2007 Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual

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use the vehicle’s anchors and child restraint attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether. 1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual. 1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position. 1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors. 2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 2.1. Find the top tether anchor. 2.2. You may need to adjust the rear compartment storage panel/cover in the rear cargo area to access the anchors. See Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover on page 140. 2.3. Route, attach 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. 62 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, raise the head restraint and route the tether under the head restraint and in between the head restraint posts. 3. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 63 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 57. 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. 64 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. 65 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 53. 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 82 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 175 for more information on this including important safety information. 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 57. 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, 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. For outboard seating positions, when the safety belt is not in use, slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the upper anchor on the side wall. 66 If your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a label on your sun visor that 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) CAUTION: (Continued) Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front 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. 67 If your vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless the passenger airbag status indicator shows off and the airbag is off. Here is why: {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. Be sure the airbag is off before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. 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 CAUTION: (Continued) 68 CAUTION: (Continued) 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 transported in vehicles with a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, whenever possible. 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. 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 8 or Power Seat on page 9. If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 57. 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 RUN or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 175. 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. 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 57 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 82. 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 Manual Seats on page 8 or Power Seat on page 9. 69 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. 70 8. If the airbag is off, the off indicator on the instrument panel 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 if one is available and check with your dealer. 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. 71 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. {CAUTION: Be sure that cargo is not near an airbag. In a crash, an inﬂating airbag might force that object toward a person. This could cause severe injury or even death. Secure objects away from the area in which an airbag would inﬂate. For more information, see Where Are the Airbags? on page 75 and Loading Your Vehicle on page 315. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating bag, all airbags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job. When the safety belt is not in use, slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall. 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 headliner near the driver’s and right front passenger’s window. Even if you have no right front passenger seat in your vehicle there is still an active frontal airbag in the right side of the instrument panel. Do not place cargo in front of this airbag. 72 Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: CAUTION: (Continued) {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 (Continued) CAUTION: 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. 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. 73 {CAUTION: {CAUTION: 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. 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 43 or Infants and Young Children on page 46. 74 Where Are the Airbags? 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 174 for more information. The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel. 75 The right front passenger’s frontal 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. 76 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. {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 tie down 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. 77 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 has 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, 78 the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 11 to 16 mph (17 to 26 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 20 to 25 mph (32 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: (cid:127) 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. (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. Additionally, 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. For the frontal airbags, 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 rollover airbags, the airbag modules, the inﬂator, and the airbags are located in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows. 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 roof-mounted airbags and a rollover sensor. See Airbag System on page 72. These “rollover capable” airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes or during a rollover. A roof-mounted 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. Roof-mounted side impact airbags are not intended to inﬂate in rear impacts. Both roof-mounted rollover 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 side impact airbags, inﬂation is determined by the location and severity of the impact. 79 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 an airbag inﬂated. Roof-mounted rollover airbags may still be at least partially inﬂated minutes after the vehicle comes to rest. Some components of the airbag module — the steering wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s airbag, and the area along the ceiling of the vehicle near the side windows for vehicles with roof–mounted side impact airbags — may be hot for a short time. The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deﬂated airbags. Airbag inﬂation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle. How Does an Airbag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety belts. 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. Roof-mounted rollover airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including many frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts. 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 vehicles with roof-mounted rollover airbags. 80 {CAUTION: When an airbag inﬂates, there may be dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention. Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn the interior lamps on, and ﬂash the hazard warning ﬂashers when the airbags inﬂate. You can lock the doors again, turn the interior lamps off, and turn off the hazard warning ﬂashers by using the controls for those features. In many crashes severe enough to inﬂate the 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 has a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 469. (cid:127) Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on the airbag system. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service. 81 The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat. 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. If your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, there is a label on your sun visor that 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. Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to RUN or START. United States Canada 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 175. The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver’s airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system. 82 {CAUTION: CAUTION: (Continued) 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. If your vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless the passenger airbag status indicator shows off and the airbag is off. 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. CAUTION: (Continued) 83 CAUTION: (Continued) 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 transported in vehicles with a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, whenever possible. 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. Here is why: {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. Be sure the airbag is off before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. 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 CAUTION: (Continued) 84 The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if: (cid:127) The right front passenger seat is unoccupied. (cid:127) The system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat. (cid:127) The system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint. (cid:127) The system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat. (cid:127) A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time. (cid:127) The right front passenger seat is occupied by a smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints. (cid:127) Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag system or the passenger sensing system. When the passenger’s frontal airbag has been turned off by the passenger sensing system, the off indicator on the instrument panel 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 66. 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 if one is available and check with your dealer. 85 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. 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. 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. 86 {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 174 for more on this, including important safety information. A thick layer of additional material such as a blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. Remove any additional material from the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the child restraint and before a small occupant, including a small adult, sits in the passenger position. 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 89 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. 87 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. 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 475. {CAUTION: For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition 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. 88 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, height, front end or side sheet metal, 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 456. 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, rollover sensor module, instrument panel, steering wheel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted rollover airbag modules, or airbag wiring 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 456. 89 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. See Care of Safety Belts on page 421 for more information. 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 Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag system does not need regular maintenance. Notice: driver’s 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. 90 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 174. 91 ✍ NOTES 92 Section 2 Features and Controls Keys .............................................................. 95 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System .......... 96 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation .................................... 97 Doors and Locks ........................................ 104 Door Locks ................................................ 104 Power Door Locks ..................................... 105 Delayed Locking ........................................ 105 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ........ 105 Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 106 Lockout Protection ..................................... 106 Liftgate ...................................................... 107 Windows ...................................................... 109 Power Windows ........................................ 110 Sun Visors ................................................ 110 Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................. 111 Content Theft-Deterrent ............................. 111 PASS-Key® III+ ......................................... 112 PASS-Key® III+ Operation ......................... 113 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ......... 114 New Vehicle Break-In ................................ 114 Ignition Positions ....................................... 115 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ............. 116 Starting the Engine .................................... 116 Engine Coolant Heater .............................. 118 Automatic Transaxle Operation .................. 119 Parking Brake ........................................... 122 Shifting Into Park (P) ................................. 123 Shifting Out of Park (P) ............................. 125 Parking Over Things That Burn ................. 126 Engine Exhaust ......................................... 127 Running the Engine While Parked ............. 128 93 Section 2 Features and Controls Mirrors ......................................................... 129 Manual Rearview Mirror ............................. 129 Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® .......... 129 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar® and Compass ................... 129 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass ........................................ 131 Outside Power Mirrors ............................... 132 Outside Convex Mirrors ............................. 132 OnStar® System .......................................... 133 Storage Areas ............................................. 137 Glove Box ................................................. 137 Cupholder(s) .............................................. 137 Center Console Storage Area .................... 137 Garment Hooks ......................................... 137 Luggage Carrier ........................................ 138 Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover ..... 140 Rear Seat Armrest .................................... 142 Table ........................................................ 142 Convenience Net ....................................... 143 Cargo Tie Downs ...................................... 143 Sunroof ....................................................... 144 94 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. 95 One key is used for the ignition and all of the locks. Key code information can be obtained by your dealer. These code numbers can be used to make new keys. Additional keys that are needed can be made at any retail service facility provided you have the key code information. Store this information in a safe place, but not in your vehicle. Have extra keys made. Your service parts department can make extra keys for you. Notice: vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you ever lock your keys in your Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System The remote keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (cid:127) This device may not cause harmful interference. (cid:127) 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: (cid:127) This device may not cause interference. (cid:127) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. 96 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 or resynchronization is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” and “Resynchronization” under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 97. If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. (cid:127) Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation The vehicle’s doors can be locked and unlocked from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 65 feet (20 m) away with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. If your vehicle has the remote start feature you can also start your vehicle with the RKE transmitter. Your RKE transmitter, with the remote start button, provides an increased range of 195 feet (60 m) away. However, the range may be less while the vehicle is running. As a result, you may need to be closer to your vehicle to turn it off than you were to turn it on. There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 96. 97 Q(Lock): Press the lock button to lock the doors and liftgate. If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the parking lamps will ﬂash once to indicate locking has occurred. If enabled through the DIC, the horn will chirp when the lock button is pressed again within ﬁve seconds of the previous press of the lock button. See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 207 for additional information. Pressing the lock button may arm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 111. K(Unlock): Press the unlock button to unlock the driver’s door. If the button is pressed again within ﬁve seconds, all remaining doors, and the liftgate, will unlock. The interior lamps will come on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the parking lamps will ﬂash once to indicate unlocking has occurred. See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 207. Pressing the unlock button on the RKE transmitter will disarm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 111. Remote Keyless Entry with Remote Start Remote Keyless Entry without Remote Start The following functions may be available if your vehicle has the RKE system: /(Remote Vehicle Start): If your vehicle has this feature, it may be started from outside the vehicle using the RKE transmitter. See “Remote Vehicle Start” following, for more detailed information. 98 L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press and release this button to locate your vehicle. The turn signal lamps will ﬂash and the horn will sound three times. Press and hold this button for more than two seconds to activate the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps will ﬂash and the horn will sound repeatedly for 30 seconds. The alarm will turn off when the ignition is moved to RUN or the alarm button is pressed again. The ignition must be in LOCK for the panic alarm to work. The RKE transmitter is used to arm/disarm the content theft-deterrent system. Your vehicle’s theft-deterrent system can be programmed to three different modes. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 111 If you accidentally set off the alarm when entering or exiting the vehicle, you can shut it off by pressing the lock or unlock button once or the panic alarm button twice. Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle Each RKE 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 additional transmitters so they can also be re-coded to match the new transmitter. Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. The vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it. Or, see ″Relearn Remote Key″ under DIC Operation and Displays on page 193 for instructions on how to match RKE transmitters to your vehicle. 99 Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your RKE transmitter should last about four years. The battery is weak if the transmitter will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it is probably time to change the battery. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter, do the following: 1. Use a ﬂat thin object to pry open the transmitter. 100 2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a pencil or similar object to remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object. 3. Slide the new battery into the transmitter with the positive side of the battery facing down. Use a type CR2032 battery, or equivalent type. 4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure no moisture can enter. 5. Check the operation of the transmitter. Remote Vehicle Start Your vehicle may have the remote start feature. This feature allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle. See “REMOTE START” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 207 for instructions on how to enable and disable this feature. During a remote start, the climate control system will turn on at the fan, temperature, and mode settings the vehicle was set to when the vehicle was last turned off and will also turn on the rear window defogger. Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of remote starters. For example, some laws may require a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles. / (Remote Vehicle Start): Press and release the lock button and then press and hold the remote vehicle start button to start the vehicle. Your RKE transmitter, with the remote start button, provides an increased range of operation. However, the range may be less while the vehicle is running. As a result, you may need to be closer to your vehicle to turn it off, than you were to turn it on. If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not use the remote start feature. The vehicle may run out of fuel. To start the engine using the remote start feature, do the following: 1. Aim the RKE transmitter, that has a remote vehicle start button, at the vehicle. 2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button, then immediately press and hold the remote vehicle start button until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps ﬂash, or for at least four seconds, if the vehicle’s lights are not visible. The vehicle’s doors will be locked. Pressing the remote start button again after the vehicle has started will turn off the ignition. 101 3. When the vehicle’s engine starts, the parking lamps will turn on and remain on while the engine is running. 4. If it is your ﬁrst remote start since last driving, repeat these steps while the engine is still running for a 10 minute time extension. When you enter the vehicle during a remote start, and the engine is still running, turn the key to the RUN position to drive the vehicle. After a remote start, the engine will automatically shut off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has been done or the vehicle’s key is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to RUN. The maximum number of remote starts or remote start attempts between ignition cycles with the key is two. If the remote start procedure is used again before the ﬁrst 10 minute time frame has ended, the ﬁrst 10 minutes will immediately expire and the second 10 minute time frame will start. For example, if the lock button and then the remote start buttons are pressed again after the vehicle has been running for ﬁve minutes, 10 minutes are added, allowing the engine to run for 15 minutes. After your vehicle’s engine has been started two times using the remote vehicle start button, the vehicle’s ignition switch must be turned to RUN and then back to LOCK using the key before the remote start procedure can be used again. To manually shut off the engine after a remote start, do any of the following: (cid:127) Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press the remote start button until the parking lamps turn off. (cid:127) Turn on the hazard warning ﬂashers. (cid:127) Insert the vehicle’s key into the ignition switch and turn the switch to RUN and then back to LOCK. 102 Remote Start Ready If your vehicle does not have the remote vehicle start feature, it may have the remote start ready feature. This feature allows your dealer to add the manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature. If your vehicle has the remote start ready feature, your RKE transmitter will have extended range that will allow you to lock or unlock your vehicle from approximately 195 feet (60 m) away. See your dealer if you would like to add the manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature to your vehicle. The remote vehicle start feature will not operate if: (cid:127) The vehicle’s key is in the ignition. (cid:127) The vehicle’s hood, liftgate or doors are not closed. (cid:127) The hazard warning ﬂashers are on. (cid:127) There is an emission control system malfunction. (cid:127) The engine coolant temperature is too high. (cid:127) The oil pressure is low. (cid:127) Two remote vehicle starts have already been used. The maximum number of remote starts or remote start attempts between ignition cycles with the key is two. Vehicles that have the remote vehicle start feature are shipped from the factory with the remote vehicle start system enabled. The system may be enabled or disabled through the DIC. See “REMOTE START” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 207 for additional information. 103 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. CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) (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. There are a couple of ways to manually lock or unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use the key in the driver’s door. From the inside, use the lock control on the door. 104 Power Door Locks The power door lock switches are located on the driver’s and front passenger’s doors. K (Unlock): To unlock the doors, press the unlock symbol. Q(Lock): Remove the ignition key and press the lock symbol to lock all of the doors. Delayed Locking A chime will sound three times to indicate a door or liftgate is open when you try to lock the doors with the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter or the power door lock switch. The doors will not lock, and the theft-deterrent system will not arm until all the doors are closed and ten seconds have passed. The delayed locking feature can be programmed through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 207. Programmable Automatic Door Locks Your vehicle has an automatic lock/unlock feature which enables you to program the power door locks through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 207 for more information on DIC programming. 105 Rear Door Security Locks Your vehicle has rear door security locks that prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside. The rear door security locks are located on the inside edge of each rear door. You must open the rear doors to access them. To set the security locks, do the following: 1. Insert the key into the lock above the rear door security lock label and turn it to the horizontal position. 2. Close the door. 3. Repeat the steps for the other rear door. 106 To open a rear door while the security lock is on, do the following: 1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the front door power lock switch, or by lifting the rear door manual lock. 2. Open the door from the outside. To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside. 2. Insert the key into the slot next to the rear door security lock label and turn it to the vertical position. 3. Repeat the steps for the other lock. Lockout Protection If you press the power door lock switch when the key is in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will lock and only the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle. If the keyless entry transmitter is used to lock the doors and the key is in the ignition, a chime will sound three times. All passenger doors will lock, but the driver’s door will remain unlocked. Liftgate {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. (Continued) CAUTION: CAUTION: (Continued) (cid:127) If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See Engine Exhaust on page 127. To unlock the liftgate, press the unlock button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter twice or use the power door lock switch. To lock the liftgate, press the lock button on the RKE transmitter or use the power door lock switch. The liftgate does not have a key lock cylinder. To open the liftgate, pull up on the handle located in the center of the liftgate. When closing the liftgate, use the molded handles to pull the liftgate down. Push the liftgate closed until it latches. 107 Liftgate Operation with Loss of Power The liftgate is equipped with an electric latch. If the battery is disconnected or has low voltage, the liftgate will not open. To open the liftgate if this happens, remove the interior trim plug located at the base of the liftgate from inside the vehicle. Use a tool to push the service release lever located on the latch until you hear or feel the gate release. The liftgate can now be opened and closed manually. You will need to use this procedure to open the liftgate until the power is restored. 108 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. 109 Power Windows The window switches for all doors are located on the center console. A window switch for each rear window is located on each rear door. To open a window, press the bottom of the switch. To close a window, press the top of the switch. The power windows operate when the ignition is RUN or ACC (Accessory), or while in Retained Accessory Power (RAP). See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 116. Express-Down Window The driver’s window switch has an express-down feature that allows the window to be lowered without holding the switch. Press the bottom of 110 the switch part way, and the driver’s window will open a small amount. Press the switch down all the way down and release it and the window will go down automatically. To stop the window while it is lowering, press and release the top of the switch. Window Lockout o (Window Lockout): Your vehicle has a lockout feature to prevent rear seat passengers from operating the windows. Press the lockout button, located with the power window switches, to turn the feature on and off. The window switch has a light that will come on when the switch is active. Sun Visors To block out glare, swing the sun visor down. You can also detach the driver’s sun visor from the center mount and slide it along the rod from side-to-side for greater coverage. Visor Vanity Mirrors Your vehicle has covered visor vanity mirrors on both the driver’s and passenger’s side. 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 To activate the theft-deterrent system: 1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. If you are using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the door does not need to be open. 3. Close all doors. Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to enter the vehicle without using the remote keyless entry transmitter or a key or turns the ignition on with an incorrect key. The horn will sound and the turn signal lamps will ﬂash for approximately two minutes. When the alarm is armed, the trunk may be opened with the remote keyless entry transmitter. The power door lock switches are disabled and the doors remain locked. You must use your remote keyless entry transmitter or your key to unlock the doors when the system is armed. Arming with the Power Lock Switch The alarm system will arm when you use either power lock switch to lock the doors while any door or the trunk is open and the key is removed from the ignition. Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter The alarm system will arm when you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors, if the key is not in the ignition. 111 Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter The alarm system will disarm when you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors. The ﬁrst time a remote unlock command is received, three ﬂashes will be seen and three horn chirps heard to indicate an alarm condition has occurred since last arming. Disarming with Your Key The alarm system will disarm when you use your key to unlock the doors or insert your key in ignition and turn it from the LOCK position. PASS-Key® III+ The 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. 112 PASS-Key® III+ Operation Your vehicle has 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 special to arm or disarm the system. It works when you transition the key to RUN, ACC or START from the LOCK position. When the PASS-Key® III+ system senses that someone is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from starting. 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 engine does not start and the security light on the instrument panel comes on when trying to start the vehicle, the key may have a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off and try again. 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 429. 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. In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. It is possible for the PASS-Key® III+ decoder to “learn” the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up to nine additional keys may be programmed for the vehicle. The following procedure is for programming additional keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do not operate, you must see your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key® III+ to have keys made and programmed to the system. See your dealer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key® III+ to get a new key blank that is cut exactly as the ignition key that operates the system. 113 To program the new additional key do the following: 1. Verify that the new key has a 1 stamped on it. 2. Insert the original, already programmed, key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not start, see your dealer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK, and remove the key. 4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to the RUN position within ﬁve seconds of removing the original key. 5. The security light will turn off once the key has been programmed. 6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 if additional keys are to be programmed. If you are driving and the security light comes on and stays on, you may be able to restart your engine. Your PASS-Key® III+ system, however, may not be working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. If you lose or damage your PASS-Key® III+ key, see your dealer or a locksmith 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: (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 322 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information. Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. 114 Ignition Positions With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to four different positions. A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door when the key has not been removed from the ignition. 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 in all the way. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service. 9 (LOCK): You will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK. The ignition switch cannot be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in PARK (P). ACC (Accessory): This position operates some of your electrical accessories. R (RUN): This is the position the switch returns to after you start your engine and release the switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when the engine is running. But even when the engine is not running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories and to display some warning and indicator lights. The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the ACC or RUN position with the engine off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time. / (START): This position starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to RUN for normal driving. Key In the Ignition Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always remember to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you. This will lock your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember to lock the doors. 115 The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for an extended period of time. Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Your vehicle has a Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio, power windows and sunroof to continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off or the driver’s door is opened. All these features will work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACC. Starting the Engine Place the transaxle in the proper gear. Automatic Transaxle Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position -- this 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. 116 Manual Transaxle The shift lever should be in the neutral position and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ﬂoor and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down. That is a safety feature. Starting Procedure 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. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transaxle gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts. Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects components. If the ignition key is turned to the START position, and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and the key is held in START for many seconds, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running. Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the ACC or LOCK position. Notice: Cranking the engine for long periods of time, by returning the key to the START position immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat and damage the cranking motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down. 2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds, especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or −18°C), it could be ﬂooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts brieﬂy but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transaxle gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts. 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. 117 Engine Coolant Heater If your vehicle has this feature, 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 cord is located on the passenger’s side of the engine compartment, near the radiator. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. 118 {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. Automatic Transaxle Operation The shift lever is located on the center console. When you change gears, the different shift positions will display on the instrument panel cluster. There are several different positions for the automatic transaxle. PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It is the best position to use when you start your 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. 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 123. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 322. 119 Make sure 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 ﬁrst and then press the shift lever button 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 and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 125. 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 314. 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. 120 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. Notice: Shifting to a drive gear from NEUTRAL (N) while the vehicle is moving could damage the transaxle. Make sure the vehicle is stopped before shifting from NEUTRAL (N) into a drive gear. DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving with the automatic transaxle. It provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If you need more power for passing, and you are: (cid:127) Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. (cid:127) Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator all the way down. Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding” under Loss of Control on page 299. INTERMEDIATE (I): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed without using your brakes for slight downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills, this position can be used to prevent repetitive types of shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding roads and when towing a trailer, so that there is less shifting between gears. LOW (L): This position reduces vehicle speed more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually using your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into LOW (L) 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 transaxle. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. 121 Transaxle Overheating If the transaxle ﬂuid temperature rises above 284°F (140°C) or rises rapidly, the Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light will ﬂash. See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 181 for more information. When the transaxle overheats it will go into a protection mode and will default shift into ﬁfth gear if in the DRIVE (D) position, or second gear if in the LOW (L) position. Continue driving the vehicle in either position depending on the required vehicle speed and load. Once the ﬂuid temperature lowers to the normal temperature range, the transaxle will return to the normal shift patterns. Towing or driving on long hills can cause the transaxle ﬂuid temperature to be higher than normal. If the transaxle ﬂuid temperature will not cool, you may need to pull over and check the transaxle ﬂuid level. You should also check the engine coolant temperature. If it is hot, see Engine Overheating on page 355. 122 Parking Brake The parking brake lever is located to the right of the driver’s seat. To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on. To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the release button. Hold the release button in as you move the brake lever all the way down. Make sure to release the parking brake before driving the vehicle. If the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at least 4 mph (6 km/h), a chime will activate to remind you to release the parking brake. 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. 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. (Continued) CAUTION: CAUTION: (Continued) 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 322. 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position by holding in the button on the shift lever and pushing it 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 ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P). 123 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 pushing the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into 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. 124

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2007 Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual