their stomach?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If the answer to any of these questions was “no,” then
the child still needs to use a booster seat in this vehicle.
If the child is using the lap/shoulder belt, check seat
belt fit periodically and make sure the seat belt buckle is
latched. A child’s squirming or slouching can move the

2

50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

belt out of position. If the shoulder belt contacts the face
or neck, move the child closer to the center of the
vehicle, or use a booster seat to position the seat belt on
the child correctly.

WARNING!

Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under
an arm or behind their back. In a crash, the shoulder
belt will not protect a child properly, which may
result in serious injury or death. A child must
always wear both the lap and shoulder portions of
the seat belt correctly.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt

Child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation or failure to properly secure
a child restraint can lead to failure of the restraint.
The child could be badly injured or killed.

• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s direc­tions exactly when installing an infant or child
restraint.

The seat belts in the rear passenger seating positions are
equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retrac­tor (ALR) that is designed to keep the lap portion of the
seat belt tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. TheALR retractor can be
“switched” into a locked mode by pulling all of the
webbing out of the retractor and then letting the web­bing retract back into the retractor. If it is locked, the
ALR will make a clicking noise while the webbing is
pulled back into the retractor. Refer to the “Automatic
Locking Mode” description in “Switchable Automatic
Locking Retractors (ALR)” under “Occupant Restraint
Systems” for additional information on ALR.

Please see the table below and the following sections for
more information.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing Child Restraints In This Vehicle

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Location

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

•

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts

What is the weight limit (child’s

Weight limit of the Child Restraint Always use the tether anchor when

weight + weight of the child re-

straint) for using the Tether Anchor

with the seat belt to attach a for-

ward facing child restraint?

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51

2

using the seat belt to install a for-

ward facing child restraint, up to

the recommended weight limit of

the child restraint.

52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Can the head restraints be re-

moved?

Can the buckle stalk be twisted to

tighten the seat belt against the belt

path of the child restraint?

Installing A Child Restraint With A Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

Child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation or failure to properly secure
a child restraint can lead to failure of the restraint.
The child could be badly injured or killed.

• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s direc­tions exactly when installing an infant or child
restraint.

1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating
position. Move the vehicle seat as far rearward as
possible to keep the child as far from the advanced
passenger air bag as possible.

No

No Do not twist the buckle stalk in a

seating position with an ALR re-

tractor.

2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the
retractor to pass it through the belt path of the child
restraint. Do not twist the belt webbing in the belt
path.

3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a
“click.”

4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap portion tight
against the child seat.

5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder part
of the belt until you have pulled all the seat belt
webbing out of the retractor. Then, allow the web­bing to retract back into the retractor. As the webbing
retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This means
the seat belt is now in the Automatic Locking mode.

6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor. If it is
locked, you should not be able to pull out any
webbing. If the retractor is not locked, repeat step 5.

7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to tighten the
lap portion around the child restraint while you push
the child restraint rearward and downward into the
vehicle seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether Anchorage:

WARNING!

2

8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the
seating position has a top tether anchorage, connect
the tether strap to the anchorage and tighten the
tether strap. See the section “Installing Child Re­straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage” for direc­tions to attach a tether anchor.

9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by
pulling back and forth on the child seat at the belt
path. It should not move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm)
in any direction.

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the
belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

Do not attach a tether strap for a rear-facing car seat
to any location in front of the car seat, including the
seat frame or a tether anchorage. Only attach the
tether strap of a rear-facing car seat to the tether
anchorage that is approved for that seating position,
located behind the top of the vehicle seat.

54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Always use the tether anchor when using the seat belt
to install a forward facing child restraint, up to the
recommended weight limit of the child restraint. This
vehicle is equipped with a tether anchorage, located
behind the front passenger seat, near the floor.

Upper Tether Anchorage

1. Look behind the seating position where you plan to
install the child restraint to find the tether anchorage.
You may need to move the seat forward to provide
better access to the tether anchorage. If there is no
top tether anchorage for that seating position, move
the child restraint to another position in the vehicle if
one is available.

2. Route the tether strap around the outboard side of
the head restraint to the tether anchorage.

3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to
the top tether anchorage as shown in the diagram.

4. Remove slack in the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

WARNING!

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchorage position directly
behind the child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.

Transporting Pets

Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your
pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and
possibly injured, or injure a passenger during panic
braking or in a collision.

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet har­nesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new ve­hicle.

Driving your vehicle with a new transmission requires
no special techniques but, to reach optimal shifting
quality and help with engine Break-in, Dynamic and
Race Mode will be inhibited until the vehicle has
accumulated 155 miles (250 km).

Additionally, for the first 200 miles (300 km), following
these few simple guidelines is all that is necessary for a
good break-in.

