Saturn L- 2004 User Manual

Download

2004 Saturn L-Series Owner Manual M

Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Air Bag Systems Restraint System Check

Features and Controls

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

OnStar Storage Areas Sunroof

Instrument Panel

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

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

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

............................................. 1-11

....................................... 1-35

...................................... 1-62

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

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

................................................. 2-16

.................................................... 2-33

System

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

...................................... 2-40

......................................... 2-41

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

...................................... 3-17

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

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

............................ 1-72

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

............................ 2-18

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

........... 2-19

........ 3-25

Driving Your Vehicle

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing

Service and Appearance Care

Service Fuel Checking Things Under the Hood Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires Appearance Care Vehicle Identiﬁcation Electrical System Capacities and Speciﬁcations

Maintenance Schedule

Customer Assistance and Information

Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects

Index

................................................... 4-32

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

......................................................... 5-5

...................................................... 5-54

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

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

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

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

.................................... 5-46

..................................... 5-82

................................. 5-90

...................................... 5-91

..................... 5-98

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

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

............................ 7-9

..... 4-2

......... 5-53

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

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

SATURN and the SATURN Emblem are registered trademarks of Saturn Corporation. GM and the GM Emblem are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice.

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

Canadian Owners

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

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

How to Use This Manual

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

Index

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

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 04LSERIES B FIRST EDITION

Safety Warnings and Symbols

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

{CAUTION:

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

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

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

iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Vehicle Symbols

Also, in this manual you will ﬁnd these notices:

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1

• Features and Controls in Section 2

• Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3

• Climate Controls in Section 3

• Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3

• Audio System(s) in Section 3

• Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5

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

✍ NOTES

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

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

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

Driver Seat Height Adjuster ..............................1-3

Six-Way Power Driver Seat ..............................1-4

Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-4

Heated Seats .................................................1-5

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

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

Rear Seats .......................................................1-8

Split Folding Rear Seat ...................................1-8

Safety Belts ...................................................1-11

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-11

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-15

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-16

Driver Position ..............................................1-16

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-24

Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-25

Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-25

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children

and Small Adults .......................................1-33

Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-35

Child Restraints .............................................1-35

Older Children ..............................................1-35

Infants and Young Children ............................1-38

Child Restraint Systems .................................1-42

Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-44

Top Strap ....................................................1-46

Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-47

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-50

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the

LATCH System .........................................1-52

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat

Position (Sedan) ........................................1-52

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside

Seat Position (Wagon) ...............................1-54

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear

Seat Position (Wagon) ...............................1-56

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front

Seat Position ............................................1-58

Air Bag Systems ............................................1-62

Where Are the Air Bags? ...............................1-64

When Should an Air Bag Inﬂate? ....................1-67

1-1

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

What Makes an Air Bag Inﬂate? .....................1-68

How Does an Air Bag Restrain? .....................1-68

What Will You See After an Air Bag Inﬂates? .......1-69

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle .........1-71

Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped

Vehicle ....................................................1-72

1-2

Restraint System Check ..................................1-72

Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................1-72

Replacing Restraint System Parts After

a Crash ...................................................1-73

Front Seats

Manual Seats

{CAUTION:

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

Driver Seat Height Adjuster

Lift the bar located under the front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place.

If your vehicle has this feature, the driver’s seat height adjuster is located on the outside of the seat.

Pull lever up to raise or lower seat to a comfortable height.

1-3

Six-Way Power Driver Seat

If your vehicle has this feature, the control is located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat. To adjust the seat do any of the following:

• Move the seat forward or rearward by pressing the

center switch forward or rearward.

• Move the entire seat up or down by pressing the

DOWN/UP switch.

• Adjust the seatback by pressing the RECLINE

switch forward or rearward.

See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5, later in this section, for more information.

Manual Lumbar

If your vehicle has this feature, the knob is located on the inboard side of the driver’s seatback.

Turn the knob forward or rearward to increase or decrease the lumbar support.

1-4

Heated Seats

If your vehicle has this feature, the thumbwheel controls for both driver and passenger heated seats are located in the center of the instrument panel.

Move the thumbwheel to the ﬁrst circle to warm the seat to a lower temperature and to the second circle for a higher temperature. An indicator light tells you that the heating system is on. This feature will only work when the ignition is on.

Reclining Seatbacks

To adjust the seatback on a manual seat, lift the lever on the outer side of the seat and move the seatback to where you want it. Then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.

1-5

On a power driver’s seat, adjust the seatback by pressing the RECLINE switch forward or rearward.

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

1-6

{CAUTION:

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

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

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

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

Head Restraints

Your vehicle has adjustable head restraints on the front seats. Slide an adjustable head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of neck injury in a crash.

The adjustable head restraints tilt forward and rearward also.

1-7

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

Your vehicle is equipped with a split folding rear seat. A split folding rear seat enables you to carry long cargo by folding down part or all of the rear seat.

Sedan

On sedans, you can fold either the driver’s or passenger’s right side of the seatback separately or both sides together. Lift the lever on the corner of the seatback.

Make sure the front seat is not reclined. If it is, the rear seatback won’t fold down all the way.

If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, remove the rear center lap-shoulder belt latch. Push the release button up into the slot with a key to remove the lap-shoulder belt latch.

1-8

{CAUTION:

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.

{CAUTION:

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

To raise the seatback up, follow these steps:

1. Raise the seatback up and make sure it latches. Push and pull the top of the seatback to ensure that all of the latches are secure.

2. Reconnect the center safety belt latch plate to the buckle.

Make sure the safety belt label is pointing to the release button, and that both the safety belt label and release button are facing the front of the vehicle. Make sure the belt is not twisted. Push and pull on the latch plate to ensure the belt is secure.

1-9

Wagon

On wagons, you can fold either the passenger’s side of the seatback or the entire seatback.

To fold down the passenger’s side of the seatback, pull the lever on the corner of the seatback. To lower the entire rear seatback, pull the lever on the corner of the driver’s side seatback.

{CAUTION:

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

When the seatback is put in an upright position, be sure the latches engage by pushing rearward with your hand over the latch locations. Then push and pull at the top of the seatback to ensure that all latches are secure.

1-10

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

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

{CAUTION:

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

{CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See

Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-28.

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

1-11

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

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

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

Why Safety Belts Work

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

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

1-12

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

doesn’t stop.

1-13

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

1-14

or the instrument panel...

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

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

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

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

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

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

wear safety belts?

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

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

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

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

1-15

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

home, why should I wear safety belts?

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

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

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

Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

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

safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-35 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-38. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.

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

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

1-16

Lap-Shoulder Belt

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

1. Close and lock the door.

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

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

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

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

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on

page 1-35

1-17

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

1-18

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 at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

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

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

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

To move it down, press down on the indented part of the height adjuster and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the bottom of the height adjuster. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pressing down on the indented part to make sure it has locked into position.

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

1-19

Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

as much protection this way.

{CAUTION:

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

1-20

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

{CAUTION:

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

1-21

Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

{CAUTION:

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

1-22

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t 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 retailer to ﬁx it.

1-23

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

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

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

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

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

1-24

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

Right Front Passenger Position

To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-16.

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

Rear Seat Passengers

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

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

Rear Seat Passenger Positions (Sedan)

1-25

Lap-Shoulder Belt

All rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear one properly.

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

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

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

When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.

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

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

1-26

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 at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

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

{CAUTION:

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

1-27

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

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions (Wagon)

1-28

Lap-Shoulder Belt

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

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

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

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

When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.

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

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

1-29

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.

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

{CAUTION:

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

1-30

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

Center Rear Passenger Position (Wagon)

1-31

Lap Belt

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

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

Buckle, position and release is the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-32

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults

If you would like to have rear shoulder belt comfort guides installed on your vehicle, contact your retailer.

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

There is one guide available for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and booster seats and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use 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.

1-33

2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, 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.

1-34

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-25. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. 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 elastic cord exposed.

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 to fasten, your 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. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.

Child Restraints

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

1-35

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

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

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

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

1-36

{CAUTION:

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

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

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

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

A: For Sedan Models: If the child is sitting in a seat

next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide.

For Wagon Models: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see Rear Safety Belt

Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults on page 1-33. If the child is so small that the shoulder

belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in the center seat position, the one that has only a lap belt.

1-37

{CAUTION:

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

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

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

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.

1-38

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

{CAUTION:

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

1-39

{CAUTION:

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

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

restraints?

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

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

1-40

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.

{CAUTION:

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

{CAUTION:

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

1-41

Child Restraint Systems

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

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

1-42

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

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

1-43

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Put the Restraint

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

1-44

Here is why:

{CAUTION:

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

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

{CAUTION:

A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the right front passenger’s air bag if it inﬂates. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It is always better to secure a child restraint in the rear seat.

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

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

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

1-45

Top Strap

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

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

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

Anchor the top strap to an anchor point speciﬁed in Top Strap Anchor Location on page 1-47. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.

1-46

{CAUTION:

Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket.

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

Top Strap Anchor Location

Your vehicle has top strap anchors installed for the rear seating positions only.

Do not secure a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. There is no place to anchor the top strap in this position.

1-47

Sedan

Wagon

The anchors are located behind the rear seat on the ﬁller panel. In order to get to one of these brackets, you will have to open the trim cover. The trim cover is marked with the symbol for child seat top tether anchor.

1-48

Anchor brackets are located on the ﬂoor in the cargo area.

{CAUTION:

Routing the top strap for a child restraint over or under the cargo shade could cause the shade to come loose and even break. If this happens, the shade could be thrown about the vehicle in a collision or sudden maneuver. You or others could be injured. When anchoring a top strap to an anchor bracket, be sure to remove the cargo shade from your vehicle. See “Cargo Shade” in the Index.

Each top tether is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket.

1-49

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)

Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll ﬁnd anchors (A) for all three rear seating positions.

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

1-50

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

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

The labels are located near the base of all three rear seating positions.

{CAUTION:

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

1-51

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seating position you want to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion. See Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-50.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

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

4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Also see Top Strap on page 1-46.

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

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

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position (Sedan)

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

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-50. See Top Strap on page 1-46 if the child restraint has one.

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

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

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

1-52

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

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

1-53

5. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

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

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

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position (Wagon)

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

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-50. See Top Strap on page 1-46 if the child restraint has one.

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

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

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

1-54

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

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

1-55

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

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position (Wagon)

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

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-50. See Top Strap on page 1-46 if the child restraint has one.

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

1-56

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

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

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

1-57

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

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

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

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

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

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

Children (LATCH System) on page 1-50. See Top Strap on page 1-46 if the child restraint has one.

1-58

There is no top strap anchor in the right front passenger’s position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored.

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

{CAUTION:

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

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

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.

1-59

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

1-60

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. You may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

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

1-61

Air Bag Systems

This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems.

Your vehicle has four air bags:

• A frontal air bag for the driver and another frontal

air bag for the right front passenger,

• A roof-mounted side impact air bag for the driver

and passenger directly behind the driver, and

• A roof-mounted side impact air bag for the right

front passenger and the person seated directly behind that passenger.

Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating air bag. But these air bags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations.

Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems:

{CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt – even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts but do not replace them.

Frontal air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inﬂate in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past.

The side impact air bags are designed to inﬂate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle.

CAUTION: (Continued)

1-62

CAUTION: (Continued)

{CAUTION:

They are not designed to inﬂate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes.

Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly – whether or not there is an air bag for that person.

{CAUTION:

Both frontal and side impact air bags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inﬂating air bag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inﬂation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt even with frontal air bags. 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.

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual called “Older Children” or “Infants and Young Children.”

1-63

There is a air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the air bag symbol.

The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Air Bag Readiness Light on page 3-28 for more information.

Where Are the Air Bags?

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

1-64

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

If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the driver and the person seated directly behind the driver, it is in the ceiling above the side windows.

1-65

If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the right front passenger and the person seated directly behind that passenger, it is in the ceiling above the side windows.

{CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering. And, because your vehicle has side impact air bags, never secure anything to the roof of your vehicle by routing the rope or tiedown through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inﬂating side impact air bag will be blocked. The path of an inﬂating air bag must be kept clear.

1-66

When Should an Air Bag Inﬂate?

The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inﬂate only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.”

If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with speciﬁc vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher.

The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are not designed to inﬂate in rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inﬂation would not help the occupant.

Side impact air bags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not designed to inﬂate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inﬂation would not help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal air bags, inﬂation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact air bags, inﬂation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.

1-67

What Makes an Air Bag Inﬂate?

How Does an Air Bag Restrain?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inﬂator, which inﬂates the air bag. The inﬂator, air bag, and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger. For vehicles with side impact air bags, the air bag modules are located in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows.

1-68

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. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for vehicles with a driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bag.

What Will You See After an Air Bag Inﬂates?

{CAUTION:

After the air bag inﬂates, it quickly deﬂates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inﬂated. Some components of the air bag module will be hot for a short time. These components include the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal air bag and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal air bag. For vehicles with side impact air bags, the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows will be hot. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deﬂated air bags. Air bag inﬂation does not prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

When an air bag inﬂates, there is 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 can not get out of the vehicle after an air bag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an air bag deployment, you should seek medical attention.

Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock the doors and turn the interior dome lamp on and ﬂash the daytime running lights on and off when the air bags inﬂate (if battery power is available). You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls.

1-69

You must ﬁrst turn your ignition key to the following ignition switch positions:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

2. Turn the ignition key to the RUN position.

3. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

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

• Air bags are designed to inﬂate only once. After an

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

• Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and

diagnostic module, which records information about the air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the system commands air bag inﬂation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.

• Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on your air bag

system. Improper service can mean that your air bag system will not work properly. See your retailer for service.

Notice: If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s air bag, or the side impact air bag covering on the ceiling near the side windows, the bag may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag module in the steering wheel, both the air bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s air bag, or side impact air bag module and ceiling covering for the roof-mounted side impact air bag. Do not open or break the air bag coverings.

1-70

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

{CAUTION:

Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are air bag system parts in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to inﬂate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your retailer and the Saturn Service Manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-10.

For up to one minute after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inﬂate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inﬂates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape, yellow coverings, or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualiﬁed to do so.

Air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.

1-71

Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Q: If I add a luggage carrier or sunroof to the roof

of my vehicle, will it keep the roof-mounted side impact air bags from working properly?

A: As long as the luggage carrier or sunroof is

properly installed so that the vehicle’s basic structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the roof-mounted side impact air bags from working properly in a crash.

Restraint System Check

Checking Your Restraint Systems

Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.

Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.)

1-72

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

{CAUTION:

A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts?

After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.

If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system wasn’t being used at the time of the collision.

If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the adjuster may need to be replaced.

If an air bag inﬂates, you’ll need to replace air bag system parts. See the part about the air bag system earlier in this manual.

1-73

✍ NOTES

1-74

Section 2 Features and Controls

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

Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5

Doors and Locks .............................................2-9

Door Locks ....................................................2-9

Power Door Locks ........................................2-10

Delayed Locking ...........................................2-10

Programmable Automatic Door Locks ..............2-11

Rear Door Security Locks ..............................2-11

Lockout Protection ........................................2-12

Leaving Your Vehicle ....................................2-12

Trunk/Liftgate ...............................................2-13

Windows ........................................................2-16

Manual Windows ..........................................2-17

Power Windows ............................................2-17

Sun Visors ...................................................2-18

Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-18

Passlock

....................................................2-18

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-19

New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-19

Ignition Positions ..........................................2-20

Starting Your Engine .....................................2-21

Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-22

Automatic Transaxle Operation .......................2-23

Parking Brake ..............................................2-27

Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) ......2-28

Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-30

Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-30

Engine Exhaust ............................................2-31

Running Your Engine While You Are Parked ....2-32

Mirrors ...........................................................2-33

Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-33

Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with

OnStar

, Compass and Temperature

..............2-33

Display ....................................................2-34

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with

Compass and Temperature Display ..............2-36

Outside Remote Control Mirror .......................2-38

Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-39

Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-39

Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................2-39

OnStar

System .............................................2-40

2-1

Section 2 Features and Controls

Storage Areas ................................................2-41

Glove Box ...................................................2-41

Center Console Storage Area .........................2-41

Assist Handles .............................................2-41

2-2

Load Floor Storage Box .................................2-42

Roof Rack System ........................................2-42

Cargo Cover ................................................2-43

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

Keys

{CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-3

One key is used for the ignition and all of the locks. Key code information can be obtained only at the retailer

where your vehicle was purchased. These code numbers can be used to make new keys. Additional keys that are needed can be made at any retail service facility provided you have the key code information. Store this information in a safe place, but not in your vehicle.

Have extra keys made. Your service parts department can make extra keys for you.

Notice: If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys.

Remote Keyless Entry System

The remote keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.

2-4

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:

• Check the distance. You may be too far from your

vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather.

• Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may

be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

• Check to determine if battery replacement or

resynchronization is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” and “Resynchronization” under

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5.

• If you are still having trouble, see your Saturn

retailer or authorized service provider for service.

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation

With this feature, you can lock and unlock the doors or the trunk from about 26 feet (8 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.

LOCK: Press this button on the remote keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors. This also arms the theft-deterrent system. See “Theft-Deterrent System” following for information on arming the theft-deterrent system.

Your vehicle can be programmed so that the parking lamps will ﬂash and/or the horn will sound when you lock the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter. See your retailer for more information on programming this feature.

2-5

UNLOCK: Press this button on the remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the driver’s door. This also disarms the theft-deterrent system. See “Theft-Deterrent System” following for information on disarming the theft-deterrent system. Press the button again within 5 seconds to unlock the rest of the doors.

L(Panic Alarm): Press the button with the horn

symbol when the ignition is turned off. The horn will sound and the parking lamps and dome lamp will ﬂash for up to two minutes. To stop the panic alarm, press this button again.

V (Trunk): Press this button to open the trunk or

liftgate. The trunk or liftgate will not open when this button is pressed if the vehicle is moving.

Theft-Deterrent System

The remote keyless entry transmitter is used to arm/disarm the theft-deterrent system. Your vehicle’s theft-deterrent system can be programmed to three different modes.

Active Arming: The system will arm when the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed. The system will disarm when the unlock button is pressed.

Passive Arming: The system will arm itself one minute after the ignition is turned off and the driver’s door has been opened and closed. If the lock button on the transmitter is pressed before the minute has passed, the system will arm immediately. The system will disarm when the unlock button is pressed.

Security System Disable: The system will not arm. To change the mode that your vehicle is programmed to,

do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC.

2. Press the panic alarm button on the transmitter slowly four times within ﬁve seconds.

3. You must complete one of the following within three seconds to change the mode.

• To select the active arming mode, press the lock

button on the transmitter.

• To select the passive arming mode, press the

trunk release button on the transmitter.

• To select the security system disable mode,

press the unlock button on the transmitter.

2-6

A chime will sound once the mode has been selected. If you accidentally set off the alarm when entering/exiting

the vehicle, you can shut it off by pressing any button on the remote keyless entry transmitter other than the panic alarm button.

If you hear three horn chirps when you press the unlock button on the transmitter, that means the vehicle’s alarm was triggered while you were away.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your retailer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your retailer. When the retailer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your retailer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it.

Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about four years.

You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the battery.

Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter.

1. Use a ﬂat thin object to pry open the transmitter.

2-7

2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a pencil or similar object to remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.

3. Insert the new battery as the instructions under the cover indicate.

4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure no moisture can enter.

5. Check the operation of the transmitter.

If the transmitter does not work, try synchronizing your transmitter with your receiver. See “Resynchronization” for more information.

Resynchronization

This is used to keep the transmitter of the vehicle communicating with the receiver of the vehicle. Resynchronization may be required due to the security method used by this system.

Your vehicle has an automatic resynchronization function built into the system. If your transmitter is not working properly and you have to manually resynchronize, press the lock and unlock buttons at the same time for seven seconds while you are near your vehicle. The doors will lock or unlock, depending on their starting position. If they do not, contact your retailer for service.

2-8

Doors and Locks

Door Locks

{CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

• Passengers — especially children — can

easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive.

• Young children who get into unlocked

vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it.

• Outsiders can easily enter through an

unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, you can use your door key to lock

or unlock a front door.

To manually lock or unlock the door from the inside, move the door lock pin on the door down or up. The unlocked door indicator on the door pin will be hidden when the door is locked.

2-9

Power Door Locks

Delayed Locking

2-10

Press the bottom half of the switch on either front door to lock all of the doors. Push the top half of the switch to unlock all of the doors. The unlocked door indicators on the manual door lock pins will be hidden when the doors are locked.

A chime will sound three times to indicate a door is open when you try to lock the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter or the power door lock switch. The doors will not lock, and the remote keyless entry system will not arm until all the doors are closed and ﬁve seconds have passed.

The delayed locking feature can be overridden by pressing the lock button on the remote keyless entry, or the door lock switch, a second time. The doors will lock immediately and when all doors are closed the remote keyless entry system will arm after 30 seconds.

To get the horn to chirp if a door was open during the arming process, you must press the lock button on your transmitter twice after the doors are closed.

Programmable Automatic Door Locks

With this feature, all the doors will lock as the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P) if the ignition key is in the RUN position and all doors are closed. The doors will automatically lock if the vehicle is going faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).

In the following two situations, when a door is opened, all doors will lock again:

• The brake pedal is applied, a door is opened and

then closed, and the brake pedal is released.

• A door is opened and closed without the brake

pedal applied while the vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).

When programmed, all doors will unlock when the key is removed from the ignition.

The programmable unlocking feature can be programmed on or off by turning the ignition key to RUN and pressing the unlock power door lock switch for eight seconds. The horn will chirp once when this feature is on and will chirp twice when it is off.

Rear Door Security Locks

Your vehicle has rear door security locks that prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside.

The rear door security locks are located on the inside edge of each rear door. You must open the rear doors to access them.

To set the secondary locks, do the following:

1. Insert the key into the lock next to the rear door security lock label and turn it clockwise for the driver’s side and counterclockwise for the passenger’s side.

2. Close the door.

2-11

When you want to open a rear door when the security lock is on, do the following:

1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the front door power lock switch, or by lifting the rear door manual lock.

2. Open the door from the outside.

To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:

1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.

2. Insert the key into the slot next to the rear door security lock label and turn it counterclockwise for the driver’s side and clockwise for the passenger’s side.

Lockout Protection

If you press the power door lock switch when the key is in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will lock and only the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle.

Leaving Your Vehicle

If you are leaving the vehicle, open your door and set the locks from the inside. Then get out and close the door.

2-12

Trunk/Liftgate

{CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk or liftgate open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can not see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.If you must drive with the trunk or liftgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk or liftgate:

• Make sure all other windows are shut.

• Turn the fan on your heating or cooling

system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See Climate Control System on page 3-17.

• If you have air outlets on or under the

instrument panel, open them all the way.

See Engine Exhaust on page 2-31.

Trunk (Sedan)

To open the trunk on your sedan from outside of your vehicle you may either insert the key into the lock cylinder and turn the key clockwise, or press the trunk release button.

To open the trunk on your sedan from inside your vehicle, push the trunk release button located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.

Your trunk release button will not function if the vehicle is moving.

2-13

Liftgate Release (Wagon)

Unlock the liftgate by doing any of the following:

• Press the unlock button on your remote keyless

entry transmitter twice.

• Press the liftgate button on your transmitter.

• Press the interior door unlock switch.

• Enable the automatic door unlocking feature.

• Insert the key into the liftgate and turn it clockwise

to open the liftgate.

Once the liftgate is unlocked, it can be opened by pressing the liftgate key cylinder button.

The liftgate will lock automatically when closed and the vehicle detects a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km).

{CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk or liftgate open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can not see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the trunk or liftgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk or liftgate:

• Make sure all other windows are shut.

• Turn the fan on your heating or cooling

system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See Climate Control System on page 3-17.

• If you have air outlets on or under the

instrument panel, open them all the way.

See Engine Exhaust on page 2-31.

2-14

Emergency Trunk Release Handle (Sedan)

Pull the t-shaped trunk release handle straight back to open the trunk from the inside.

There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located inside the trunk near the bottom edge of the trunk lid. This handle will glow following exposure to light.

Notice: Using the emergency trunk release handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk may damage it. Use the emergency trunk release handle only to help you open the trunk lid.

Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit

To help prevent a child from becoming trapped in your trunk, you can order a trap-resistant trunk kit from your retailer. This kit includes:

• A modiﬁed trunk latch.

• A lighted release handle.

See your retailer for additional information.

2-15

Windows

{CAUTION:

Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-16

Manual Windows

On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window crank to open and close each window.

Power Windows

Switches are located on each side of the shift lever on the console. To open a window press the switch down and lift up to close it.

The power windows can operate only when the ignition key is in the RUN or the ACC position.

A rear window switch is located on each rear door. Press the bottom half of the switch to open the window and the top to close it.

Express-Down Window

The driver’s window switch has an express-down feature that is labeled AUTO. Press the switch all the way down and hold it there momentarily, and the driver’s window will go all the way down. To stop the automatic function, lift the switch all the way up and release it.

2-17

Window Lock Out

The driver’s window controls also include a lock-out switch. Press the window lock switch to the left to stop rear passengers from using their window switches. The driver can still control all the windows with the lock on. Press the right side of the window lock button to return to normal window operation.

Sun Visors

To block out glare swing the visors down or to the side.

Visor Vanity Mirrors

Your vehicle has covered visor vanity mirrors. Some models have illuminated visor vanity mirrors for the driver only or for the driver and right front passenger. When you lift the cover the light will automatically come on, even when the ignition is off.

Theft-Deterrent Systems

Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal.

Passlock

Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock

L: This light will come on for the theft-deterent system.

Passlock Passlock turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.

theft-deterrent system.

is a passive theft-deterrent system.

enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is

2-18

During normal operation, the security light will go off approximately ﬁve seconds after the key is turned to the RUN ignition position following an engine start.

If the engine stalls and the security light ﬂashes, wait until the light stops ﬂashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from START as soon as the engine starts.

If the engine is running and the security light comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock not working properly and must be serviced by your retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock this time. You may also want to check the fuses, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-92. See your retailer for service. Also, see Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6 for more information.

system is

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

New Vehicle Break-In

Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:

• Do not drive at any one speed — fast or

slow — for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.

• Avoid making hard stops for the ﬁrst 200 miles

(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings.

• Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing a

Trailer on page 4-40 for more information.

2-19

Ignition Positions

With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the switch to four positions.

OFF: This position locks your steering column in a vehicle with a manual transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to OFF.

Notice: If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can not turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle needs service.

ACC (Accessory): This is the position in which you

can operate your electrical accessories. With the key in this position, the ignition and automatic transaxle will unlock. Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed.

RUN: This is the position for driving to which the switch returns after you start the engine and release the switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine is running. But even when the engine is not running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories and to display some instrument panel cluster messages and warning lights.

START: This position starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to RUN for normal driving.

2-20

Saturn L- 2004 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats

Manual Seats

Driver Seat Height Adjuster

Six-Way Power Driver Seat

Manual Lumbar

Heated Seats

Reclining Seatbacks

Head Restraints

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Driver Position

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Right Front Passenger Position

Rear Seat Passengers

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults

Safety Belt Extender

Child Restraints

Older Children

Infants and Young Children

Child Restraint Systems

Where to Put the Restraint

Top Strap

Top Strap Anchor Location

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position (Sedan)

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position (Wagon)

Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position (Wagon)

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

Air Bag Systems

Where Are the Air Bags?

How Does an Air Bag Restrain?

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Restraint System Check

Checking Your Restraint Systems

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

Section 2 Features and Controls

Keys

Remote Keyless Entry System

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation

Doors and Locks

Door Locks

Power Door Locks

Delayed Locking

Programmable Automatic Door Locks

Rear Door Security Locks

Lockout Protection

Leaving Your Vehicle

Trunk/Liftgate

Windows

Manual Windows

Power Windows

Sun Visors

Theft-Deterrent Systems

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

New Vehicle Break-In

Ignition Positions