Chrysler 2016 300, 300 2016 Owner's Manual

300

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 © 2015 FCA US LLC

SECTION PAGE

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

1

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE ..................................9

2

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE .................................103

3

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL ......................................263

4

STARTINGANDOPERATING ....................................................371

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
2
3
4
5

WHATTODOINEMERGENCIES..................................................477

6

MAINTAININGYOURVEHICLE...................................................503

7

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ....................................................569

8

IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE ............................................575

9

INDEX .....................................................................585

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 ....7

4 INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on selecting your new FCA US LLC
vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision workman­ship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all essentials
that are traditional to our vehicles.

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.

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 factory-trained 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 CAUTIONS
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 on the left
front corner of the instrument panel. The VIN is visible
from outside of the vehicle through the windshield. This
number also appears on the Automobile Information
Disclosure Label affixed to a window on your vehicle, the
vehicle registration, and the title.

VIN Location

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is also located
on the right front strut tower inside the engine compart­ment.

VIN Location

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

INTRODUCTION 7

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS

1

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 .............12

▫ Keyless Push Button Ignition ..............12

▫ RKEKeyFob.........................13

▫ Ignition Or Accessory On Message ..........15

▫ General Information ....................16

䡵 SENTRY KEY ..........................17

▫ Replacement Keys .....................18

▫ Customer Key Programming ..............18

▫ General Information ....................19

䡵 VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM —

IF EQUIPPED ..........................19

▫ Rearming Of The System .................19

▫ To Arm The System ....................20

▫ To Disarm The System ...................20

▫ Security System Manual Override ...........21

▫ Tamper Alert .........................21

䡵 ILLUMINATED ENTRY — IF EQUIPPED ......21

䡵 REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) ...........22

▫ To Unlock The Doors ...................22

2

10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫ To Lock The Doors .....................23

䡵 KEYLESS ENTER-N-GO — PASSIVE ENTRY ....35

▫ To Unlatch The Trunk ...................24

▫ Using The Panic Alarm ..................24

▫ Programming Additional Key Fobs ..........25

▫ Transmitter Battery Replacement ...........25

▫ General Information ....................26

䡵 REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM —

IF EQUIPPED ..........................27

▫ How To Use Remote Start ................27

䡵 DOOR LOCKS .........................31

▫ Manual Door Locks .....................31

▫ Power Door Locks .....................32

▫ Child-Protection Door Lock System —

Rear Doors ..........................34

▫ General Information ....................40

䡵 WINDOWS ...........................41

▫ Power Windows .......................41

▫ Wind Buffeting .......................44

䡵 TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE .............45

䡵 TRUNK SAFETY WARNING................46

▫ Trunk Emergency Release ................46

䡵 OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ..........47

▫ Important Safety Precautions ..............47

▫ Seat Belt Systems ......................48

▫ Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ........61

▫ Child Restraints .......................76

▫ Transporting Pets ......................95

䡵 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS ....96

䡵 SAFETY TIPS ..........................97

▫ Transporting Passengers..................97

▫ Exhaust Gas .........................97

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The

Vehicle .............................98

▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make

Outside The Vehicle ...................101

2

12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS

Your vehicle uses a keyless ignition system. This system
consists of a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Key Fob and a
Keyless Push Button Ignition.

Keyless Push Button Ignition

This feature allows the driver to operate the ignition with
the push of a button as long as the RKE Key Fob is in the
passenger compartment.

The Keyless Push Button Ignition has four operating
positions, three of which are labeled and will illuminate
when in position. The three positions are: OFF, ACC, and
ON/RUN. The fourth position is START. During start,
ON/RUN will illuminate.

NOTE: In case the ignition does not change with the
push of a button, the RKE Key Fob may have a low or
dead battery. In this situation, a back up method can be
used to operate the ignition switch. Put the nose side
(side opposite of the emergency key) of the RKE Key Fob
against the engine START/STOP button and push to
operate the ignition.

Keyless Push Button Ignition

1 — OFF
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY)
3 — ON/RUN

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

RKE Key Fob

The RKE Key Fob also contains the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter and an emergency key, which stores in
the rear of the RKE Key Fob.

The emergency key allows for entry into the vehicle
should the battery in the vehicle or the RKE Key Fob go
dead. The emergency key is also for locking/unlocking
the glove compartment. You can keep the emergency key
with you when valet parking.

2

14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To remove the emergency key, slide the mechanical latch
on the back of the RKE Key Fob sideways with your
thumb and then pull the key out with your other hand.

Emergency Key Release Latch

Emergency Key Removal

NOTE: You can insert the double-sided emergency key

into the lock cylinders with either side up.

Ignition Or Accessory On Message

When opening the driver’s door when the ignition is in
ACC or ON (engine not running), a chime will sound to
remind you to cycle the ignition to OFF. In addition to the
chime, the ignition or accessory on message will display
in the cluster.

NOTE: With the Uconnect system, the power window
switches, radio, power sunroof (if equipped), and power
outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition is placed in the OFF position. Opening either
front door will cancel this feature. The time for this
feature is programmable. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in­formation.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15

WARNING!

• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the transmis­sion into PARK, apply the parking brake, turn the
engine OFF, remove the key fob from the ignition
and lock your vehicle. If equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go, always make sure the keyless ignition
node is in “OFF” mode, remove the Key Fob from
the vehicle and lock 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 gear selector.

• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not

(Continued)

2

16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
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 Fob from vehicle, place the ignition in the
OFF position and lock all doors when leaving the
vehicle unattended.

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.

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 a factory-mated Remote Keyless Entry Key
Fob, a Keyless Push Button Ignition and a RF receiver to
prevent unauthorized vehicle operation. Therefore, only
RKE Key Fobs that are programmed to the vehicle can be
used to start and operate the vehicle. The system will not
allow the engine to crank with an invalid Key Fob.

After placing the ignition to the ON/RUN position, the
Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three seconds for a
bulb check. If the light remains on after the bulb check, it
indicates that there is a problem with the system. In
addition, if the light begins to flash after the bulb check,
it indicates that someone tried to use an invalid RKE Key

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17

Fob to start the engine. Either of these conditions will
result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.

