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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 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.


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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.


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{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.


Wherever you install it, 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.


Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, do not use the restraint unless it is anchored properly. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.


In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. Anchor the top strap to an anchor point specified in Top Strap Anchor Location on page 1-42. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. For 5 passenger vehicles, fold down the head restraint and route the top strap under it. See Rear Seat Operation on page 1-9.


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Top Strap Anchor Location


Five-passenger Vehicles


For five-passenger vehicles, there is a top strap anchor for each rear seating position. The anchors are located on the floor in the cargo area of your vehicle. Do not use the rear tie-down brackets near the liftgate for top straps.


For 7 passenger vehicles, if the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint, raise the head restraint and route the top strap under it. See Head Restraints on page 1-9.


{CAUTION:


Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor 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 bracket.


Once you have the top strap anchored, you will be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say.


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Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position or in the third row seating positions (if equipped) if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. There is no place to anchor the top strap in these positions.


Seven-passenger Vehicles


For seven-passenger vehicles, there is a top strap anchor for each seating position in the second row. The anchors are located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion.


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Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. There are anchors for the outboard seating positions in the second row. This system, designed to make installation of child restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts. Instead, it uses vehicle anchors and child restraint attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether strap.


A. Lower Anchorage B. Lower Anchorage C. Top Tether


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For five-passenger vehicles, the labels are located above a flap, at the base of the seatback, in the rear outside seating positions. The anchors are located under the flap. In order to get to the anchors you will need to pull the strap at the center of the seat where the seat cushion meets the seatback. This will allow you to fold the seat cushion up and out of the way. Lift the flap to expose the anchors and then lower the seat cushion. Be sure the cushion is locked into place. For seven-passenger vehicles, the labels are located near the base of the seatback in the second row outside seating positions.


{CAUTION:


If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to its anchorage points, 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 anchorage points, 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.


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A. Lower Anchorage B. Lower Anchorage In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint designed for that system.


To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system has a label on the seatback at each lower anchor position.


Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seating


position you want to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion. See Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-44.


2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Attach and tighten the LATCH attachments on the


child restraint to the LATCH anchorages in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how.


4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Also see Top Strap on page 1-41.


5. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top tether from the top tether anchorage and then disconnect the LATCH attachments from the LATCH anchorages.


Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-44. See Top Strap on page 1-41 if the child restraint has one. There are no top strap anchors at the third row seating positions. Do not secure a child seat in these positions if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. 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.


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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.


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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.


Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Seat Position Many child restraints are too wide to be correctly secured in the center rear seat, although some of them will fit there. If the center seat position is too narrow for your child restraint, secure it in a rear outside seat position. If you secure a child restraint in the center seat position, follow the instructions in Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-46.


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.


6. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


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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 1-40. In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small child in a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat is detected. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-62
and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-36
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. 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 position, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. See Power Seats on page 1-4. If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-44.


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There is no top strap 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 strap be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. See Top Strap on page 1-41 if your child restraint has one. 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 1-62. 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 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 RUN or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-36.


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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.


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Airbag System Your vehicle has a frontal airbag for the driver and another frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have roof-mounted airbags designed for either side impact or rollover deployment. Roof-mounted 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 airbags, the words AIR BAG will appear on the airbag covering on the sidewall trim near the driver’s and right front passenger’s window. Frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal airbag. But these airbags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations.


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


8. If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the inside rearview mirror will be lit and stay lit when the key is turned to RUN or START.


If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint. If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.


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Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system:


CAUTION:


(Continued)


The roof-mounted airbags are designed to inflate only 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 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.


{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 only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inflate in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal 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. CAUTION:


(Continued)


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{CAUTION:


{CAUTION:


Both frontal and roof-mounted 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 1-31 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-34.


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 3-35
for more information.


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Where Are the Airbags?


The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.


The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.


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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.


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.


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{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 airbags, never secure anything to the roof of your vehicle by routing the rope or tiedown through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inflating side impact airbag will be blocked. The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear.


When Should an Airbag Inflate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a variety of desired deployment and non-deployment events and are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and help restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down. In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags, which adjust the restraint according to crash severity. Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment.


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For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 25 mph (29 to 40 km/h). (The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.) Airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:


If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than if the object were moving. If the object deforms, the airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than if the object does not deform. If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the airbag 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 airbag 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 because inflation would not likely help the occupants.


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Your vehicle may or may not have a roof-mounted airbag and rollover sensor. See Airbag System on page 1-52. These “rollover capable” airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes or during a rollover. 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 designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation would not likely help the occupant. Your vehicle has seat position sensors which enable the sensing system to monitor the position of the driver’s seat and the right front passenger’s seat. Seat position sensors provide information that is used to determine if the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or at full deployment. 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 the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact airbags, inflation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.


(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on page 4-15 for tips on off-road driving.


What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. In the case of a “rollover capable” roof-mounted airbag, the sensing system detects that the vehicle is about to roll over. For both frontal and roof-mounted airbags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger. For vehicles with roof-mounted airbags, the airbag modules are located in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows.


How Does an Airbag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag. Roof-mounted airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions or rollovers for the roof-mounted airbags.


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What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? After an airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag module — the steering wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag or the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows — will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.


{CAUTION:


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


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Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the airbags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls. In many crashes severe enough to inflate an airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. (cid:127) Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for your airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.


(cid:127) Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 7-9. Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag system. Improper service can mean that your airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service.


If you damage the covering for the driver’s


Notice: or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side impact airbag covering 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. Do not open or break the airbag coverings.


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(cid:127) Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger’s position. A passenger airbag status indicator in the rearview mirror will be visible when you turn your ignition key to START or RUN. The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible on the rearview mirror 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 3-36.


Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States


The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver’s airbag and the side airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. 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.


Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada


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{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.


The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:


the right front passenger seat is unoccupied the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time the right front passenger seat is occupied by a smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints or if there is a critical problem with the airbag system or the passenger sensing system.


When the passenger sensing system has turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator in the rearview mirror will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off. If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-49.


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(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.


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.


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{CAUTION:


{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.


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 3-35 for more on this, including important safety information.


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 1-66 for more information about modifications that can affect how the system operates.


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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.


Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are airbag system parts in several places around your vehicle. You do not want the system to inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11.


{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.


1-66


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.


Restraint System Check


Checking the Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.)


1-67


If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system was not being used at the time of the collision. If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section. If the airbags inflate you will also need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new retractor assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision. After a crash you may need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even if the airbags have not deployed. The driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-35.


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.


1-68


Section 2


Features and Controls


Keys ...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-6
Doors and Locks .............................................2-8
Door Locks ....................................................2-8
Delayed Locking .............................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks ..............................2-12
Lockout Protection ........................................2-12
Liftgate/Liftglass ............................................2-13
Windows ........................................................2-14
Power Windows ............................................2-14
Power Rear Quarter Windows ........................2-16
Sun Visors ...................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-17
Passlock® ....................................................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-19
New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-19
Ignition Positions ..........................................2-20
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-21
Starting the Engine .......................................2-21
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal ................2-22
Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-23


Displacement on Demand (DoD) .....................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation ...................2-24
Four-Wheel Drive ..........................................2-27
Parking Brake ..............................................2-31
Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-32
Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-34
Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-34
Engine Exhaust ............................................2-35
Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-36
Mirrors ...........................................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar® ..............2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror with Compass ............2-38
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®


and Compass ...........................................2-40


Manual Rearview Mirror with Compass


and Temperature .......................................2-42


Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®,


Compass, and Temperature Display .............2-44
Outside Manual Mirrors ..................................2-46
Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-46
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror .....................2-46
Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-47
Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................2-47


2-1


Section 2


Features and Controls


OnStar® System .............................................2-47
HomeLink® Wireless Control System ...............2-49


HomeLink® Wireless Control System


Operation .................................................2-50
Storage Areas ................................................2-53
Glove Box ...................................................2-53
Overhead Console ........................................2-53
Center Console Storage Area .........................2-54
Assist Handles .............................................2-54


Luggage Carrier ...........................................2-54
Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover ..........2-56
Rear Floor Storage Lid ..................................2-58
Convenience Net ..........................................2-58
Cargo Cover ................................................2-58
Sunroof .........................................................2-60
Vehicle Personalization ...................................2-60
Memory Seat ...............................................2-60


2-2


Keys


{CAUTION:


Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children.


2-3


This vehicle has one double-sided key for the ignition and door lock. It will fit with either side up.


When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the owner with a pair of identical keys and a key code number.