• Avoid very aggressive driving.

• Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,

for long periods.

• Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration while cruising within the posted
speed limits of local traffic laws.

• Use the proper gear for your speed range.

• Wait until the engine has reached normal operating

temperature before driving at the recommended
maximum break-in speed.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55

• Avoid excessive idling.

• Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.

2

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.

56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 eventually 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
controls 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.

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the
exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can be detected
inside the vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the
vehicle is damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect
the complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas
for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned
parts. Open seams or loose connections could permit
exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compartment.
In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time the
vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle

Seat Belts

Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding
belt or retractor condition, replace the belt.

Air Bag Warning Light

The light should come on and remain on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is first
cycled to ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see
your authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.

Defroster

Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should be
able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See
your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.

Floor Mat Safety Information

Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of
your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that
they cannot slip out of position and interfere with the
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other
ways.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57

WARNING!

An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners
may cause your floor mat to interfere with the
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and cause a loss
of vehicle control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:

• ALWAYS securely attach
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your
floor mat upside down or turn your floor mat
over. Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured
using the floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.

• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR
MAT FROM THE VEHICLE
any other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an
additional floor mat on top of an existing floor
mat.

• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be
properly attached and secured to your vehicle. If a
floor mat needs to be replaced, only use a FCA
approved floor mat for the specific make, model,
and year of your vehicle.

your floor mat using

before installing

2

(Continued)

58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the
driver’s side floor area. To check for interference,
with the vehicle properly parked with the engine
off, fully depress the accelerator, the brake, and
the clutch pedal (if present) to check for interfer­ence. If your floor mat interferes with the opera­tion of any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and place
the floor mat in your trunk.

• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on the
passenger’s side floor area.

• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide
into the driver’s side floor area when the vehicle
is moving. Objects can become trapped under
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and could
cause a loss of vehicle control.

• NEVER place any objects under the floor mat
(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could
change the position of the floor mat and may
cause interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re­installed, always properly attach carpet to the
floor and check the floor mat fasteners are secure
to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.

• It is recommended to only use mild soap and
water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,
always check your floor mat has been properly
installed and is secured to your vehicle using the
floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The Vehicle

Tires

Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires for proper pressure.

Lights

Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the
instrument panel.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59

Door Latches

Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.

Fluid Leaks

Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering
fluid (if equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected,
the cause should be located and corrected immediately.

2

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

䡵 MIRRORS ...........................63

▫ Inside Day/Night Mirror ...............63

▫ Outside Mirrors ......................63

▫ Power Mirrors .......................64

▫ Folding Mirrors.......................65

▫ Heated Mirrors ......................65

䡵 SEATS ..............................65

▫ Manual Seats ........................66

▫ Non-Adjustable Head Restraints ..........67

䡵 TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE DECKLID ......68

䡵 LIGHTS .............................70

▫ Multifunction Lever....................70

▫ Headlights ..........................71

▫ Daytime Running Lights ................71

▫ High Beams .........................72

3

▫ Flash-To-Pass ........................72

▫ Parking Lights .......................72

▫ Turn Signals .........................72

▫ Lane Change Assist ...................72

▫ Follow Me Home/Headlight Delay — If

Equipped ...........................72

▫ Dimmer Controls .....................73

▫ Interior Light ........................73

䡵 WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS .....74

▫ Intermittent Wiper System ..............75

▫ Windshield Wiper Operation .............75

▫ Mist...............................75

▫ Windshield Washers ...................75

62 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

䡵 TILT/TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN . . .76

▫ Indications On Display — If Equipped ......80

䡵 SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED .........77

▫ To Activate ..........................77

▫ To Set A Desired Speed .................78

▫ To Deactivate ........................78

▫ To Resume Speed .....................78

▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ...............78

▫ To Accelerate For Passing ...............79

䡵 PARKING SENSORS — IF EQUIPPED .......80

▫ Activation/Deactivation.................80

▫ Acoustic Signal .......................80

▫ Fault Indication.......................81

▫ General Warnings .....................81

䡵 POWER OUTLETS .....................83

䡵 CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER — IF

EQUIPPED ...........................85

䡵 CUPHOLDER .........................85

䡵 STORAGE ............................86

▫ Seatback Storage ......................86

▫ Console Features......................86

▫ Rear Compartment Storage ..............86

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror

A single ball joint mirror is provided in the vehicle. It is
a twist on mirror that has a fixed position at the
windshield. The mirror installs on the windshield but­ton with a counterclockwise rotation and requires no
tools for mounting. The mirror head can be adjusted up,
down, left, and right for various drivers. The mirror
should be adjusted to center on the view through the
rear window.

Headlight glare from vehicles behind you 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 the small control under
the mirror is set in the day position (toward the
windshield).

