I n a collision, the laws of physics mean that
even smaller items that are loose in the vehi-
cle will become heavy missiles that can cause
serious injury. Items in the vehicle possess en-
ergy which vary with vehicle speed and the
weight of the item . Vehicle speed is the most
significant factor.
For examp le, in a frontal coll ision at a speed
of 30 mph (48 km/h), the forces acting on a
10-lb (4 .5 kg) object are about 20 times the
norma l weight of the item. This means that
the weight of the item would suddenly be
about 200 lbs. (90 kg). You can imag ine the
inj uries that a 200 lbs. (90 kg) item flyi ng
freely th roug h the passenger compartment
could cause in a collision like this.
~
WARNING
Improperly stored luggage or other items
can f ly through the vehicle causing serious
personal inju ry in the event of hard brak-
ing or an accident. To help reduce the risk
of serious personal injury :
- Always put objects, for example, luggage
or other heavy items in the luggage com-
partment .
A WARNING
Heavy loads will influence the way your ve-
hicle handles . To help reduce the risk of a
loss of control leading to serious personal
injury:
- Always keep in mind whe n transporting
heavy objects, that a change in t he cen-
t er of gravity can also cause changes in
vehicle handling .
- Never exceed t he Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rat ing
specified on t he safety compliance st ick-
er on the left door jamb. Exceeding per-
missib le weight standa rds can cause the
vehicle to slide and handle differently.
- Please observe info rmation on safe driv-
ing
c:;,page 93 .
Dr iv ing S a fel y 99
A WARNING
Always make sure that the doors, all win-
dows and the front lid are securely closed
and locked to reduce the risk of injury
when the vehicle is not being used.
- After closing the front lid, always make
sure t hat it is properly closed and locked .
- Never leave your vehicle unattended es-
pecially with the front lid left open . A
child could crawl into the luggage com-
partment and close the front lid becom-
ing tr apped and unable to get out. Being
trapped in a vehicle can lead to serious
personal injury .
- Never let children play in or aroun d the
vehicle.
- Never let passengers ride in th e luggage
compart ment. Vehicle occupants must
always be prope rly restrained in one of
the vehicle's seating posit ions.
(D Tips
The t ire pressure must correspond to t he
load. The t ire pressure is shown on t he tire
pressure label. The tire pressure labe l is lo-
cated on the driver's side B-pillar. The t ire
pressure label lists the recommended cold
tire inflation pressures for the vehicle at
its maximum capacity weight and the tires
that were on your vehicle at the t ime it
was manufactured. For recommended tire
pressures fo r normal load cond it ions,
please see chapter
c:;, page 193.
Reporting Safety
Defects
Applicable to U.S.A.
If you believe that your vehicle
has a defect which could cause
a crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediat ely
inform the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
•
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