2016 Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual

outside.

To cancel the safety lock: 1. Unlock the door and open it

2.

from the outside. Insert the key into the safety lock slot and turn it so the slot is in the vertical position. Do the same for the other door.

Doors

Liftgate

{ Warning

Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven with the liftgate or trunk/hatch open, or with any objects that pass through the seal between the body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate or trunk/hatch open: . Close all of the windows. . Fully open the air outlets on

or under the instrument panel.

. Adjust the climate control

system to a setting that brings in only outside air

(Continued)

Warning (Continued)

and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See “Climate Control Systems” in the Index. If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate, disable the power liftgate function.

See Engine Exhaust 0 166

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Caution

To avoid damage to the liftgate or liftgate glass, make sure the area above and behind the liftgate is clear before opening it.

Manual Liftgate To unlock the liftgate, press the power door lock switch or press K on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter twice within five seconds. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26

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33

Power Liftgate

{ Warning

You or others could be injured if caught in the path of the power liftgate. Make sure there is no one in the way of the liftgate as it is opening and closing.

If equipped, the power liftgate switch is on the overhead console. The vehicle must be in P (Park) to operate. The taillamps flash when the power liftgate moves. The three modes are:

MAX : Opens to maximum height. 3/4 : Opens to a reduced height that can be set by the vehicle operator. Use this setting to prevent the liftgate from opening into overhead obstructions such as a garage door or roof mounted cargo during power operation. The liftgate can still be fully opened manually. OFF : Opens manually only. Manual operation of a liftgate that also has power operation requires more effort than a standard manual liftgate. To open or close the liftgate, select MAX or 3/4 mode and then: . Press and hold Y on the RKE transmitter until the liftgate starts moving. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26

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. Press the power liftgate switch on the overhead console, with the driver door unlocked.

To open the liftgate, press the touch pad under the liftgate handle and lift up. Use the pull cup to lower and close the liftgate. Do not press the touch pad while closing the liftgate. This may cause the liftgate to be unlatched. Always close the liftgate before driving.

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Keys, Doors, and Windows

The power liftgate may be temporarily disabled under extreme temperatures or low battery conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate can still be operated manually. If the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park) while the power function is in progress, the liftgate power function will continue to completion. If the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park) and accelerated before the power liftgate latch is closed, the liftgate may reverse to the open position. Cargo could fall out of the vehicle. Always make sure the power liftgate is closed and latched before driving away. If the liftgate is power opened and the liftgate support struts have lost pressure, the turn signals flash and a chime will sound. The liftgate stays open temporarily, and then slowly closes. See your dealer for service before using the liftgate. Obstacle Detection Features If the liftgate encounters an obstacle during a power open or close cycle, the liftgate will automatically reverse direction to the full closed or open

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position. After removing the obstruction, the power liftgate operation can be used again. If the liftgate encounters multiple obstacles on the same power cycle, the power function will deactivate and a message will display in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See Object Detection System . After removing the Messages 0 116
obstructions, the liftgate will resume normal power operation. Pinch sensors are located on the side edges of the liftgate. If an object is caught between the liftgate and the vehicle and presses against this sensor, the liftgate will reverse direction and open fully. The liftgate will remain open until it is activated again or closed manually. Setting the 3/4 Mode To change the position the liftgate stops at when opening: 1. Select MAX or 3/4 mode and

open the liftgate.

Press and release 8 on the liftgate next to the latch to close the liftgate. Press any liftgate switch or the touch pad while the liftgate is moving to stop it. Pressing again reverses the direction. There is a minimum distance that the power liftgate must already be open for the system to hold it open. If movement is stopped below that minimum, the liftgate closes. Do not force the liftgate open or closed during a power cycle.

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35

The liftgate has an electric latch. If the battery is disconnected or has low voltage, the liftgate will not open. The liftgate will resume operation when the battery is reconnected and charged.

2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing any liftgate switch. Manually adjust the liftgate position if needed.