If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10
seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in the system.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible by an authorized dealer.

CAUTION!

• Do not make modifications or alterations to the
immobilizer system. Modifications or alterations to
the immobilization system may result in a loss of
security protection.

• 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.

2

18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

All of the RKE Key Fobs provided with your new vehicle
have been programmed to the vehicle electronics.

Replacement Keys

NOTE: Only RKE Key Fobs that are programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start and operate the
vehicle. Once a RKE Key Fob is programmed to a vehicle,
it cannot be programmed to any other vehicle.

NOTE: Duplication of RKE Key Fobs may be performed
at an authorized dealer. This procedure consists of pro­gramming a blank RKE Key Fob to the vehicle electron­ics. A blank RKE Key Fob is one that has never been
programmed.

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

CAUTION!

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

• For vehicles equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go,
always remember to place the ignition in the OFF
position.

Customer Key Programming

Programming RKE Key Fobs may be performed at 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 licence-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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED

The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors
for unauthorized entry and the Keyless Enter-N-Go push
button Ignition for unauthorized operation. While the
Vehicle Security Alarm is armed, interior switches for
door locks and trunk release are disabled. If something
triggers the alarm, the Vehicle Security Alarm will pro­vide the following audible and visible signals: the horn
will pulse, the park lamps and/or turn signals will flash,
and the Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash.

Rearming Of The System

If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the Vehicle Security Alarm will turn the horn
off after 29 seconds, 5 seconds between cycles, up to 8
cycles if the trigger remains active and then the Vehicle
Security Alarm will rearm itself.

2

20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Arm The System

Follow these steps to arm the Vehicle Security Alarm:

1. Make sure the vehicles ignition is placed in the “OFF”
position (refer to ⬙Starting Procedures⬙ in ⬙Starting
And Operating⬙ for further information).

2. Perform one of the following methods to lock the
vehicle:

• Push LOCK on the interior power door lock switch
with the driver and/or passenger door open.

• Push the LOCK button on the exterior Passive Entry
Door Handle with a valid RKE Key Fob available in
the same exterior zone (refer to ⬙Keyless Enter-N-Go
— Passive Entry⬙ in ⬙Things To Know Before Starting
Your Vehicle⬙ for further information).

• Push the LOCK button on the RKE Key Fob.

3. If any doors are open, close them.

To Disarm The System

The Vehicle Security Alarm can be disarmed using any of
the following methods:

• Push the UNLOCK button on the RKE Key Fob.

• Grasp the Passive Entry Unlock Door Handle if

equipped. Refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive
Entry” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.

• Push the Keyless Enter-N-Go ignition button (requires
at least one valid RKE Key Fob in the vehicle).

NOTE:

• The driver’s door key cylinder and the trunk button on
the RKE Key Fob cannot arm or disarm the Vehicle
Security Alarm.

• When the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed, the interior
power door lock switches will not unlock the doors.

The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your
vehicle. However, you can create conditions where the
system will give you a false alarm. If one of the previ­ously described arming sequences has occurred, the
Vehicle Security Alarm will arm regardless of whether
you are in the vehicle or not. If you remain in the vehicle
and open a door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs,
disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

If the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed and the battery
becomes disconnected, the Vehicle Security Alarm will
remain armed when the battery is reconnected; the
exterior lights will flash, the horn will sound. If this
occurs, disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm.

Security System Manual Override

The Vehicle Security Alarm will not arm if you lock the
doors using the manual door lock plunger.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21

Tamper Alert

If something has triggered the Vehicle Security Alarm in
your absence, the horn will sound three times and the
exterior lights will blink three times when you disarm the
Vehicle Security Alarm. Check the vehicle for tampering.

ILLUMINATED ENTRY — IF EQUIPPED

The courtesy lights will turn on when you use the RKE
Key Fob to unlock the doors or after opening any door.

This feature also turns on the approach lighting in the
outside mirrors (if equipped).

The courtesy lights will fade to off after approximately 30
seconds, or they will immediately fade to off once the
ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position from the OFF
position.

2

22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

• The front courtesy overhead console and door cour­tesy lights will turn on if the dimmer control is in the
“Dome ON” position (extreme top position).

• The Illuminated Entry system will not operate if the
dimmer control is in the “Dome defeat” position
(extreme bottom position).

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)

The RKE system allows you to lock or unlock the doors,
open the trunk, or activate the Panic Alarm from dis­tances up to approximately 66 ft (20 m) using a hand-held
Key Fob with RKE Key Fob. The RKE Key Fob does not
need to be pointed at the vehicle to activate the system.

NOTE: Driving at speeds 5 mph (8 km/h) and above
disables the system from responding to all RKE Key Fob
buttons.

RKE Key Fob

To Unlock The Doors

Push and release the UNLOCK button on the RKE Key
Fob once to unlock the driver’s door or twice within five
seconds to unlock all doors. The turn signal lights will
flash to acknowledge the unlock signal. The illuminated
entry system will also turn on.

If the vehicle is equipped with Passive Entry, refer to
“Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive Entry” under “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further informa­tion.

1st Press Of Key Fob Unlocks

This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver’s door or all doors on the first push of the
UNLOCK button on the RKE Key Fob. To change the
current setting, refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Under­standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

Flash Lights With Lock

This feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked with the RKE Key Fob. This feature
can be turned on or turned off. To change the current
setting, refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23

Headlight Illumination On Approach

This feature activates the headlights for up to 90 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the RKE Key Fob. The
time for this feature is programmable on vehicles
equipped through Uconnect. To change the current set­ting, refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

To Lock The Doors

Push and release the LOCK button on the RKE Key Fob
to lock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash, and the
horn will chirp to acknowledge the signal.

If the vehicle is equipped with Passive Entry, refer to
“Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive Entry” under “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further informa­tion.

2

24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Sound Horn With Lock

This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the RKE Key Fob. This feature can be
turned on or turned off. To change the current setting,
refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.

To Unlatch The Trunk

Push the TRUNK button on the RKE Key Fob two times
within five seconds to unlatch the trunk.

If the vehicle is equipped with Passive Entry, refer to
“Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive Entry” under “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further informa­tion.

Using The Panic Alarm

To turn the Panic Alarm feature on or off, push and hold
the PANIC button on the RKE Key Fob for at least one

second and release. When the Panic Alarm is activated,
the turn signals will flash, the horn will pulse on and off,
and the interior lights will turn on.

The Panic Alarm will stay on for three minutes unless
you turn it off by either pushing the PANIC button a
second time or drive the vehicle at a speed of 15 MPH
(24 km/h) or greater.

NOTE:

• The interior lights will turn off if you place the ignition
in the ACC or ON/RUN position while the Panic
Alarm is activated. However, the exterior lights and
horn will remain on.

• You may need to be less than 35 ft (11 m) from the
vehicle when using the RKE Key Fob to turn off the
Panic Alarm due to the radio frequency noises emitted
by the system.

Programming Additional Key Fobs

Programming Key Fobs or RKE Key Fobs may be per­formed at an authorized dealer.

Transmitter Battery Replacement

The recommended replacement battery is one CR2032
battery.

NOTE:

• Perchlorate Material — special handling may apply.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25

2

• Do not touch the battery terminals that are on the back
housing or the printed circuit board.

1. Remove the emergency key by sliding the mechanical

latch on the back of the RKE Key Fob sideways with
your thumb and then pull the key out with your other
hand.

Emergency Key Removal

2. Insert the tip of the emergency key or a #2 flat blade
screwdriver into the slot and gently pry the two halves
of the RKE Key Fob apart. Make sure not to damage
the seal during removal.

26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Separating The RKE Key Fob Case

3. Remove the battery by turning the back cover over
(battery facing downward) and tapping it lightly on a
solid surface such as a table or similar, then replace the
battery. When replacing the battery, match the + sign
on the battery to the + sign on the inside of the battery
clip, located on the back cover. Avoid touching the

new battery with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it
with rubbing alcohol.

4. To assemble the RKE Key Fob case, snap the two
halves together.

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.

REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27

How To Use Remote Start

All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:

• Vehicle in PARK

2

This system uses the RKE Key Fob to start the
engine conveniently from outside the vehicle
while still maintaining security. The system has
a range of approximately 300 ft (91 m).

NOTE:

• The vehicle must be equipped with an automatic
transmission to be equipped with Remote Start.

• Obstructions between the vehicle and RKE Key Fob
may reduce this range.

• Doors closed

• Hood closed

• Trunk closed

• Hazard switch off

• Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not pushed)

• Battery at an acceptable charge level

• RKE panic button not pushed

• System not disabled from previous remote start event

28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Vehicle Security Alarm not active

• Ignition in OFF position

WARNING!

• Do not start or run an engine in a closed garage or
confined area. Exhaust gas contains Carbon Mon­oxide (CO) which is odorless and colorless. Carbon
Monoxide is poisonous and can cause serious in­jury or death when inhaled.

• Keep Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Key Fobs away
from children. Operation of the Remote Start Sys­tem, windows, door locks or other controls could
cause serious injury or death.

Remote Start Abort Message

The following messages will display in the instrument
cluster if the vehicle fails to remote start or exits remote
start prematurely:

• Remote Start Aborted — Door Ajar

• Remote Start Aborted — Hood Ajar

• Remote Start Aborted — Trunk Ajar

• Remote Start Aborted — Fuel Low

• Remote Start Disabled — Start Vehicle To Reset

The instrument cluster message stays active until the
ignition is cycled to the ON/RUN position.

To Enter Remote Start Mode

Push and release the REMOTE START button
on the RKE Key Fob twice within five seconds.
The vehicle doors will lock, parking lights will

flash and the horn will chirp twice (if pro­grammed). Then, the engine will start and the vehicle
will remain in the Remote Start mode for a 15-minute
cycle.

NOTE:

• If an engine fault is present or fuel level is low, the

vehicle will start and then shut down in 10 seconds.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29

• The engine can be started two consecutive times (two
15-minute cycles) with the RKE Key Fob. However, the
ignition must be cycled to the RUN position before
you can repeat the start sequence for a third cycle.

To Exit Remote Start Mode Without Driving The Vehicle

Push and release the REMOTE START button one time or
allow the engine to run for the entire 15-minute cycle.

NOTE: To avoid unintentional shutdowns, the system
will disable the one time push of the REMOTE START
button for two seconds after receiving a valid Remote
Start request.

2

• The park lamps will turn on and remain on during
Remote Start mode.

• For security, power window and power sunroof op­eration (if equipped) are disabled when the vehicle is
in the Remote Start mode.

To Exit Remote Start Mode And Drive The Vehicle

Before the end of 15-minute cycle, push and release the
UNLOCK button on the RKE Key Fob to unlock the
doors and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm (if

30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

equipped). Then, prior to the end of the 15-minute cycle,
push and release the START/STOP button.

NOTE: For vehicles equipped with the Keyless Enter­N-Go feature, the message “Remote start active - Push
start button” will display in the Instrument Cluster
Display until you push the START button.

Cancel Remote Start

Remote Starting will also cancel if any of the following
occur:

• The engine stalls or engine speed exceeds 2500 rpm.

• Any engine warning lights come on.

• Low Fuel Light turns on.

• The gear selector is moved out of PARK.

• The brake pedal is pushed.

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.

• The hood is opened.

• The hazard switch is pushed.

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
Manual Door Locks

To lock each door, push the door lock knob on each door
trim panel downward. To unlock the front doors, pull the
inside door handle to the first detent. To unlock the rear
doors, pull the door lock knob on the door trim panel
upward.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31

2

Door Lock Knob

If the door lock knob is down when you shut the door,
the door will lock. Therefore, make sure the RKE Key Fob
is not inside the vehicle before closing the door.

