Chrysler 300 - 2015 User Manual

300

O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L

2015

VEHICLES SOLD IN CANADA

With respect to any Vehicles Sold in Canada, the name
Chrysler Group LLC shall be deemed to be deleted and the
name Chrysler 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.

Chrysler Group 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 © 2014 Chrysler Group 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

STARTING AND OPERATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

2

3

4

5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451

6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477

7

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ....................................................541

8

IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE ............................................549

9

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559

10

6

7

8

9

10

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS

! INTRODUCTION ........................4

1

! VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ........6

! HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL ..............4

! WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS ..............6

! VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS ....7

4INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
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 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

6INTRODUCTION

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

This Owners Manual contains WARNINGS against op­erating procedures that could result in a collision or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONS against proce­dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire Owners 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

! A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS .............12

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

2

▫ Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) ..............12

▫ Key Fob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

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

! SENTRY KEY® .........................16

▫ Replacement Keys .....................17

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

▫ General Information ....................18

! VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM —

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

▫ To Arm The System ....................19

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

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

! ILLUMINATED ENTRY — IF EQUIPPED ......21

! REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) ...........21

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

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

▫ To Unlatch The Trunk ...................23

10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

! WINDOWS ...........................40

▫ Programming Additional Transmitters .......24

▫ Transmitter Battery Replacement ...........24

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

! REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM —

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

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

! DOOR LOCKS .........................30

▫ Manual Door Locks .....................30

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

▫ Child-Protection Door Lock System —

Rear Doors ..........................33

! KEYLESS ENTER-N-GO™ .................35

▫ Power Windows .......................40

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

! TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE .............44

! TRUNK SAFETY WARNING................45

▫ Trunk Emergency Release ................45

! OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ..........46

▫ Important Safety Precautions ..............46

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

▫ Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ........60

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

▫ Transporting Pets ......................96

! ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS ....96

! SAFETY TIPS ..........................97

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

▫ Exhaust Gas .........................98

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside

The Vehicle ..........................99

▫ 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 Key Fob with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter and a Keyless Ignition Node (KIN).

Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Feature

This vehicle is equipped with the Keyless Enter-N-Go™
feature. Refer to #Keyless Enter-N-Go™# in #Things To
Know Before Starting Your Vehicle# for further information.

Keyless Ignition Node (KIN)

This feature allows the driver to operate the ignition with
the push of a button as long as the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter is in the passenger compartment.

The Keyless Ignition Node (KIN System) 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 transmitter (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
Key Fob against the Engine START/STOP button and
push to operate the ignition.

Keyless Ignition Node (KIN System)

1—OFF
2—ACC(ACCESSORY)
3—ON/RUN

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

Key Fob

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

The emergency key allows for entry into the vehicle
should the battery in the vehicle or the 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 Key Fob sideways with your thumb
and then pull the key out with your other hand.

Mechanical Latch On The Back Of The Key Fob

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

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!

• When leaving the vehicle, always 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
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.

(Continued)

2

16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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 car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the Key Fob from vehicle, place the ignition
in the OFF and lock all doors when leaving the
vehicle unattended.

SENTRY KEY®

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

The system uses a Key Fob with a factory-mated Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, a Keyless Ignition Node
(KIN) and a RF receiver to prevent unauthorized vehicle
operation. Therefore, only 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 used an invalid Key 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17

Replacement Keys

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

2

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.

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

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.

18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of Key Fobs.
Duplication of Key Fobs may be performed at an autho­rized dealer. This procedure consists of programming a
blank Key Fob to the vehicle electronics. A blank Key Fob
is one that has never been programmed.

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

Customer Key Programming

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

General Information

The Sentry Key® system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.

• This device must accept any interference that may be

received, including interference that may cause unde­sired operation.

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

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED

The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors
for unauthorized entry and the Keyless Enter-N-Go™
START/STOP button for unauthorized operation. While
the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed, interior switches for
door locks and decklid 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19

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).

• Make sure the vehicle ignition system is OFF.

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 Key Fob available in the
same exterior zone (refer to #Keyless Enter-N-Go™#
in #Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle# for
further information).

2

20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Push the LOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter.

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 Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.

• Grasp the Passive Entry Unlock Door Handle if
equipped. Refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.

• Place the vehicle ignition system in the OFF position.

• Push the Keyless Enter-N-Go™ START/STOP but-

ton (requires at least one valid Key Fob in the
vehicle).

NOTE:

• The driver’s door key cylinder and the trunk button on
the RKE transmitter 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.

ILLUMINATED ENTRY — IF EQUIPPED

The courtesy lights will turn on when you use the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to unlock the
doors or open any door.

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

The 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21

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 transmitter. The RKE transmitter does
not need to be pointed at the vehicle to activate the
system.

2

22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Key Fob With RKE Transmitter

To Unlock The Doors

Push and release the UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter 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™” under “Things To Know Before
Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.

1st Push 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 transmitter. 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 transmitter. 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.

Headlight Illumination On Approach

This feature activates the headlights for up to 90 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the RKE transmitter.
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 transmit­ter to lock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash, and
the horn will chirp to acknowledge the signal.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23

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

Sound Horn With Lock

This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the RKE transmitter. 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 transmitter two
times within five seconds to unlatch the trunk.

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

2

24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Using The Panic Alarm

To turn the Panic Alarm feature on or off, push and hold
the PANIC button on the RKE transmitter 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 transmitter to turn off the
Panic Alarm due to the radio frequency noises emitted
by the system.

Programming Additional Transmitters

Programming Key Fobs or RKE transmitters 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

• 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 transmitter sideways
with your thumb and then pull the key out with your
other hand.

Emergency Key Removal Separating The RKE Transmitter Case

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25

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 transmitter apart. Make sure not to damage
the seal during removal.

2

26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 transmitter case, snap the two
halves together.

General Information

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and
RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.

• 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.

If your RKE transmitter fails to operate from a normal
distance, check for these two conditions:

1. A weak battery in the transmitter. The expected life of
the battery is a minimum of three years.

2. Closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, and some mobile or CB
radios.

REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

This system uses the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter 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 transmitter
may reduce this range.

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

• 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

2

28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• System not disabled from previous remote start event

• Vehicle security alarm not active

• Ignition in OFF position

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:

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) transmitters
away from children. Operation of the Remote Start
System, windows, door locks or other controls
could cause serious injury or death.

• 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 transmitter 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.

• The park lamps will turn on and remain on during

Remote Start mode.

• For security, power window and power sunroof op-

eration (if equipped) are disabled when the vehicle is
in the Remote Start mode.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29

• The engine can be started two consecutive times (two
15-minute cycles) with the RKE transmitter. 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

30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 transmitter to unlock the
doors and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm (if
equipped). Then, prior to the end of the 15-minute cycle,
push and release the START/STOP button.

NOTE: The message “Push Start Button” will display in
the DID until you push the START button.

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.

Door Lock Knob

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

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.

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31

WARNING! (Continued)

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

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

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32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR 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. For further
information, refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go™” under
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.

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 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 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33

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.

2

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.

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

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.

34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Engage Or Disengage The Child-Protection Door Lock System

1. Open the rear door.

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).

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™

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 transmitter lock or unlock buttons.

NOTE:

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

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35

• 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 the Passive Entry Door
Handle and no door goes ajar 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 transmitter 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.

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36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Unlock From The Passenger Side

With a valid Passive Entry RKE transmitter 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”).

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.

Preventing Inadvertent Locking Of Passive Entry RKE
Transmitter In Vehicle

To minimize the possibility of unintentionally locking a
Passive Entry RKE transmitter 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.

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
transmitter while a door is ajar.

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

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

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37

NOTE: The vehicle will only unlock the doors when the
doors are locked using the door panel switch, a valid
Passive Entry RKE transmitter is detected inside the
vehicle, and no valid Passive Entry RKE transmitter 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 transmitter 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.

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38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Enter The Trunk

With a valid Passive Entry RKE transmitter 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 transmitter 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 transmit­ters 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 transmitters
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:

WINDOWS

• 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
transmitter battery is dead.

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

Power Windows

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

Power Window Switches

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)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41

WARNING! (Continued)

ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N­Go™ 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.

