2006 Buick Rainier Owners Manual

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directions to be sure it is secure. 1-41 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-37. 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 child restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-42 3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 1-43 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-36. In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small child in a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat is detected. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-56 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30 for more information on this including important safety information. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. 6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends using a top tether, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-37. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. Unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position Many child restraints are too wide to be correctly secured in the center rear seat, although some of them will ﬁt there. If the center seat position is too narrow for your child restraint, secure it in a rear outside seat position. If you secure a child restraint in the center seat position, follow the instructions in Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-42. 1-44 {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat position, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. See Power Seats on page 1-2. If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-37. There is no top tether anchor at the right front seating position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-37 if the child restraint has a top tether. 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. Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s frontal airbag. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-56. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If your child restraint is forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the child restraint in this seat. See Power Seats on page 1-2. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator on the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you turn the ignition to RUN or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30. 1-45 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-46 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. 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. You should not be able to pull more of the belt from the retractor once the lock has been set. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 8. If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the inside rearview mirror will be lit and stay lit when the key is turned to RUN or START. If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint. If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer. 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. 1-47 Airbag System Your vehicle has a frontal airbag for the driver and a frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have roof-mounted side impact airbags designed for either side impact or rollover deployment. Roof-mounted side impact airbags are available for the driver and the passenger seated directly behind the driver and for the right front passenger and the passenger seated directly behind that passenger. If your vehicle has roof-mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the airbag covering on the sidewall trim near the driver’s and right front passenger’s window. Frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating frontal airbag. But these airbags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: {CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. All airbags are designed to work with safety belts but do not replace them. Frontal airbags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inﬂate in rollover, rear crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past. (Continued) CAUTION: 1-48 CAUTION: (Continued) {CAUTION: Roof-mounted side impact airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They are not designed to inﬂate in frontal or in rear crashes. If the vehicle is equipped with rollover capable airbags, it has been designed to deploy the roof-mounted side impact airbags in the event of a vehicle rollover. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. Both frontal and roof-mounted side impact airbags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you are too close to an inﬂating airbag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for airbag inﬂation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt even with frontal airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door. 1-49 Where Are the Airbags? {CAUTION: Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags 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 airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see Older Children on page 1-26 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-29. There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-29 for more information. 1-50 The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. If your vehicle has a roof-mounted airbag for the driver and the person seated directly behind the driver, it is located in the ceiling above the side windows. 1-51 {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an airbag, 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 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. And, if your vehicle has roof-mounted side impact airbags, 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 airbag will be blocked. The path of an inﬂating airbag must be kept clear. If your vehicle has a roof-mounted airbag for the right front passenger and the person directly behind that passenger, it is located in the ceiling above the side windows. 1-52 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inﬂate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a variety of desired deployment and non-deployment events and are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inﬂate and help restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down. In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags, which adjust the restraint according to crash severity. Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inﬂate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 25 mph (29 to 40 km/h). (The threshold level can vary, however, with speciﬁc vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.) Frontal airbags may inﬂate at different crash speeds. For example: If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform. If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall). If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object. The frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are not intended to inﬂate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts. Your vehicle has seat position sensors which enable the sensing system to monitor the position of the driver’s seat and the right front passenger’s seat. Seat position sensors provide information that is used to determine if the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or at full deployment. 1-53 (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Your vehicle may or may not have a roof-mounted airbag and a rollover sensor. See Airbag System on page 1-48. These “rollover capable” airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes or during a rollover. A roof-mounted airbag will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. Roof-mounted airbags are not intended to inﬂate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, or rear impacts. Both roof-mounted airbags will deploy when either side of the vehicle is struck or during a rollover. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inﬂation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. For roof-mounted airbags, inﬂation is determined by the location and severity of the impact. The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See Off-Road Driving on page 4-18 for tips on off-road driving. What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. In the case of a “rollover capable” roof-mounted side impact airbag, the sensing system detects that the vehicle is about to roll over. The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inﬂator, which inﬂates the airbag. The inﬂator, airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger. For vehicles with roof-mounted side impact airbags, the airbag modules are located in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows. 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. The airbag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal airbags 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 airbag. 1-54 Roof-mounted side impact airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including many frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. Airbags 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 airbags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions or rollovers for the roof-mounted side impact airbags. What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? After a frontal airbag inﬂates, it quickly deﬂates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inﬂated. Roof-mounted side impact airbags deﬂate more slowly and may still be at least partially inﬂated minutes after the vehicle comes to rest. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for a short time. These components include the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal airbag. For vehicles with side impact airbags, the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows may 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 airbags. Airbag inﬂation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. {CAUTION: When an airbag 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 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. Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the airbags 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. 1-55 In many crashes severe enough to inﬂate an airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. (cid:127) Airbags are designed to inﬂate only once. After an airbag inﬂates, you will need some new parts for your airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. (cid:127) Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 7-9. Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on your airbag system. Improper service can mean that your airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service. Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger’s position. A passenger airbag status indicator in the rearview mirror will be visible when you turn your ignition key to START or RUN. The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible during the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada 1-56 (cid:127) The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver’s airbag and the side airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inﬂate) or not. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We 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. Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you need to 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. 1-57 The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if: the right front passenger seat is unoccupied the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time the right front passenger seat is occupied by a smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints or if there is a critical problem with the airbag system or the passenger sensing system. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator in the rearview mirror will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off. If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-44. 1-58 If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer. The passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inﬂate) the right front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is active. For some children who have outgrown child restraints and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the fully upright position, then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and then enable the passenger’s airbag. {CAUTION: If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in the right front passenger’s seat may not have the protection of the frontal airbag. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-29 for more on this, including important safety information. 1-59 Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. You may want to consider not using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-61 for more information about modiﬁcations that can affect how the system operates. {CAUTION: Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat or between the passenger’s seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system. Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are airbag system parts in several places around your vehicle. You do not want the system to inﬂate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-14. {CAUTION: For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inﬂate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an airbag when it inﬂates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualiﬁed to do so. The airbag system does not need regular maintenance. 1-60 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Q: Is there anything I might add to the front or sides of the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly? A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet metal or height, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Also, the airbag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If you have any questions about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2. Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my vehicle modiﬁed. How can I ﬁnd out whether this will affect my airbag system? A: Changing or moving any parts of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic module, or the inside rearview mirror can affect the operation of the airbag system. If you have questions, call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2. 1-61 Restraint System Check Checking the 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 airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.) Notice: or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side impact airbag covering (if equipped) on the ceiling near the side windows, the airbag may not work properly. You may have to replace the airbag module in the steering wheel, both the airbag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s airbag, or side impact airbag module and ceiling covering for roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped.) Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If you damage the covering for the driver’s 1-62 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 have 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 was not being used at the time of the collision. If an airbag inﬂates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section. If the airbags inﬂate you will also need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new retractor assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision. After a crash you may need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even if the airbags have not deployed. The driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-29. 1-63 ✍ NOTES 1-64 Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................2-3 Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5 Doors and Locks .............................................2-7 Door Locks ....................................................2-7 Power Door Locks ..........................................2-8 Delayed Locking .............................................2-8 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................2-9 Rear Door Security Locks ..............................2-11 Lockout Protection ........................................2-11 Liftgate/Liftglass ............................................2-12 Windows ........................................................2-13 Power Windows ............................................2-14 Sun Visors ...................................................2-15 Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-15 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-15 Passlock® ....................................................2-17 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-17 New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-17 Ignition Positions ..........................................2-18 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-18 Starting the Engine .......................................2-19 Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal ................2-20 Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-20 Displacement on Demand™ (DoD™) ...............2-21 Automatic Transmission Operation ...................2-22 Parking Brake ..............................................2-24 Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-25 Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-26 Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-27 Engine Exhaust ............................................2-27 Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-28 Mirrors ...........................................................2-29 Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-29 Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® ..............2-29 Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass, and Temperature Display .............2-29 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar® and Compass ...............................2-31 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display ....................................................2-33 2-1 Section 2 Features and Controls Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass .................................................2-35 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display ..............2-37 Outside Power Mirror ....................................2-39 Outside Curb View Assist Mirror .....................2-40 Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-40 Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................2-40 OnStar® System .............................................2-41 Universal Home Remote System ......................2-43 Universal Home Remote System Operation ......2-43 Storage Areas ................................................2-46 Glove Box ...................................................2-46 Overhead Console ........................................2-47 Center Console Storage Area .........................2-47 Luggage Carrier ...........................................2-47 Rear Floor Storage Lid ..................................2-48 Convenience Net ..........................................2-49 Cargo Cover ................................................2-49 Cargo Tie Downs ..........................................2-50 Sunroof .........................................................2-50 Vehicle Personalization ...................................2-51 Memory Seat ...............................................2-51 2-2 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 This vehicle has one double-sided key for the ignition and door lock. It will ﬁt with either side up. When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the owner with a pair of identical keys and a key code number. The key code number tells your dealer or a qualiﬁed locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep this number in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able to have new ones made easily using this number. Your selling dealer should also have this number. Notice: you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, 2-4 If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6. If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar® system with an active subscription and you lock your keys inside the vehicle, OnStar® may be able to send a command to unlock your vehicle. See OnStar® System on page 2-41 for more information. Remote Keyless Entry System Your 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. 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. 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. 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: (cid:127) Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. (cid:127) 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. (cid:127) Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5. If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. Remote Keyless Entry System Operation With this system you can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle. K (Unlock): When you press unlock, the driver’s door will unlock automatically, the parking lamps may ﬂash and the interior lights will go on. You can program different feedback settings through the Driver Information Center (DIC). For more information see Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-43. Q (Lock): Press lock to lock all the doors. Press lock again within three seconds and the horn may chirp. L (Panic): Press the horn symbol to make the horn sound. The headlamps and taillamps will also ﬂash for up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by pressing the horn button again, or by waiting for 30 seconds, or by starting the vehicle. 2-5 (cid:127) 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 dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your dealer 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 two 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. The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a KEY FOB # BATTERY LOW message when the transmitter battery is low. 2-6 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. To replace the battery in the remote keyless entry transmitter do the following: 1. Insert a thin coin in the slot between the covers of the transmitter housing. Gently pry the transmitter apart. 2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt CR2032 or equivalent battery. 3. Align the covers and snap them together. 4. Check the operation of the transmitter. Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use the remote keyless entry transmitter or the key. From the inside, slide the manual lever forward or rearward. Unlocked doors can be dangerous. (cid:127) 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. (cid:127) 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. (cid:127) 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. The manual lever on each door works only that door’s lock. 2-7 Five seconds after the last door is closed, all the doors will lock. You can lock the doors immediately by using the power door lock switch or by pressing the lock button on the optional remote keyless entry transmitter a second time. If the key is inserted in the ignition, this feature will not lock the doors. See Lockout Protection on page 2-11. You can turn the delayed locking feature on or off. If the feature is turned off, the doors will lock immediately when a power door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter lock button is pressed. Programming Delayed Locking To turn the delayed locking feature on or off, do the following: 1. Press and hold the power door lock switch on the driver’s door in the lock position. 2. Press the remote keyless entry transmitter unlock button twice. If the delayed locking feature was on, it will now be off. If the feature was off, it will now be on. Power Door Locks The power door lock switches are located on the driver’s and front passenger’s door armrests. Press the lock symbol to lock all of the doors. To unlock the doors, press the other side of the switch. Delayed Locking This feature delays the locking of the doors and the liftgate when using the power lock or the remote keyless entry system. The ﬁrst press of the power door lock switch or lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter with the driver’s door open will activate the delay locking. A chime will sound. All doors and the liftgate can be reopened for up to ﬁve seconds from the time the last door is closed. 2-8 Programmable Automatic Door Locks Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your vehicle’s power door locks. You can program this feature through the Driver Information Center (DIC), or by the following method. See DIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-52. Programmable Locking Feature Following are the two locking modes that can be programmed: Mode 1: All doors lock when the transmission is shifted out of PARK (P). Mode 2: All doors lock when the vehicle speed is greater than 8 mph (13 km/h). The automatic door locks were pre-programmed at the factory to lock all the doors when the transmission is shifted into gear. The following instructions detail how to program your door locks differently than the factory setting. Choose one of the two programming options listed previously before entering the program mode. To enter the program mode, do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold it there while you perform the next step. 2. Turn the key to RUN and LOCK twice. Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock switch lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice, and a 30-second program timer will begin. 3. You are now ready to program the automatic door locks. Select one of the two programming options listed previously, and press the lock side of the power door lock switch to cycle through the lock options. You will have 30 seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the 30-second limit, the locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1 to re-enter the programming mode. You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN. The locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you are leaving the program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the current auto lock/unlock setting will not be modiﬁed. See your dealer for more information. 2-9 Programmable Unlocking Feature The following is the list of available programming options: Mode 1: Driver’s door unlocks when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P). Mode 2: All doors unlock when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P). Mode 3: All doors unlock when the key is removed from the ignition. Mode 4: No automatic door unlock. The automatic door locks were pre-programmed at the factory to unlock all doors once the transmission is shifted to PARK (P). The following instructions detail how to program your door locks differently than the factory setting. Choose one of the four programming options listed previously before entering the program mode. To enter the program mode you need to do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold it there while you perform the next step. 2. Turn the key to RUN and LOCK twice. Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock switch lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice, and a 30-second program timer will begin. 3. You are now ready to program the automatic door locks. Select one of the four programming options listed above, and press the unlock side of the power door lock switch to cycle through the unlocking options. You will have 30 seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the 30-second limit, the locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1 to re-enter the programming mode. You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN. The locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you are leaving the program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the current auto lock/unlock setting will not be modiﬁed. See your dealer for more information. 2-10 Rear Door Security Locks Your vehicle may have this feature. You can lock the rear doors so they cannot be opened from the inside by passengers. To use one of these locks do the following: 1. Open one of the rear doors. You will ﬁnd a security lock lever located on the inside edge of each rear door. Lockout Protection This feature stops the power door locks from locking when the key is in the ignition and a door is open to protect you from locking your key in the vehicle. If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open and the key is in the ignition, all the doors will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock. 2. Move the lever down to engage the security lock. Move the lever up to disengage the security lock. 3. Close the door. The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from the inside while this feature is in use. If you want to open the rear door while the security lock is on, unlock the door and open the door from the outside. 2-11 Liftgate Release To unlock the liftgate, use the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5. The liftglass will also unlock when the liftgate is unlocked. Press the button on the liftglass to open it. To open the entire liftgate, lift the handle located in the center of the liftgate. When the liftgate is opened, the liftglass will lock after a short delay. Emergency Release for Opening Liftgate 1. Remove the trim plug, located on the inside of the liftgate in the center, to expose the access hole in the trim panel. 2. Use a tool to reach through the access hole in the trim panel. 3. Pry the left release lever up to the unlock position. Pry the right release lever up to unlatch the liftgate. 4. Reinstall the trim plug. Liftgate/Liftglass {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the liftgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the liftgate or liftglass: (cid:127) Make sure all other windows are shut. (cid:127) Turn the fan on your climate control system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See “Climate Control System” in the Index. If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See Engine Exhaust on page 2-27. 2-12 (cid:127) 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. 2-13 Power Windows Express-Down Window AUTO (Express-down): The driver’s and front passenger’s window switches have an express-down feature that allows you to lower the window without holding the switch down. Press down brieﬂy on the driver’s or front passenger’s window switch labeled AUTO to activate the express-down feature. Lightly tap the switch to open the window slightly. The express-down feature can be interrupted at any time by pressing the top of the switch. Window Lockout o (Lockout): Your vehicle has a lockout feature to prevent passengers from operating the power windows. The lockout switch is located in front of the window switches on the driver’s door. A light in the lockout switch will come on to show that the switch has been activated. Press the lockout switch again to return to normal operation. The controls for the power windows are located on the armrest on each of the side doors. With power windows, the switches operate the windows when the ignition is in RUN, ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-18. The driver’s door also has a switch for each of the passenger’s windows. Press down the top of the switch to lower the window and pull up on the switch to raise the window. If you hold the switch down for three to seven seconds after the window has been completely lowered or raised, the window will not operate for about 15 seconds. 2-14 Sun Visors Sun Visors with Slide Rod Your vehicle may have this feature. Pull the sun visor down to block glare. Detach the sun visor from the center mount and slide it along the rod from side-to-side to cover the driver or passenger side of the front window. Swing the sun visor to the side to cover the side window. It can also be moved along the rod from side-to-side in this position. Sun Visors with Fixed Rod and Pull-out Extension Your vehicle may have this feature. Pull the sun visor down to block glare. Pull the sun visor extender out for additional coverage. Detach the sun visor from the center mount and swing it to the side to cover the side window. Visor Vanity Mirror Pull the sun visor down to expose the vanity mirror. You may have to lift a cover to expose the mirror. Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror Your vehicle may have this feature. Pull the sun visor down and lift the mirror cover to turn on the lamps. The lamps will turn off when the cover is closed. 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. Content Theft-Deterrent Your vehicle is equipped with a content theft-deterrent alarm system. Here is how to operate the system: 1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security light should ﬂash. 3. Close all doors. The security light should turn off after approximately 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed until the security light turns off. 2-15 If a locked door is opened without the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. The headlamps and parking lamps will ﬂash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will turn off to save the battery power. Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off. Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident: If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent system, the vehicle should be locked with the door key after the doors are closed. (cid:127) Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm. If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door with the key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to unlock a door any other way. Testing the Alarm The alarm can be tested by following these steps: 1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window and open the driver’s door. 2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the power door lock switch while the door is open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter. 3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for the security light to go out. 4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm. When the alarm is set the power door unlock switch is not operational. If the alarm does not sound when it should but the headlamps ﬂash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-95. If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not ﬂash, the vehicle should be serviced by your dealer. 2-16 (cid:127) Passlock® Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock® theft-deterrent system. Passlock® is a passive theft-deterrent system that enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system is disabled and the vehicle will not start. During normal operation, the security light will turn off approximately ﬁve seconds after the key is turned to RUN. If the engine stalls and the security light ﬂashes, wait about 10 minutes 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 does not start after three tries, the vehicle needs service. 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® system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock® at this time. You may also want to check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-95. See your dealer for service. In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6. 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: (cid:127) Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). (cid:127) Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle. (cid:127) 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. (cid:127) Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing a Trailer on page 4-52 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information. Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. 2-17 Ignition Positions Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four different positions. A (LOCK): This position locks the ignition and transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove the key when the ignition is turned to LOCK. Notice: cannot turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? 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. If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you 2-18 B (ACCESSORY): This position lets you use things like the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. Notice: Lengthy operation of features such as the radio in the accessory ignition position may drain the battery and prevent your vehicle from starting. Do not operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition position for a long period of time. C (RUN): This is the position for driving. D (START): This position starts the engine. Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features of your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes after the ignition key is turned to LOCK. Your radio, power windows, sunroof (option) and overhead console will work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK, these features will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened. Starting the Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position — that is a safety feature. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Notice: Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor, while you hold the ignition key in START. When the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try. When starting your engine in very cold weather (below 0°F or −18°C), do this: 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START and hold it there up to 15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key. 2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then stops, it could be ﬂooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts brieﬂy but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for ﬁve or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty. 2-19 Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal If your vehicle has this feature, you can change the position of the throttle and brake pedals. This feature is designed for shorter drivers, since the pedals cannot move farther away from the standard position, but can move closer for better pedal reach. This feature can be programmed to work with the memory function, if equipped, on your vehicle. See Memory Seat on page 2-51. The vehicle must be in PARK (P) for this feature to operate. The switch used to adjust the pedals is located on the steering column. Engine Coolant Heater Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required. To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, behind the battery. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-Volt AC outlet. Press the switch forward or backward to move the pedals closer or farther away from you. 2-20 Displacement on Demand™ (DoD™) Your vehicle’s V8 engine may be equipped with Displacement on Demand™ (DoD™). This system allows the engine to operate on either all or half of its cylinders, depending on your driving conditions. When less power is required, such as cruising at a constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in the half cylinder mode, allowing your vehicle to achieve better fuel economy. When greater power demands are required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing, or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain full-cylinder operation. {CAUTION: Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a ﬁre. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps. 4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be damaged. How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area. 2-21 Automatic Transmission Operation There are several different positions for your gear shift lever. PARK (P): This position locks the rear wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because your vehicle cannot move easily. {CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. (Continued) CAUTION: 2-22 CAUTION: (Continued) Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-52. Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, press the button on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-26. REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-44. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. {CAUTION: Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is ﬁrmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed. Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting your vehicle. DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you are: (cid:127) Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down. (cid:127) Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. You will shift down to the next gear and have more power. DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). 2-23 Parking Brake To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your foot and pull up on the parking brake lever located between the seats. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on the instrument panel cluster will come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-33. SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes off and on. You can also use SECOND (2) for starting the vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces. FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the gear shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission will not shift into ﬁrst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. 2-24 To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press in the button at the end of the lever. Hold the button in as you move the parking brake lever all the way down. Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the brake system and cause premature wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving. If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a hill, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-52. Shifting Into Park (P) {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-52. 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your foot and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle. 3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle is in PARK (P). 2-25 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch ﬁre. You or others could be injured. Do not leave your vehicle with the engine running. If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking brake is ﬁrmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without ﬁrst pressing the button on the console shift lever. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P). Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may ﬁnd it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To ﬁnd out how, see Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25. When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). Shifting Out of Park (P) Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-22. 2-26 Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust {CAUTION: Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death. You might have exhaust coming in if: (cid:127) Your exhaust system sounds strange or different. (cid:127) Your vehicle gets rusty underneath. (cid:127) Your vehicle was damaged in a collision. (cid:127) Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris. (cid:127) Repairs were not done correctly. (cid:127) Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modiﬁed improperly. If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle: (cid:127) Drive it only with all the windows down to blow out any CO; and (cid:127) Have your vehicle ﬁxed immediately. 2-27 {CAUTION: Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can burn. Running the Engine While Parked It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. {CAUTION: {CAUTION: Idling the engine with the climate control system off could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle. See the earlier caution under Engine Exhaust on page 2-27. Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if the climate control fan is at the highest setting. One place this can happen is a garage. Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in a garage with the engine running. Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See Winter Driving on page 4-40. It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not move. See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-52. 2-28 Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror Your vehicle may have this feature. While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up or down and side to side. The day/night control, located at the bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark conditions. Turn the control clockwise for night use; return it to the center for daytime use. Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® Your vehicle may have a rearview mirror with the OnStar® system. Control buttons for the OnStar® system are at the bottom of the mirror. See your GM dealer for more information on the OnStar® system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. Also, see OnStar® System on page 2-41 for more information about the services OnStar® provides. Mirror Operation While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip it in the center to move it up or down and side to side. The day/night control, located at the bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark conditions. Move the control to the right for night conditions. Return it to the center for daytime use. Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass, and Temperature Display The vehicle may have a manual rearview mirror with OnStar® and an eight-point compass and temperature display located in the upper right. Control buttons for the OnStar® system are at the bottom of the mirror. See your GM dealer for more information about the OnStar® system. Also, see OnStar® System on page 2-41 for more information about the services OnStar® provides. When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing. 2-29 Mirror Operation While sitting in a comfortable position, adjust the rearview mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip it in the center and move it up or down and side to side. The day/night control, located at the bottom of the mirror, adjusts the mirror to reduce headlamp glare from behind during evening or dark conditions. Turn the control clockwise for night use; return it to the center for daytime use. Temperature and Compass Display O(On/Off): Press this button to turn the compass and temperature display on or off. The compass display, can show a maximum of two characters. For example, NE is displayed for north-east. When the ignition and the compass/temperature feature are on, character boxes will appear for about two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display the direction the vehicle is facing and the outside temperature. To set the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, do the following: 1. Press and hold the on/off button until either a ﬂashing F or C appears. 2. Press the button again to change the display to the desired unit of measurement. After about four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked in and the compass/temperature display will return. 2-30 Compass Calibration When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the vehicle is driven. If, after two seconds, the display does not show a compass direction, N for North, for example, there may be a strong magnetic ﬁeld interfering with the compass. Such interference may be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item. If the letter C should ever appear in the compass window, the compass may need calibration. Press and hold the on/off button for nine seconds to activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will be displayed in the compass window on the mirror. The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display shows a direction. Compass Variance Compass variance is the difference between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is set to zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate for compass variance if you live outside zone eight. Under certain conditions, such as during a long-distance, cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for compass variance. If not adjusted to account for compass variance, the compass could give false readings. To adjust for compass variance do the following: 1. Find the current location and variance zone number on the following zone map. 2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone number appears in the display. 3. Once a zone number appears in the display, press the on/off button quickly until the correct zone number appears in the display. If C appears in the compass window, the compass may need calibration. See “Compass Calibration” explained previously. Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar® and Compass Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview mirror with a compass and the OnStar® system. There are three additional buttons for the OnStar® system. See your dealer for more information on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. See OnStar® System on page 2-41 for more information about the services OnStar® provides. Mirror Operation When turned on, this mirror automatically dims to the proper level to minimize glare from any headlamps behind you after dark. O(On/Off): This is the on/off button for the automatic dimming feature and compass. Press the far left button, located below the mirror face, for up to three seconds to turn the feature on and off. A light on the mirror will be lit while the feature is turned on. 2-31 Compass Operation Press the on/off button once to turn the compass on or off. There is a compass display in the window in the upper right corner of the mirror face. The compass displays a maximum of two characters. For example, “NE” is displayed for north-east. Compass Calibration Press and hold the on/off button down for nine seconds to activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will be displayed in the compass window on the mirror. The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a direction. Compass Variance Compass variance is the difference between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is set to zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate for compass variance if you live outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances, such as during a long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for compass variance. If not adjusted to account for compass variance, your compass could give false readings. 2-32 To adjust for compass variance, do the following: 1. Find your current location and variance zone number on the map. 2. Press and hold the on/off button for six seconds. Release the button when ZONE is displayed. The number shown is the current zone number. 3. Scroll through the zone numbers that appear in the compass/temperature window on the mirror by pressing the on/off button. Once you ﬁnd your zone number, release the button. After about four seconds, the mirror will return to the compass display, and the new zone number will be set. Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, an automatic dimming mirror automatically dims to the proper level to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark. The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and the outside temperature will both appear in the display at the same time. P (On/Off): This is the on/off button. Temperature and Compass Display Press the on/off button, located to the far left, brieﬂy to turn the compass/temperature display on or off. If the display reads CAL, you will need to calibrate the compass. For more information on calibration, see below. To adjust between Fahrenheit and Celsius do the following: 1. Press and hold the on/off button for approximately four seconds until either a ﬂashing F or C appears. 2. Press the button again to change the display to the desired unit of measurement. After approximately four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked in and the compass/temperature display will return. If an abnormal temperature reading is displayed for an extended period of time, please consult your dealer. Under certain circumstances, a delay in updating the temperature is normal. 2-33 Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation The automatic dimming mirror function is turned on automatically each time the ignition is started. To operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the following: 1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the left of the on/off button, is lit. If it’s not, press and hold the on/off button for approximately six seconds until the green light comes on, indicating that the mirror is in automatic dimming mode. 2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function by pressing and holding the on/off button for approximately six seconds, until the green indicator light turns off. Compass Variance The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate for compass variance if you live outside of zone eight. Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for compass variance. Compass variance is the difference between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance, your compass could give false readings. To adjust for compass variance do the following: 1. Find your current location and variance zone number on the following zone map. 2-34 2. Press and hold the on/off button until a Z and a zone number appear in the display. The compass is now in zone mode. 3. Keep pressing the on/off button until the desired zone number appears in the display. Release the button. After approximately four seconds of inactivity, the new zone number will be locked in and the compass/temperature display will return. 4. Calibrate the compass as described below. Compass Calibration The compass may need calibration if one of the following occurs: (cid:127) After approximately ﬁve seconds, the display does not show a compass heading (N for North, for example), there may be a strong magnetic ﬁeld interfering with the compass. Such interference may be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder or a similar magnetic item. The compass does not display the correct heading and the compass zone variance is set correctly. In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, push the on/off button for approximately 12 seconds or until CAL is displayed. The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a direction. Passenger Airbag Indicator The vehicle may be equipped with a passenger airbag indicator, on the mirror glass, just above the buttons. If the vehicle has this feature, the mirror will display the word ON, or an airbag symbol in Canada, when the passenger airbag is enabled. For more information, see Passenger Sensing System on page 1-56. Cleaning the Mirror When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing. Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview mirror with a compass. Mirror Operation When turned on, this mirror automatically dims to the proper level to minimize glare from any headlamps behind you after dark. O(On/Off): This is the on/off button for the automatic dimming feature and compass. Press the far left button, located below the mirror face, for up to three seconds to turn the feature on and off. A light on the mirror will be lit while the feature is turned on. 2-35 (cid:127) Compass Operation Press the on/off button once to turn the compass on or off. There is a compass display in the window in the upper right corner of the mirror face. The compass displays a maximum of two characters. For example, “NE” is displayed for north-east. Compass Calibration Press and hold the on/off button down for nine seconds to activate the compass calibration mode. CAL will be displayed in the compass window on the mirror. The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a direction. Compass Variance Compass variance is the difference between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic north. The mirror is set to zone eight upon leaving the factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate for compass variance if you live outside zone eight. Under certain circumstances, such as during a long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for compass variance. If not adjusted to account for compass variance, your compass could give false readings. 2-36 To adjust for compass variance, do the following: 1. Find your current location and variance zone number on the map. 2. Press and hold the on/off button for six seconds. Release the button when ZONE is displayed. The number shown is the current zone number. 3. Scroll through the zone numbers that appear in the compass/temperature window on the mirror by pressing the on/off button. Once you ﬁnd your zone number, release the button. After about four seconds, the mirror will return to the compass display, and the new zone number will be set. Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic mirror, it will, when on, automatically dim to the proper level to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.

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2006 Buick Rainier Owners Manual