32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

• When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the “OFF” mode, re­move the Key Fob from the vehicle and lock your
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 gear selector.

• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con­trols, or move the vehicle.

Power Door Locks

A power door lock switch is on each front door trim
panel. Use this switch to lock or unlock the doors.

Power Door Lock Switch

The doors can also be locked and unlocked with the
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive Entry system. Refer to
“Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive Entry” under “Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further informa­tion.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33

If you push the power door lock switch while the ignition
is in the ACC or ON/RUN position, and any front door
is open, the power locks will not operate. This prevents
you from accidentally locking the RKE Key Fob in the
vehicle. Placing the ignition in the OFF position or
closing the door will allow the locks to operate. If a door
is open, and the ignition is in the ACC or ON/RUN
position, a chime will sound as a reminder to remove the
RKE Key Fob.

Automatic Door Locks — If Equipped

The auto door lock feature default condition is enabled.
When enabled, the door locks will lock automatically
when the vehicle’s speed exceeds 15 MPH (24 km/h).
The auto door lock feature can be enabled or disabled by
your authorized dealer per written request of the cus­tomer. Please see your authorized dealer for service.

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34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit

The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:

1. The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature is en­abled.

2. The vehicle was in motion, then speed returned to
0 MPH (0 km/h) and the transmission is placed in
PARK.

Child-Protection Door Lock System — Rear Doors

To provide a safer environment for small children riding
in the rear seats, the rear doors are equipped with
Child-Protection Door Lock system.

To Engage Or Disengage The Child-Protection Door Lock System

1. Open the rear door.

3. The driver door is opened.

4. The doors were not previously unlocked.

Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit Programming

To change the current setting, refer to “Uconnect Set­tings” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.

NOTE: Use the Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature
in accordance with local laws.

2. Insert the tip of the emergency key into the lock and
rotate to the LOCK or UNLOCK position.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the opposite rear door.

Child-Protection Door Lock Function

WARNING!

Avoid trapping anyone in a vehicle in a collision.
Remember that the rear doors can only be opened
from the outside when the Child-Protection locks are
engaged (locked).

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35

NOTE: For emergency exit from the rear seats when the
Child-Protection Door Lock System is engaged, manually
raise the door lock knob to the unlocked position, roll
down the window, and open the door using the outside
door handle.

KEYLESS ENTER-N-GO — PASSIVE ENTRY

The Passive Entry system is an enhancement to the
vehicle’s Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system and a
feature of Keyless Enter-N-Go. This feature allows you to
lock and unlock the vehicle’s door(s) without having to
push the RKE Key Fob lock or unlock buttons.

NOTE:

• Passive Entry may be programmed ON/OFF. Refer to

“Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding Your Instru­ment Panel” for further information.

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36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• If wearing gloves on your hands, or if it has been
raining on the Passive Entry door handle, the unlock
sensitivity can be affected, resulting in a slower re­sponse time.

• If the vehicle is unlocked by Passive Entry and no door
is opened within 60 seconds, the vehicle will re-lock
and if equipped will arm the security alarm.

To Unlock From The Driver’s Side

With a valid Passive Entry RKE Key Fob within 5 ft
(1.5 m) of the driver’s door handle, grab the front driver
door handle to unlock the driver’s door automatically.
The interior door panel lock knob will raise when the
door is unlocked.

Grab The Door Handle To Unlock

NOTE: If “Unlock All Doors 1st Press” is programmed,

all doors will unlock when you grab hold of the front
driver’s door handle. To select between “Unlock Driver
Door 1st Press” and “Unlock All Doors 1st Press,” refer to
“Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.

To Unlock From The Passenger Side

With a valid Passive Entry RKE Key Fob within 5 ft
(1.5 m) of the passenger door handle, grab the front
passenger door handle to unlock all four doors automati­cally. The interior door panel lock knob will raise when
the door is unlocked.

NOTE: All doors will unlock when the front passenger
door handle is grabbed regardless of the driver’s door
unlock preference setting (“Unlock Driver Door 1st
Press” or “Unlock All Doors 1st Press”).

Preventing Inadvertent Locking Of Passive Entry RKE
Key Fob In Vehicle

To minimize the possibility of unintentionally locking a
Passive Entry RKE Key Fob inside your vehicle, the
Passive Entry system is equipped with an automatic door
unlock feature which will function if the ignition switch
is in the OFF position.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37

FOBIK-Safe only executes in vehicles with passive entry.
There are three situations that trigger a FOBIK-Safe
search in any passive entry vehicle.

1. A lock request is made by a valid Passive Entry RKE
Key Fob while a door is open.

2. A lock request is made by the Passive Entry door
handle while a door is open.

3. A lock request is made by the door panel switch while
the door is open.

When any of these situations occur, after all open doors
are shut, the FOBIK-Safe search will be executed. If it
finds a Passive Entry RKE Key Fob inside the car and it
does not find any Passive Entry RKE Key Fobs outside
the car, then the car will unlock and alert the customer.

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38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE: The vehicle will only unlock the doors when a
valid Passive Entry RKE Key Fob is detected inside the
vehicle, and no valid Passive Entry RKE Key Fob is
detected outside the vehicle. The vehicle will not unlock
the doors when any of the following conditions are true:

• The doors are locked manually using the door lock
knobs.

• There is a valid Passive Entry RKE Key Fob outside the
vehicle and within 5 ft (1.5 m) of either Passive Entry
door handle.

• Three attempts are made to lock the doors using the
door panel switch and then close the doors.

To Enter The Trunk

With a valid Passive Entry RKE Key Fob within 3 ft
(1.0 m) of the deck lid, push the button on the right side
of CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop Light), which is
located on the deck lid.

Trunk Passive Entry Button

NOTE: If you inadvertently leave your vehicle’s Passive

Entry RKE Key Fob in the trunk and try to close the deck
lid, the deck lid will automatically unlatch, unless an­other one of the vehicle’s Passive Entry RKE Key Fobs is
outside the vehicle and within 3 ft (1.0 m) of the deck lid.

To Lock The Vehicle’s Doors

With one of the vehicle’s Passive Entry RKE Key Fobs
within 5 ft (1.5 m) of the driver or passenger front door
handles, push the door handle LOCK button to lock all
four doors.

Push The Door Handle Button To Lock

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39

Do NOT grab the door handle when pushing the door
handle lock button. This could unlock the door(s).

2

Do NOT Grab The Door Handle When Locking

40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

• After pushing the door handle button, you must wait
two seconds before you can lock or unlock the doors,
using either Passive Entry door handle. This is done to
allow you to check if the vehicle is locked by pulling
the door handle, without the vehicle reacting and
unlocking.

• The Passive Entry system will not operate if the RKE
Key Fob battery is dead.

The vehicle doors can also be locked by using the RKE
Key Fob lock button or the lock button located on the
vehicle’s interior door panel.

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 licence-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.

WINDOWS
Power Windows

The window controls on the driver’s door control all the
door windows.

Power Window Switches

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41

There are single window controls on each passenger door
trim panel, which operate the passenger door windows.
The window controls will operate only when the ignition
is in the ACC or ON/RUN position.

NOTE: For vehicles equipped with the Uconnect, the
power window switches will remain active for up to 10
minutes after the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
Opening either front door will cancel this feature. The
time is programmable. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in­formation.

WARNING!

Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, and do
not let children play with power windows. Do not
leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or in a
location accessible to children, and do not leave the

(Continued)

2

42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter­N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. 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.

AUTO-Down Feature

The driver door power window switch and some model
passenger door power window switches have an AUTO­down feature. Push the window switch to the second
detent, release, and the window will go down automati­cally.

To open the window part way, push the window switch
to the first detent and release it when you want the
window to stop.

To stop the window from going all the way down during
the AUTO-down operation, pull up on the switch briefly.

AUTO-Up Feature With Anti-Pinch Protection — If Equipped

Pull window up switch for at least a half of a second and
the window will go up automatically.

To stop the window during an auto-up operation, push
or pull the window switch again.

To close the window part way, pull and hold the window
switch briefly and release it when you want the window
to stop.

NOTE:

• If the window runs into any obstacle during auto­closure, it will reverse direction and then go back
down. Remove the obstacle and use the window
switch again to close the window.

• Any impact due to rough road conditions may trigger
the auto-reverse function unexpectedly during auto­closure. If this happens, pull and hold the switch to
close the window manually.

WARNING!

There is no anti-pinch protection when the window
is almost closed. Be sure to clear all objects from the
window before closing.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

Reset Auto-Up

Should the Auto Up feature stop working, the window
may need to be reset. To reset Auto Up:

1. Make sure the door is fully closed.

2. Pull the window switch up to close the window
completely and continue to hold the switch up for an
additional two seconds after the window is closed.

3. Push the window switch down firmly to the second
detent to open the window completely and continue
to hold the switch down for an additional two seconds
after the window is fully open.

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44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Window Lockout Switch

The window lockout switch on the driver’s door trim
panel allows you to disable the window controls on the
rear passenger doors and the rear sunscreen (if
equipped). To disable the window controls and the rear
sunscreen, push and release the window lockout button
(setting it in the DOWN position). To enable the window
controls and the rear sunscreen, push and release the
window lockout button again (setting it in the UP
position).

Window Lockout Switch

Wind Buffeting

Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain

open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur­rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, then open the front and rear
windows together to minimize the buffeting. If the
buffeting occurs with the sunroof open, adjust the sun­roof opening to minimize the buffeting.

TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE

The trunk lid can be released from inside the vehicle by
pushing the TRUNK RELEASE button located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.

NOTE: The transmission must be in PARK before the
button will operate.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45

The trunk lid can be released from
outside the vehicle by pushing the
TRUNK button on the RKE Key
Fob twice within five seconds or
by using the external release
switch located on the underside of
the decklid overhang. The release

Trunk Release

Button

feature will function only when
the vehicle is in the unlock
condition.

With the ignition in the ON/RUN position, the Trunk
Open symbol will display in the instrument cluster
indicating that the trunk is open. The odometer display
will reappear once the trunk is closed.

With the ignition in the OFF position, the Trunk Open
symbol will display until the trunk is closed.

2

46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive Entry” in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information on trunk operation with the Passive
Entry feature.

TRUNK SAFETY WARNING

WARNING!

Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.

Trunk Emergency Release

As a security measure, a Trunk Internal Emergency Release
lever is built into the trunk latching mechanism. In the
event of an individual being locked inside the trunk, the
trunk can be opened by actuating the glow-in-the-dark
handle attached to the trunk latching mechanism.

Trunk Emergency Internal Release

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

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

• Seat Belt Systems

• Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air Bags

• Child Restraints

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47

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”)

3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle
seat belt properly (Refer to ⬙Child Restraints⬙ in this
section of “Occupant Restraints”) should be secured in
a vehicle with a rear seat in child restraints or belt­positioning 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.

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48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 Advanced 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, contact
the Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided
under ⬙If You Need Assistance.⬙

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced 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.

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.

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.

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 START or ON/RUN
position.

Initial Indication

If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition switch is first
turned to the START or ON/RUN position, an intermittent
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 turned to the START or ON/RUN

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49

position the Seat Belt Reminder Light 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 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.

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50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51

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.

• 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.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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.

• 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.

(Continued)

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52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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 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

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53

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

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54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle

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 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55

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.

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

In the driver and front passenger seats, the top of the
shoulder belt can be adjusted upward or downward to
position the seat belt away from your neck. Push or
squeeze the anchorage button to release the anchorage,
and move it up or down to the position that serves you
best.

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56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Adjustable Anchorage

As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will
prefer the shoulder belt anchorage in a lower position,
and if you are taller than average, you will prefer the
shoulder belt anchorage in a higher position. After you
release the anchorage button, try to move it up or down
to make sure that it is locked in position.

NOTE: The adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage is
equipped with an Easy Up feature. This feature allows
the shoulder belt anchorage to be adjusted in the upward
position without pushing or squeezing the release but­ton. To verify the shoulder belt anchorage is latched, pull
downward on the shoulder belt anchorage until it is
locked into position.

Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is not long enough to fit properly, even when
the webbing is fully extended and the adjustable upper
shoulder belt anchorage (if equipped) is in its lowest
position, your authorized dealer can provide you with a
Seat Belt Extender. The Seat Belt Extender should be used
only if the existing seat belt is not long enough. When the
Seat Belt Extender is not required for a different occu­pant, it must be removed.

WARNING!

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

• ONLY use a Seat Belt Extender if it is physically
required in order to properly fit the original seat
belt system. DO NOT USE the Seat Belt Extender
if, when worn, the distance between the front edge
of the Seat Belt Extender buckle and the center of
the occupant’s body is LESS than 6 inches.

• Using a Seat Belt Extender when not needed can
increase the risk of serious injury or death in a
collision. Only use the Seat Belt Extender when the
lap belt is not long enough and only use in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the Seat Belt Extender when not needed.

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.

58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

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.

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. This seat belt system has a retractor assembly
that is designed to release webbing in a controlled
manner.

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR)

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
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 table below
defines the type of feature for each seating position.

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59

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.

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60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced 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.

• 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

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

only used to install rear-facing or forward-facing
child restraints that have a harness for restraining
the child.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

Air Bag System Components

Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

• Air Bag Warning Light

• Steering Wheel and Column

• Instrument Panel

• Knee Impact Bolsters

• Advanced Front Air Bags

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61

• Supplemental Side Air Bags

• Supplemental Knee Air Bags

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

• Seat Belt Pretensioners

• Seat Belt Buckle Switch

• Seat Track Position Sensors

Advanced Front Air Bags

This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver’s Advanced Front Air
Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger’s Advanced 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.

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62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations

1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced 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 Advanced Front Air Bag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air
bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably
extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel.

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced 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.

Advanced 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 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63

WARNING!

• No objects should be placed over or near the air
bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel
because any such objects could cause harm if the
vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the
air bag to inflate.

• Do not put anything on or around the air bag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the air bags and you could be injured
because the air bags may no longer be functional.
The protective covers for the air bag cushions are
designed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.

• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In

(Continued)

2

64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all. Al­ways wear your seat belts even though you have air
bags.

Advanced Front Air Bag Operation

Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide addi­tional protection by supplementing the seat belts. Ad­vanced Front Air Bags are not expected to reduce the risk
of injury in rear, side, or rollover collisions. The Ad­vanced 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, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a
severe initial deceleration.

Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.

Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all colli­sions, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.

When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad­vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced 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 Advanced
Front Air Bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. The 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 Advanced Front
Air Bags.

WARNING!

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65

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
Advanced Front Air Bags.

2

• 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 Side Air Bags

Your vehicle is equipped with two types of side air bags:

1. Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SABs):

Located in the outboard side of the front seats. The
SABs are marked with a “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIR­BAG” label sewn into the outboard side of the seats.

66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Front Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag Label

The SABs may help to reduce the risk of occupant injury
during certain side impacts and/or vehicle rollover
events, in addition to the injury reduction potential
provided by the seat belts and body structure.

When the SAB deploys, it opens the seam on the out­board side of the seatback’s trim cover. The inflating SAB

deploys through the seat seam into the space between the
occupant and the door. The SAB moves at a very high
speed and with such a high force that it could injure
occupants if they are not seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the SAB inflates. Children
are at an even greater risk of injury from a deploying air
bag.

WARNING!

Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects
between you and the Side Air Bags; the performance
could be adversely affected and/or objects could be
pushed into you, causing serious injury.

2. Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains

(SABICs): Located above the side windows. The trim
covering the SABICs is labeled “SRS AIRBAG” or
“AIRBAG.”

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC)

Label Location

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head or other injuries
to front and rear seat outboard occupants in certain side
impacts and/or vehicle rollover events, in addition to the

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67

injury reduction potential provided by the seat belts and
body structure.

The SABICs deploy downward, 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.

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

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68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Your vehicle is equipped with left and right

•

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains
(SABICs). Do not stack luggage or other cargo up
high enough to block the deployment of the
SABICs. The trim covering above the side win­dows where the SABIC and its deployment path
are located should remain free from any obstruc­tions.

• Your vehicle is equipped with SABICs. In order for
the SABICs to work as intended, do not install any
accessory items in your vehicle which could alter
the roof. Do not add an aftermarket sunroof to your
vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require perma­nent attachments (bolts or screws) for installation
on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the
vehicle for any reason.

The SABICs and SABs (“Side Air Bags”) are designed to
activate in certain side impacts and certain rollover
events. The Occupant Restraint Controller (“ORC”) de­termines whether the deployment of the Side Air Bags in
a particular side impact or rollover event is appropriate,
based on the severity and type of collision. Vehicle
damage by itself is not a good indicator of whether or not
Side Air Bags should have deployed.

Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt restraint
system. Side Air Bags deploy in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. Occupants, including children, who are
up against or very close to Side Air Bags can be seriously
injured or killed. Occupants, including children, should
never lean on or sleep against the door, side windows, or
area where the Side Air Bags inflate, even if they are in an
infant or child restraint.

Seat belts (and child restraints where appropriate) are
necessary for your protection in all collisions. They also

help keep you in position, away from inflating Side Air
Bags. To get the best protection from the Side Air Bags,
occupants must wear their seat belts properly and sit
upright with their backs against the seats. Children must
be properly restrained in a child restraint or booster seat
that is appropriate for the size of the child.

WARNING!

• Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.

• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during deploy­ment could cause you to be severely injured or
killed.

• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead to
more severe injuries in a collision. The Side Air
Bags work with your seat belt to restrain you

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

WARNING! (Continued)

properly. In some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t
deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt even
though you have Side Air Bags.

NOTE: Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.

Side Impacts

In side impacts, the side impact sensors aid the ORC in
determining the appropriate response to impact events.
The system is calibrated to deploy the Side Air Bags on
the impact side of the vehicle during impacts that require
Side Air Bag occupant protection. In side impacts, the
Side Air Bags deploy independently; a left side impact
deploys the left Side Air Bags only and a right side
impact deploys the right Side Air Bags only.

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70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side collisions,
including some collisions at certain angles, or some side
collisions that do not impact the area of the passenger
compartment. The Side Air Bags may deploy during
angled or offset frontal collisions where the Advanced
Front Air Bags deploy.

faster-developing event may deploy the seat belt preten­sioners as well as the Side Air Bags on both sides of the
vehicle. The rollover sensing-system may also deploy the
seat belt pretensioners, with or without the Side Air Bags,
on both sides of the vehicle if the vehicle experiences a
near rollover event.

Rollover Events

Side Air Bags are designed to activate in certain rollover
events. The ORC determines whether the deployment of
the Side Air Bags in a particular rollover event is appro­priate, based on the severity and type of collision. Vehicle
damage by itself is not a good indicator of whether or not
Side Air Bags should have deployed.

The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all rollover events.
The rollover sensing-system determines if a rollover
event may be in progress and whether deployment is
appropriate. A slower-developing event may deploy the
seat belt pretensioners on both sides of the vehicle. A

If A Deployment Occurs

The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.

NOTE: Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.

If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:

• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions
and/or skin reddening to the occupants as the air bags

deploy and unfold. The abrasions are similar to fric­tion rope burns or those you might get sliding along a
carpet or gymnasium floor. They are not caused by
contact with chemicals. They are not permanent and
normally heal 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71

Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have de­ployed. If you are involved in another collision, the air
bags will not be in place to protect you.

WARNING!

Deployed air bags and seat belt 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.

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72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

• Unlock the power door locks.

Enhanced Accident Response System Reset Procedure

In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response System
functions after an event, the ignition switch must be
changed from ignition START or ON/RUN to ignition
OFF. 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.

Air Bag Warning Light

The air bags must be ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. The Occupant Re­straint Controller (ORC) monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated

with air bag system electrical components.

The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the air bag system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or ON/RUN position. If the ignition switch is in

the OFF position or in the ACC position, the air bag
system is not on and the air bags will not inflate.

The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags 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 first turned to
the 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73

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 turned to the 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.

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74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

Redundant Air Bag Warning Light

If a fault with the Air Bag Warning Light is
detected, which could affect the Supplemental
Restraint System (“SRS”), the Redundant Air

Bag Warning Light will illuminate on the in­strument panel. The Redundant Air Bag Warning Light
will stay on until the fault is cleared. In addition, a single
chime will sound to alert you that the Redundant Air Bag
Warning Light has come on and a fault has been detected.

If the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light comes on
intermittently or remains on while driving have an
authorized dealer service the vehicle immediately.

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.

(Continued)

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75

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.

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76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

These data can help provide a better understanding of
the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.

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.

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

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77

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.seatcheck.org or

•

call 1-866-732-8243.

•

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

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78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age Recommended Type Of Child Restraint

Infants and

Toddlers

Children who are two years old or

younger and who have not reached the

Either an Infant Carrier or a Convertible

Child Restraint, facing rearward in the rear

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

Forward-Facing Child Restraint with a

five-point Harness, facing forward in the

limit of their rear-facing child restraint

Larger Children Children who have out-grown their

forward-facing child restraint, but are too

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the

vehicle seat belt, seated in the rear seat of

small to properly fit the vehicle’s seat belt

Children Too Large
for Child Restraints

Children 12 years old or younger, who

have out-grown the height or weight limit

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear seat of

of their booster seat

seat of the vehicle

rear seat of the vehicle

the vehicle

the vehicle

Infants And Child Restraints

Safety experts recommend that children ride rear-facing
in the vehicle until they are two years old or until they
reach either the height or weight limit of their rear-facing
child restraint. Two types of child restraints can be used
rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child seats.

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying passenger Advanced 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

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80 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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.

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?

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81

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 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.

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82 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints

Restraint Type Combined

Weight of the

Child + Child

Restraint

Rear-Facing

Child Restraint

Rear-Facing

Child Restraint

Forward-Facing

Child Restraint

Forward-Facing

Child Restraint

Up to 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

More than

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

Up to 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

More than

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

Use any attachment method shown with an “X” Below

LATCH –

Lower Anchors

Only

XX

Seat Belt Only LATCH –

Lower Anchors

+ Top Tether

Anchor

X

XX

Seat Belt + Top

Tether Anchor

X

Lower Anchors And Tethers For CHildren (LATCH) Restraint System

Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor­age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The LATCH system
has three vehicle anchor points for installing LATCH­equipped child seats. There are two lower anchorages
located at the back of the seat cushion where it meets the
seatback and one top tether anchorage located behind the

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83

seating position. These anchorages are used to install
LATCH-equipped child seats without using the vehicle’s
seat belts. Some seating positions may have a top tether
anchorage but no lower anchorages. In these seating
positions, the seat belt must be used with the top tether
anchorage to install the child restraint. Please see the
following table for more information.

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84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

LATCH Positions For Installing Child Restraints In This Vehicle

•

Lower Anchorage Symbol 2 anchorages per

seating position

•

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

What is the weight limit (child’s

weight + weight of the child re-

straint) for using the LATCH anchor-

age system to attach the child re-

straint?

Can the LATCH anchorages and the

seat belt be used together to attach a

rear-facing or forward-facing child

restraint?

Can two child restraints be attached

using a common lower LATCH an-

chorage?

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85

65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

Use the LATCH anchorage system until the combined

weight of the child and the child restraint is 65 lbs

(29.5 kg). Use the seat belt and tether anchor instead of the

LATCH system once the combined weight is more than

65 lbs (29.5 kg).

No Do not use the seat belt when you use the LATCH anchor-

age system to attach a rear-facing or forward-facing child

restraint.

No Never “share” a LATCH anchorage with two or more child

restraints. If the center position does not have dedicated

LATCH lower anchorages, use the seat belt to install a

child seat in the center position next to a child seat using

the LATCH anchorages in an outboard position.

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86 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

Can the rear-facing child restraint

touch the back of the front passenger

seat?

Ye s

The child seat may touch the back of the front passenger seat

if the child restraint manufacturer also allows contact. See

your child restraint owner ’s manual for more information.

Can the head restraints be removed? Yes Center position only may be removed.

Locating LATCH Anchorages

The lower anchorages are round bars that are
found at the rear of the seat cushion where it
meets the seatback, below the anchorage sym-

bols on the seatback. They are just visible when
you lean into the rear seat to install the child restraint.
You will easily feel them if you run your finger along the
gap between the seatback and seat cushion.

LATCH Anchorages

Locating Tether Anchorages

There are tether strap anchorages behind each

rear seating position located in the panel be-

tween the rear seatback and the rear window.

They are found under a plastic cover with the
tether anchorage symbol on it.

Tether Strap Anchorages

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 87

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems will be
equipped with a rigid bar or a flexible strap on each side.
Each will have a hook or connector to attach to the lower
anchorage and a way to tighten the connection to the
anchorage. Forward-facing child restraints and some
rear-facing child restraints will also be equipped with a
tether strap. The tether strap will have a hook at the end
to attach to the top tether anchorage and a way to tighten
the strap after it is attached to the anchorage.

Center Seat LATCH

If a child restraint installed in the center position blocks
the seat belt webbing or buckle for the outboard position,
do not use that outboard position. If a child seat in the
center position blocks the outboard LATCH anchors or
seat belt, do not install a child seat in that outboard
position.

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88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Never use the same lower anchorage to attach more
than one child restraint. Please refer to ⴖInstalling
Child Restraints Using the LATCH Lower Anchor­agesⴖ in the section ⴖInstalling Child Restraintsⴖ for
typical installation instructions.

Always follow the directions of the child restraint manu­facturer when installing your child restraint. Not all child
restraint systems will be installed as described here.

To Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint

If the selected seating position has a Switchable Auto­matic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt, stow the seat
belt, following the instructions below. See the section
“Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat Belt”
to check what type of seat belt each seating position has.

1.

Loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and on the
tether strap of the child seat so that you can more easily
attach the hooks or connectors to the vehicle anchorages.

2. Place the child seat between the lower anchorages for
that seating position. For some second row seats, you
may need to recline the seat and / or raise the head
restraint to get a better fit. If the rear seat can be moved
forward and rearward in the vehicle, you may wish to
move it to its rear-most position to make room for the
child seat. You may also move the front seat forward
to allow more room for the child seat.

Attach the lower hooks or connectors of the child

3.
restraint to the lower anchorages in the selected seating
position.

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

5. Tighten all of the straps as you push the child restraint
rearward and downward into the seat. Remove slack
in the straps according to the child restraint manufac­turer’s instructions.

6. 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.

How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt:

When using the LATCH attaching system to install a child
restraint, stow all ALR seat belts that are not being used by
other occupants or being used to secure child restraints. An
unused belt could injure a child if they play with it and
accidentally lock the seat belt retractor. Before installing a
child restraint using the LATCH system, buckle the seat
belt behind the child restraint and out of the child’s reach.
If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child restraint

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

installation, instead of buckling it behind the child re­straint, route the seat belt through the child restraint belt
path and then buckle it. Do not lock the seat belt. Remind
all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are not toys and
that they should not play with them.

WARNING!

• Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages 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.

• Child restraint anchorages are designed to with­stand only those loads imposed by correctly-fitted
child restraints. Under no circumstances are they to
be used for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for
attaching other items or equipment to the vehicle.

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90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt

The seat belts in the 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. The ALR 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 under “Occupant Restraints” for ad­ditional information on ALR.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems for Installing Child Restraints in this Vehicle

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

•

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 91

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts

What is the weight limit (child’s weight +

weight of the child restraint) for using the

Tether Anchor with the seat belt to attach a

forward facing child restraint?

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch

the back of the front passenger seat?

Weight limit of the

Child Restraint

Yes Contact between the front passenger seat

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.

and the child restraint is allowed, if the
child restraint manufacturer also allows

contact.

Can the head restraints be removed? Yes Center Only may be removed.

Can the buckle stalk be twisted to tighten

the seat belt against the belt path of the

No Do not twist the buckle stalk in a seating

position with an ALR retractor.

child restraint?

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92 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

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

1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating
position. For some second row seats, you may need to
recline the seat and/or raise the head restraint to get a
better fit. If the rear seat can be moved forward and
rearward in the vehicle, you may wish to move it to its
rear-most position to make room for the child seat.
You may also move the front seat forward to allow
more room for the child seat.

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.”

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.

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 93

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether Anchorage

WARNING!

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. See the
section “Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren
(LATCH) Restraint System” for the location of ap­proved tether anchorages in your vehicle.

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94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

Rotate or lift the cover to access the anchor directly

2.
behind the seat where you are placing the child restraint.

3. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat. If
your vehicle is equipped with adjustable rear head
restraints, raise the head restraint, and where possible,
route the tether strap under the head restraint and
between the two posts. If not possible, lower the head
restraint and pass the tether strap around the outboard
side of the head restraint.

Tether Strap Mounting

1 — Cover A — Tether Strap Hook
3 — Attaching Strap B — Tether Anchor

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

5. 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.

• If your vehicle is equipped with a split rear seat,
make sure the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove
slack in the strap.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 95

Center Tether Attachment

1. Lower the adjustable center head restraint to the full
down position.

2. Route the tether strap over the seatback and head
restraint.

3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to
the center tether anchorage located in the panel be­tween the rear seatback and the rear window.

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

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.

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96 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.

Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.

While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri­mental and should be avoided.

The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve­hicle.”

CAUTION!

Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.

NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its

first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as a problem.

SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 97

WARNING! (Continued)

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

Exhaust Gas

2

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.

(Continued)

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

(Continued)

98 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

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 seat 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. Rear 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 seat
belt or retractor condition, replace the seat belt.