2

42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Lift the window switch to the second detent, release, and
the window will go up automatically.

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

To close the window part way, lift the window switch to
the first detent 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 the switch lightly to the
first detent and hold 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.

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.

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).

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

2

Window Lockout Switch

44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

The trunk lid can be released from
outside the vehicle by pushing the
TRUNK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
twice within five seconds or by
using the external release switch
located on the underside of the
decklid overhang. The release fea-

Trunk Release

Button

ture 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.

Refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in “Things To Know
Before Starting Your Vehicle” for more 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45

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 simply opened by pulling on the glow-in-the-dark handle
attached to the trunk latching mechanism.

Trunk Emergency Internal Release

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46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

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#) should be
secured in a vehicle with a rear seat in child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats. Older children who do
not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats
should ride properly buckled up in a vehicle with a rear
seat.

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

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

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

7. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the 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 you and the door and you could be injured.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47

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 rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.

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48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlert)

BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the driver
and outboard front passenger (if equipped with out­board front passenger BeltAlert) to buckle their seat

belts. The feature is active whenever the ignition is in
the START or ON/RUN position. If the driver or
outboard front seat passenger is unbelted, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will turn on and remain on until both
outboard front seat belts are buckled.

The BeltAlert warning sequence begins after the vehicle
speed is over 5 MPH (8 km/h) by blinking the Seat Belt
Reminder Light and sounding an intermittent chime.
Once the sequence starts, it will continue for the entire
duration or until the respective seat belts are buckled.
After the sequence completes, the Seat Belt Reminder
Light remains illuminated until the respective seat belts
are buckled. The driver should instruct all other occu­pants to buckle their seat belts. If an outboard front seat
belt is unbuckled while traveling at speeds greater than
5 MPH (8 km/h), BeltAlert will provide both audio and
visual notification.

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 heavy
object is 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. Chrysler Group LLC does not recommend
deactivating BeltAlert.

NOTE: If BeltAlert has been deactivated, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will continue to illuminate while the
driver’s or outboard front passenger’s (if equipped with
BeltAlert) seat belt remains unbuckled.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49

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.

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50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

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

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

• 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)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51

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
wear your shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder belt
are meant to be used together.

(Continued)

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52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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 front seat.

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

Pulling Out The Latch Plate

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle Positioning The Lap Belt

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.

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54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

At about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate,

2.
grasp and twist the seat belt webbing 180° to create a fold
that begins immediately above the latch plate.

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

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

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.

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55

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.

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56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• 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.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.

Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the seat belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
Keep the seat belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.

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.

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) — If Equipped

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions may be
equipped with Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors
(ALR) which are 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57

2

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 ratch­eting sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow the webbing to
retract completely in this case and then carefully pull out
only the amount of webbing necessary to comfortably
wrap around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a #click.#

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is auto­matically pre locked. The seat belt will still retract to
remove any slack in the shoulder belt. Use the Automatic
Locking Mode anytime a child restraint is installed in a

seating position that has a seat belt with this feature.
Children 12 years old and under should always be
properly restrained in a vehicle with a rear seat.

WARNING!

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59

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

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60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

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

• Supplemental Side Air Bags

• Supplemental Knee Air Bags

• Seat Belt Pretenioners

• 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61

WARNING!

Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations

1—DriverAndPassengerAdvancedFrontAirBags
2 — Passenger Knee Impact Bolster
3 — Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag/Knee Bolster

• 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.

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62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

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.

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 bags 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.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63

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.

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64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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!

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

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

Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag

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

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.

Front Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag Label

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65

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 you
if you 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.

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66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 injury to front
and rear seat outboard occupants. SABICs may reduce
the risk of injuries in certain side impact and vehicle
rollover events, in addition to the 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 you if you 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.

WARNING!

Your vehicle is equipped with left and right Supple-

•

mental 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67

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.

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68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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! (Continued)

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

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.

(Continued)

NOTE: Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.

Side Impacts

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

Rollover Events

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.

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

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

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70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71

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 ignition is placed in the “OFF” position.

• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition is placed in
the “OFF” position.

• Unlock the doors automatically.

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72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

System Reset Procedure

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

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 is in the START
or ON/RUN position. If the ignition 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 is first placed in 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.

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 is first
placed in 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73

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 placed in the
on position, and 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.

2

74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermit­tently or remains on while driving have an authorized
dealer service the vehicle immediately. For additional infor­mation regarding the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light
refer to the “Instrument Panel” section of this manual.

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.

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 pushing the accelera­tor and/or brake pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75

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.

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76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Restraints

Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times, including babies and children.

Every state in the United States, and every Canadian
province, requires that small children ride in proper
restraint systems. This is the law, and you can be pros­ecuted for ignoring it.

Children 12 years or younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child can become a
projectile inside the vehicle. The force required to
hold even an infant on your lap could become so

(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 seat belt. Always check the child seat
Owner’s Manual to make sure you have the correct seat
for your child. Carefully read and follow all the instruc­tions and warnings in the child restraint Owner’s Manual
and on all the labels attached to the child restraint.

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77

NOTE:

For additional information, refer to www.seatcheck.org or

•

call 1–866–SEATCHECK (732–8243). Canadian residents
should refer to Transport Canada’s website for additional
information:

• www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safedrivers­childsafety-index-53.htm

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

2

Child Size, Height, Weight Or

Age

Infants and Toddlers Children who are two years old or

younger and who have not

reached the height or weight limits

of their child restraint

Recommended Type Of Child

Restraint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Con-

vertible Child Restraint, facing rear-

ward in the rear seat of the vehicle

78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Size, Height, Weight Or

Age

Small Children Children who are at least two

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

rear-facing child restraint

Larger Children Children who have out-grown

their forward-facing child restraint,

but are too small to properly fit

the vehicle’s seat belt

Children Too Large for Child

Restraints

Children 12 years old or younger,

who have out-grown the height or

weight limit of their booster seat

Recommended Type Of Child

Restraint

Forward-Facing Child Restraint

with a five-point Harness, facing

forward in the rear seat of the

vehicle

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and

the vehicle seat belt, seated in the

rear seat of the vehicle

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

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

2

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 forward­facing 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.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

The child could be badly injured or killed. Follow the
child restraint manufacturer’s directions exactly when
installing an infant or child restraint.

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

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

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 seat belt as low as possible,
touching the child’s thighs and not their stomach?

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81

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 seat 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 –

Seat Belt Only LATCH –

Lower Anchors

Only

XX

X

Lower Anchors

+ Top Tether

Anchor

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83

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
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.

2

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85

What is the weight limit (child’s weight +

weight of the child restraint) for using the

LATCH anchorage system to attach the

child restraint?

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 anchorage?

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 anchorage 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 in-

stall a child seat in the center position next

to a child seat using the LATCH anchor-

ages in an outboard position.

2

86 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch

the back of the front passenger seat?

Yes 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.

2

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 “Installing
The LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint System” 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.

3. Attach the lower hooks or connectors of the child
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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

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 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.

2

90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

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. For additional information on ALR,
refer to the “Automatic Locking Mode” description un­der “Occupant Restraints.”

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

2

92 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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?

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

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.”

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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 93

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.

Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to tighten the lap

7.
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.

2

94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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
seat belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether Anchorage

WARNING!

WARNING! (Continued)

(LATCH) Restraint System” for the location of ap­proved tether anchorages in your vehicle.

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

(Continued)

1.

Look behind the seating position where you
plan to install the child restraint to find the
tether anchorage. You may need to move the

seat forward to provide better access to the
tether anchorage. If there is no top tether anchorage for that
seating position, move the child restraint to another position
in the vehicle if one is available.

2. Rotate or lift the cover to access the anchor directly
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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 95

2

Tether Strap Mounting

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

96 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

Transporting Pets

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

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

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

A long break-in period is not required for the 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.”

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 97

SAFETY TIPS

Transporting Passengers

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.

WARNING!

2

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.

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

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle

•

that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.

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

98 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Exhaust Gas

WARNING!

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:

• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to move
your vehicle in or out of the area.

• If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate/
rear doors open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is
set at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation
mode.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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.