PONTIAC Montana 2004 User Manual

2004 Pontiac Montana Owner Manual M

Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats
Rear Seats
Safety Belts
Child Restraints
Air Bag Systems

............................................... 1-3

............................................... 1-7

............................................. 1-30

....................................... 1-57

...................................... 1-96

Restraint System Check

Features and Controls

Keys
Doors and Locks
Windows

........................................................ 2-3

....................................... 2-9

................................................. 2-24

Theft-Deterrent Systems

........................... 1-1

.......................... 1-106

..................................... 2-1

............................ 2-27

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
Mirrors
OnStar
HomeLink
Storage Areas
Vehicle Personalization

Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel Overview
Climate Controls

.................................................... 2-45

®

System

®

Transmitter

...................................... 2-46

............................. 2-48

......................................... 2-52

............................. 2-60

............................................. 3-1

.......................... 3-4

...................................... 3-26

Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
Message Center

....................................... 3-49

........... 2-31

........ 3-36

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Audio System(s)

Driving Your Vehicle

....................................... 3-59

....................................... 4-1

.................. 3-56

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
Towing

Service and Appearance Care

Service
Fuel
Checking Things Under the Hood
All-Wheel Drive
Bulb Replacement

................................................... 4-31

.......................... 5-1

..................................................... 5-3

......................................................... 5-4

............... 5-10

........................................ 5-48

.................................... 5-50

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Vehicle Identification
Electrical System
Capacities and Specifications

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Schedule

...................................................... 5-58

..................................... 5-97

............................... 5-105

.................................... 5-106

................... 5-114

..................................... 6-1

................................ 6-2

Customer Assistance and Information

Customer Assistance and Information
Reporting Safety Defects

................................................................ 1

Index

........................... 7-10

..... 4-2

......... 5-56

.............. 7-1

........... 7-2

Canadian Owners

A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer or from:

Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, PONTIAC,
the PONTIAC Emblem and the name MONTANA are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of
Canada Limited” for Pontiac Division whenever it
appears in this manual.

Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the
new owner can use it.

Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 10336277 B First Edition

ii

How to Use This Manual

Many people read the owner manual from beginning to
end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it can help you learn about the features
and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work
together in the owner manual to explain things.

Index

A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what
is in the manual, and the page number where you will
find it.

©

Copyright General Motors Corporation 11/26/03

All Rights Reserved

Safety Warnings and Symbols

You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.

{CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
or others could be hurt.

You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t let
this happen.”

iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Vehicle Symbols

Also, in this manual you will find these notices:

Notice: These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.

A notice tells about something that can damage your
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.

There are also warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

iv

The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specific component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.

If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the
following topics:

• Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1

• Features and Controls in Section 2

• Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3

• Climate Controls in Section 3

• Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3

• Audio System(s) in Section 3

• Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5

These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:

v

✍ NOTES

vi

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats ......................................................1-3

Manual Seats ................................................1-3

Six-Way Power Seats .....................................1-4

Heated Seats .................................................1-4

Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-5

Head Restraints .............................................1-7

Rear Seats .......................................................1-7

Rear Seat Operation .......................................1-7

Second Row Safety Belt Stowage .....................1-7

Flip and Fold Feature .....................................1-8

Split Bench Seats ...........................................1-8

Bucket Seats ...............................................1-16

Captain Chairs .............................................1-22

Stowable Seat ..............................................1-26

Safety Belts ...................................................1-30

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-30

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-34

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-35

Driver Position ..............................................1-36

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-45

Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-46

Center Passenger Position (Bucket Seat) .........1-46

Center Passenger Position (Bench Seat) ..........1-48

Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-50

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for

Children and Small Adults ..........................1-54

Safety Belt Pretensioners ...............................1-56

Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-56

Child Restraints .............................................1-57

Older Children ..............................................1-57

Infants and Young Children ............................1-60

Child Restraint Systems .................................1-64

Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-67

Top Strap ....................................................1-67

Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-69

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-71

Securing a Child Restraint Designed

for the LATCH System ...............................1-73

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear

Outside Seat Position ................................1-73

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center

Seat Position (Third Row Bench Seat) ..........1-77

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center

Seat Position (Bucket Seat) ........................1-79

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right

Front Seat Position ....................................1-81

Built-In Child Restraint ...................................1-84

Air Bag Systems ............................................1-96

Where Are the Air Bags? ...............................1-99

When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ..................1-102

What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? ....................1-103

1-1

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

How Does an Air Bag Restrain? ...................1-103

What Will You See After an

Air Bag Inflates? ......................................1-104

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ........1-106

1-2

Restraint System Check ................................1-106

Checking Your Restraint Systems ..................1-106

Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash ..........................................1-107

Front Seats

Manual Seats

Use the lever located on
the front of the seat to
adjust the seat forward or
rearward. Pull up the lever
to unlock the seat. Slide the
seat to where you want it
and release the lever.

{CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle
is moving. The sudden movement could startle
and confuse you, or make you push a pedal
when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s
seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

To make sure the seat is locked into place, try to move
the seat back and forth with your body.

1-3

Six-Way Power Seats

Heated Seats

Your vehicle may have this
feature. If it does, the
six-way power seat control
is located on the outboard
sides of the driver’s and
front passenger’s seats.

• Move the front of the control up or down to adjust the

front portion of the cushion up or down.

• Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust the

rear portion of the cushion up or down.

• Lift up or push down on the whole control to move

the entire seat up or down.

• To move the whole seat forward or rearward, slide

the control forward or rearward.

1-4

Your vehicle may have this
feature. If it does, the
heated seat switches are
located in the instrument
panel switchbank.

This feature will heat the lower cushions and lower back
of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats for added
comfort.

The left switch is for the driver’s seat and the right
switch is for the front passenger’s seat. Press the bottom
of the switch to turn the heater on. The indicator light
on the switch will be lit. Press the top of the switch
to turn the heater off. The heated seat switch will turn
off when the ignition is turned to OFF and will resume
operation when the ignition is turned to RUN, unless the
switch is manually turned off.

Reclining Seatbacks

To adjust a seatback, pull up on the lever located on
the outboard side of the driver’s or front passenger’s
seats. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you
want it. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it’s
locked into position. Pull up on the lever, and the seat
will go to its original upright position.

1-5

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is
moving.

{CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle
is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you
buckle up, your safety belts can not do their
job when you are reclined like this.

The shoulder belt can not do its job because it
will not be against your body. Instead, it will be
in front of you. In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.

The lap belt can not do its job either. In a
crash the belt could go up over your abdomen.
The belt forces would be there, not at your
pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal
injuries.

For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety belt
properly.

1-6

Head Restraints

Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint
is closest to the top of your head. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

Head restraints are fixed on some models and
adjustable on others. To adjust a head restraint,
slide it up or down.

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Operation

The rear seats in your vehicle have levers and straps
used to adjust, remove, and reinstall the seats. By using
the levers and straps in the correct order, you can
easily remove the seats from the vehicle.

When you put the seats back in the vehicle, follow the
label on the back of the seat for proper location.

Second Row Safety Belt Stowage

If your vehicle has a split bench seat in the second row,
use the clip on the safety belt to secure the belt after it is
disconnected from the mini-buckle. When removing the
second row split bench seat, secure the loose end of the
safety belt in this clip. This will keep the safety belt from
dangling and possibly striking something.

Do not have the second row outside safety belt stored if
someone is sitting in the second row outside position.

1-7

Flip and Fold Feature

The rear seats in your vehicle can be folded forward.
Use this feature for exiting and entering third row seats.

1. If the seats have the adjustable head restraints,
push them fully down.

2. Fold the seatback flat
on the seat, by either
pulling on the nylon
strap on the rear of the
seat or lifting up on
the lever located on the
front of the seatback.
If the seat adjusts, slide
it all the way back.

3. Release the rear set of
hooks from the floor
pins by pulling the
nylon strap located at
the base of the
seat; hang on to the
strap as the seat folds
forward.

To return the seat(s) to the normal position, do the
following:

1. Push the seat back and firmly push the rear hooks
onto the rear floor pins by pushing down on the
rear of the seat.

2. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.

3. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon
strap on the back of the seat and raise the
seatback until it locks upright.

4. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked.

Split Bench Seats

If you have the split bench seat (50/50 or 40/60), the
seatbacks can be folded forward or reclined individually
and the seats can be removed individually. The
second row (40/60) sections can also be adjusted
forward or rearward individually.

The second row (40/60) split bench may be equipped
with a built-in child restraint. See Built-In Child Restraint
on page 1-84.

1-8

Adjusting the Split Bench Seats
(Second Row)

The second row bench seats are adjustable. There are
two adjustment levers on each section of the split
bench seats to adjust the seat forward or rearward.

One is located below the center, in the front of each
section of the split bench.

The other lever is located
on the rear of the seat.

Lift up either lever and slide the seat forward or
rearward. Release the lever. Push and pull on
the seat to make sure it is locked into place.

1-9

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

The seatbacks on each section of the split bench seat
can be either folded forward or reclined. The following
explains how to use the nylon strap or recliner lever
to fold or recline the seatbacks.

1-10

Nylon Strap

To fold the seatback forward, pull the nylon strap
located on the rear of the seat or lift up on the recliner
lever located on the front of the seatback. The
seatback will lock into place.

Recliner Lever

To raise a seatback, pull the nylon strap or lift the
recliner lever while raising the seatback until it locks
upright. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked into place.

To recline the seatback, pull the nylon strap or lift the
recliner lever. Press back on the seatback until you
reach the desired position then let go of the strap
or lever.

To return the seatback to an upright position, pull on the
nylon strap or lift the recliner lever without putting any
pressure on the seatback. Push and pull on the
seatback to be sure it is locked into place.

Removing the Split Bench Seat

Make sure the seatback is in the upright position.

1. For the second row split bench, with the seatback
in the upright position, unhook the side attachment
for the safety belt. This mini-buckle is located
on the right side of the seat.

2. Push the red center of
the buckle with a small
pointed object to
remove the seat belt, if
needed.

3. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon
strap on the back of the seat to fold the seatback
forward.

4. If the seat is in the second row, lift one of the
adjustment levers and slide the seat fully rearward.

1-11

5. From behind the bench seat, pull the nylon strap at
the center of the base of the seat to release the
rear latches from the floor pins.

Do not let go of the strap until the seat is folded all
the way forward.

1-12

6. To unlatch the front latches, squeeze the angled
bar toward the straight crossbar.

7. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly forward, then
toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out.

Repeat these steps for the other section of the split
bench seat.

Replacing the Split Bench Seats

{CAUTION:

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

{CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop.
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure
to lock the seat into place properly when
installing it.

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the
protection needed in a crash. The person
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
After installing the seat, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are properly routed
and attached, and are not twisted.

Make sure the seatback is in the upright position and
the safety belts are on the correct section of the seat.

Don’t put the sections of the bench seat in so they face
rearward because they won’t latch that way. If you
want more storage room behind the second row seat,
adjust each section by sliding it forward.

The split bench seats have seat position labels, located
on the back of each seat, showing where the seat
must go. Follow that diagram.

The seat must be placed in the proper location for the
legs to attach correctly.

1-13

Make sure the seat is in the full rear position before
beginning this procedure.

1. Squeeze the angled bar toward the solid crossbar
while placing the front hooks of the bench seat onto
the front two floor pins.

2. Make sure the bench
seat is angled so that
the front hooks
clear the floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear
legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

1-14

If the front latches are not attaching correctly, check
that the seat is in the full rear position.

3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins
by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.

5. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon
strap on the back of the seat and raise the
seatback until it locks upright.

6. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked.

7. If you have the 40/60 seat, attach the mini-buckle
so that the safety belt is ready for use when a
passenger uses the seat.

The buckle reattaches by pushing the latch into the
buckle until the red center pops out again.

Repeat these steps for the other section of the split
bench seat.

1-15

Bucket Seats

If your vehicle has the bucket seats, the seatbacks can
be folded down or reclined. The seats can also be
adjusted forward or rearward and removed.

One of the bucket seats may be equipped with a built-in
child restraint. See Built-In Child Restraint on page 1-84.

Adjusting the Bucket Seats

There are two adjustment levers on each seat to adjust
the seat forward or rearward.

One is located below the center, in front of the
bucket seats.

The other lever is located
on the rear of the
bucket seat.

Lift up either lever and slide the seat forward or
rearward.

Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make
sure it is locked into place.

1-16

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

The seatback on a bucket seat can be either folded
forward or reclined. The following explains how to use
either the nylon strap or the lever to fold or recline
the seatback.

Nylon Strap

To fold the seatback forward, pull the nylon strap
located on the rear of the seat or lift up on the recliner
lever located on the front of the seatback. The
seatback will lock into place.

Recliner Lever

1-17

To raise a seatback, pull the nylon strap or lift the
recliner lever while raising the seatback until it locks
upright. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is
locked into place.

To recline the seatback, pull the nylon strap or lift the
recliner lever. Press back on the seatback until you reach
the desired position, then let go of the strap or lever.

To return the seatback to an upright position, pull on the
nylon strap or lift the recliner lever without putting any
pressure on the seatback. Push and pull on the
seatback to be sure it is locked into place.

Removing the Bucket Seats

Make sure the seatback is in the upright position.
The head restraints should be fully down.

1. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon
strap on the back of the seat to fold the seatback
forward.

2. Slide the seat all the way back by lifting either one
of the adjuster levers and sliding the seat fully
rearward.

3. From behind the seat, pull the nylon strap, located
at the base of the seat, to release the rear latches
from the floor pins.

1-18

You can also lift the lever on the side of the seat to
release the rear latches from the floor pins.

Do not let go of the strap or lever until the seat is
folded all the way forward.

4. To unlatch the front latches, with the seat folded
forward, squeeze the angled bar toward the
straight crossbar.

5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly forward, then
toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it
out. This should be done in one motion.

1-19

Replacing the Bucket Seats

{CAUTION:

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

{CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop.
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure
to lock the seat into place properly when
installing it.

1-20

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the
protection needed in a crash. The person
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
After installing the seat, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are properly routed
and attached, and are not twisted.

Don’t put the seats in so they face rearward because
they won’t latch that way. If you want more storage room
behind the seat, adjust the seat by sliding it forward.

The bucket seats have seat position labels, located on
the back of the seat, showing where the seat must
go. Follow that diagram. The seat must be placed in the
proper location for the legs to attach correctly.

Make sure the seats are in the full rear position before
beginning this procedure.

1. With the seat folded, squeeze the angled bar
toward the straight crossbar while placing the
front hooks of the bucket seat onto the front two
floor pins.

2. Make sure the bucket
seat is angled so that
the front hooks
clear the floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear
legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

If the front latches are not attaching correctly, check
that the seat is in the full rear position.

3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins
by pushing down the rear of the seat.

4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.

5. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon
strap on the back of the seat and raise the
seatback until it locks upright.

6. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it
is locked in place.

1-21

Captain Chairs

If your vehicle has captain’s chairs, the chairs and
seatbacks can be adjusted forward or rearward.

Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs
(Second Row)

The second row captain’s chairs can be adjusted
forward or rearward.

There are two adjustment levers on each seat. One is
located below the center, in front of the seat. The
other is located across the rear of the seat.

Lift up either lever to slide the seat forward or rearward.
Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make
sure it is locked into place.

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

To recline the seatback, lift up on the recliner lever,
located on the outboard side of the seat. Use the recliner
lever to move the seatback to the desired position.

It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you
lean forward, taking the weight off the seatback.

The seatbacks on the second row captain’s chairs also
fold forward to put items behind the left and right
seats.

Lift up on the recliner lever and fold the seatback
forward. The seatback will lock into place when you
push it back to the upright position.

The armrests can be lowered or raised for entering or
exiting the vehicle.

1-22

Removing the Captain’s Chairs

1. Pull the nylon strap behind the chair to release the
rear hooks from the floor pins.

2. The seat can then be lifted off the front floor pins
and removed from the vehicle.

1-23

Replacing the Captain’s Chairs

{CAUTION:

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

{CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop.
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure
to lock the seat into place properly when
installing it.

1-24

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the
protection needed in a crash. The person
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
After installing the seat, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are properly routed
and attached, and are not twisted.

Don’t put the seats in so they face rearward because
they won’t latch that way. For the second row, if
you want more storage room behind the seat, adjust the
seat by sliding it forward.

The captain’s chairs have seat position labels, located
on the back of the seat, showing where the seat
must go. Follow that diagram. The seat must be placed
in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly.

Make sure the seatbacks are in the upright position, the
seat belts are on the correct side of the chairs and
the second row captain’s chairs are in the full rear
position before beginning this procedure.

1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins. 2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear
latches onto the rear set of floor pins.

3. Push and pull on the seat to be sure it is properly
attached.

1-25

Stowable Seat

Your vehicle may have a stowable seat. The stowable
seat is a full bench seat and comes with the
convenience center. See Convenience Center on
page 2-58 for more information. The stowable seat can
be removed and replaced, or with the seatback
folded, it can lie flush with the convenience center.

Folding the Seatback

{CAUTION:

To fold down the seatback,
pull up on the lever located
on the back of the seat, and
push the seatback down
until it is locked into place.

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

1-26

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is
locked into place.

To raise the seatback, do one of the following:

• From the rear of the vehicle, pull up on the lever to

release the seatback, then pull the strap located on
the right side of the seat, to pull the seatback up.
The seatback has a patch of hook and loop fastener
to stow the strap on the rear of the seat when not
in use.

• From the passenger’s side sliding door, pull up on

the lever to release the seatback, then push up on
the seatback to raise the seat.

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is
locked into the upright position.

Removing the Stowable Seat

1. Remove the convenience center, if it is in the
vehicle. See Convenience Center on page 2-58
for more information.

2. Make sure all items are off of the stowable seat.

3. If the seatback is down, put the seatback in
its upright position before removing the seat.
See “Folding the Seatback” previously in this
section.

4. From behind the bench seat, push up the release
handles at the base of the seat to release the
latches from the floor pins.

5. While holding onto the crossbar at the bottom of the
seat, remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward
the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out.
This should be done in one motion.

Notice: If you use the release handles to remove the
seat, the handles could break, and the repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Use the crossbar
located at the seat bottom to remove the seat.

1-27

Replacing the Stowable Seat

{CAUTION:

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is
locked.

1-28

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop.
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure
to lock the seat into place properly when
installing it.

{CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the
protection needed in a crash. The person
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
After installing the seat, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are properly routed
and attached, and are not twisted.

Do not put the stowable seat in so it faces rearward
because it will not latch that way. The stowable seat has
to go in before the convenience center. See
Convenience Center on page 2-58 for more information.

The stowable seat has seat position labels, located on
the back of the seat, showing where the seat must go.
Follow the floor pin diagram. Use the front floor pins of
the floor cups and the rear floor cups in the third row.

The seat must be placed in the proper location for the
legs to attach correctly.

Make sure the seat is in its upright position before
beginning this procedure.

1. Place the front hooks of the seat onto the front floor
pins in the third row. To do this, the seat will need to
be angled so the front hooks clear the floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear
legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

2. Firmly push the rear hooks into the rear floor pins
by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

3. Try to raise the seat to make sure
that it is locked down.

4. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure
that it is locked into place.

1-29

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety
belts properly. It tells you some things you should not
do with safety belts.

{CAUTION:

Do not let anyone ride where he or she can not
wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a
crash and you are not wearing a safety belt,
your injuries can be much worse. You can hit
things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it.
You can be seriously injured or killed. In the
same crash, you might not be, if you are
buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your passengers’ belts are
fastened properly too.

{CAUTION:

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

1-30

Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a
reminder to buckle up.
See Safety Belt Reminder
Light on page 3-40.

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law
says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.

After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!

Why Safety Belts Work

When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast
as it goes.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on
wheels.

1-31

Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider

1-32

doesn’t stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In
a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...

or the instrument panel...

1-33

or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.

You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be – whether you’re wearing a safety

belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. And your chance
of being conscious during and after an accident,
so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater
if you are belted.

1-34

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to

wear safety belts?

A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in

most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only; so they work with
safety belts – not instead of them. Every air bag
system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has
air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially in side and other collisions.

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an

accident – even one that isn’t your fault – you and
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km)
of home. And the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).

Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about

safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-57
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-60. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.

First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.

We’ll start with the driver position.

1-35

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.

1. Close and lock the door.

2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight.
To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

If the belt isn’t long enough, see Safety Belt
Extender on page 1-56.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-36

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this
applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be
less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it,
the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder
belt should go over the shoulder and across the
chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or crash,
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

1-37

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you.

To move it down, push down on the button and move
the height adjuster to the desired position. You can
move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder
belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you
want it, try to move it down without pushing the button
down to make sure it has locked into position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is
centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from
your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

1-38

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt
is too loose. In a crash, you would move
forward too much, which could increase injury.
The shoulder belt should fit against your body.

1-39

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt is
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,
the belt would go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic
bones. This could cause serious internal
injuries. Always buckle your belt into the
buckle nearest you.

1-40

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt goes
over an armrest like this. The belt would be
much too high. In a crash, you can slide under
the belt. The belt force would then be applied
at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and
that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be
sure the belt goes under the armrests.

1-41

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear the
shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your
body would move too far forward, which would
increase the chance of head and neck injury.
Also, the belt would apply too much force to
the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder
bones. You could also severely injure internal
organs like your liver or spleen.

1-42

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt.
In a crash, you would not have the full width of
the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is
twisted, make it straight so it can work
properly, or ask your dealer to fix it.

1-43

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
The belt should go back out of the way.

Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage
both the belt and your vehicle.

1-44

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible,
below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more
likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

1-45

Right Front Passenger Position

To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety
belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-36.

The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt – except for one thing.
If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the
way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature.
If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way
and start again.

Center Passenger Position (Bucket Seat)

1-46

Lap Belt

If your vehicle has bucket seats, someone can sit in the
center position bucket seat.

When you sit in the center position bucket seat, you
have a lap safety belt which has a retractor.

1. Pick up the latch plate and, in a single motion, pull
the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If
the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, let it go
back all the way and start again. Pull up on the
latch plate to make sure it is secure.

3. Feed the lap belt into the retractor to tighten it.

1-47

4. Position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap-shoulder belt.

If the belt isn’t long enough, see Safety Belt
Extender on page 1-56.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

Center Passenger Position (Bench Seat)

1-48

Lap Belt

If your vehicle has a third row rear bench seat, someone
can sit in the center position.

When you sit in the center position of the bench seat,
you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor.
To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it
along the belt.

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown
until the belt is snug.

Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long
enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-56.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt
quickly if you ever had to.

1-49

Rear Seat Passengers

It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle
up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the
rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those
who are wearing safety belts.

Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike
others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

1-50

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder
belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
In the third row, if the belt stops before it reaches

the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling
until you can buckle it.

1-51

Third Row Outside Passenger Position

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way,

it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and
start again.

If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt
Extender on page 1-56.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-52

3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash this
applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be
less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it,
the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder
belt should go over the shoulder and across the
chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash,
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt
is too loose. In a crash, you would move
forward too much, which could increase injury.
The shoulder belt should fit against your body.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

1-53

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults

Rear safety belt comfort guides will provide added
safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for small adults. When installed on
a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions
the belt away from the neck and head.

If your vehicle has bucket seats in the second row,
there is one guide for each outside passenger position.
If your vehicle has a bench seat in the second row,
there is one guide for the driver’s side outside passenger
position. To provide added safety belt comfort for
children who have outgrown child restraints and booster
seats and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may
be installed on the shoulder belts. Here’s how to install
a comfort guide and use the safety belt:

1. Remove the guide from its storage pocket on the
side of the seatback.

1-54

2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two
edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.
The guide must be on top of the belt.

1-55

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-50.
Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the
shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the
belt edges together so that you can take them out of the
guides. Slide the guide into the storage pocket.

Safety Belt Pretensioners

Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. You’ll find
them on the buckle end of the safety belts for the driver
and right front passenger. They help the safety belts
reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to
severe crash in which the front of the vehicle hits
something.

Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a
crash, you’ll need to get new ones, and probably other
new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing
Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-107.

Safety Belt Extender

If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.

But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat in your
vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it,
and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear
it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.

1-56

Child Restraints

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.

If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A: If possible, an older child should wear a

lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt
should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt
should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the
top of the thighs. It should never be worn over
the abdomen, which could cause severe or even
fatal internal injuries in a crash.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.

In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.

1-57

{CAUTION:

Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.

The belt can not properly spread the impact
forces. In a crash, the two children can be
crushed together and seriously injured. A belt
must be used by only one person at a time.

Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,

but the child is so small that the shoulder belt
is very close to the child’s face or neck?

A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but

be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and
Small Adults on page 1-54. If the child is so small

that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s
face or neck, you might want to place the child in a
seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

1-58

{CAUTION:

Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a

lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is
behind the child. If the child wears the belt in
this way, in a crash the child might slide under
the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied
right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause
serious or fatal injuries.

Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-59

Infants and Young Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says children up to some age
must be restrained while in a vehicle.

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by appropriate
restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s
adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice.
Instead, they need to use a child restraint.

1-60

{CAUTION:

People should never hold a baby in their arms
while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not
weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a
baby will become so heavy it is not possible to
hold it. For example, in a crash at only
25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will
suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a
person’s arms. A baby should be secured in
an appropriate restraint.

1-61

{CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to,
any air bag when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer outstanding protection for adults and
older children, but not for young children and
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system
nor its air bag system is designed for them.
Young children and infants need the protection
that a child restraint system can provide.

Q: What are the different types of add-on child

restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the

vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types.
Selection of a particular restraint should take
into consideration not only the child’s weight, height
and age but also whether or not the restraint will
be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will
be used.

For most basic types of child restraints, there are
many different models available. When purchasing a
child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used
in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a
label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle
safety standards.

The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come
with the restraint state the weight and height
limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition,
there are many kinds of restraints available for
children with special needs.

1-62

{CAUTION:

{CAUTION:

Newborn infants need complete support,
including support for the head and neck. This is
necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is
weak and its head weighs so much compared
with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a
rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the
crash forces can be distributed across the
strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and
shoulders. Infants always should be secured in
appropriate infant restraints.

The body structure of a young child is quite
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom
the safety belts are designed. A young child’s
hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s
regular safety belt may not remain low on the
hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle
up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the
belt would apply force on a body area that is
unprotected by any bony structure. This alone
could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young
children always should be secured in
appropriate child restraints.

1-63

Child Restraint Systems

An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a
motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed
to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat
surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward
the center of the vehicle.

A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the
seating surface against the back of the infant. The
harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash,
acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

1-64

A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for
the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes
with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.

A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some
booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some
high-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A
booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

1-65

Q: How do child restraints work?
A: A child restraint system is any device designed for

use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built-in child restraint system is a
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on
child restraint system is a portable one, which
is purchased by the vehicle’s owner.

For many years, add-on child restraints have used
the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help
reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be
secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt
system secures the add-on child restraint in the
vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness
system holds the child in place within the restraint.

One system, the three-point harness, has straps that
come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and
buckle together at the crotch. The five-point harness
system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a
crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip
straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that
are attached to a flat pad which rests low against the
child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has
straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield
that swings up or to the side.

When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is,
it will have a label saying that it meets federal
motor vehicle safety standards.

Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You
may find these instructions on the restraint itself or
in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the
belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to
be secured within the restraint to help reduce the
chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on
child restraint, refer to the instructions that come
with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself
or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The
child restraint instructions are important, so if they
are not available, obtain a replacement copy
from the manufacturer.

Q: When securing an aftermarket child seat in a

bucket seat, I am unable to get the seat
fastened in snugly enough. What should I do?

A: With some child seats, it may be difficult to tighten

the vehicle belts so that there is less side-to-side or
front-to-back movement of the child seat. A
replacement buckle, which makes it easier to
secure your child seat, is available from your dealer
at no charge to you.

1-66

Where to Put the Restraint

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We,
therefore, recommend that child restraints be secured
in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing
infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child
seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Never
put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger
seat. Here’s why:

{CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inflating air bag.
Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a
rear seat.

If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always move the front
passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint
in your vehicle – even when no child is in it.

Top Strap

Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.”
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored
to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints
are designed for use with or without the top strap
being anchored. Others require the top strap always to
be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that
the top strap be anchored, don’t use the restraint
unless it is anchored properly.

If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can
be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit
is available.

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In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints
also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a
top strap, it should be anchored.

Don’t use a child restraint that requires a top strap in
the right front passenger’s position because there’s
no place to anchor the top strap.

Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor
points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the
same side of the vehicle as the seating position
where the child restraint will be placed.

If you have an adjustable head restraint, route the top
strap under it.

Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions say.

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Top Strap Anchor Location

Second Row

Third Row

An anchor bar for a top strap is located at the rear of
the seat cushion for each second and third row outboard
seating position, and for the center position of the
second row.

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Third Row (Stowable Seat)

The anchor bar for the stowable bench seat is located
on the passenger’s side of the crossbar. Use the center
seating position to use the anchor bar properly. If the
convenience center is in the vehicle, you must lift
the tray sill to use the anchor.

Do not secure a child restraint with a top strap in the right
front passenger’s position or at the third row driver’s side
position (vehicles with a full bench seat) if a national or
local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the
instructions that come with the child restraint say that the
top strap must be anchored. There is no place to anchor
the top strap in this position.

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Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)

Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You will find
anchors in the second row outboard bucket seats, the
40 side of the 60/40 split bench seat, and both
second row captain’s chairs.

This system, designed to make installation of child
restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts.
Instead, it uses vehicle anchors and child restraint
attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints
also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top
tether strap.

A. Lower Anchorage
B. Lower Anchorage
C. Top Tether

1-71

To assist you in locating
the lower anchors for this
child restraint system,
each seating position with
the LATCH system has
a label on the seatback.

The labels are located at each lower anchor position,
near the base of the second row outboard bucket seats,
the 40 side of the 60/40 split bench seat, and both
second row captain’s chairs.

{CAUTION:

A. Lower Anchorage
B. Lower Anchorage

In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you
need a child restraint designed for that system.

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If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached
to its anchorage points, the restraint will not
be able to protect the child correctly. In a
crash, the child could be seriously injured or
killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child
restraint is properly installed using the
anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety
belts to secure the restraint, following the
instructions that came with that restraint, and
also the instructions in this manual.

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seating
position you want to use, where the bottom of the
seatback meets the back of the seat cushion.
See Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on page 1-71.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

3. Attach and tighten the LATCH attachments on the
child restraint to the LATCH anchorages in the
vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.

4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and
tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage.
The child restraint instructions will show you
how. Also see Top Strap on page 1-67.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top
tether from the top tether anchorage and then
disconnect the LATCH attachments from the LATCH
anchorages.

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-71. See Top Strap
on page 1-67 if the child restraint has a top strap or

top tether.

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For vehicles with a full bench seat in the third row, there
is no top strap anchor in the driver’s side position. Do
not secure a child seat in this position if a national
or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with the child restraint say
that the top strap must be anchored.

If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the
child restraint. Be sure to follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the
child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.

Third Row Outside Passenger Position

In the third row, tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt
if needed.

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3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of
the retractor to set the lock.

1-75

5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,
pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap
portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing
child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your
knee to push down on the child restraint as you
tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety
belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an
adult or larger child passenger.

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat Position (Third Row Bench Seat)

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-71. See Top Strap
on page 1-67 if the child restraint has one.

If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you’ll be using the lap belt to secure the child restraint
in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the
child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.

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4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push
down on the child restraint. If you’re using a
forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful
to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or
larger child passenger.

1-78

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat Position (Bucket Seat)

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-71. See Top Strap
on page 1-67 if the child restraint has one.

If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you’ll be using the lap belt to secure the child restraint
in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the
child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

2. Pull the lap belt all the way out without stopping.

3. While holding it out, run the belt through or around
the child restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.

1-79

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-80

5. To tighten the belt, feed it back into the retractor
while you push down on the child restraint. If
you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you
may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on
the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety
belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an
adult or larger child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

Your vehicle has a front passenger air bag. Never put a
rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

{CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inflating air bag.
Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a
rear seat.

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on page 1-71.

There is no top strap anchor in the right front
passenger’s position. Do not secure a child seat in this
position if a national or local law requires that the
top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come
with the child restraint say that the top strap must
be anchored. See Top Strap on page 1-67 if the child
restraint has one.

1-81

A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing
child restraint. If you need to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat, you will be using the
lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this
position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with
the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say.

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger’s
air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will
go before securing a forward-facing child restraint.
See Manual Seats on page 1-3 or Six-Way
Power Seats on page 1-4.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock.

6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,
pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap
portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor. You may find it helpful to use your
knee to push down on the child restraint as you
tighten the belt.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or
larger child passenger.

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Built-In Child Restraint

Bucket Seat

60/40 Bench Seat

If your vehicle has this option in a bucket seat, each
bucket seat that has the built-in child restraint fits in only
one location in your vehicle. To find out where a
bucket seat that has a built-in child restraint must be
located in your vehicle see Rear Seat Operation
on page 1-7. If your vehicle has this option in a 60/40
bench seat, this bench seat will only fit in the second
row of your vehicle. In both types of seats, the built-in
child restraint works the same way.

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This child restraint system conforms to all applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Each child restraint is designed for use only by children
who weigh between 22 and 40 pounds (10 and 18 kg),
whose height is between 33.5 and 40 inches
(850 and 1 016 mm), whose shoulders are below the
shoulder belt slots for the harness system, and who are
capable of sitting upright alone.

The child should also be at least one year old. It is
important to use a rear-facing infant restraint until the
child is at least one year old. A rear-facing restraint gives
the infant’s head, neck and body the support they
would need in a crash. See Older Children on page 1-57
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-60.

A child whose weight is over 40 pounds, whose height
is over 40 inches or whose shoulders are above the
shoulder belt slots for the harness system, should
be restrained in an add-on booster seat appropriate for
the child’s size. See Child Restraint Systems on
page 1-64. Once the booster seat is outgrown, the child
should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat and use the
vehicle’s safety belts.

{CAUTION:

Using the vehicle’s built-in child restraint as a
booster seat for a larger child could cause
injury to the child in a sudden stop or crash. A
child whose weight is over 40 pounds, whose
height is over 40 inches or whose shoulders
are above the shoulder belt slots for the
harness system should use a restraint system
that is appropriate for their size, either an
add-on booster seat or the vehicle’s safety
belt. See “Child Restraints” or “Older
Children” in the Index.

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Securing a Child in the Built-In Child
Restraint

1. Raise the head restraint until the lower edge of the
head restraint is even with the top of the seatback.

2. Rotate the head restraint rearward until it touches
the top of the seatback. Make sure there is no gap
between the lower edge of the head restraint
and the top of the seatback.

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3. Lower the child restraint cushion.

You will be using the child restraint’s harness (A)
to secure your child. Do not use the vehicle’s
safety belts.

1-87

{CAUTION:

Using the vehicle’s regular safety belts on a
child seated on the built-in child restraint
cushion can cause serious injury to the child
in a sudden stop or crash. Secure the child
using the built-in child restraint’s harness.

WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE USE
OF THIS CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN RESULT
IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE’S
INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH.

SNUGLY ADJUST THE BELTS PROVIDED WITH THIS
CHILD RESTRAINT AROUND YOUR CHILD.

4. Before placing the child in the child restraint, add
slack to the shoulder harness. Pull the black
shoulder harness release strap firmly. At the same
time pull both shoulder harness straps through
the slots in the seatback as shown.

5. Place the child on the child restraint cushion.

1-88

6. Select only one side of the harness. Place the
harness over the child’s shoulder.

7. Push the latch plate (B) into the buckle until
it clicks.

Be sure the buckle is free of any foreign objects
that may prevent you from securing the latch plates.
If you can not secure a latch plate, see your
dealer for service before using the child restraint.

8. Place the other side of the harness over the child’s
shoulder.

9. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

1-89

10. Pull up on the latch plates to make sure they are
secure.

1-90

11. Now fasten the left and right halves of the shoulder
harness clip together. The clip can be easily pulled
apart and is designed to pull apart during a collision.

{CAUTION:

A built-in child restraint harness that is not
properly adjusted can cause injury to the child
in a sudden stop or collision. A harness that is
loose, twisted, worn improperly or improperly
fastened will not be able to restrain the child’s
upper body. Make sure the harness is adjusted
correctly. Fastening the clip is not a substitute
for adjusting the harness so that it is snug.

12. Pull the shoulder harness adjustment strap (C)
firmly until the harness is snugly adjusted around
the child. You should not be able to put more than
two fingers between the harness and the child’s
chest. Make sure the harness and buckle strap are
not twisted.

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13. Adjust the position of the harness on the child’s
shoulder by moving the clip along the harness
until it is level with the child’s armpits. On each side
of the harness, the shoulder part should be
centered on the child’s shoulder. The harness
should be away from the child’s face and neck, but
not falling from the child’s shoulders.

If you expect that the child will sleep while riding,
you can recline the seatback. See Split Bench Seats
on page 1-8 or Bucket Seats on page 1-16.

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Removing the Child from the Built-In
Child Restraint

1. Unfasten the shoulder harness clip.

2. Unlatch the harness by pushing the button on the
buckle.

3. Move one side of the harness off the child’s
shoulder.

4. Move the other side of the harness off the child’s
shoulder.

5. Remove the child from the child restraint cushion.

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Storing the Built-In Child Restraint

Always properly store the built-in child restraint before
using the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt.

1. Move both latch plates and both sides of the
shoulder harness clip to the bottom of the harness
straps.

2. Fold the child restraint cushion and leg rest up into
the seatback.

3. Press the child restraint cushion firmly into the
seatback.

1-94