2006 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual

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have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint, state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. 1-50 Child Restraint Systems {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous ﬂat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. 1-51 A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields. 1-52 A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a ﬁve-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The ﬁve-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a ﬂat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side. 1-53 When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may ﬁnd these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system or the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle – even when no child is in it. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors recommends 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. CAUTION: (Continued) 1-54 CAUTION: (Continued) 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. General Motors recommends 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. Wherever you install a child restraint, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be attached using only the top tether and anchor. 1-55 Lower Anchors In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle. Your vehicle has lower anchors and top tether anchors. Your child restraint may have lower attachments and a top tether. Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments. Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B). 1-56 Top Tether Anchor A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash. Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. 1-57 Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. Second Row — Captains Chairs 1-58 j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. Second Row — Bench Seat Third Row To assist you in locating the lower anchors, each seating position with lower anchors has two labels, near the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion, showing where the anchors are located. To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, look for this symbol. For the third row, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the ﬂap of carpet behind the seat. Lift the carpet to access the anchor. For the second row center seating position in a vehicle that has the extended rear convenience center, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the cover of the convenience center. Lift the cover to access the top tether anchor. Second Row — Captains Chairs For second row captains chairs, the top tether anchors are exposed and located at the rear of the seat cushions. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. 1-59 Second Row Outside Position Bench Seat For second row outboard seating positions, the top tether anchors are exposed and located at the rear of the seat cushions. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. Second Row Center Position Bench Seat without Third Row Seat The anchor for the center position bench seat is located on the ﬂoor behind the second row seats. If the vehicle has the extended rear convenience center, you need to lift the cover of the convenience center to access the anchor for the center position bench seat. 1-60 Second Row Center Position Bench Seat with Third Row Seat Second Row Center Position Bench Seat with Third Row Seat Folded Down If the vehicle has a third row seat and the seatback is upright, there is an anchor strap located between the third row seatback and cushion to anchor the child restraint for the second row center position bench seat. If the vehicle has a third row seat and the seatback is folded down, there is an anchor on the back of the third row seat for the second row center position bench seat. 1-61 If you are using a top tether equipped child restraint in the second row center bench seat and need to temporarily transport a ﬂat tire for repair, move the child restraint to a rear seat outboard position. See Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-65 for more information including important safety information. Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position or in the third row driver side position, if equipped, if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-54 for additional information. Third Row If the vehicle has a third row, there is a top tether anchor for the third row passenger’s side position. Locate the anchor symbol on the ﬂap of carpet behind the seat. Lift up the carpet to access the anchor. 1-62 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System {CAUTION: {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the vehicle is designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per anchor. 1. Find the lower anchors, if equipped, for the desired seating position. 2. If the desired seating position does not have lower anchors or the child restraint does not have lower anchorages, see Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-65, Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position on page 1-67, and Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-69 for instructions on installing the child restraint using the safety belts. 3. Put the child restraint on the seat. 1-63 4. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors, if equipped, in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 5. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 5.1. Find the top tether anchor. 5.2. If the vehicle has the extended rear convenience center, you need to lift the cover of the convenience center to access the anchor for the second row center position bench seat. 5.3. For the third row bench seat, lift the carpet to expose the anchor. 5.4. Route and tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions: If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback. 1-64 If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback. If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint. If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether under the head restraint and in between the head restraint posts. 6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 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 1-55. There is no top tether anchor in the 3rd row driver’s-side 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 1-55 if the child restraint has a top tether. 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. Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. 1-65 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. 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. 1-66 5. If your child restraint has a top tether and the position that you are using has a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to step 5 under Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55. 6. 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 If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in the center rear seating position. To secure a child restraint in this position, you will use only the lap part of the belt. Disconnect the shoulder part of the belt and store it before securing child restraint. See Center Rear Passenger Position on page 1-40. If you are using a top tether-equipped child restraint in the center rear seat and need to temporarily transport a ﬂat tire for repair, move the child restraint to a rear seat outboard position. See Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-65 for more on this, including important safety information. 1-67 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. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-68 4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push down on the child restraint. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 6. If your child restraint has 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 step ﬁve under Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55. 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. When you remove the child restraint, be sure to reconnect the lap and shoulder parts of the belt so they will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has a right front passenger airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-54. In addition, your vehicle has the 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 1-81 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-42 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. {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 Manual Seats on page 1-3 or Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-4. If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55. 1-69 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 1-55 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 1-81. General Motors recommends 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 Manual Seats on page 1-3 or Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-4. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you turn the ignition to ON or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-42. 1-70 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. 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. 1-71 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 8. If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and the airbag is off, the off indicator will be lit and stay lit in the inside rearview mirror when the key is turned to ON 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. 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 side impact airbags. Side impact airbags are available for the driver and right front passenger. If your vehicle has a side impact airbag for the driver and/or the right front passenger, the word AIRBAG will appear on the airbag covering on the side of the seatback closest to the door. 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 CAUTION: (Continued) 1-72 CAUTION: (Continued) {CAUTION: Both frontal and 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. Front occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door. hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. 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. 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, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. 1-73 {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 1-45 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-48. There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-41 for more information. 1-74 Where Are the Airbags? The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. 1-75 If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact airbag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. If your vehicle has one, the right front passenger’s side impact airbag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door. 1-76 {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block the inﬂation path of a side impact airbag. 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 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 12 to 20 mph (19 to 33 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 21 to 25 mph (34 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.) 1-77 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 may or may not have a side impact airbag. See Airbag System on page 1-72 for more information. Side impact airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact airbag will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. Side impact airbags are not intended to inﬂate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts. A side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inﬂation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. For side impact airbags, inﬂation is determined by the location and severity of the impact. 1-78 (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inﬂator, which inﬂates the airbag. The inﬂator, the airbag and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For seating positions with side impact airbags, there are also airbag modules in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door. 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. 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 for side impact airbags. 1-79 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? After the airbag inﬂates, it quickly deﬂates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inﬂated. 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 seating positions with side impact airbags, the side of the seatback closest to the door may be hot. The parts of the airbag 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 or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. 1-80 {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. 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 an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service. Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger airbag status indicator in the rearview mirror will be visible when you turn your ignition key to ON or START. 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 3-42. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada 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. 1-81 (cid:127) 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. General Motors recommends 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. 1-82 {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. General Motors recommends 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. 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 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 1-69. 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. 1-83 (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 3-41 for more on this, including important safety information. 1-84 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 1-86 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 parts of the airbag system in several places around 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. 1-85 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 (located under the driver’s seat), 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. 1-86 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. If you damage the covering for the driver’s 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 frontal airbag, or an airbag covering (if equipped) on a seatback, 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 frontal airbag, or both the airbag module and the seatback for seating positions with a side impact airbag (if equipped). Do not open or break the airbag coverings. 1-87 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 frontal 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 frontal 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 3-41. 1-88 Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................2-3 Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5 Doors and Locks .............................................2-8 Door Locks ....................................................2-8 Power Door Locks ..........................................2-9 Delayed Locking .............................................2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ..............2-10 Rear Door Security Locks ..............................2-10 Lockout Protection ........................................2-11 Liftgate ........................................................2-11 Windows ........................................................2-13 Power Windows ............................................2-14 Sun Visors ...................................................2-15 Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-15 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-15 PASS-Key® III ..............................................2-17 PASS-Key® III Operation ...............................2-18 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-19 New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-19 Ignition Positions ..........................................2-20 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-20 Starting the Engine .......................................2-21 Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation .......................2-23 Parking Brake ..............................................2-26 Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-27 Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-28 Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-29 Engine Exhaust ............................................2-29 Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-30 Mirrors ...........................................................2-31 Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-31 Outside Power Mirror ....................................2-31 Outside Curb View Assist Mirror .....................2-31 Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-32 Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................2-32 2-1 Section 2 Features and Controls OnStar® System .............................................2-32 Universal Home Remote System ......................2-34 Universal Home Remote System Operation ......2-35 Storage Areas ................................................2-38 Glove Box ...................................................2-38 Cupholder(s) ................................................2-38 Cell Phone Storage Area ...............................2-39 Overhead Console ........................................2-39 Floor Console Storage Area ...........................2-39 Front Armrest Storage Area ...........................2-39 Rear Storage Area ........................................2-40 Roof Rack System ........................................2-40 Convenience Net ..........................................2-43 Cargo Cover ................................................2-43 Rear Convenience Center ..............................2-43 Sunroof .........................................................2-46 Vehicle Personalization ...................................2-47 Memory Seat ...............................................2-47 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. Your vehicle’s key can be used for the ignition as well as the driver’s door lock, the ﬂoor console, and the glove box. If you need a new key, contact your dealer, who can obtain the correct key code. 2-3 Your vehicle has the PASS-Key® III vehicle theft system. The key has a transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column. If a replacement key or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this key from your dealer. The key will have PK3® stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the original keys. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a new key made. Any new PASS-Key® III key must be programmed before it will start your vehicle. See PASS-Key® III on page 2-17 for more information on programming your new key. Notice: you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, see Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6 for more information. 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 2-32 for more information. If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, Remote Keyless Entry System If equipped, the 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. 2-4 At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: (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 feature, you can lock and unlock your doors using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle. UNLOCK: Press UNLOCK to unlock only the driver’s door. If you press UNLOCK again within ﬁve seconds, the passengers’ doors and the liftgate will unlock. See “Liftgate Release” under Liftgate on page 2-11 for more information. The UNLOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter will disarm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15 for more information. 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. See your dealer to match transmitters to another vehicle. If you would like to program the way the headlamps and parking lamps operate with remote unlock conﬁrmation, and your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-64. LOCK: To lock all doors, press LOCK. The LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter will arm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15 for more information. If you would like to program the way the headlamps, parking lamps, horn, and radio operate with remote lock conﬁrmation, and your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-64. REAR: To unlock the liftgate, press REAR. See Liftgate on page 2-11 for more information. L (Remote Alarm): Press the button with the horn symbol to make the headlamps and parking lamps ﬂash and the horn sound. This will allow you to attract attention, if needed. Press the button with the horn symbol again to stop the alarm from sounding, or the alarm will turn off after 90 seconds. 2-6 Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about three years. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. 1. Insert a ﬂat object, such as a coin, into the slot on the side of the transmitter and twist to separate the halves. 2. Gently pry the battery out of the transmitter. Do not use the metal ﬂanges to remove the battery. United States Canada You can tell the battery is weak if the KEY FOB BATTERY LOW message appears in the message center. If you get this message, the battery in the key fob needs to be replaced. 3. Replace the battery. 4. Reassemble the transmitter. Make sure the halves are snapped together tightly so water will not get in. 5. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons for seven seconds to synchronize the transmitter. 6. Check the transmitter operation. 2-7 There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless entry transmitter. To unlock the driver’s door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of the vehicle. To lock the driver’s door from the outside with your key, insert the key and turn it toward the rear of the vehicle. To unlock either manual locking front door from the inside, pull back on the manual lever. To lock either front door from the inside, push the manual lever forward. Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: 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. 2-8 Delayed Locking With the delayed locking feature, the doors will not lock immediately when locking the doors using the power door lock switch or when LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed while any door is open. Instead, three chimes will be heard to indicate that the delayed locking feature is in operation. Five seconds after all doors are closed, the doors will lock automatically. If the ignition is in ON or ACCESSORY, this feature will not lock the doors. If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-64 to program the delayed locking feature. Power Door Locks The power door lock switch is located on the driver’s and front passenger’s doors next to the door handle. Press the front of the switch to lock all doors, or press the back of the switch to unlock all doors. The rear doors do not have power door lock switches. Instead, each rear door has a manual lever that works only that door’s lock. If your vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system, the power door lock switch may cause the system to arm. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15 for more information. 2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks All of the doors will automatically lock when all doors are closed, the engine is running and the shift lever is shifted out of PARK (P). All of the doors will automatically unlock when the shift lever is shifted into PARK (P). With the automatic door lock feature, you can still lock or unlock the doors at any time, either manually, with the power door lock switches or by pressing LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5 for more information. If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-64 to program the automatic door lock feature. Rear Door Security Locks Your vehicle has rear door security locks. These help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors on your vehicle from the inside. To use one of these locks do the following: 1. Open one of the rear doors. 2. On the inside of the rear door will be a lock. Push the lever up to engage the safety lock. 3. Close the door. 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other rear door lock. The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened from inside the vehicle when this feature is in use. If you want to open the rear door when the security lock is on, unlock the door from the inside and then open the door from the outside. 2-10 Canceling the Rear Door Security Locks 1. Unlock and open the rear door from the outside. 2. Push the lever down to disengage the safety lock. 3. Close the door. 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other rear door lock. The rear door locks will now work normally. Lockout Protection The lockout protection feature may prevent you from locking your key in your vehicle. Pressing the power door lock switch will lock all doors, then unlock the driver’s door, if the key is in the ignition when a door is opened. If you leave the key in your vehicle but not in the ignition or if you use the manual door lock, you could still lock the key in the vehicle. Always remember to take the key with you. Liftgate {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate 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: (cid:127) Make sure all other windows are shut. (cid:127) Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See Climate Control System on page 3-28. If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See Engine Exhaust on page 2-29. 2-11 (cid:127) To open the liftgate using the touchpad, do the following: 1. Put the vehicle in PARK (P). 2. Unlock all of the doors. 3. Lift up on the liftgate handle. If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry transmitter, you may unlock the liftgate by pressing the REAR button on the transmitter, then open the liftgate manually by lifting up on the liftgate handle. Pressing REAR while the Content Theft-Deterrent is active allows you to open the liftgate while all other doors remain locked. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15 Notice: for overhead obstructions such as a garage door, you could break the liftgate glass. Always check to make sure the area above the liftgate is clear before opening it. If you open the liftgate without checking Liftgate Release Liftgate Handle Your vehicle is equipped with a liftgate release touchpad, located on the inner side of the liftgate handle. 2-12 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 Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the windows when the ignition is in ON, ACCESSORY, or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-20 for more information. In addition, each passenger’s door has a window switch. 2-14 The driver’s power window switch has two down positions. Push the rear of the switch to the ﬁrst position to lower the window normally. Press the rear of any passenger window switch and that window will open. Press the front of any switch to close the window. Express-Down Window The driver’s window switch also has an express-down feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. To activate the express-down feature, push the rear of the driver’s window switch to the second position, then release it. The window will lower completely. To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the front of the switch. Window Lockout The driver’s window controls also include a lockout switch. Press the right side of the WDO LOCK switch to stop rear passengers from lowering their window. The driver can still control all of the windows with the lockout on. Press the other side of the WDO LOCK switch for normal window operation. Sun Visors To block out glare you can swing down the visors. You can also remove them from the center mount and swing them to the side. There may be an extension on the inboard side of the sun visors. Pull the extension out to block out glare. Visor Vanity Mirror Pull down the sun visor. Flip up the cover to expose the vanity mirror. Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors Pull down the sun visor. Flip up the cover to expose the vanity mirror. The lamps will come on when you open the cover. 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 may have a theft-deterrent alarm system. A security light, located on top of the instrument panel will ﬂash slowly to let you know that the system has been armed. While armed, the doors will not unlock with the power door lock switch. 2-15 Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Your alarm system will arm when you press LOCK once on your remote keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors. The alarm system light will come on for 30 seconds and then start ﬂashing to let you know the system is armed. Within the 30 second delay after the security light comes on, and an additional ﬁve seconds after the light begins to ﬂash, any door can be manually unlocked and opened, without sounding the alarm. If LOCK is pressed on your remote keyless entry transmitter twice within ﬁve seconds, any door can be manually unlocked and opened within ﬁve seconds after the security light begins to ﬂash, without sounding the alarm. A door unlocked manually will remain unlocked until locked again. Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to enter the vehicle without using the optional remote keyless entry transmitter or the key, or tries to turn the ignition on without using the correct key. The horn will sound and the headlamps and parking lamps will ﬂash any time the alarm sounds. When the content theft-deterrent system is armed, the liftgate may be opened by pressing the REAR button on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm will go into standby mode. Once the liftgate is closed, the alarm will be armed. See “Liftgate Release” under Liftgate on page 2-11 for more information on how to open the liftgate. Arming with the Power Lock Switch The content theft-deterrent alarm system will arm when you use either power door lock switch to lock the doors while any door or the liftgate is open and the key is removed from the ignition. The security light, located on top of the instrument panel, will start ﬂashing when the system is armed. Within ﬁve seconds, after the security light begins to ﬂash, any door can be manually unlocked and opened, without sounding the alarm. A door unlocked manually will remain unlocked until locked again. 2-16 Disarming with Your Key Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key to unlock the driver’s door. The security light will stop ﬂashing to let you know the system is no longer armed. Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Your alarm system will disarm when you press UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors. The security light, on top of the instrument panel, will stop ﬂashing to let you know the system is no longer armed. PASS-Key® III Your PASS-Key® III 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 harmful interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. 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. PASS-Key® III uses a radio frequency transponder in the key that matches a decoder in your vehicle. 2-17 PASS-Key® III Operation Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key® III (Personalized Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key® III is a passive theft deterrent system. This means you do not have to do anything different to arm or disarm the system. It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition. When the PASS-Key® III system senses that someone is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter and fuel systems. The starter will not work and fuel will stop being delivered to the engine. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high number of electrical key codes. If the SECURITY message is shown on the Message Center when trying to start the vehicle, the key may have a damaged transponder. See “PASS-Key® III Security Message” under Message Center on page 3-51. Turn the ignition off and try to start the vehicle again. 2-18 If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-101. If the engine still does not start with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the ﬁrst key may be faulty. See your dealer who can service the PASS-Key® III to have a new key made. It is possible for the PASS-Key® III decoder to program the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up to 10 additional keys may be programmed for the vehicle. This procedure is for programming additional keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do not operate, you must see your GM dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key® III to have keys made and programmed to the system. See your GM dealer who can service PASS-Key® III to get a new key blank that is a cut exactly as the ignition key that operates the system. Canadian Owners: If you lose or damage your keys, only a GM dealer can service PASS-Key® III to have new keys made. To program additional keys you will need two current driver’s keys, black in color. You must add a step to the following procedure. After Step 3 repeat Steps 1 through 3 with the second current driver’s key. Then continue with Step 4. To program the new PK3® key do the following: 1. Verify the new key has PK3 stamped on it. 2. Insert the original key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not start, see your GM dealer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn the key to OFF, and remove the key. 4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to ON within 10 seconds of removing the previous key. 5. The SECURITY message will turn off once the key has been programmed. It may not be apparent that the SECURITY message went on due to how quickly the key is programmed. 6. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be programmed. If you are ever driving and the SECURITY message comes on and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key® III system, however, is not working properly and must be serviced by your GM dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key® III system at this time. If you lose or damage a PASS-Key® III key, see your GM dealer who can service PASS-Key® III to have a new key made. 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: If you have all-wheel drive, 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 4-38 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information. Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. 2-19 (cid:127) B (ACCESSORY): This position allows you to use things like the radio and the windshield wipers while the engine is off. This position will also allow you to turn off the engine. Use ACCESSORY if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is being pushed or towed. C (ON): This is the position that the switch returns to after you start your engine and release the key. The switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But even when the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate your electrical power accessories, and to display some instrument panel warning lights. D (START): This position starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to ON for normal driving. Retained Accessory Power (RAP) With RAP, the power windows, the audio system, the sunroof and the automatic level control will continue to work for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF or until one of the doors is opened. Ignition Positions With the key in the ignition, you can turn it to four different positions. A (OFF): This is the only position in which you can remove the key. This position locks the ignition and transaxle. Notice: Using a tool to force the key from the ignition switch could cause damage or break the key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service. 2-20 3. 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 a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine still will not start, or starts brieﬂy but then stops again, repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on the temperature. When the engine starts, release the key and the accelerator pedal. 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. 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: Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine warms up. 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 the engine does not start in 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down while you turn the key to START. Do this until the engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of the key. 2-21 Engine Coolant Heater Your vehicle may be equipped with 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. Your vehicle may also have an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted on the cord. To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The electrical cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. {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. 2-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation Maximum engine speed is limited when you are in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline components from improper operation. There are several different positions for your shift lever. PARK (P): This gear position locks your front wheels. It is the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle cannot move easily. Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. As you step on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you may hear a click from the solenoid of the system. This ensures that the system is operating properly. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever — push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-28 for more information. {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. 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 2-27. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. 2-23 REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. 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 transaxle, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed. {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. 2-24 Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at high speed may damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle. AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you are: (cid:127) Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. (cid:127) Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. If your vehicle seems to start up rather You will shift down to the next gear and have more power. Notice: slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then. Warm-Up Shift Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment and defrost the windows more quickly. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): (cid:127) When driving on hilly, winding roads (cid:127) When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears (cid:127) When going down a steep hill 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 your brakes off and on. If your vehicle seems to start up rather Notice: Driving in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2). Notice: slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher speeds. 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 shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle will not downshift into ﬁrst gear until the vehicle is going slow enough. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle in place. 2-25 Parking Brake The parking brake is located under the instrument panel on the driver’s side of the vehicle. To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot and push down on the parking brake pedal with your left foot. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-44. To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot while you push down on the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop up to the released position. 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 are parking on any hill, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. 2-26 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 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 4-38. 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it will go. 3. Turn the ignition key to OFF. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P). 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 the

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2006 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual