Saturn Aura 2010 Owner's Manual

2010 Saturn AURA Owner Manual M

In Brief

Seats and Restraint System

Features and Controls

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

Instrument Panel
Initial Drive Information
Vehicle Features
Performance and Maintenance

Head Restraints
Front Seats
Rear Seats
Safety Belts
Child Restraints
Airbag System
Restraint System Check

Keys
Doors and Locks
Windows
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
Mirrors

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

................................................. 3-13

.................................................... 3-32

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

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

...................................... 1-15

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

......................................... 2-2

............................................... 2-4

.............................................. 2-10

............................................. 2-12

....................................... 2-32

......................................... 2-58

............................ 2-75

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

....................................... 3-8

............................ 3-15

................... 1-20

........... 3-19

Universal Home Remote System
Storage Areas
Sunroof

Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel Overview
Climate Controls
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Audio System(s)

Driving Your Vehicle

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
Towing

Service and Appearance Care

Service
Fuel
Checking Things Under the Hood
Headlamp Aiming
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires

..................................................... 6-3

......................................................... 6-5

...................................................... 6-44

......................................... 3-41

.................................................. 3-42

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

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

...................................... 4-16

....................................... 4-50

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

................................................... 5-24

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

..................................... 6-40

.................................... 6-41

................ 3-34

........ 4-24

.................. 4-39

....... 5-2

............... 6-12

......... 6-44

Appearance Care
Vehicle Identification
Electrical System
Capacities and Specifications

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Schedule

..................................... 6-89

...................................... 6-96

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

................................. 6-95

................... 6-105

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

Customer Assistance Information

Customer Assistance and Information
Reporting Safety Defects
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy

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

Index

.................... 8-1

........................... 8-13

........... 8-2

........... 8-15

SATURN, the SATURN Emblem, and the name AURA,
are registered trademarks of Saturn Corporation.
GENERAL MOTORS and GM are registered trademarks
of General Motors Corporation.

This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specific vehicle either because they are options
that you did not purchase or due to changes subsequent
to the printing of this owner manual. Please refer to the
purchase documentation relating to your specific vehicle
to confirm each of the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Saturn
Corporation wherever it appears in this manual.

Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.

Canadian Owners

Propriétaires Canadiens

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

On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès du concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:

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

1-800-551-4123

Numéro de poste 6438 de langue française

www.helminc.com

Index

To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the
index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.

Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20815338 A First Printing

©

2009 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

iii

Safety Warnings and Symbols

Warning Messages found on vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid
or reduce them.

Danger indicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which will result in serious injury or death.

Warning or Caution indicates a hazard that could result
in injury or death.

{ WARNING:

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

Notice: This means there is something that could
result in property or vehicle damage. This would not
be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.

A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this happen.”

Vehicle Symbols

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.

M : This symbol is shown when you need to see your

owner manual for additional instructions or information.

* : This symbol is shown when you need to see a

service manual for additional instructions or information.

iv

Vehicle Symbol Chart

Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.

9 : Airbag Readiness Light
# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g : Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar

®

$ : Brake System Warning Light
" : Charging System

I : Cruise Control

B : Engine Coolant Temperature

O : Exterior Lamps

# : Fog Lamps

. : Fuel Gage

+ : Fuses

i : Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

j : LATCH System Child Restraints

* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp
: : Oil Pressure

} : Power

/ : Remote Vehicle Start

> : Safety Belt Reminders

7 : Tire Pressure Monitor
F : Traction Control
M : Windshield Washer Fluid

v

✍ NOTES

vi

Section 1 In Brief

Instrument Panel ..............................................1-2

Initial Drive Information ....................................1-3

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System ................1-4

Remote Vehicle Start ......................................1-4

Door Locks ....................................................1-5

Trunk Release ...............................................1-5

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

Seat Adjustment .............................................1-6

Second Row Seats .........................................1-8

Safety Belt ....................................................1-9

Sensing System for Passenger Airbag ...............1-9

Mirror Adjustment .........................................1-10

Steering Wheel Adjustment ............................1-11

Interior Lighting ............................................1-11

Exterior Lighting ...........................................1-12

Windshield Wiper/Washer ...............................1-12

Climate Controls ...........................................1-13

Transmission ................................................1-14

Vehicle Features .............................................1-15

Radio(s) ......................................................1-15

Satellite Radio ..............................................1-17

Portable Audio Devices (Auxiliary Input or

USB Port) ................................................1-17

Steering Wheel Controls ................................1-17

Bluetooth

®

...................................................1-18

Driver Information Center (DIC) .......................1-18

Cruise Control ..............................................1-19

Power Outlets ..............................................1-20

Performance and Maintenance .........................1-20

Traction Control System (TCS) .......................1-20

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ....................1-21

Tire Pressure Monitor ....................................1-21

Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit ....................1-22

Engine Oil Life System ..................................1-22

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) ................................1-22

Driving for Better Fuel Economy .....................1-23

Roadside Assistance Program ........................1-23

®

OnStar

......................................................1-24

1-1

Instrument Panel

1-2

A. Outlet Adjustment on page 4-23.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4-4.
C. Driver Shift Control (If Equipped). Automatic

Transmission Operation (Six Speed Transmission)
on page 3-23.

D. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4-25.
E. Windshield Wipers on page 4-5 and Windshield

Washer on page 4-6.

F. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4-3.
G. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29.
H. Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4-13.

I. Fog Lamps on page 4-12.

J. Cruise Control on page 4-7. Driver Information

Center (DIC) on page 4-39.

K. Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel on page 4-3.

L. Horn on page 4-3.

M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4-82

(If Equipped).

N. Ignition Positions on page 3-19.
O. Climate Control System on page 4-16 or Automatic

Climate Control System on page 4-19.
P. Traction Control System (TCS) on page 5-7.
Q. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation

(Six Speed Transmission) on page 3-23.
R. Audio System(s) on page 4-50.
S. Glove Box on page 3-41.

Initial Drive Information

This section provides a brief overview about some of
the important features that may or may not be on your
specific vehicle.

For more detailed information, refer to each of the
features which can be found later in this owner manual.

1-3

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System

The RKE transmitter is used to remotely lock and
unlock the doors from up to 60 m (195 feet) away
from the vehicle.

Press

L and hold for three seconds to sound the panic

alarm.
Press

L again to cancel the panic alarm.

See Keys on page 3-2 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 3-3.

Press

K to unlock the

driver door. Press again
within five seconds to
unlock all remaining doors.

Q to lock all doors.

Press
Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized.

Press and hold
open the trunk.

Press

L and release to locate the vehicle.

1-4

V for approximately one second to

Remote Vehicle Start

With this feature the engine can be started from outside
of the vehicle.

Starting the Vehicle

1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.

2. Press

3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and

When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on as long as the engine is running.
The doors will be locked and the climate control system
may come on.

The engine will continue to run for 10 minutes. Repeat
the steps for a 10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.

Q .

/ until the turn signal lamps flash.

hold

Canceling a Remote Start

To cancel a remote start:

• Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press

and hold

/ until the parking lamps turn off.

• Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

• Turn the ignition switch out of LOCK/OFF position

and then back to LOCK/OFF.

See Remote Vehicle Start on page 3-5.

Door Locks

Manual Locks

To operate the locks, use the key or the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter from outside the
vehicle, and the manual lock knob from the inside.

See Door Locks on page 3-8.

Power Door Locks

Power door lock switches are located on the
front doors.

Lock or unlock the doors by pressing the inboard or
outboard sides of the switch.

For more information, see:

• Power Door Locks on page 3-8.

Trunk Release

In addition to the trunk release button on the RKE
transmitter, there is a remote release

on the driver door near the map pocket.
For more information see Trunk on page 3-11.

V button located

Windows

On vehicles with power
windows, the switches
are on the driver door
armrest.

Each passenger door has a switch that controls only
that window.

Press the front of the switch to open the window.
Pull the switch up to close it.

For more information, see Power Windows on
page 3-14.

1-5

Seat Adjustment

Manual Seat

Power Seats (If Equipped)

1. Lift the bar under the
seat to unlock the seat.

2. Slide the seat to
the desired position
and release the bar.

Try to move the seat to be sure it is locked in place.
See Manual Seats on page 2-4.

1-6

Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the
control forward or rearward.

Raise or lower the front or rear of the seat cushion by
moving the front or rear of the control up or down.

See Power Seats on page 2-5.

Power Reclining Seatbacks
(If Equipped)

To raise or recline the seatback, tilt the top of the
control forward or rearward.

See Reclining Seatbacks on page 2-6.

Power Lumbar

Press the front (A) or rear (B) of the control to increase
or decrease lumbar support.

See Power Lumbar on page 2-5.

1-7

Heated Seats (If Equipped)

Press the top of the switch to turn the feature on to the
high heat setting. The indicator light (2) will be lit.

Press the top of the switch again to go to the low heat
setting. The indicator light (1) will be lit.

Press the bottom of the switch to turn the feature off.

Second Row Seats

Rear Seat

Either side of the seatback can be folded down.

Pull up on the seatback strap while folding the seatback
down to allow access to the trunk.

See Split Folding Rear Seat on page 2-10

1-8

Safety Belt

Sensing System for Passenger Airbag

The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag under certain conditions. The driver
airbags and roof-rail airbags are not affected by this.

The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on
the instrument panel when the vehicle is started.

Refer to the following sections for important information
on how to use safety belts properly.

• Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 2-12.

• How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 2-17.

• Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 2-25.

• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)

on page 2-44.

United States Canada

See Passenger Sensing System on page 2-68 for
important information.

1-9

Mirror Adjustment

Exterior Mirrors

Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the inside of the
vehicle near the driver
side mirror.

Use the selector switch to choose either the left or right
outside mirror. Then press the four-way control pad
to move the selected mirror in the desired direction.

The vehicle may also have an automatic dimming
feature on the driver side mirror that adjusts for the glare
of headlamps behind you. This feature is controlled
by the on and off settings on the automatic dimming
inside rearview mirror.

For more information, see:

• Outside Power Mirrors on page 3-34.

• Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror on page 3-34.

Interior Mirror

Vehicles with a manual rearview mirror can be adjusted
by holding the mirror in the center to move it for a
clearer view of behind the vehicle. Adjust the mirror
to reduce the glare of headlamps from behind you.
Push the tab located at the base of the mirror, forward
for daytime use and pull it for nighttime use.

Vehicles with an automatic dimming rearview mirror will
automatically adjust to reduce the glare of lights from
behind the vehicle. The dimming feature comes on and
the indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle is
started.

For more information, see Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 3-32.

1-10

Steering Wheel Adjustment

The lever is located on the left side of the steering
wheel column.

To adjust the steering wheel:

1. Pull the lever down.

2. Move the steering wheel up or down or backward
or forward into a comfortable position.

3. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.

See Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel on page 4-3.

Interior Lighting

Dome Lamp

The dome lamps come on when any door is opened.
They turn off after all the doors are closed.

The dome lamps can also be turned on by turning the
instrument panel brightness knob, located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column,
clockwise to the farthest position. In this position, the
dome lamps remain on whether a door is opened
or closed.

Reading Lamps

For vehicles with front overhead console and rear
reading lamps, they come on automatically when any
door is opened. For manual operation while the doors
are closed, press the lens to turn the lamp on or off.

For more information on interior lighting, see:

• Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4-13.

• Entry/Exit Lighting on page 4-13.

• Parade Dimming on page 4-13.

1-11

Exterior Lighting

The lever is located on the left side of the steering
wheel.

2 : Turns on the headlamps, parking lamps, and

taillamps.

; : Turns on the parking lamps and taillamps only.

AUTO: Automatically turns on the Daytime Running
Lamps during daytime, and the headlamps, parking
lamps, and taillamps at night.

P : Turn the band to this position to turn the Automatic

Headlamp System on or off. In Canada, this position
only works when a vehicle is in the P (Park) position.

For more information, see:

• Headlamps on page 4-10.

• Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) on page 4-11.

• Automatic Headlamp System on page 4-11.

Windshield Wiper/Washer

The windshield wiper lever is on the right side of the
steering column.

9 : Turns the wipers off.
& : For intermittent or speed sensitive operation.

The amount of delay time varies between wiping cycles
due to the delay setting selected or the speed of the
vehicle. As vehicle speed is increased or decreased,
the wiper interval also increases or decreases.

1-12

x : Move the lever to the & position, then turn

the

x band up for more frequent wipes or down for

less frequent wipes.

6 : Slow wipes.
1 : Fast wipes.
8 : Single wipe, move the lever down, then release it.

Several wipes, hold the lever down.
Windshield Washer: Press the button at the end of the

lever until the washers begin.
See Windshield Wipers on page 4-5 and Windshield

Washer on page 4-6.

Climate Controls

The vehicle’s heating, cooling, and ventilation can be
automatically controlled with these systems.

A. Fan Control
B. Air Recirculation
C. Temperature

Control

D. Outside Air

E. Air Delivery Mode

Control
F. Air Conditioning
G. Rear Window

Defogger

1-13

Automatic Climate Control System

Transmission

Driver Shift Control

Driver Shift Control (DSC) allows you manual control
over the automatic transmission.

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual).

The transmission will remain in the driver selected
gear. When coming to a stop in the manual
position, the vehicle will automatically shift into
1 (First) gear.

A. Fan Control
B. Air Conditioning
C. Air Recirculation
D. Outside Air
E. Rear Window

Defogger

See Climate Control System on page 4-16 or Automatic
Climate Control System on page 4-19 (If Equipped).

1-14

F. Air Delivery Mode

Control
G. Display
H. Temperature

Control

2. Press the + (plus) paddle, located on top of the
steering wheel, forward to upshift, or push the
backside of the shift paddle rearward to downshift.

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM). See Automatic Transmission
Operation (Six Speed Transmission) on page 3-23 for
more information.

Vehicle Features

Radio(s)

Radio with CD (MP3) and USB Port shown

O : Press to turn the system on and off. Turn to

increase or decrease the volume.
BAND: Press to choose between FM1, AM, or XM™,

if equipped.

1-15

f : Select radio stations.
©¨: Seek or scan stations.
4 : For vehicles with XM, MP3, WMA, or RDS features,

press to display additional text information related to
the current FM-RDS or XM station; or CD, MP3, WMA
song. Song title information will be displayed on the
top line of the display while the artist information will
be displayed on the bottom line, if the information
is available during XM, CD, MP3, or WMA playback.
When information is not available, “No Info” displays.

For more information about these and other radio
features, see Audio System(s) on page 4-50 and
Radio(s) on page 4-52.

Storing a Favorite Station

A maximum of 36 stations can be stored as favorites
using the six softkeys located below the radio station
frequency tabs and by using the radio FAV button. Press
FAV to go through up to six pages of favorites, each
having six favorite stations available per page. Each page
of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM, or
XM stations.

See Radio(s) on page 4-52.

Setting the Clock

1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN.

2. Press

3. Press

4. Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs

5. Increase or decrease the time or date by

For detailed instructions on setting the clock for your
specific audio system, see Setting the Clock on
page 4-51.

O to turn the radio on.

H and the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY

(hour, minute, month, day, and year) displays.

that you want to change.

turning

f clockwise or counterclockwise.

1-16

Satellite Radio

XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian
provinces. XM satellite radio has a wide variety of
programming and commercial-free music,
coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound.

A fee is required to receive the XM service.
For more information, refer to:

• www.xmradio.com or call 1-800-929-2100 (U.S.)

• www.xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677 (Canada)

See “XM Satellite Radio Service” under Radio(s)
on page 4-52.

Portable Audio Devices (Auxiliary Input or USB Port)

Press the CD/AUX button to play audio from the
portable player.

See “Using the Auxiliary Input Jack” and “Using the
USB Port” under Radio(s) on page 4-52.

Steering Wheel Controls

If equipped, some audio
controls can be adjusted
using the controls on
the right side of the
steering wheel.

This vehicle may have an auxiliary input jack and a
USB port, located on the audio faceplate. External
devices such as iPods
CD changers, USB storage devices, etc. can be
connected to the auxiliary input jack using a 3.5 mm
(1/8 in) cable or the USB port depending on the audio
system.

®

, laptop computers, MP3 players,

e +/e −: Increases or decreases volume.
w / x: Press to change radio stations, select tracks

on a CD, or to select tracks and navigate folders on an

®

iPod

or USB device.

1-17

b g: Press to silence the vehicle speakers only. Press

again to turn the sound on. Press and hold longer
than two seconds to interact with the OnStar
Bluetooth systems.

®

or

c : Press to reject an incoming call, or to end a call.

For more information, see Audio Steering Wheel
Controls on page 4-82.

Bluetooth

For vehicles with an in-vehicle Bluetooth system, it
allows users with a Bluetooth enabled cell phone
to make and receive hands-free calls using the vehicle’s
audio system and controls.

The Bluetooth enabled cell phone must be paired with
the in-vehicle Bluetooth system before it can be used in
the vehicle. Not all phones will support all functions.
For more information visit www.gm.com/bluetooth.

For more information, see Bluetooth

®

®

on page 4-68.

Driver Information Center (DIC)

The DIC display is located at the bottom of the
instrument panel cluster. It shows the status of
many vehicle systems and enables access to the
personalization menu.

The DIC buttons are
located on the left side
of the steering wheel.

INFO: Press to scroll through the vehicle information
displays.

r : Press to reset some vehicle information displays,

select a personalization setting, or acknowledge a
warning message.

For more information, see Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 4-39.

1-18

Vehicle Personalization

Some vehicle features can be programmed by using the
DIC buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.
These features include:

• Oil Life Reset

• Units

• RKE Lock and Unlock Feedback

• Door Lock and Unlock Settings

• Language

See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-46.

Cruise Control

The cruise control buttons
are located on the left side
of the steering wheel.

J : On/Off.

RES+: Press to resume or accelerate speed.
SET−: Press to set or decrease speed.

For more information, see Cruise Control on page 4-7.

1-19

Power Outlets

Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone.

There are two accessory power outlets. One accessory
power outlet is inside the center storage console and
the other is located on the center storage console below
the climate controls.

To use an outlet, lift the protective cap. The accessory
power outlet is operational at all times.

See Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 4-15.

Performance and Maintenance

Traction Control System (TCS)

The traction control system limits wheel spin. The
system turns on automatically every time the vehicle
is started.

• To turn off traction control, press and release

t on the center console. F illuminates and

the appropriate DIC message displays. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42.

• Press and release the button again to turn on

traction control.

For more information, see Traction Control System
(TCS) on page 5-7.

1-20

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Tire Pressure Monitor

The vehicle may have an Electronic Stability Control
system that assists with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions. The system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle is started.

• To turn off both traction control and Electronic

Stability Control, press and hold
the center console, until

appropriate DIC message displays. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4-42.

F illuminates and the

t, located on

• Press and release the button again to turn on both

systems.

For more information, see Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 5-5.

This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS).

The Tire Pressure Monitor
alerts you when a
significant reduction in
pressure occurs in one or
more of the vehicle’s tires
by illuminating the low tire
pressure warning light on
the instrument cluster.

The warning light will remain on until the tire pressure is
corrected. The proper tire pressures for your vehicle
are listed on the Tire and Loading Information label
located on the driver side center pillar (B pillar).
See Loading the Vehicle on page 5-19.

1-21

You may notice during cooler conditions that the low tire
pressure warning light will appear when the vehicle is
first started and then turn off as you drive. This may be
an early indicator that your tire pressures are getting
low and the tires need to be inflated to the proper
pressure.

Note: The Tire Pressure Monitor can alert you about
low tire pressure, but it does not replace normal monthly
tire maintenance. It is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressures.

See Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-53 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 6-54.

Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit

This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a
tire sealant and compressor kit. The kit can be used
to seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire.

See Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 6-67 for
complete operating information.

Engine Oil Life System

The engine oil life system calculates engine oil life
based on vehicle use and displays a DIC message
when it is necessary to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset to 100% only
following an oil change.

Resetting the Oil Life System

1. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN with the
engine off.

2. With the CHANGE OIL SOON message displayed,
press either of the DIC buttons to clear the
message. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-42.

3. Display OIL LIFE RESET on the DIC.

4. Press and hold the INFO button for at least one
second. An ACKNOWLEDGED message displays
for three seconds or until the next button is pressed.
This tells you the system has been reset.
See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-46.

5. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.

See Engine Oil Life System on page 6-20.

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)

If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code 0),
you can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). See Fuel on
page 6-5. In all other engines, use only the unleaded
gasoline described under Gasoline Octane on page 6-6.

Vehicles that have the 2.4L L4 engine (VIN Code 0)
have a yellow fuel cap and can use 85% ethanol
fuel (E85). See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 6-8.

1-22

Driving for Better Fuel Economy

Roadside Assistance Program

Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some
driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible.

• Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.

• Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.

• Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.

• When road and weather conditions are appropriate,

use cruise control, if equipped.

• Always follow posted speed limits or drive more

slowly when conditions require.

• Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.

• Combine several trips into a single trip.

• Replace the vehicle’s tires with the same

TPC Spec number molded into the tire’s
sidewall near the size.

• Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.

U.S.: 1-800-553-6000
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new Saturn, you are automatically

enrolled in the Roadside Assistance program. This
program provides technically trained advisors who are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, minor repair
information or towing arrangements.

Roadside Assistance and OnStar

If you have a current OnStar subscription, press the
OnStar button and the current GPS location will be sent
to an OnStar Advisor who will assess your problem,
contact Roadside Assistance, and relay exact location to
get you the help you need.

Online Owner Center

The Online Owner Center is a complimentary service
that includes online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner manual, special
privileges and more.

Sign up today at: www.gmownercenter.com/saturn
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).

1-23

OnStar

OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
navigation, diagnostics, and calling services.

®

Automatic Crash Response

In a crash, built in sensors can automatically alert an
OnStar advisor who is immediately connected to
the vehicle to see if you need help.

How OnStar Service Works

: This blue button connects you to a specially

Q

trained OnStar advisor to verify your account information
and to answer questions.

] : Push this red emergency button to get priority help

from specially trained OnStar emergency advisors.

X : Push this button for hands-free, voice-activated

calling and to give voice commands for turn-by-turn
navigation.

Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle
Diagnostics, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside Assistance,
Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Hands-Free Calling are
available on most vehicles. Not all OnStar services are
available on all vehicles. For more information see
the OnStar Owner’s Guide or visit www.onstar.com
(U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada), contact OnStar
at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or TTY

1-877-248-2080, or press
OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For a full description of OnStar services and system
limitations, see the OnStar Owner’s Guide in the
glove box.

OnStar service is subject to the OnStar terms and
conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
Information.

OnStar service cannot work unless the vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar service
also cannot work unless the vehicle is in a place where
the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that
area has coverage, network capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and technology that is compatible
with the OnStar service. Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas,
or at all times.

Q to speak with an

1-24

The OnStar system can record and transmit vehicle
information. This information is automatically sent to an

OnStar call center when
or if the airbags or ACR system deploy. This information
usually includes the vehicle’s GPS location and, in
the event of a crash, additional information regarding
the crash that the vehicle was involved in (e.g. the
direction from which the vehicle was hit). When
the virtual advisor feature of OnStar hands-free calling
is used, the vehicle also sends OnStar the vehicle’s
GPS location so they can provide services where it is
located.

Location information about the vehicle is only available
if the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and
available.

The vehicle must have a working electrical system,
including adequate battery power, for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service at any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important parts of the vehicle
in a crash, hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather or
wireless phone network congestion.

Q is pressed, ] is pressed,

OnStar Steering Wheel Controls

This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar hands-free calling. See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4-82 for more
information.

On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voice mail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.

Your Responsibility

Increase the volume of the radio if the OnStar advisor
cannot be heard.

If the light next to the OnStar buttons is red, the system
may not be functioning properly. Press

a vehicle diagnostic. If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), your OnStar subscription has expired and

all services have been deactivated. Press
that the OnStar equipment is active.

Q and request

Q to confirm

1-25

✍ NOTES

1-26

Section 2 Seats and Restraint System

Head Restraints ...............................................2-2

Front Seats ......................................................2-4

Manual Seats ................................................2-4

Power Seats ..................................................2-5

Power Lumbar ...............................................2-5

Heated Seats .................................................2-6

Reclining Seatbacks ........................................2-6

Power Lift Seat ..............................................2-9

Rear Seats .....................................................2-10

Split Folding Rear Seat .................................2-10

Safety Belts ...................................................2-12

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................2-12

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................2-17

Lap-Shoulder Belt .........................................2-25

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................2-31

Safety Belt Extender .....................................2-31

Child Restraints .............................................2-32

Older Children ..............................................2-32

Infants and Young Children ............................2-35

Child Restraint Systems .................................2-39

Where to Put the Restraint .............................2-42

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

(LATCH) ..................................................2-44

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat

Position ...................................................2-51

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front

Seat Position ............................................2-54

Airbag System ...............................................2-58

Where Are the Airbags? ................................2-61

When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................2-63

What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................2-65

How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................2-65

What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .....2-66

Passenger Sensing System ............................2-68

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........2-73

Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle ...................................................

Restraint System Check ..................................2-75

Checking the Restraint Systems ......................2-75

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a

Crash ......................................................2-76

.2-74

2-1

Head Restraints

The front seats have adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.

{ WARNING:

With head restraints that are not installed and
adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal injury in a
crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and adjusted properly.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint
is at the same height as the top of the occupant’s
head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury
in a crash.

2-2

Pull the head restraint up to raise it. To lower the head
restraint, press the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the restraint down.

Push down on the head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is locked in place.

The head restraints are not designed to be removed.

2-3

Front Seats

Manual Seats

{ WARNING:

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.

If the vehicle has a manual seat, it can be moved
forward or rearward.

1. Lift the bar to unlock
the seat.

2. Slide the seat to the
desired position and
release the bar.

Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat
is locked in place.

2-4

Power Seats

Power Lumbar

If the vehicle has power seats, the controls used to
operate them are located on the outboard side of
the seats.

To adjust the seat:

• Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the

control forward or rearward.

• Raise or lower the front part of the seat cushion by

moving the front of the control up or down.

• Raise or lower the rear part of the seat cushion by

moving the rear of the control up or down.

Press the front (A) or rear (B) of the control to increase
or decrease lumbar support.

2-5

Heated Seats

Reclining Seatbacks

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

{ WARNING:

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.

On vehicles with heated front seats, press the top of the
switch to turn the features on to the high heat setting.
The indicator light (2) will be lit.

Press the top of the switch again to go to the low heat
setting. The indicator light (1) will be lit.

Press the bottom of the switch to turn the feature off.
The heated seat feature will turn off when the ignition is

turned off.

2-6

{ WARNING:

If either seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they
are locked.

On seats with manual reclining seatbacks, the lever
used to operate them is located on the outboard side of
the seat.

To recline the seatback:

1. Lift the recline lever.

2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then
release the lever to lock the seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.

To return the seatback to an upright position:

1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the
seatback and the seatback returns to the upright
position.

2. Release the lever to lock the seatback.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.

2-7

Power Reclining Seatbacks

If the seats have power reclining seatbacks, the control
used to recline them is located on the outboard side
of the seat behind the power seat control.

• To recline the seatback, tilt the top of the control

rearward.

• To bring the seatback forward, tilt the top of the

control forward.

{ WARNING:

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

The shoulder belt cannot do its job. In a crash,
you could go into it, receiving neck or other
injuries.

The lap belt cannot 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.

2-8

Power Lift Seat

Do not have a seatback reclined if the vehicle is
moving.

To adjust a power lift seat, press the top or bottom of
the power lift seat switch to raise or lower the seat.

2-9

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

With this feature, either side of the seatback can be
folded down for more cargo space.

Before folding a seatback, make sure the front seat is
not reclined. If it is, the rear seatback will not fold down
all the way.

Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts
still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts
and return them to their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.

To lower the rear seatback, pull up on the seatback
strap while folding the seatback down. This allows
access to the trunk.

2-10

To raise the rear seatback pull the seatback up and
make sure it latches. Push and pull on the seatback to
be sure it is locked in position. Make sure that the
safety belts are properly stowed over the seatback in all
three positions.

{ WARNING:

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

{ WARNING:

If either seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they
are locked.

When the seat is not in use, it should be kept in the
upright locked position.

2-11

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

This section of the manual describes how to use
safety belts properly. It also describes some things not
to do with safety belts.

{ WARNING:

{ WARNING:

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.

Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot
be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, the
injuries can be much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the
vehicle. You and your passenger(s) 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 passenger(s)
are restrained properly too.

2-12

This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the
safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 4-26
for additional information.

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing safety belts. Here is why:

You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have
a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one.

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

After more than 40 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 is just a seat
on wheels.

Put someone on it.

2-13

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
does not stop.

2-14

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

or the instrument panel... 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 is why
safety belts make such good sense.

2-15

Questions and Answers About Safety
Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I

am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety

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

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

wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they

work with safety belts — not instead of them.
Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants
still have to buckle up to get the most protection.
That is true not only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other collisions.

Q: If I am 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 are in a

crash — even one that is not your fault — you and
your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good
driver does not 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.

2-16

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

This section 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 infants. If a child will be
riding in the vehicle, see Older Children on page 2-32 or
Infants and Young Children on page 2-35. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.

It is very important for all occupants to buckle up.
Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.

Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of
the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in
the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety
belt, there is important information you should know.

Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in
front of you. 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 would be less likely to slide under the lap belt.
If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on
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 shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

2-17

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give as

much protection this way.

{ WARNING:

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 snugly against your body.

2-18

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as

much protection this way.

{ WARNING:

You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is too
loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap
belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could
cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs.

2-19

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong buckle.

{ WARNING:

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 on the pelvic bones. This
could cause serious internal injuries. Always
buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.

2-20

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

{ WARNING:

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 on the abdomen,
not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause
serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes
under the armrests.

2-21

Q: What is wrong with this?

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

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

{ WARNING:

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. The shoulder belt should go over
the shoulder and across the chest.

2-22

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is behind the body.

{ WARNING:

You can be seriously injured by not wearing the
lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, you would
not be restrained by the shoulder belt. Your body
could move too far forward increasing the chance
of head and neck injury. You might also slide
under the lap belt. The belt force would then be
applied right on the abdomen. That could cause
serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across the chest.

2-23

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

{ WARNING:

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/retailer to fix it.

2-24

Lap-Shoulder Belt

All seating positions in the vehicle have a
lap-shoulder belt.

The following instructions explain how to wear a
lap-shoulder belt properly.

1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can
sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the
Index.

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Do not let it get twisted.

The lap-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.

If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled
out all the way, the child restraint locking feature
may be engaged. If this happens, just let the belt go
back all the way and start again.

Engaging the child restraint locking feature in the
right front seating position may affect the passenger
sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System
on page 2-68 for more information.

3. 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 is not long enough, see Safety Belt
Extender on page 2-31.

Position the release button on the buckle so that
the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.

2-25

4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster,
move it to the height that is right for you. Improper
shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce
the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later in this
section for instruction on use and important safety
information.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the
shoulder belt.

It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety
belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the
lap belt on smaller occupants.

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The
belt should return to its stowed position. Slide the
latch plate up the safety belt webbing when the safety
belt is not in use. The latch plate should rest on the
stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the
side wall.

Before a door is closed, be sure the safety belt is out of
the way. If a door is slammed against a safety belt,
damage can occur to both the safety belt and the
vehicle.

2-26

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

Your vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for the
driver and right front passenger position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt
is centered on the shoulder. The belt should be away
from the face and neck, but not falling off of the
shoulder. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment
could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt
in a crash.

Squeeze the buttons (A)
on the sides of the height
adjuster and move the
height adjuster to the
desired position.

After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try to
move it down without squeezing the buttons to
make sure it has locked into position.

Safety Belt Pretensioners

This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the front
outboard occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of the
safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe
frontal and near frontal crash if the threshold conditions
for pretensioner activation are met. And, if the vehicle
has side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners
can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash.

Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash,
they will need to be replaced, and probably other new
parts for the vehicle’s safety belt system. See Replacing
Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 2-76.

2-27

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides

This vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort
guides. If not, they are available through your
dealer/retailer. The guides may provide added safety
belt comfort for older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for some adults. When installed and
properly adjusted, the comfort guide positions the
belt away from the neck and head.

Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt:

1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of
the seatback and the interior body to remove the
guide from its storage clip.

2-28

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 elastic cord must be under the belt and the
guide on top.

2-29

{ WARNING:

A safety belt that is not properly worn may not
provide the protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
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.

4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as
described previously in this section. Make sure
that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the
belt edges together so that the safety belt can be
removed from the guide. Pull the guide upward to
expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide onto
the clip. Turn the guide and clip inward and slide them in
between the seatback and the interior body, leaving
only the loop of the elastic cord exposed.

2-30

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 do not 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 is more
likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Safety Belt Extender

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

But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer/
retailer will order you an extender. When you go in to
order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid
personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and
use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender has
been designed for adults. Never use it for securing
child seats. To wear it, attach it to the regular safety belt.
For more information, see the instruction sheet that
comes with the extender.

2-31

Child Restraints

Older Children

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

The manufacturer’s instructions that come with the
booster seat state the weight and height limitations for
that booster. Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt
until the child passes the below fit test:

• Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the knees bend

at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return to
the booster seat.

• Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the shoulder belt

rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, try
using the rear safety belt comfort guide. See “Rear
Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder
Belt on page 2-25 for more information. If the
shoulder belt still does not rest on the shoulder,
then return to the booster seat.

• Does the lap belt fit low and snug on the hips,

touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return to
the booster seat.

• Can proper safety belt fit be maintained for the

length of the trip? If yes, continue. If no, return
to the booster seat.

• If you have the choice, a child should sit in a

position with a lap-shoulder belt and get the
additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

2-32

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A: 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. This applies
belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. It
should never be worn over the abdomen, which
could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in
a crash.

Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under
Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 2-25.

According to accident statistics, children and infants are
safer when properly restrained in a child restraint
system or infant restraint system secured in a rear
seating position.

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.

{ WARNING:

Never do this.
Never allow two children to wear the same safety

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

2-33

{ WARNING:

Never do this.
Never allow a child to wear the safety belt with the

shoulder belt behind their back. A child can be
seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder
belt properly. In a crash, the child would not be
restrained by the shoulder belt. The child could
move too far forward increasing the chance of
head and neck injury. The child might also slide
under the lap belt. The belt force would then be
applied right on the abdomen. That could cause
serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across the chest.

2-34

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.

{ WARNING:

Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a
shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to tighten. Never leave
children unattended in a vehicle and never allow
children to play with the safety belts.

Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for
adults and older children, but not for young children and
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor
its airbag system is designed for them. Every time
infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should
have the protection provided by appropriate child
restraints.

Children who are not restrained properly can strike
other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.

2-35

{ WARNING:

Never do this.
Never hold an infant or a child while riding in a

vehicle. Due to crash forces, an infant or a child
will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it
during a crash. For example, in a crash at only
40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb) infant will
suddenly become a 110 kg (240 lb) force on a
person’s arms. An infant should be secured in an
appropriate restraint.

2-36

{ WARNING:

Never do this.
Children who are up against, or very close to, any

airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the
right front seat. Secure a rear-facing child restraint
in a rear seat. It is also better to secure a
forward-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If you
must secure a forward-facing child restraint in the
right front seat, always move the front passenger
seat as far back as it will go.

2-37

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.

{ WARNING:

To reduce the risk of neck and head injury during
a crash, infants need complete support. This is
because an infant’s neck is not fully developed
and its head weighs so much compared with the
rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a
rear-facing child restraint 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 should always be secured in
rear-facing child restraints.

2-38

{ WARNING:

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. To reduce the
risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash,
young children should always be secured in
appropriate child restraints.

Child Restraint Systems

A rear-facing infant
seat (A) 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.

A forward-facing child
seat (B) provides restraint
for the child’s body
with the harness.

2-39

Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in
the Vehicle

{ WARNING:

A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash
if the child restraint is not properly secured in the
vehicle. Secure the child restraint properly in the
vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH
system, following the instructions that came with
that child restraint and the instructions in this
manual.

A booster seat (C-D) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system.
A booster seat can also help a child to see out the
window.

2-40

To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint
must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems
must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the
lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH
system. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) on page 2-44 for more information. A child can
be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not
properly secured in the vehicle.

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.

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 the vehicle — even when no child
is in it.

Securing the Child Within the Child
Restraint

{ WARNING:

A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash
if the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. Secure the child properly following the
instructions that came with that child restraint.

2-41

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 recommend that children and child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child
riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in
a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in
a booster seat; and children, who are large enough,
using safety belts.

A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing
child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

{ WARNING:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger
airbag inflates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the
inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger
seat is in a forward position.

WARNING: (Continued)

WARNING: (Continued)

Even if the passenger sensing system has turned
off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.

Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat,
even if the airbag is off. 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.

See Passenger Sensing System on page 2-68 for
additional information.

When securing a child restraint in a rear seating
position, study the instructions that came with your child
restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.

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

2-42

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.

If you secure a child restraint in the left or center rear
seat using LATCH, review the following illustrations.
Depending on where you place the child restraint, you
may not be able to access certain safety belt assemblies
or LATCH anchors for additional passengers or child
restraints.

Configurations for Use of Child
Restraints

A. Child restraint using

LATCH

B. Child restraint or

occupant using
safety belt

A. Occupant prohibited
B. Child restraint using

LATCH

A. Child restraint using

LATCH

B. Child restraint or

occupant using
safety belt

C. Child restraint using

safety belt or LATCH
or occupant using
safety belt

2-43

A. Child restraint or

occupant using
safety belt

A. Child restraint or

occupant using
safety belt

B. Child restraint using

LATCH

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)

The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving
or in a crash. This system is designed to make
installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH
system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on
the child restraint that are made for use with the
LATCH system.

Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is
properly installed using the anchors, 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. When installing a child
restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the
lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure
the child restraint. A child restraint must never be
installed using only the top tether and anchor.

In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you
need a child restraint that has LATCH attachments.
The child restraint manufacturer will provide you
with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its
attachments. The following explains how to attach a
child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle.

Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have
lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors
and attachments.

2-44

Lower Anchors

Top Tether Anchor

Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle.
There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating
position that will accommodate a child restraint with
lower attachments (B).

A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint
to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the
vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child
restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle
in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation
of the child restraint during driving or in a crash.

Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a
dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B)
to secure the top tether to the anchor.

2-45

Some child restraints with top tethers are designed for
use with or without the top tether being attached. Others
require the top tether always to be attached. In
Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
your child restraint.

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

Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor
Locations

i (Top Tether Anchor):

Seating positions with top
tether anchors.

j (Lower Anchor): Seating

positions with two lower
anchors.

Rear Seat

2-46

To assist you in locating the lower anchors, each rear
anchor position has a label, near the crease between the
seatback and the seat cushion, showing where the
anchors are located.

The top tether anchors are located behind the rear seat
on the filler panel.

Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a
top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that
the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that
come with the child restraint say that the top tether must
be attached.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See
Where to Put the Restraint on page 2-42 for additional
information.

2-47

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System

{ WARNING:

{ WARNING:

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

2-48

Do not attach more than one child restraint to a
single anchor. Attaching more than one child
restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor
or attachment to come loose or even break during
a crash. A child or others could be injured. To
reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a
crash, attach only one child restraint per anchor.

{ WARNING:

Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a
shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle any
unused safety belts behind the child restraint so
children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt
all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if
your vehicle has one, after the child restraint has
been installed.

Notice: Do not let the LATCH attachments rub
against the vehicle’s safety belts. This may damage
these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety
belts to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments.

Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt
buckled. This could damage the safety belt or
the seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its
stowed position, before folding the seat.

If you need to secure more than one child restraint in
the rear seat, see Where to Put the Restraint on
page 2-42. Depending on where you place the child
restraint, you may not be able to access certain safety
belt assemblies or LATCH anchors for additional
passengers or child restraints.

You cannot secure three child restraints using the
LATCH anchors in the rear seat at the same time, but
you can install two of them. If you want to do this, install
one LATCH child restraint in the passenger-side
position, and install the other one either in the driver-side
position or in the center position. Refer to the following
illustration to learn which anchors to use.

A. Passenger Side Rear Seat Lower Anchors
B. Center Rear Seat Lower Anchors
C. Driver Side Rear Seat Lower Anchors

Make sure to attach the child restraint at the proper
anchor location.

2-49

This system is designed to make installation of child
restraints easier. When using lower anchors, do not use
the vehicle’s safety belts. Instead use the vehicle’s
anchors and child restraint attachments to secure the
restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle
anchor to secure a top tether.

1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the
lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have
lower attachments or the desired seating position
does not have lower anchors, secure the child
restraint with the top tether and the safety belts.
Refer to your child restraint manufacturer
instructions and the instructions in this manual.

1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired
seating position.

1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on
the child restraint to the lower anchors.

2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that
the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped.
Refer to the child restraint instructions and
the following steps:

2.1. Find the top tether anchor.

2.2. If the position you are using has an
adjustable headrest or head restraint, raise it.
See Head Restraints on page 2-2.

2.3. Route, attach, and tighten the top tether
according to the child restraint instructions
and the following instructions:

If the position you are
using does not have a
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
single tether, route the
tether over the seatback.

If the position you are
using does not have a
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
dual tether, route the tether
over the seatback.

2-50

If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a single
tether, route the tether
under the headrest or head
restraint and in between the
headrest or head restraint
posts. See Head Restraints
on page 2-2.

If the position you are using
has an adjustable headrest
or head restraint and you
are using a dual tether
route the tether under the
headrest or head restraint
and in between the
headrest or head restraint
posts. See Head Restraints
on page 2-2.

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

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position

When securing a child restraint in a rear seating
position, study the instructions that came with the
child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this
vehicle.

If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on
page 2-44 for how and where to install the child restraint

using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured in the
vehicle using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 2-44 for top tether anchor locations.

Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top
tether anchor if a national or local law requires that
the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions
that come with the child restraint say that the top strap
must be anchored.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.

2-51

If the child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you will be using the safety 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.

If more than one child restraint needs to be installed in
the rear seat, be sure to read Where to Put the
Restraint on page 2-42.

1. Put the child 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.

3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Position the release button on the buckle so that

the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.

2-52

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

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. When installing a
forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to
use your knee to push down on the child restraint as
you tighten the belt.

6. If the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions regarding the
use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 2-44 for more
information.

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

2-53

To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle
safety belt and let it return to the stowed position.
If the top tether is attached to a top tether anchor,
disconnect it.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to
secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to
Put the Restraint on page 2-42.

In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system
which is designed to turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
under certain conditions. See Passenger Sensing

System on page 2-68 and Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-29 for more information, including

important safety information.
A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing

child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

{ WARNING:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger
airbag inflates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the
inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger
seat is in a forward position.

Even if the passenger sensing system has turned
off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.

Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat,
even if the airbag is off. 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.

See Passenger Sensing System on page 2-68 for
additional information.

2-54

If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on
page 2-44 for how and where to install the child restraint

using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured using a
safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors
and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 2-44 for
top tether anchor locations.

Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top
tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the
top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that
come with the child restraint say that the top strap must
be anchored.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.

You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the
child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that
came with the child restraint.

1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before
securing the forward-facing child restraint.

When the passenger sensing system has turned off
the right front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag, the off indicator
on the passenger airbag status indicator should light
and stay lit when you start the vehicle. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29.

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.

2-55

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Position the release button on the buckle so that

the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.

2-56

5. Pull the rest of the shoulder 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. When installing a
forward-facing child restraint, it may be 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.

If the airbags are off, the off indicator in the passenger
airbag status indicator will come on and stay on
when the vehicle is started.

If a child restraint has been installed and the on
indicator is lit, see “If the On Indicator is Lit for a
Child Restraint” under Passenger Sensing System
on page 2-68 for more information.

To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle
safety belt and let it return to the stowed position.

2-57

Airbag System

The vehicle has the following airbags:

• A frontal airbag for the driver.

• A frontal airbag for the right front passenger.

• A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the driver.

• A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the right front

passenger.

• A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the passenger

seated directly behind the driver.

• A roof-rail airbag for the right front passenger and

the passenger seated directly behind the right
front passenger.

All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the word
AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label
near the deployment opening.

For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the
middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and
on the instrument panel for the right front passenger.

With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback
closest to the door.

With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear
along the headliner or trim.

Airbags are designed to supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbags
are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury
from the force of an inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.

2-58

Here are the most important things to know about the
airbag system:

{ WARNING:

{ WARNING:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if
you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you
have airbags. Airbags are designed to work with
safety belts, but do not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to deploy in every crash.
In some crashes safety belts are your only
restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 2-63.

Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps
reduce your chance of hitting things inside the
vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the safety belts.
Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an airbag for
that person.

Airbags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily
close to the airbag, as you would be if you were
sitting on the edge of your seat or leaning forward.
Safety belts help keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even
with airbags. The driver should sit as far back as
possible while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.

Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the
door or side windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags and/or roof-rail
airbags.

2-59

{ WARNING:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any
airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
protection for adults and older children, but not for
young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s
safety belt system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young children and infants
need the protection that a child restraint system
can provide. Always secure children properly in
your vehicle. To read how, see Older Children on

page 2-32 or Infants and Young Children on
page 2-35.

There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.

The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 4-28
for more information.

2-60

Where Are the Airbags?

The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.

The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.

2-61

Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar

Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar

The seat-mounted side impact airbags for the driver and
right front passenger are in the side of the seatbacks
closest to the door.

2-62

The roof-rail airbags for the driver, right front passenger,
and second row outboard passengers are in the
ceiling above the side windows.

{ WARNING:

If something is between an occupant and an
airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put
anything between an occupant and an airbag, and
do not attach or put anything on the steering
wheel hub or on or near any other airbag
covering.

Do not use seat accessories that block the
inflation path of a seat-mounted side impact
airbag.

Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with
roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down
through any door or window opening. If you do,
the path of an inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.

When Should an Airbag Inflate?

Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver’s or
right front passenger’s head and chest. However, they
are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is
likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and
help restrain the occupants.

Whether the frontal airbags will or should deploy is not
based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends
largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact,
and how quickly your vehicle slows down.

2-63

Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds.
For example:

• If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags

could inflate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.

• If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the

airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.

• If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole), the

airbags could inflate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).

• If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle, the

airbags could inflate at a different crash speed

than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
Thresholds can also vary with specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during vehicle

rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has dual-stage frontal airbags.

Dual-stage airbags adjust the restraint according to
crash severity. The vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe
frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage
airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment.
For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.

The vehicle has seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail
airbags. See Airbag System on page 2-58.
Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are
intended to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes.
Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags will
inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s
designed threshold level. The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design.

Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are not
intended to inflate in frontal impacts, near-frontal
impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts. A seat-mounted side
impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the
vehicle that is struck. A roof-rail airbag is intended
to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an
airbag should have inflated simply because of the
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs
were. For frontal airbags, inflation is determined by
what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down. For seat-mounted
side impact and roof-rail airbags, deployment is
determined by the location and severity of the side
impact.

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What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an
electrical signal triggering a release of gas from
the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing
the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The
inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.

Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering
wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with
seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag
modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the
door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are
airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the
side windows that have occupant seating positions.

In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle.

Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety
belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted
side impact and roof-rail airbags distribute the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body.

But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,
primarily because the occupant’s motion is not
toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag
Inflate? on page 2-63 for more information.

Airbags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belts.

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What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?

{ WARNING:

After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact
airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that
some people may not even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for
some time after they deploy. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For
location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 2-65.

The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent
the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being
able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle.

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When an airbag inflates, there may be dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle
should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If
you have breathing problems but cannot get out of
the vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or a door. If you
experience breathing problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek medical attention.

The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock
the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the
airbags inflate. You can lock the doors, turn off the
interior lamps and hazard warning flashers by using the
controls for those features.

{ WARNING:

A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may
have also damaged important functions in the
vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and
steering systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears
to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may
be concealed damage that could make it difficult
to safely operate the vehicle.

Use caution if you should attempt to restart the
engine after a crash has occurred.

In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.

• Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an

airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.

• The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic

module which records information after a crash.
See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 8-15 and Event Data Recorders on page 8-16.

• Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag

systems. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer/retailer for service.

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Passenger Sensing System

The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position. The passenger airbag
status indicator will be visible on the instrument
panel when the vehicle is started.

United States

The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
are visible during the system check. If you are using
remote start, if equipped, to start the vehicle from
a distance, you may not see the system check. When
the system check is complete, either the word ON
or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29.

Canada

The passenger sensing system turns off the right front
passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag under certain conditions. The driver
airbags and the roof-rail airbags are not affected by the
passenger sensing system.

The passenger sensing system works with sensors that
are part of the right front passenger seat. The sensors
are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
should be enabled (may inflate) or not.

According to accident statistics, children are safer when
properly secured in a rear seat in the correct child
restraint for their weight and size.

We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat,
including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing
child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child
seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children,
who are large enough, using safety belts.

A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing
child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

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