3. Press and hold 8 on the liftgate next to the latch until the turn signals flash and a beep sounds to indicate that the new setting is recorded. When power opened with the 3/4
mode selected, the liftgate stops at the new set position. If there is no audible and visual feedback when setting the intermediate stop position, the liftgate height is being set below the 3/4 open height minimum (approximately 1.5 m or 5 ft). The liftgate cannot be set below that minimum and the new setting will not be recorded. Manual Operation of Power Liftgate To change the liftgate to manual operation, turn the mode switch to the OFF position.

With the power liftgate disabled and all of the doors unlocked, the liftgate can be manually opened and closed. Manual operation of a liftgate that also has power operation requires more effort than a standard manual liftgate.

Caution

To avoid damage to the liftgate, do not use too much force when closing it.

To open the liftgate, press the touch pad under the liftgate handle and lift up. To close the liftgate, use the pull cup to lower the liftgate and close. With the power liftgate disabled, the liftgate electric latch will still power latch once contact is made with the striker. Always close the liftgate before driving. If Y on the RKE transmitter is pressed while power operation is disabled, the turn signals flash and the liftgate will not move.

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Keys, Doors, and Windows

Vehicle Security This vehicle has theft-deterrent features; however, they do not make the vehicle impossible to steal.

Vehicle Alarm System This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm system.

The indicator light, on the instrument panel near the windshield, indicates the status of the system: Off : Alarm system is disarmed.

On Solid : Vehicle is secured during the delay to arm the system. Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured. A door, the hood, or the liftgate is open. Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed. Arming the Alarm System 1. Turn off the vehicle. 2. Lock the vehicle in one of

three ways: . Use the RKE transmitter. . With a door open, press the

interior Q.

3. After 30 seconds the alarm

system will arm, and the indicator light will begin to slowly flash indicating the alarm system is operating. Pressing Q on the RKE transmitter a second time will bypass the 30-second delay and immediately arm the alarm system.

The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the doors are locked with the key. If the driver door is opened without first unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started, or the door is not unlocked by pressing K on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated. If a door, the hood, or the liftgate is opened without first disarming the system, the turn signals will flash and the horn will sound for about 30 seconds. The alarm system will then re-arm to monitor for the next unauthorized event. Disarming the Alarm System To disarm the alarm system or turn off the alarm if it has been activated: . Press K on the RKE transmitter. . Start the vehicle.

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To avoid setting off the alarm by accident: . Lock the vehicle after all

occupants have left the vehicle and all doors are closed.

. Always unlock a door with the

RKE transmitter.

Unlocking the driver door with the key will not disarm the system or turn off the alarm. How to Detect a Tamper Condition If K is pressed on the RKE transmitter and the horn chirps and the lights flash three times, an alarm occurred previously while the alarm system was armed. If the alarm has been activated, a message will appear on the DIC. See Security Messages 0 118

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Immobilizer See Radio Frequency Statement 0 299

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Keys, Doors, and Windows

37

Immobilizer Operation This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent system. The system does not have to be manually armed or disarmed. The vehicle is automatically immobilized when the key is removed from the ignition. The system is automatically disarmed when the vehicle is started with the correct key. The key uses a transponder that matches an immobilizer control unit in the vehicle and automatically disarms the system. Only an authorized key starts the vehicle. The vehicle may not start if the key is damaged.

When trying to start the vehicle, the security light comes on briefly when the ignition is turned on. If the engine does not start and the security light stays on, there is a problem with the system. Turn the ignition off and try again. If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be undamaged or the light continues to stay on, try another ignition key. If the engine does not start with the other key, the vehicle needs service. If the vehicle does start, the first key may be damaged. See your dealer who can service the theft-deterrent system and have a new key made. Do not leave the key or device that disarms or deactivates the theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.

The security light in the instrument cluster comes on if there is a problem with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.

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Keys, Doors, and Windows

Exterior Mirrors

Power Mirrors

Convex Mirrors

{ Warning

A convex mirror can make things, like other vehicles, look farther away than they really are. If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex mirror's surface is curved so more can be seen from the driver seat.

To adjust the mirrors: 1. Move the selector switch to L (Left) or R (Right) to choose the driver or passenger mirror. 2. Press the arrows on the control pad to move each mirror in the desired direction.

3. Return the selector switch to

the middle position.

Heated Mirrors For vehicles with heated mirrors: The heated outside rearview mirrors turn on when the rear window defogger is on and help to clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirrors. 1 (Rear Window Defogger) : This button is on the climate control panel. See “Rear Window Defogger” under Automatic Climate Control System 0 139

for more information.

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Reverse Tilt Mirrors If equipped with memory seats, the passenger and/or driver mirror tilts to a preselected position when the vehicle is in R (Reverse). This allows the curb to be seen when parallel parking. The mirror(s) return to the original position when: . The vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse), or remains in R (Reverse) for about 30 seconds.

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39

. The ignition is turned off. . The vehicle is driven in

R (Reverse) above a set speed.

To turn this feature on or off, see Vehicle Personalization 0 120

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Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror If equipped, automatic dimming reduces the glare of headlamps from behind. The dimming feature comes on when the vehicle is started.

Interior Mirrors

Interior Rearview Mirrors Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear view of the area behind your vehicle. If equipped with OnStar, there are three buttons at the bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more information on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar. See OnStar Overview 0 303
To avoid accidental OnStar calls, clean the mirror with the ignition off. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use a soft towel dampened with water.

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Manual Rearview Mirror Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it rearward for nighttime use to avoid glare of the headlamps from behind.

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Keys, Doors, and Windows

Windows

{ Warning

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

pulsing sound when either rear window is down and the front windows are up. To reduce the sound, open either a front window or the sunroof, if equipped.

Power Windows

{ Warning

Children could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the path of a closing window. Never leave keys in a vehicle with children. When there are children in the rear seat, use the window lockout button to prevent operation of the windows. See Keys 0 24

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The vehicle aerodynamics are designed to improve fuel economy performance. This may result in a

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The power windows work when the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY, or in Retained Accessory Power (RAP). See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 162
Press the front of the switch to open the window. Pull the switch up to close it. Express Down Windows Windows that have the express-down feature allow the windows to be lowered without holding the switch. Press the window switch fully and release it to activate the express-down feature.

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The express mode can be canceled at any time by briefly pressing, or pulling the switch. Window Lockout

This feature prevents the rear passenger windows from operating, except from the driver position. Press v to activate the rear window lockout switch. The indicator light comes on when activated. Press v again to deactivate the lockout switch.

Keys, Doors, and Windows

41

Sun Visors

Roof

Pull the sun visor down to block glare. Detach the sun visor from the center mount to pivot to the side window or, if equipped, extend along the rod.

Sunroof If equipped, the sunroof switches are on the headliner above the rearview mirror. The ignition must be in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or in Retained Accessory Power (RAP) to operate the sunroof. See Ignition Positions 0 160
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 162

and

ii

ii

. Press and hold the front or rear of the driver side switch to open or close the sunroof. The

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sunshade automatically opens with the sunroof, but must be closed manually.

. Press and hold the rear of the passenger side switch to vent the sunroof. Press and hold the front of the switch to close.

Express-open/Express-close Press and release the front or rear of the driver side switch to express-open or express-close the sunroof. Automatic Reversal System The sunroof is equipped with an automatic reversal system that is only active when the sunroof is being operated in express mode. If an object is in the path of the sunroof while it is express-closing, the reversal system will detect the object and stop. In the event of closing difficulties like frost or other conditions, it is possible to override the reversal system. To override the reversal system, close in manual mode. To stop the movement, release the switch.

Dirt and debris may collect on the sunroof seal or in the track. This could cause an issue with sunroof operation or noise. It could also plug the water drainage system. Periodically open the sunroof and remove any obstacles or loose debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and roof sealing area using a clean cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not remove grease from the sunroof.

Seats and Restraints

43

Securing Child Restraints (Front

Passenger Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

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Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints

Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . 45
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Rear Seats

Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Safety Belts

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Safety Belt Use During

Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Replacing Safety Belt System

Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Airbag System

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . 61
When Should an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

What Will You See after an

Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Passenger Sensing System . . . 65
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Adding Equipment to the

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 69
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . 70
Replacing Airbag System Parts

after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Child Restraints

Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Infants and Young Children . . . . 73
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . 75
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . 77
Lower Anchors and Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) . . . . 78

Replacing LATCH System Parts

After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Securing Child Restraints

(Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

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Head Restraints

Front Seats The vehicle's front seats have head restraints in the outboard seating positions.

{ Warning

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

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

The height of the head restraint can be adjusted. Pull the head restraint up to raise it. Try to move the head restraint to make sure that it is locked in place. To lower the head restraint, press the button, located on the top of the seatback, and push the head restraint down. Try to move the head restraint after the button is released to make sure that it is locked in place. The front seat outboard head restraints are not removable.

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Rear Seats The vehicle's rear seat has head restraints in the outboard seating positions that cannot be adjusted. Rear outboard head restraints are not removable.

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment { Warning

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a driver seat while the vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

Seats and Restraints

45

2. Move the seat forward or

rearward to adjust the seat position.

3. Release the handle to stop the

seat from moving.

4. Try to move the seat back and

forth to be sure it is locked in place.

Power Seat Adjustment

Four-Way Power Seat

To adjust a manual seat: 1. Pull the handle at the front of

the seat cushion.

1. Seat Position Handle 2. Height Adjustment Control

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Seats and Restraints

To adjust a power seat, if equipped: . Move the seat forward or

rearward using the handle under the front of the seat cushion (1). See Seat Adjustment 0 45

ii

. Raise or lower the entire seat by

moving the control (2) up or down.

To adjust the seatback, see Reclining Seatbacks 0 47
To adjust the lumbar support, see Lumbar Adjustment 0 46

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Eight-Way Power Seat

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Lumbar Adjustment

Power Lumbar

To adjust a power seat, if equipped: . Move the seat forward or

rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward.

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

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

To adjust the seatback, see Reclining Seatbacks 0 47
To adjust the lumbar support, see Lumbar Adjustment 0 46

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Eight-Way Power Seat Shown,

Four-Way Similar

If available, press and hold the front or rear of the switch to increase or decrease lumbar support. Release the switch when the seatback reaches the desired level of lumbar support.

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Reclining Seatbacks

{ Warning

Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the safety belts cannot do their job. The shoulder belt 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 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 the safety belt properly.

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

{ Warning

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

To recline a manual seatback: 1. Lift the lever. 2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback

to make sure it is locked.

To return the seatback to the upright position: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the seatback will return to the upright position.

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2. Push and pull on the seatback

to make sure it is locked.

Power Reclining Seatbacks

Memory Seats

To adjust a power seatback, if available: . Tilt the top of the control

rearward to recline.

. Tilt the top of the control forward

to raise.

If available, the 1, 2. and MEM (Memory) buttons on the outboard side of the driver seat are used to manually save and recall the driver seat and outside mirror positions. These manually stored positions are referred to as Button Memory positions. The vehicle will also automatically save driver seat and outside mirror positions to the current driver Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter when the ignition is turned off. These automatically stored positions are referred to as

RKE Memory positions. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26

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Storing Button Memory Positions To save positions into Button Memory: 1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback

recliner, and both outside mirrors to the desired driving positions.

2. Press and hold MEM (Memory) and 1 at the same time until a beep sounds.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a

second driver using 2.

Recalling Button Memory Positions To recall the Button Memory positions, press and hold 1 or 2. The driver seat and outside mirrors move to the positions stored to those buttons when pressed. Releasing 1 or 2 before the stored positions are reached stops the recall.

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If something has blocked the driver seat while recalling a memory position, the recall may stop. Remove the obstruction; then press and hold the appropriate manual control for the memory item that is not recalling for two seconds. Try recalling the memory position again by pressing the appropriate memory button. If the memory position is still not recalling, see your dealer for service.

Recalling RKE Memory Positions (Memory Remote Recall) The Memory Remote Recall feature can recall the driver seat and outside mirrors to previously stored RKE Memory positions when entering the vehicle. Every time the ignition is turned off, the positions of the driver seat and outside mirrors are automatically stored to the RKE transmitter that was used to start the vehicle. These positions are called RKE Memory positions and may be different than the previously mentioned Button Memory positions saved to the 1 or 2 buttons. To recall RKE

Memory positions, unlock the driver door with the RKE transmitter and open the driver door. If the driver door is already open, pressing the RKE transmitter K button will also activate the RKE Memory recall. The driver seat and outside mirrors will move to the previously saved RKE Memory positions. This feature is turned on or off using the vehicle personalization menu. See Vehicle Personalization 0 120
To stop recall movement, press any of the memory, power mirror, or power seat controls. If something has blocked the driver seat while recalling a memory position, the recall may stop. Remove the obstruction; then press and hold the appropriate manual control for the memory item that is not recalling for two seconds. Try recalling the memory position again by opening the driver door and pressing K on the RKE transmitter. RKE transmitters are not labeled with a number. If your memory seat position is stored to 1 or 2 but this

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Seats and Restraints

49

position is not automatically recalling, then store your positions to the other button or switch RKE transmitters with the other driver. If the memory position is still not recalling, see your dealer for service.

Easy Exit Driver Seat This feature moves the seat rearward allowing the driver more room to exit the vehicle. To activate, turn the ignition off and open the driver door. If the driver door is already open, turning the ignition off will activate the recall. This feature can be turned on or off using the vehicle personalization menu. See Vehicle Personalization 0 120
To stop recall movement, press one of the memory or power seat controls. If something has blocked the driver seat while recalling the exit position, the recall may stop. Remove the obstruction; then press and hold the power seat control rearward for

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two seconds. Try recalling the exit position again. If the exit position is still not recalling, see your dealer for service.

Heated Front Seats { Warning

If you cannot feel temperature change or pain to the skin, the seat heater may cause burns. To reduce the risk of burns, people with such a condition should use care when using the seat heater, especially for long periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat, such as a blanket, cushion, cover, or similar item. This may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat heater may cause a burn or may damage the seat.

Uplevel Climate Control System

Shown, Base Similar

If available, the buttons are near the climate controls. To operate, the ignition must be in ON/RUN. Press z or J to heat the driver or passenger seat cushion and seatback. Press the button once for the highest setting. With each press of the button, the heated seat will change to the next lower setting, and then the off setting. Three lights indicate the highest setting, and one light indicates the lowest.

The passenger seat may take longer to heat up.

Remote Start Heated Seats When it is cold outside, the heated seats can be programmed to turn on automatically during a remote vehicle start. The heated seats will be canceled when the ignition is turned on. Press the heated seat button to use the heated seats after the vehicle is started. The heated seat button lights will not turn on during a remote start. The temperature of an unoccupied seat may be reduced. To program the heated seat feature to enabled, see Vehicle Personalization 0 120

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Rear Seats

Split Folding Seatbacks Either side of the rear seatback can be folded down for more cargo space. Folding the Seatbacks

Caution

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

To fold the seatback down: 1. Unbuckle the rear safety belts and place the front seatbacks in the upright position. See Reclining Seatbacks 0 47

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2. Lift the lever on the top of the

seatback.

3. Fold the seatback forward. Keep the seatback in the upright, locked position when not in use. Raising the Seatbacks { Warning

If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there.

(Continued)

Seats and Restraints

51

Warning (Continued)

Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

{ Warning

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

To raise the seatback: 1. Lift the lever on top of the

seatback. Raise the seatback and release the lever.

2. Push the seatback rearward

until it locks in the upright position.

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Seats and Restraints

3. Make sure the rear safety belts

are not twisted or caught between the seat cushion and the seatback.

Reclining the Seatbacks To recline the seatback: 1. Lift and hold the lever on top of

the seatback.

2. Tilt the seatback rearward, then

release the lever when the seatback is in the desired position.

Seat Adjustment To slide the entire seat forward or rearward: 1. Lift and hold the release bar

under the front of the seat cushion to unlock the seat.

2. Slide the seat to the desired

position.

3. Release the bar. 4. Try to move the seat back and

forth to ensure the seat is locked into place.

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

{ Warning

Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, injuries can be much worse than if you are wearing safety belts. You can be seriously injured or killed by hitting things inside the vehicle harder or by being ejected from the vehicle. In addition, anyone who is not buckled up can strike other passengers in the vehicle. It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, passengers riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow

(Continued)

Warning (Continued)

passengers to ride in any area of the vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Always wear a safety belt, and check that all passenger(s) are restrained properly too.

This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders 0 100
Why Safety Belts Work

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When riding in a vehicle, you travel as fast as the vehicle does. If the vehicle stops suddenly, you keep going until something stops you. It could be the windshield, the instrument panel, or the safety belts! When you wear a safety belt, you and the vehicle slow down together. There is more time to stop because you stop over a longer distance and, when worn properly, your strongest bones take the forces from the safety belts. That is why wearing safety belts makes such good sense. Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are

wearing a safety belt or not. Your chance of being conscious during and after a crash, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.

Seats and Restraints

53

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

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why

should I have to wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental

systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection. Also, in nearly all states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This section is only for people of adult size. There are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and infants. If a child will be riding in the vehicle, see Older Children 0 71
Children 0 73
everyone's protection.

or Infants and Young . Follow those rules for

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. Sit up straight and always keep

your feet on the floor in front of you.

. Always use the correct buckle

for your seating position.

. Wear the lap part of the belt low

and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong

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Seats and Restraints

pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries.

. Wear the shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

{ Warning

You can be seriously injured, or even killed, by not wearing your safety belt properly.

. Never allow the lap or

shoulder belt to become loose or twisted.

. Never wear the shoulder belt under both arms or behind your back.

. Never route the lap or shoulder belt over an armrest.

Lap-Shoulder Belt All seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt. The following instructions explain how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled out all the way, the child restraint locking feature may be engaged. If this happens, let the belt go back all the way and start again.

If the webbing locks in the latch plate before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate flat to unlock.

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3. Push the latch plate into the

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buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender 0 58
Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you. See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster” later in this section for instructions on use and important safety information.

4.

Seats and Restraints

55

Always stow the safety belt slowly. If the safety belt webbing returns quickly to the stowed position, the retractor may lock and cannot be pulled out. If this happens, pull the safety belt straight out firmly to unlock the webbing, and then release it. If the webbing is still locked in the retractor, see your dealer. Before a door is closed, be sure the safety belt is out of the way. If a door is slammed against a safety belt, damage can occur to both the safety belt and the vehicle. Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster The vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for the driver and front outboard passenger seating positions. Adjust the height so the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 0 53

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5. To make the lap part tight, pull

up on the shoulder belt.

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

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Seats and Restraints

Warning (Continued)

and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

Rear safety belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the shoulder belt away from the neck and head. This vehicle has rear safety belt comfort guides in the rear outboard seating positions.

belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. Safety belt pretensioners can also help tighten the safety belts in a side crash or a rollover event. Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners are activated in a crash, the pretensioners and possibly other parts of the safety belt system will need to be replaced. See Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash 0 59
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides

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{ Warning

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

(Continued)

Move the height adjuster up to the desired position by pushing up on the height adjuster. After the height adjuster is set to the desired position, try to move it down without pressing the release button to make sure it has locked into position. Press the release button to lower the height adjuster. Safety Belt Pretensioners This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for front outboard occupants. Although the safety belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety

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To install:

1. Remove the guide from its

storage pocket on the side of the seatback.

2. Place the guide over the belt,

and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

Seats and Restraints

57

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The elastic cord must be behind the belt with the plastic guide on the front.

4. Buckle, position, and release

the safety belt as described previously in this section. Make sure the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck.

To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the belt edges together so that the safety belt can be removed from the guide. Slide

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Seats and Restraints

the guide back into its storage pocket located on the side of the seatback.

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.

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

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

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

Safety System Check Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job. See your dealer to 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. Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working. See Safety Belt Reminders 0 100
Keep safety belts clean and dry. See Safety Belt Care 0 58

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Safety Belt Care Keep belts clean and dry.

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{ Warning

Do not bleach or dye safety belts. It may severely weaken them. In a crash, they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash

{ Warning

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

After a minor crash, replacement of safety belts may not be necessary. But the safety belt assemblies that were used during any crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your dealer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt system was not being used at the time of the crash. Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light 0 101

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Seats and Restraints

59

Airbag System The vehicle has the following airbags: . A frontal airbag for the driver. . A frontal airbag for the front

outboard passenger.

. A seat-mounted side impact

airbag for the driver.

. A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the front outboard passenger.

. A roof-rail airbag for the driver

and the passenger seated directly behind the driver.

. A roof-rail airbag for the front outboard passenger and the passenger seated directly behind the front outboard passenger.

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

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Seats and Restraints

For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and on the instrument panel for the front outboard passenger. With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback closest to the door. With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear along the trim. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Even though today's airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating bag, all airbags must inflate very quickly to do their job. Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system:

{ Warning

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt, even with airbags. Airbags are

Warning (Continued)

Warning (Continued)

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designed to work with safety belts, not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to inflate in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are the only restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? 0 62
Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce the chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Everyone in the vehicle should wear a safety belt properly, whether or not there is an airbag for that person.

{ Warning

Because airbags inflate with great force and faster than the blink of an eye, anyone who is up against, or very close to any airbag when it inflates can be

seriously injured or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily close to any airbag, as you would be if sitting on the edge of the seat or leaning forward. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear a safety belt, even with airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. The safety belts and the front outboard passenger airbags are most effective when you are sitting well back and upright in the seat with both feet on the floor. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door or side windows in seating positions with seat-mounted side impact airbags and/or roof-rail airbags.

(Continued)

(Continued)

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{ Warning

Where Are the Airbags?

Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Always secure children properly in the vehicle. To read how, see Older Children 0 71
or Infants and Young Children 0 73

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

There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light 0 101

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Seats and Restraints

61

The front outboard passenger frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger side.

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

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

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Seats and Restraints

Warning (Continued)

inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not use seat accessories that block the inflation path of a seat-mounted side impact airbag. Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie‐down through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inflating roof-rail airbag will be blocked.

When Should an Airbag Inflate? This vehicle is equipped with airbags. See Airbag System 0 59
Airbags are designed to inflate if the impact exceeds the specific airbag system's deployment threshold.

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Deployment thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and help restrain the occupants. The vehicle has electronic sensors that help the airbag system determine the severity of the impact. Deployment thresholds can vary with specific vehicle design. Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries, mainly to the driver's or front outboard passenger's head and chest. Whether the frontal airbags will or should inflate is not based primarily on how fast the vehicle is traveling. It depends on what is hit, the direction of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds depending on whether the vehicle hits an object straight on or at an angle, and

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

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

{ Warning

If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an

(Continued)

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severe frontal impact. Roof-rail airbags are not designed to inflate in rear impacts. Both roof-rail airbags will inflate when either side of the vehicle is struck, if the sensing system predicts that the vehicle is about to roll over on its side, or in a severe frontal impact. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inflated simply because of the vehicle damage or repair costs.

What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module. For airbag locations, see Where Are the Airbags? 0 61

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Seats and Restraints

63

How Does an Airbag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety belts by distributing the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's body. Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help contain the head and chest of occupants in the outboard seating positions in the first and second rows. The rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of full or partial ejection in rollover events, although no system can prevent all such ejections.

whether the object is fixed or moving, rigid or deformable, narrow or wide. Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, in rear impacts, or in many side impacts. In addition, the vehicle has advanced technology frontal airbags. Advanced technology frontal airbags adjust the restraint according to crash severity. Seat-mounted side impact airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes depending on the location of the impact. Seat-mounted side impact airbags are not designed to inflate in frontal impacts, near frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts. A seat-mounted side impact airbag is designed to inflate on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Roof-rail airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes depending on the location of the impact. In addition, these roof-rail airbags are designed to inflate during a rollover or in a

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Seats and Restraints

But airbags would not help in many types of collisions, primarily because the occupant's motion is not toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? 0 62
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts.

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What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inflated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for some time after they inflate. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For location of the airbags, see Where Are the Airbags? 0 61
The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not

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prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle.

{ Warning

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

The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags inflate.

The feature may also activate, without airbag inflation, after an event that exceeds a predetermined threshold. You can lock the doors, and turn off the interior lamps, and turn off the hazard warning flashers by using the controls for those features.

{ Warning

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

In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.

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Passenger Sensing System