Honda Civic 2002 User Manual

Owner’s Identification

OWNER

ADDRESS

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

V. I. N.

DELIVERY DATE

(Date sold to original retail purchaser)

DEALER NAME DEALER NO.

ADDRESS

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

OWNER’S SIGNATURE

DEALER’S SIGNATURE

POSTAL CODE

POSTAL CODE

This Owner’s Manual should be considered
a permanent part of the car, and should
remain with the car when it is sold.

This Owner’s Manual covers all models of
the Civic 4-door. You may find descriptions
of equipment and features that are not on
your particular model.

The information and specifications included
in this publication were in effect at the time
of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specifications or
design at any time without notice and
without incurring any obligation whatsoever.

Si prefiere este Manual del
Propietario en español,
comuníquese con el concesionario
Honda.

POUR CLIENTS CANADIEN
AVIS IMPORTANT: Si vous avez
besoin d’un Manuel du Conducteur
en français, veuillez demander à
votreconcessionnairede
commander le numéro de pièce
33S5AC10

Introduction

Congratulations Your selection of a 2002 Honda Civic was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.

One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner’s manual in your car so you
can refer to it at any time.

Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.

Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps
to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment. When
your car needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda dealer’s staff is
specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Honda. Your
Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns.

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING:

California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

！

This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of

As you read this manual, you will
find information that is preceded by
a symbol. This
information is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Honda, other
property, or the environment.

i

AFewWordsAboutSafety

Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
car safely is an important
responsibility.

To help you make informed
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other information on labels and in
this manual. This information alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your car. You must use
your own good judgement.

ii

You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:

Safety Labels
Safety Messages

three signal words: , , or .
These signal words mean:

Safety Headings

Safety Precautions.

Safety Section
Instructions

This entire book is filled with important safety information please read it
carefully.

−

on the car.

−

preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of

DANGER WARNING CAUTION

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.

−

such as Important Safety Reminders or Important

−

such as Driver and Passenger Safety.

−

how to use this car correctly and safely.

−

Turn to the beginning of each section for a complete list of subjects.

...............Your Car at a Glance . 2

....Driver and Passenger Safety . 5

Important information about the
proper use and care of your car’s
seat belts, an overview of the
Supplemental Restraint System,
and valuable information on how
to protect children with child
restraints.

.....Instruments and Controls . 57

Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and
gauge, and how to use the controls
on the dashboard and steering
column.

Comfort and Convenience

............................Features . 105

How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
features.

...................Before Driving . 163

What gasoline to use, how to

break-in your new car, and how to
load luggage and other cargo.

..............................Driving . 177

The proper way to start the engine,
shift the transmission, and park.

......................Maintenance . 195

The Maintenance Schedule shows
you when you need to take your
car to the dealer. There is also a
list of things to check and
instructions on how to check them.

................Appearance Care . 257

Tips on cleaning and protecting
your car. Also some things to look
for if your car ever needs body
repairs.

Taking Careof the

.......................Unexpected . 265

This section covers several
problems motorists sometimes
experience, and details how to
handle them.

Contents

.........Technical Information . 293

ID numbers, dimensions, capaci­ties, and technical information.

Warranty and Customer
Relations

........(U.S. and Canada only) . 307

A summary of the warranties
covering your new Honda, and
how to contact us for any reason.
Refer to your warranty manual for
detailed information.

AuthorizedManuals

.........................(U.S.only) .311

How to order manuals and other
technical literature.

.....................................Index . I

Service Information Summary

A summary of information you need
when you pull up to the fuel pump.

1

Your Car at a Glance

PPOOWWEERR
DDOOOORR LLOOCCKK
SSWWIITTCCHH
((PP.. 8822))

PPOOWWEERR WWIINNDDOOWW
SSWWIITTCCHHEESS
((PP.. 9933))

FFUUEELL FFIILLLL DDOOOORR RREELLEEAASSEE
((PP.. 116655))

TTRRUUNNKK RREELLEEAASSEE
((PP.. 8866))

HHOOOODD RREELLEEAASSEE
HHAANNDDLLEE
((PP.. 116666))

AAIIRRBBAAGGSS
((PP.. 1100,, 4488))

AAUUTTOOMMAATTIICC TTRRAANNSSMMIISSSSIIOONN
((PP.. 118822))

MMAANNUUAALL TTRRAANNSSMMIISSSSIIOONN
((PP.. 118800))

AAUUDDIIOO SSYYSSTTEEMM
((PP.. 111144,, 112266,, 113388))

DDIIGGIITTAALL CCLLOOCCKK
((PP.. 111199,, 113311,, 114433))

HHEEAATTIINNGG//CCOOOOLLIINNGG CCOONNTTRROOLLSS
((PP.. 110066))

2

Your Car at a Glance

HHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTTSS//TTUURRNN SSIIGGNNAALLSS
((PP.. 7700,, 7722))

MMOOOONNRROOOOFF
((PP.. 9955))

CCRRUUIISSEE CCOONNTTRROOLL
MMAASSTTEERR SSWWIITTCCHH
((PP.. 115599))

MMIIRRRROORR CCOONNTTRROOLLSS
((PP.. 9966)) ((PP.. 7766))

WWIINNDDSSHHIIEELLDD WWIIPPEERRSS//WWAASSHHEERRSS
((PP.. 7722,, 7744))

TTIILLTT AADDJJUUSSTTMMEENNTT

HHAAZZAARRDD WWAARRNNIINNGG LLIIGGHHTTSS
((PP.. 7744))

CCRRUUIISSEE CCOONNTTRROOLL SSWWIITTCCHHEESS
((PP.. 116600))

RREEAARR WWIINNDDOOWW
DDEEFFOOGGGGEERR
((PP.. 7755))

3

4

Driver and Passenger Safety

This section gives you important
information about how to protect
yourself and your passengers. It
shows you how to use seat belts
properly. It explains your Supple­mental Restraint System. And it tells
you how to properly restrain infants
andchildreninyourcar.

.........Important Safety Precautions . 6

.............Your Car’s Safety Features . 7

.......................................Seat Belts . 8

.........................................Airbags . 10

.....................Seats & Seat-Backs . 11

..........................Head Restraints . 11

..................................Door Locks . 11

........Pre-Drive Safety Checklist . 12

............................Protecting Adults . 13

.....1. Close and Lock the Doors . 13

...........2. Adjust the Front Seats . 13

............3. Adjust the Seat-Backs . 15

5. Fasten and Position the Seat

.....................................Belts . 16

....6. Adjust the Steering Wheel . 18

7. Maintain a Proper Sitting

................................Position . 19

.....Advice for Pregnant Women . 20

........................Protecting Children . 22

All Children Must Be

...............................Restrained . 22

Children Should Sit in the Back

...........................................Seat . 23

The Passenger’s Front Airbag

Poses Serious Risks to

...............................Children . 23

If You Must Drive with Several

...................................Children . 25

If a Child Requires Close

..................................Attention . 26

General Guidelines for Using

...............................Child Seats . 27

.......................Protecting Infants . 31

...4. Adjust the Head Restraints . 16

...Additional Safety Precautions . 20

...Additional Safety Precautions . 26

.........Protecting Small Children . 35

.......Protecting Larger Children . 38

Using Child Seats with

.....................................Tethers . 42

.............................Using LATCH . 43

Additional Information About Your

.................................Seat Belts . 45

..Seat Belt System Components . 45

......................Lap/Shoulder Belt . 45

Automatic Seat Belt

...............................Tensioners . 46

...............Seat Belt Maintenance . 47

Additional Information About

...........................Your Airbags . 48

........................SRS Components . 48

How Your Front Airbags

.........................................Work . 48

...How Your Side Airbags Work . 50

How the SRS Indicator Light

.......................................Works . 51

How the Side Airbag Cut-off

...........Indicator Light Works . 52

.............................Airbag Service . 53

...Additional Safety Precautions . 53

.............Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54

...................................Safety Labels . 55

Driver and Passenger Safety

5

Important Safety Precautions

You’ll find many safety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.

Always Wear Your Seat Belt

A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inflate only in a
moderate to severe frontal collision.
So even though your car is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and
your passengers always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly.
(See page .)

Restrain All Children

Children are safest when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child safety seat. (See
page .)1622

6

Driver and Passenger Safety

Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed

While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Infants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to follow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page

.)

10

Don’t Drink and Drive

Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your friends
drink and drive, either.

Excessive speed is a major factor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
faster than is safe for current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.

Keep Your Car in Safe Condition

Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical failure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition frequently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)

200

((55))

((77))

((1100)) ((11)) ((33))

((88))

((22))

((44))

((66))

((77))

((99))

((11)) SSaaffeettyy CCaaggee
((22)) CCrruusshh ZZoonnee
((33)) SSeeaattss && SSeeaatt--BBaacckkss
((44)) HHeeaadd RReessttrraaiinnttss
((55)) CCoollllaappssiibbllee SStteeeerriinngg CCoolluummnn
((66)) SSeeaatt BBeellttss
((77)) FFrroonntt AAiirrbbaaggss
((88)) SSiiddee AAiirrbbaaggss

((OOppttiioonnaall oonn UU..SS.. mmooddeellss oonnllyy))
((99)) SSeeaatt BBeelltt TTeennssiioonneerrss
((1100)) DDoooorr LLoocckkss

((88))

((22))

Your Car’s Safety Features

Your car is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.

Some safety features do not require
anyactiononyourpart.These
include a strong steel framework
that forms a safety cage around the
passenger compartment; front and
rear crush zones that are designed to
crumple and absorb energy during a
crash; a collapsible steering column;
and seat belt tensioners that
automatically tighten the front seat
belts in the event of a crash.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

7

Your Car’s Safety Features

These safety features are designed
to reduce the severity of injuries in a
crash. However, you and your
passengers can’t take full advantage
of these safety features unless you
remain sitting in a proper position

alwayswear your seat belts

and

properly.

features can contribute to injuries if
they are not used properly.

8

In fact, some safety

Driver and Passenger Safety

Seat Belts

Foryoursafety,andthesafetyof
your passengers, your car is
equipped with seat belts in all seating
positions.

Your seat belt system also

includes a light on the
instrument panel to remind you and
your passengers to fasten your seat
belts.

Why Wear Seat Belts

Seat belts are the single most
effective safety device for adults and
larger children. (Infants and smaller
children must be properly restrained
in child seats.)

Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
though your car has airbags.

In addition, most states and all
Canadian provinces require you to
wear seat belts.

Your Car’s Safety Features

Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
if you have airbags.

Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.

When properly worn, seat belts:

Keep you connected to the vehicle
so you can take advantage of the
vehicle’s built-in safety features.

Help protect you in almost every
type of crash, including frontal,
side, and rear impacts and
rollovers.

Help keep you from being thrown
against the inside of the vehicle
and against other occupants.

Keep you from being thrown out
of the vehicle.

Help keep you in a good position
should the airbags ever deploy. A
good position reduces the risk of
injury from an inflating airbag, and
allows you to get the best
advantage from the airbag.

Of course, seat belts cannot
completely protect you in every
crash.Butinmostcases,seatbelts
can reduce your risk of serious
injury.

What you should do:

your seat belt, and make sure you
wear it properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Always wear

9

Your Car’s Safety Features

Airbags

Your car has a Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) with front
airbags to help protect the heads and
chests of the driver and a front seat
passenger during a moderate to
severe frontal collision.

10

Driver and Passenger Safety

Only on U.S. models equipped with side
airbags.

Your car also has side airbags to help
protect the upper torso of the driver
or a front seat passenger during a
moderate to severe side impact.

The most important things you need
to know about your airbags are:

Airbags do not replace seat belts.

They are designed to supplement
the seat belts.

Airbags off er no protection in rear
impacts, rollovers, or minor
frontal or side collisions.

Airbags can pose serious hazards.

To do their job, airbags must
inflate with tremendous force and
speed. So while airbags help save
lives, they can cause minor injuries,
or more serious or even fatal
injuries if occupants are not
properly restrained or sitting
properly.

What you should do:

Always wear
your seat belt properly, and sit
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel or
dashboard.

Your Car’s Safety Features

Seats & Seat-Backs

Your car’s seats are designed to keep
you in a comfortable, upright
position so you can take full
advantage of the protection offered
by seat belts and the energy
absorbing materials in the seats.

How you adjust your seats and seat­backs can also affect your safety. For
example, sitting too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard
increases the risk of you or your
passenger being injured by striking
theinsideofthecar,orbyan
inflating airbag.

Reclining a seat-back too far reduces
the seat belt’s effectiveness and
increases the chance that the seat’s
occupant will slide under the seat
belt in a crash and be seriously
injured.

What you should do:

seats as far back as possible, and
keep adjustable seat-backs in an
upright position whenever the car is
moving.

Head Restraints

Head restraints can help protect you
from whiplash and other injuries. For
maximum protection, the back of
your head should rest against the
center of the head restraint.

Move the front

Door Locks

Keeping your doors locked reduces
thechanceofbeingthrownoutof
the car during a crash. It also helps
prevent occupants from accidentally
opening a door and falling out, and
outsiders from unexpectedly opening
your doors.

Driver and Passenger Safety

11

Your Car’s Safety Features

Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist

To make sure you and your
passengers get the maximum
protection from your car’s safety
features, check the following each
time before you drive away:

All adults, and children who have
outgrown child safety seats, are
wearing their seat belts and
wearingthemproperly(seepage

).

Any infant or small child is
properly restrained in a child seat
inthebackseat(seepage ).

12

Driver and Passenger Safety

22

Frontseatoccupantsaresitting
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel and
dashboard (see page ).1613

Seat-backs are upright (see page

).

15

Head restraints are properly
adjusted (see page ).

All doors are closed and locked
(see page ).

All cargo is properly stored or
secured (see page ).

13

16

173

The rest of this section gives more
detailed information about how you
can maximize your safety.

Remember, however, that no safety
system can prevent all injuries or
deaths that can occur in severe
crashes, even when seat belts are
properly worn and the airbags deploy.

Introduction Adjust the Front SeatsClose and Lock the Doors1. 2.

The following pages provide
instructions on how to properly
protect the driver and other adult
occupants.

These instructions also apply to
children who have outgrown child
seats and are large enough to wear
lap/shoulder belts. (See page for
important additional guidelines on
how to properly protect larger
children.)

38

After everyone has entered the car,
be sure the doors are closed and
locked.

For safety, locking the doors reduces
the chance that a passenger,
especially a child, will open a door
while the car is moving and
accidentally fall out. It also reduces
the chance of someone being thrown
out of the car during a crash.

For security, locked doors can
prevent an outsider from
unexpectedly opening a door when
you come to a stop.

See page for how to lock the
doors.

81

Any driver who sits too close to the
steering wheel is at risk of being
seriously injured or killed by striking
the steering wheel or from being
struck by an inflating front airbag
during a crash.

Protecting Adults

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

13

Protecting Adults

To reduce the chance of injury, wear
your seat belt properly, sit upright
with your back against the seat, and
movetheseatawayfromthe
steering wheel to the farthest
distance that allows you to maintain
full control of the car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that drivers
adjust the seat so the center of the
chest is at least 10 inches (25 cm)
away from the center of the steering
wheel.Alsomakesureyourfront
seat passenger moves the seat as far
to the rear as possible.

14

Driver and Passenger Safety

Sitting too close to a front
airbag can result in serious
injury or death if the front
airbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from the
front airbags as possible.

Most shorter drivers can get far
enough away from the steering
wheel and still reach the pedals.
However, if you are concerned about
sitting too close, we recommend that
you investigate whether some type
of adaptive equipment may help.

Once your seat is adjusted correctly,
rock it back and forth to make sure
the seat is locked in position.

See page for how to adjust the
front seats.

88

Protecting Adults

Adjust the Seat-Backs3.

Adjust the driver’s seat-back to a
comfortable, upright position,
leaving ample space between your
chest and the airbag cover in the
center of the steering wheel. If you
sit too close to the steering wheel,
you could be injured if the front
airbag inflates.

A front passenger should also adjust
the seat-back to an upright position,
but as far from the dashboard as
possible. A passenger who sits too
close to the dashboard could be
injured if the front airbag inflates.

Reclining a seat-back so that the
shoulder part of the belt no longer
rests against the occupant’s chest
reduces the protective capability of
the belt. It also increases the chance
of sliding under the belt in a crash
and being seriously injured. The
farther a seat-back is reclined, the
greater the risk of injury.

Reclining the seat-back too far
can result in serious injury or
death in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to an
upright position and sit well
back in the seat.

See page for how to adjust seat­backs.

88

Driver and Passenger Safety

15

Protecting Adults

Adjust the Head Restraints Fastenand Position the Seat

4. 5.
Belts

Before driving, make sure everyone
with an adjustable head restraint has
properly positioned the head
restraint. The restraint should be
positioned so the back of the
occupant’s head rests against the
center of the restraint. A taller
person should adjust the restraint as
high as possible.

Improperly positioning head
restraints reduces their
effectiveness and you can be
seriously injured in a crash.

Make sure head restraints are
in place and positioned properly
before driving.

Properly adjusted head restraints
will help protect occupants from
whiplash and other crash injuries.

See page for how to adjust the
head restraints.

90

Insert the latch plate into the buckle,
then tug on the belt to make sure the
belt is securely latched. Also check
that the belt is not twisted, because a
twisted belt can cause serious
injuries in a crash.

16

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

Position the lap part of the belt as
low as possible across your hips,
then pull up on the shoulder part of
the belt so the lap part fits snugly.
This lets your strong pelvic bones
take the force of a crash and reduces
the chance of internal injuries.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again
to remove any slack from the
shoulder part, then check that the
belt rests across the center of your
chest and over your shoulder. This
spreads the forces of a crash over
the strongest bones in your upper
body.

Improperly positioning the seat
belts can cause serious injury
or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are
properly positioned before
driving.

If the seat belt touches or crosses
your neck, or if it crosses your arm
instead of your shoulder, you need to
adjust the seat belt anchor height.

To adjust the height of a front seat
belt anchor, squeeze the two release
buttons and slide the anchor up or
down as needed (it has four
positions).

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

17

Protecting Adults

Never place the shoulder portion of a
lap/shoulder belt under your arm or
behind your back.

This could cause

very serious injuries in a crash.

18

Driver and Passenger Safety

If a seat belt does not seem to work
as it should, it may not protect the
occupant in a crash.

sit in a seat with an inoperative seat
belt.

Anyone using a seat belt that is

No one should

not working properly can be
seriously injured or killed. Have your
Honda dealer check the belt as soon
as possible.

See page for additional

45
information about your seat belt
system and how to take care of your
belts.

Adjust the Steering Wheel6.

Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,
so that the wheel points toward your
chest, not toward your face.

Pointing the steering wheel toward
your chest provides optimal
protection from the airbag.

See page for how to adjust the

76

steering wheel.

Protecting Adults

Maintain a Proper Sitting

7.
Position

After all occupants have adjusted
their seats and put on seat belts, it is
very important that they continue to
sit upright, well back in their seats,
with their feet on the floor, until the
car is parked and the engine is off.

Sitting improperly can increase the
chance of injury during a crash. For
example, if an occupant slouches,
lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both feet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is
greatly increased.

In addition, an occupant who is out of
position in the front seat can be
seriously or fatally injured by
striking interior parts of the car, or
by being struck by an inflating front
airbag. Being struck by an inflating
side airbag can result in possibly
serious injuries.

Sitting improperly or out of
position can result in serious
injury or death in a crash.

Always sit upright, well back in
the seat, with your feet on the
floor.

Remember, to get the best
protection from your car’s airbags
and other safety features, you must
sit properly and wear your seat belt
properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

19

Protecting Adults

Advice for Pregnant Women Additional Safety Precautions

Because protecting the mother is the
best way to protect her unborn child,
a pregnant woman should always
wear a seat belt whenever she drives
or rides in a vehicle.

Remember to keep the lap portion of
the belt as low as possible across
your hips.

20

Driver and Passenger Safety

Pregnant women should also sit
upright and as far back as possible
from the steering wheel or
dashboard. This will reduce the risk
of injuries toboth the mother and
her unborn child that can be caused
by a crash or an inflating airbag.

Each time you have a check-up, ask
your doctor if it’s okay for you to
drive.

Two people should never use the
same seat belt.

could be very seriously injured in a
crash.

Do not put any accessories on seat
belts.

Devices intended to improve
occupant comfort or reposition the
shoulder part of a seat belt can
severely compromise the
protective capability of the seat
belt and increase the chance of
serious injury in a crash.

If they do, they

Protecting Adults

Do not place hard or sharp objects
between yourself and a front
airbag.

Carrying hard or sharp
objects on your lap, or driving with
a pipe or other sharp object in
your mouth, can result in injuries
if your front airbag inflates.

Do not attach or place objects on
the front airbag covers.

Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard could
interfere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone.

On U.S. models with side airbags,
do not attach hard objects on or
near a front door.

If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.

Keep your hands and arms away
from the airbag covers.

If your
hands or arms are close to the
airbag cover in the center of the
steering wheel or on top of the
dashboard, they could be injured if
the front airbags inflate.

Driver and Passenger Safety

21

Protecting Children

Children depend on adults to protect
them. However, despite their best
intentions, many parents and other
adults may not know how to
protect young passengers.

So if you have children, or if you ever
need to drive with a grandchild or
otherchildreninyourcar,besureto
read this section.

properly

Children who are unrestrained
or improperly restrained can be
seriously injured or killed in a
crash.

Any child too small for a seat
belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat. A
larger child should be properly
restrained with a seat belt.

AllChildrenMust BeRestrained

Each year, many children are injured
or killed in vehicle crashes because
they are either unrestrained or not
properly restrained. In fact, vehicle
accidents are the number one cause
of death of children ages 12 and
under.

To reduce the number of child
deaths and injuries, every state and
Canadian province requires that
infants and children be restrained
whenever they ride in a vehicle.

Anychildwhoistoosmalltoweara
seat belt should be properly
restrained in a child seat.

(See page

.)

A larger child should always be
restrained with a seat belt.

(See page

.)2738

22

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

Additional Precautions to Parents

Neverholdaninfantorchildon
your lap.

If you are not wearing a
seat belt in a crash, you could be
thrown forward into the
dashboard and crush the child.

Ifyouarewearingaseatbelt,the
child can be torn from your arms
during a crash. For example, if
your car crashes into a parked
vehicleat30mph(48km/h),a
20-lb (9 kg) infant will become a
600-lb (275 kg) force, and you will
not be able to hold on.

Never put a seat belt over yourself
and an infant or child.

During a
crash, the belt could press deep
into the child and cause very
serious injuries.

Children Should Sit in the Back
Seat

According to accident statistics,
children of all ages and sizes are
safer when they are restrained in the
back seat, not the front seat. The
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
ages 12 and under be properly
restrained in the back seat.

In the back seat, children are less
likely to be injured by striking hard
interior parts during a collision or
hard braking. Also, children cannot
be injured by an inflating airbag
when they ride in the back.

The Passenger’s Front Airbag
Poses Serious Risks to Children

Front airbags have been designed to
help protect adults in a moderate to
severe frontal collision. To do this,
the passenger’s front airbag is quite
large, and it inflates with tremendous
speed.

Infants
Never put a rear-f acing child seat in
the front seat of a vehicle equipped
with a passenger’s front airbag.

If
the airbag inflates, it can hit the back
of the child seat with enough force
to kill or very seriously injure an
infant.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

23

Protecting Children

Placing a forward-facing child seat in
the front seat of a vehicle equipped
with a passenger’s front airbag can
be hazardous.

too far forward, or the child’s head is
thrown forward during a collision, an
inflating front airbag can strike the
child with enough force to kill or
very seriously injure a small child.

Larger Children
Children whohave outgrown child
seats are also at risk of being injured
or killed by an inflating passenger’s
front airbag.

larger children should sit in the back
seat, properly restrained with a seat
belt. (See page for important
information about protecting larger
children.)

If the vehicle seat is

Whenever possible,

38

U.S. ModelsSmall Children

To remind you of the passenger’s
front airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in the back seat, your car has
warninglabelsonthedashboardand
on the driver’s and front passenger’s
visors. Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.

24

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

Canadian Models

To remind you of the front airbag
hazards, your car has warning labels
on the driver’s and front passenger’s
visors. Please read and follow the
instructions on these labels.

If You Must Drive with Several
Children

Your car has three seating positions
in the back seat where children can
be properly restrained.

If you ever have to carry more than
three children in your car:

Place the largest child in the front
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear a seat belt
properly (see page ).

Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page ).

Have the child sit upright and well
backintheseat(seepage ).

Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page

).

16

Driver and Passenger Safety

38

13

19

25

Protecting Children

Attention

Many parents say they prefer to put
an infant or small child in the front
passenger seat so they can watch the
child, or because the child requires
attention.

Placing a child in the front seat
exposes the child to hazards from
the passenger’s front airbag, and
paying close attention to a child
distracts the driver from the
important tasks of driving, placing
both of you at risk.

If a child requires physical attention
or frequent visual contact, we
strongly recommend that another
adult ride with the child in the back
seat. The back seat is far safer for a
child than the front.

26

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Safety PrecautionsIf a Child Requires Close

Use childproof door locks to
prevent children from opening the
doors.

Using this feature will
prevent children from opening the
doors and accidentally falling out
(see page ).

Use the main power window
switch to prevent children from
opening the rear windows.

86

Using
this feature will prevent children
from playing with the windows,
which could expose them to
hazards or distract the driver (see
page ).

94

Do not leave children alone in your
vehicle.

Leaving children without
adult supervision is illegal in most
states and Canadian provinces,
and can be very hazardous. For
example, infants and small
childrenleftinavehicleonahot
day can die from heatstroke. And
children left alone with the key in

the ignition can accidentally set
the vehicle in motion, possibly
injuring themselves or others.

Lock all doors and the trunk when
your vehicle is not in use.

Children
who play in cars can accidentally
get trapped inside the trunk.
Teach your children not to play in
or around cars. Know how to
operate the emergency trunk
opener (U.S. models only) and
decide if your children should be
shown how to use this feature (see
page ).

87

Keep car keys and remote
transmittersout of the reach of
children.

Even very young
children learn how to unlock
vehicle doors, turn on the ignition,
and open the trunk, which can
lead to accidental injury or death.

Protecting Children

General Guidelines for Using
Child Seats

The following pages give general
guidelines for selecting and installing
child seats for infants and small
children.

Selecting a Child Seat

To provide proper protection, a child
seat should meet three
requirements:

The child seat should meet safety

1.
standards.

The child seat should
meet Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213)
or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 (CMVSS 213). Look
for the manufacturer’s statement
of compliance on the box and seat.

The child seat should be of the

2.
proper type and size to fit the child.

Infants:

Childrenuptoaboutone
year old should be restrained in a
rear-facing, reclining child seat. Only
a rear-facing seat provides the
proper support to protect an infant’s
head, neck, and back. See page

foradditional information on

31

protecting infants.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

27