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63

3

Adjusting Rearview Mirror

Outside Mirrors

To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirrors
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic and a slight
overlap of the view obtained from the inside mirror.

NOTE: The passenger side convex outside mirror will
give a much wider view to the rear, and especially of the
lane next to your vehicle.

64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger
side convex mirror will look smaller and farther
away than they really are. Relying too much on your
passenger side mirror 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 the passenger side mirror.

Power Mirrors

The power mirror controls are located on the center
console.

Power Mirror Control

The power mirror controls consist of a mirror select
knob and a four-way mirror control switch. To adjust a
mirror, turn the power mirror control knob to the left or
right to select the mirror that you want to adjust.

Using the mirror control switch, push on any of the four
arrows for the direction that you want the selected
mirror to move.

Folding Mirrors

The exterior mirrors are hinged to allow the mirror to
pivot forward or rearward to help avoid damage. The
mirror has three detent positions: full forward, full
rearward and normal.

Folding Mirrors

Heated Mirrors

These mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice.
This feature can be activated whenever you
turn on the mirror defroster. The Door
Demist/Defrost button is located in the

switch bank above the Climate Controls.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 65

SEATS

Seats are a part of the Occupant Restraint System of the
vehicle.

WARNING!

• It is 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. In a collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.

3

66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Manual Seats

Forward And Rearward Adjustment

The adjusting bar is at the front of the driver seat, near
the floor. Pull the bar upward to move the seat forward
or rearward. Release the bar once the seat is in the
desired position. Then, using body pressure, move
forward and rearward on the seat to be sure that the
seat adjusters have latched.

Seat Adjustment Bar

Seat Height Adjustment

In order to achieve the ideal driving position, the height
of the seats can also be adjusted. Tools are required to
make this height adjustment. Contact your authorized
dealership.

Recliner Adjustment

The recliner lever is located on the outboard side of the
seat. To recline the seat, lean forward slightly, pull the
recliner lever upward, lean backward until the seat is in
the desired position, and release the lever. To return the
seat to its full upright position, lean forward, pull the
recliner lever upward and hold it until the seat returns
to its full upright position.

Recline Lever

WARNING!

• Adjusting a seat while driving may be dangerous.
Moving a seat while driving could result in loss
of control which could cause a collision and
serious injury or death.

• Seats should be adjusted before fastening the seat
belts and while the vehicle is parked. Serious
injury or death could result from a poorly ad­justed seat belt.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 67

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your
chest. In a collision, you could slide under the
seat belt, which could result in serious injury or
death.

Non-Adjustable Head Restraints

The non-adjustable head restraints are form fitted into
the upper structure of the seatback and are designed to
reduce the risk of injury by restricting head movement
in the event of a rear impact. The seatback should be
properly adjusted to an upright position where the head
restraint is positioned as close as possible to the back of
your head.

WARNING!

Be certain that the seatback is locked securely into
position. Otherwise, the seat will not provide the
proper stability for passengers. An improperly
latched seatback could cause serious injury.

3

(Continued)

68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE DECKLID

CAUTION!

• To prevent possible damage, do not slam the
decklid to close it. Use a firm downward push at
the center of the decklid to ensure the decklid
latch is fully engaged.

• During normal vehicle operation, the luggage
compartment (located rear of the engine) can
reach temperatures above 149 °F (65 °C). Do not
transport objects in the luggage compartment that
may be damaged at such temperatures. Do not
place aerosol cans in the luggage compartment.

To open the decklid:

1. Open the driver’s side door.

2. Pull the decklid release lever located on the rear of
the driver’s door sill.

Decklid Release Lever

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69

3. Move to the rear of the vehicle and lift the decklid. 4. Lift upward on the decklid prop rod to release it

from the stowage retainer.

Decklid Lift Point Location

Decklid Prop Rod Location

1 — Decklid Prop Rod
2 — Stowage Retainer Location

3

70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

5. Place the decklid prop rod in the decklid slot to
secure the decklid in the open position.

Decklid Prop Rod Slot

WARNING!

• The maximum load limit for the luggage compart­ment, in addition to the kits provided, is 33.1 lbs.
(15kg). Do not exceed the maximum permitted
load in the luggage compartment. When accessing
the rear luggage compartment, do not come into

WARNING! (Continued)

contact with engine, or other components, that
may be hot and could burn you if touched.

• Access the luggage compartment only with the
vehicle stationary. Before exiting the vehicle, you
should always place the vehicle into FIRST gear
or REVERSE, apply the parking brake, and re­move the key from the ignition. Never leave the
key fob in the vehicle or in a location accessible to
children.

• The decklid may drop suddenly, causing serious
injury, if the supporting rod is not positioned
correctly.

• The decklid must always be closed properly, and
the lock engaged, while the vehicle is in motions.

LIGHTS
Multifunction Lever

The multifunction lever, located on the left side of the
steering wheel, controls the operation of the headlights,
headlight high beams, lane change assist and turn signals.

(Continued)

NOTE: The external lights can only be turned on with
the ignition in the ON/RUN position.

Headlights

Rotate the end of the multifunction lever
upward to the first detent for headlight
operation.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71

3

Multifunction Lever Headlight Operation

NOTE: When the headlights are turned on, the Daytime

Running Lights will be deactivated.

Daytime Running Lights

To activate the Daytime Running Lights (DRL), rotate
the end of the multifunction lever to the O symbol.

NOTE: The low beams and side/tail lights will not be
on with DRL.

72 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

High Beams

With the low beams activated, pull the multi-

function lever towards the steering wheel to turn
on the high beams. A high beam symbol will illuminate
in the cluster to indicate the high beams are on. Pull the
multifunction lever a second time to switch the head­lights back to low beam.

Flash-To-Pass

You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the
steering wheel. This will cause the high beam head­lights to turn on until the lever is released.

Parking Lights

To turn on the parking lights, remove the key
or turn the ignition to OFF/LOCK position
and turn on the headlights.

Turn Signals

Move the multifunction lever up or down and the
arrows on each side of the instrument cluster display
will flash to show proper operation of the front and rear
turn signal lights.

NOTE: If either light remains on and does not flash, or
there is a very fast flash rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the
lever is moved, it would suggest that the indicator bulb
is defective.

Lane Change Assist

Tap the lever up or down once, without moving beyond
the detent, and the turn signal (right or left) will flash
five times then automatically turn off.

Follow Me Home/Headlight Delay — If Equipped

When this feature is selected, the driver can choose to
have the headlights remain on for a preset period of
time after the engine is turned OFF.

Activation

Remove the key or turn the ignition to the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position, and pull the multifunction lever
toward the steering wheel within two minutes. Each

time the lever is pulled, the activation of the lights will
be extended by 30 seconds. The activation of the lights
can be extended to a maximum of 210 seconds.

Deactivation

Pull the multifunction lever toward the steering wheel
and hold it for more than two seconds.

Dimmer Controls

The dimmer controls are located on the left side of the
instrument panel below the instrument cluster.

Dimmer Controls

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73

Pushing the up or down arrow will increase or decrease
the brightness of the instrument panel lights.

Interior Light

The interior light is located in the headliner in between
the sun visors. The interior light can be set to three
different positions (off/left position, center position,
on/right position).

Using the interior light lens, push the lens to the right
from its center position and the lights are always on.
Push the lens to the left from its center position and the
lights are always off. Leave the lens in the center
position, and the light is turned on and off when the
doors are opened or closed.

3

74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!

Before getting out of the vehicle be sure that the
Overhead Dome Lamp is in the center position or
that the lights are off to avoid draining the battery.

Interior Light (Off Position Shown)

Interior Light Timing (Center Position)

There are four different modes of operation that can be
activated in this position:

• When one door is opened, a three minute timer is

activated.

• When the key is removed from the ignition (within
two minutes of the ignition being turned OFF), a 10
second timer is activated.

• When the doors are unlocked with the key fob, a 10
second timer is activated.

• When the doors are locked with the key fob, the
lights will turn off.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS

The windshield wiper/washer controls are located on
the windshield wiper/washer lever on the right side of
the steering column. The front wipers are operated by
rotating the end of the lever.

Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever

Intermittent Wiper System

Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
require a single wiping cycle with a variable pause
between cycles. To activate, rotate the end of the mul­tifunction lever upward to the first detent position for
the first delay interval setting. Continue to rotate the
end of the lever to the other detents for the other delay
intervals that depend on the vehicle speed.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75

Windshield Wiper Operation

Rotate the end of the lever upward, to the first detent
past the intermittent settings for low-speed wiper op­eration. Rotate the end of the lever upward to the
second detent past the intermittent settings for high­speed wiper operation.

Mist

Use the Mist feature when weather conditions make
occasional usage of the wipers necessary. Push the lever
upward to the MIST position and release for a single
wiping cycle.

NOTE: The Mist feature does not activate the washer
pump; therefore, no washer fluid will be sprayed on the
windshield. The wash function must be used in order to
spray the windshield with washer fluid.

Windshield Washers

To use the washer, pull the lever toward you and hold
while spray is desired. If the lever is pulled while in the
delay range, the wiper will start and continue to operate
for three wipe cycles after the lever is released, and then
resume the intermittent interval previously selected.

3

76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If the lever is pulled while in the O (off) position, the
wipers will operate for three wipe cycles and then turn
off.

WARNING!

Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to a collision. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind­shield washer use.

TILT/TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN

This feature allows you to tilt the steering column
upward or downward. It also allows you to lengthen or
shorten the steering column. The tilt/telescoping con­trol handle is located below the steering wheel at the
end of the steering column.

Tilt/Telescoping Column Lever

To unlock the steering column, push the lever down­ward (toward the floor). To tilt the steering column,
move the steering wheel upward or downward as
desired. To lengthen or shorten the steering column,
pull the steering wheel outward or push it inward as
desired. To lock the steering column in position, push
the lever upward until fully engaged.

WARNING!

Do not adjust the steering column while driving.
Adjusting the steering column while driving or
driving with the steering column unlocked, could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Failure to follow this warning may result in serious
injury or death.

SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED

When engaged, the Speed Control takes over accelera­tor operations at speeds greater than 18 mph (30 km/h)
up to the maximum speed of 105 mph (170 km/h).

The Speed Control Lever is located on the left side of the
steering column.

NOTE: In order to ensure proper operation, the Speed
Control system has been designed to shut down if
multiple speed control functions are operated at the
same time. If this occurs, the Speed Control system can
be reactivated rotating the end of the multifunction
lever (on/off) and resetting the desired vehicle set
speed.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77

3

Speed Control Lever

To Activate

Rotate the end of the multifunction lever upward to the
first detent, indicated by the speed control icon, to
activate the Speed Control. The Cruise Indicator Light
in the instrument cluster display will illuminate. To turn
the system off, rotate the end of the multifunction lever
to the O (off) position. The Cruise Indicator Light will
turn off. The system should be turned off when not in
use.

78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Leaving the Speed Control system on when not in
use is dangerous. You could accidentally set the
system or cause it to go faster than you want. You
could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system off when you are not using it.

To Set A Desired Speed

Turn the Speed Control on. When the vehicle has
reached the desired speed, move the speed control lever
upward (+), and release. Release the accelerator, and the
vehicle will operate at the set speed.

NOTE: The vehicle should be traveling at a steady
speed, and on level ground before setting the speed
control.

To Deactivate

A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANCEL/
RESUME button on the end of the stalk, or normal
brake pressure while slowing the vehicle will deactivate
the Speed Control without erasing the set speed
memory. Rotating the end of the multifunction lever to
the O (off) position, or turning the ignition switch to
OFF, erases the set speed memory.

To Resume Speed

To resume a previously set speed, push the RESUME
button, located on the end of the speed control stalk,
and release. Resume can be used at any speed above
18 mph (30 km/h).

To Vary The Speed Setting

To Increase Speed

When the Speed Control is set, you can increase speed
by tapping the speed control lever up (+).

The speed increment shown is dependant on the speed
of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h) units:

U.S. Speed (mph)

• Tapping the speed control lever up (+) once will
result in a one mph increase in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the lever results in an increase of
one mph.

• If the lever is continually help up, the set speed will
continue to increase until the lever is released, then
the new set speed will be established.

Metric Speed (km/h)

• Tapping the speed control lever up (+) once will
result in a two km/h increase in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the lever results in an increase of
two km/h.

• If the lever is continually help up, the set speed will
continue to increase until the lever is released, then
the new set speed will be established.

To Decrease Speed

When the Speed Control is set, you can decrease speed
by tapping the speed control lever down (-).

The speed decrement shown is dependant on the speed
of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h) units:

U.S. Speed (mph)

• Tapping the speed control lever down (-) once will
result in a one mph decrease in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the lever results in a decrease of
one mph.

• If the lever is continually held down, the set speed
will continue to decrease until the lever is released,
then the new set speed will be established.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79

Metric Speed (km/h)

• Tapping the speed control lever down (-) once will
result in a two km/h decrease in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the lever results in a decrease of
two km/h.

• If the lever is continually held down, the set speed
will continue to decrease until the lever is released,
then the new set speed will be established.

To Accelerate For Passing

Press the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.

3

80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

PARKING SENSORS — IF EQUIPPED

The vehicle’s parking sensors are located in the rear
bumper, and will detect the presence of any obstacles
near the rear part of the vehicle while moving in
REVERSE gear. The driver is then informed through an
intermittent acoustic signal.

Parking Sensors

Activation/Deactivation

The sensors are automatically activated when REVERSE
gear is engaged. As the obstacle behind the vehicle gets
closer, the acoustic signal becomes more frequent.

Acoustic Signal

When REVERSE gear is engaged, and there is an
obstacle behind the vehicle, an acoustic signal is emitted
which varies according to the distance of the bumper
from the obstacle.

The frequency of the acoustic signal:

• Increases as the distance between vehicle and ob­stacle decreases, culminating in a continuous acous­tic signal when the distance is less than approxi­mately 12 in (30 cm).

• Decreases if the distance from the obstacle increases,
until the signal ceases entirely.

• Remains constant if the distance between vehicle and
obstacle remains unchanged; if this situation con­cerns the side sensors, the signal will stop after
approximately 3 seconds, for example, in the event of
manoeuvres along a wall.

If several obstacles are detected by the sensors, only the
nearest one is considered.

Indications On Display — If Equipped

When the sensors are activated, the parking sensor
display screen appears in the instrument cluster.

Parking Sensor Display Screen

Obstacle presence and distance information is therefore
provided both by the acoustic signal and the instrument
cluster display.

The system indicates a detected obstacle by displaying
an arc in one or more positions according to the distance
of the obstacle and its position in relation to the vehicle.

If an obstacle is detected in the rear central area, the
instrument cluster display shows all the arcs in the rear
central area, up to the one that corresponds to the
position of the obstacle itself.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81

The signal is similar for obstacles in the rear left or right
area.

The arc that corresponds to the position of the obstacle
will flash.

The color on the instrument cluster display depends on
the distance from and position of the obstacle.

The vehicle is close to the obstacle when the instrument
cluster display shows a single constant arc and emits a
continuous sound.

If there are several obstacles, the closest one is indi­cated.

Fault Indication

Parking sensor failures, if any, will be indicated when
REVERSE gear is engaged by the switching on of the

warning light in the instrument cluster display.

General Warnings

When parking, take the utmost care over obstacles that
may be above or under the sensor.

Under certain circumstances, objects close to the vehicle
are not detected by the system and could therefore
cause damage to the vehicle or be damaged themselves.

3

82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Some conditions may influence the performance of the
parking sensors:

• The presence of ice, snow, mud or multiple layers of
paint on the sensor surface may cause reduced
sensitivity of the sensor itself and therefore reduce
the system performance.

• Mechanical interference (e.g washing the vehicle,
rain, strong wind, hail) may cause the sensor to
detect a non-existent obstacle (“echo interference”).

• The presence of ultrasonic systems (e.g. pneumatic
brake systems of trucks or pneumatic drills) near the
vehicle could alter the signals sent by the sensor.

• The variation in sensor position, caused by variation
in ride (due to suspension component wear), chang­ing tires, overloaded vehicle, or tuning that lowers
the vehicle, for example, may affect parking sensor
system performance.

NOTE: The sensor must be free from mud, dirt snow or
ice in order for the system to operate correctly. Be
careful not to scratch or damage the sensors while
cleaning them. Avoid using dry, rough or hard cloths.
The sensors must be washed using clean water, with the
addition of car shampoo if necessary. When using
special washing equipment such as high pressure jets or
steam cleaning, clean the sensors very quickly keeping
the jet more than 4 in (10 cm) away. Also, do not apply
stickers to the sensors.

WARNING!

Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using the Parking Sensor system. Always
check carefully behind your vehicle, and be sure to
check for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, ob­structions, or blind spots before backing up. You
are responsible for the safety of your surroundings
and must continue to pay attention while backing
up. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.

CAUTION!

• The Parking Sensor system is only a parking aid
and it is unable to recognize every obstacle,
including small obstacles. Parking curbs might be
temporarily detected or not detected at all. Ob­stacles located above or below the sensors will
not be detected when they are in close proximity

• The vehicle must be driven slowly when using
the Parking Sensor system in order to be able to
stop in time when an obstacle is detected. It is
recommended that the driver looks over his/her
shoulder when using the Parking Sensor system.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83

POWER OUTLETS

Your vehicle is equipped with a 12 Volt (13 Amp) power
outlet that can be used to power cellular phones, small
electronics and other low powered electrical accesso­ries.

Front Power Outlet

3

84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The power outlet is located on the central tunnel,
between the two cup holders. It only operates with the
ignition key at MAR/ON.

Power Outlet Fuse Location

WARNING!

To avoid serious injury or death:

• Only devices designed for use in this type of
outlet should be inserted into any 12 Volt outlet.

• Do not touch with wet hands.

• Close the lid when not in use and while driving

the vehicle.

WARNING! (Continued)

• If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an
electric shock and failure.

CAUTION!

• Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent the engine from starting.

• Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.) will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter­mittently and with greater caution.

• After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.

(Continued)

CAUTION!

• Do not exceed the maximum power of 180 Watts
(15 Amps) at 12 Volts. If the 180 Watts (15 Amps)
power rating is exceeded, the fuse protecting the
system will need to be replaced.

• Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not insert any other object in the power
outlets as this will damage the outlet and blow
the fuse. Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.

CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER — IF EQUIPPED

The cigar lighter and ash receiver are located on the
central tunnel. To activate the cigar lighter, push the
button down. After a few seconds the button automati­cally returns to its initial position, and the cigar lighter
is ready for use.

NOTE:

• Always check that the cigar lighter is switched off.

• Do not connect devices with power higher than 180

W to the socket.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85

• Do not damage the socket by using unsuitable adap­tors.

CUPHOLDER

A cupholder is located in the rear of the center console.

Center Console Cupholder

3

86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STORAGE
Seatback Storage

Located in the back of both the driver and passenger
front seats are pockets that can be used for storage.

Cargo Pouch Storage Location

Rear Compartment Storage

CAUTION!

Drivers Side Seatback Storage

Console Features

There is a cargo pouch storage area located between the
driver and passengers seat.

• To prevent possible damage, do not slam the
decklid to close it. Use a firm downward push at
the center of the decklid to ensure the decklid
latch is fully engaged.

• During normal vehicle operation, the luggage
compartment (located rear of the engine) can
reach temperatures above 149 °F (65 °C). Do not

(Continued)

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87

CAUTION! (Continued)

transport objects in the luggage compartment that
may be damaged at such temperatures. Do not
place aerosol cans in the luggage compartment.

Your vehicle is equipped with a storage area located
under the decklid.

Decklid Emergency Release

WARNING!

Do not allow children to have access to rear storage
compartment. Always close the hood when your
vehicle is unattended. Once in the rear storage
compartment, young children may not be able to
escape. If trapped in the rear compartment, children
can die from suffocation or heat stroke.

As a security measure, an internal decklid emergency
release lever is built into the rear compartment storage
latching mechanism. In a event of a person trapped
inside the storage compartment, the decklid can be
simply opened by pulling on the phosphorescent
handle attached to the decklid latching mechanism.

3

88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rear Compartment Light

WARNING!

• The maximum load limit for the luggage compart­ment (located rear of the engine), in addition to
the kits provided, is 33 lbs. (15kg). Do not exceed
the maximum permitted load in the luggage com­partment. When accessing the rear luggage com­partment, do not come into contact with engine,
or other components, that may be hot and could
burn you if touched.

WARNING! (Continued)

• Access the luggage compartment only with the
vehicle stationary. Before exiting the vehicle, you
should always place the vehicle into FIRST gear
or REVERSE, apply the parking brake, and re­move the key from the ignition. Never leave the
key fob in the vehicle or in a location accessible to
children.

• The decklid may drop suddenly, causing serious
injury, if the supporting rod is not positioned
correctly.

• The decklid must always be closed properly, and
the lock engaged, while the vehicle is in motions.

(Continued)

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CONTENTS

䡵 INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES ..........90

䡵 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ................91

▫ Change Engine Oil Indicator System .......117

▫ Trip Computer ......................118

4

䡵 WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS .......92

▫ Red Telltale Indicator Lights ..............93

▫ Yellow Telltale Indicator Lights ............99

▫ Green Telltale Indicator Lights ...........106

▫ White Telltale Indicator Lights ...........108

▫ Blue Telltale Indicator Lights ............108

䡵 INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY .........108

▫ Instrument Cluster Display Setup Menu ....110

▫ Values Displayed ....................120

䡵 CYBERSECURITY......................121

䡵 RADIO SYSTEM.......................122

䡵 RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES .123

▫ General Information ..................123

䡵 CLIMATE CONTROLS ..................123

▫ Climate Controls Overview .............123

▫ Climate Control Functions ..............127

90 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES

1 — Climate Control Air Outlets 6 — Switch Bank (A/C/Door Lock Switch/Door Mirror Demist-

2 — Multifunction Lever 7 — Climate Controls
3 — Instrument Cluster 8 — Driver Air Bag
4 — Washer/Wiper Lever 9 — Instrument Cluster Display Control Buttons
5 — Passenger Air Bag

ing)

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 91

4

1. Temperature Gauge

• The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem­perature. Any reading within the normal range
indicates that the engine cooling system is operat­ing satisfactorily.

• The digital gauge will likely indicate a higher
temperature when driving in hot weather, or up
mountain grades. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating
range.

92 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE: Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. The digital warning light may
switch on (together with a message on the display) to
indicate that the coolant temperature is too high; in this
case, stop the engine and contact a dedicated autho­rized dealership.

WARNING!

A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide
to look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining
Your Vehicle.” Follow the warnings under the Cool­ing System Pressure Cap paragraph.

2. Tachometer

• This gauge measures engine revolutions per min­ute (RPM x 1000). Before the pointer reaches the red
area, ease up on the accelerator to prevent engine
damage.

3. Speedometer

• Indicates vehicle speed.

4. Fuel Gauge

• The digital display shows the amount of fuel in the
tank.

• The switching on of the digital warning light
indicates that 1 – 1.3 gallons of fuel are left in the
tank; in this situation, refuel as soon as possible.

• Do not travel with the fuel tank almost empty; any
gaps in fuel delivery could damage the catalytic
converter.

The fuel pump symbol points to the side of

•

the vehicle where the fuel door is located.

5. “Alfa DNA” Driving Mode Indicator

• This area of the cluster displays which driving
mode the vehicle is currently in. A letter (d, n, or a)
corresponding to the active driving mode (dynamic
or race, natural, all weather) and a dedicated mes­sage is shown on the display.

WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS

The warning/indicator lights switch on in the instru­ment panel together with a dedicated message and/or
acoustic signal when applicable. These indications are
indicative and precautionary and as such must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or alternative to the

information contained in the Owner’s Manual, which
you are advised to read carefully in all cases. Always
refer to the information in this chapter in the event of a
failure indication.

Red Telltale Indicator Lights

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 93

All active telltales will display first if applicable. The
system check menu may appear different based upon
equipment options and current vehicle status. Some
telltales are optional and may not appear.

Brake Warning Light

Red Telltale

Light

Brake Warning Light

This light monitors various brake functions, including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system reser­voir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been disengaged, and the fluid level is

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at the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic sys­tem malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti­Lock Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. In this case, the light

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will remain on until the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to the Brake
Booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may
be felt during each stop.

NOTE: Brake Warning Light may illuminate due to excessive wear to brake pads.

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What It Means

94 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The dual brake system provides a reserve braking
capacity in the event of a failure to a portion of the
hydraulic system. A leak in either half of the dual brake
system is indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which
will turn on when the brake fluid level in the master
cylinder has dropped below a specified level.

The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.

NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi­tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.

If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces­sary.

WARNING!

Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have
failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You
could have a collision. Have the vehicle checked
immediately.

Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.

Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by placing the ignition in the MAR/ON/RUN position.
The light should illuminate for approximately two
seconds. The light should then turn off unless the
parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected. If
the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected by
an authorized dealer.

The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition placed in the MAR/ON/RUN
position.

NOTE: This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake applica­tion.

Oil Pressure Warning Light

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 95

Red Telltale

Light

Oil Pressure Warning Light

This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle
and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. This light does not indicate how
much oil is in the engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light

Red Telltale

Light

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light

This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected while the engine is running, the light will either stay on or flash de­pending on the nature of the problem. Cycle the ignition key when the vehicle is safely and
completely stopped and the transmission is placed in the PARK position. The light should
turn off. If the light remains on with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be driv­able; however, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash when the engine is running, immediate service is required and you
may experience reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine stall and your vehicle
may require towing. The light will come on when the ignition is first placed in the MAR (ACC/
ON/RUN) position and remain on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not come on during
starting, have the system checked by an authorized dealer.

What It Means

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What It Means

96 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Bag Warning Light

Red Telltale

Light

Air Bag Warning Light

This light will turn on for four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is placed
in the MAR/ON/RUN position. If the light is either not on during startup, stays on, or
turns on while driving, have the system inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as pos­sible. This light will illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the Air Bag Warning
Light has been detected, it will stay on until the fault is cleared. If the light comes on inter­mittently or remains on while driving, have an authorized dealer service the vehicle imme­diately.

Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light

Red Telltale

Light

Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light

When the ignition is first placed in the MAR/ON/RUN position, if the driver’s seat belt is
unbuckled, a chime will sound and the light will turn on. When driving, if the driver or
front passenger seat belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will flash or re­main on continuously and a chime will sound. Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.

What It Means

What It Means

Transmission Fault Warning Light

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 97

Red Telltale

Light

Transmission Fault Warning Light

This light will illuminate (together with a message in the instrument cluster display and a
buzzer) to indicate a transmission fault. Contact your authorized dealer if the message re­mains after restarting the engine.

WARNING!

If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illumi­nated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in
contact with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.

What It Means

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CAUTION!

Continuous driving with the Transmission Tem­perature Warning Light illuminated will eventually
cause severe transmission damage or transmission
failure.

98 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Battery Charge Warning Light

Red Telltale

Light

Battery Charge Warning Light

This light illuminates when the battery is not charging properly. If it stays on while the en­gine is running, there may be a malfunction with the charging system. Contact your autho­rized dealer as soon as possible. This indicates a possible problem with the electrical system
or a related component.

Engine Temperature Warning Light

Red Warning

Light

Engine Temperature Warning Light

This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As engine coolant temperatures rise and
the gauge approaches H, this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound after
reaching a set threshold.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system
is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the tem­perature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for ser­vice. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in ⬙What To Do In Emergencies” for further infor­mation.

What It Means

What It Means