If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,


The key code number tells your dealer or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep this number in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able to have new ones made easily using this number. Your selling dealer should also have this number. Notice: you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5. 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 2-47
for more information.


2-4


Remote Keyless Entry System Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received,


including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.


This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received,


including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.


Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.


At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: (cid:127) Check the distance. You may be too far from your


vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather.


(cid:127) Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may


be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.


(cid:127) Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-6. If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualified technician for service.


2-5


(cid:127) Remote Keyless Entry System Operation If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.


K (Unlock): Press unlock for the driver’s door to unlock automatically, the parking lamps to flash and the interior lights to go on. Press the unlock button a second time within three seconds to unlock all the doors.


You can program different feedback settings through the Driver Information Center (DIC). For more information see Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49.


Q (Lock): Press lock to lock all the doors. Press lock again within three seconds and the horn will chirp. L(Panic): Press the horn symbol to make the horn sound. The headlamps and taillamps will flash for up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by pressing the horn button again, by waiting for 30 seconds, or by starting the vehicle. 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.


2-6


To replace the battery in the remote keyless entry transmitter do the following:


Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about two years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the battery. The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a KEY FOB # BATTERY LOW message when the transmitter battery is low. 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 thin coin in the slot between the


covers of the transmitter housing. Gently pry the transmitter apart.


2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt CR2032 or equivalent battery.


3. Align the covers and snap them together. 4. Check the operation of the transmitter.


2-7


Doors and Locks Door Locks


{CAUTION:


There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. You can use the remote keyless entry system. You can use your key to unlock your door from the outside.


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


You can lock or unlock the door from the inside by sliding the manual lever forward or rearward. When the door is unlocked, you can see a red area on the lever. The manual lever on each door works only that door’s lock.


Delayed Locking This feature delays the locking of the doors and the liftgate when using the power lock or the remote keyless entry system. The first time you attempt to lock the doors with the driver’s door open, three chimes will signal that delayed locking is being used. This can be performed by using either the power lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. All doors and the liftgate can be reopened for up to five seconds from the time the last door is closed. Five seconds after the last door is closed, all the doors will lock. You can lock the doors immediately by using the power door lock switch or by pressing the lock button on the optional remote keyless entry transmitter a second time. If the key is inserted in the ignition, this feature will not lock the doors. See Lockout Protection on page 2-12.


You can turn the delayed locking feature on or off. If the feature is turned off, the doors will lock immediately when a power door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter lock button is pressed. Programming Delayed Locking To turn the delayed locking feature on or off, do the following: 1. Press and hold the power door lock switch on the


driver’s door in the lock position.


2. Press the remote keyless entry transmitter unlock


button twice.


If the delayed locking feature was on, it will now be off. If the feature was off, it will now be on.


2-9


Programmable Automatic Door Locks Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your vehicle’s power door locks. You can program this feature through the Driver Information Center (DIC), or by the following method. See DIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-56. Programmable Locking Feature Following are the two locking modes that can be programmed:


Mode 1: All doors lock when the transmission is shifted out of PARK (P).


Mode 2: All doors lock when the vehicle speed is greater than 8 mph (13 km/h). The automatic door locks were pre-programmed at the factory to lock all the doors when the transmission is shifted into gear. The following instructions detail how to program your door locks differently than the factory setting. Choose one of the two programming options listed previously before entering the program mode.


To enter the program mode, do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn


signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold it there while you perform the next step.


2. Turn the key to RUN and LOCK twice. Then, with the


key in LOCK, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock switch lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice, and a 30 second program timer will begin.


3. You are now ready to program the automatic


door locks. Select one of the two programming options listed previously, and press the lock side of the power door lock switch to cycle through the lock options. You will have 30 seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the 30 second limit, the locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1 to re-enter the programming mode.


You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN. The locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you are leaving the program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the current auto lock/unlock setting will not be modified. See your dealer for more information.


2-10


Programmable Unlocking Feature The following is the list of available programming options:


Mode 1: All doors unlock when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P).


Mode 2: Driver’s door unlocks when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P).


Mode 3: All doors unlock when the key is removed from the ignition.


Mode 4: No automatic door unlock. The automatic door locks were pre-programmed at the factory to unlock all doors once the transmission is shifted to PARK (P). The following instructions detail how to program your door locks differently than the factory setting. Choose one of the four programming options listed previously before entering the program mode. To enter the program mode you need to do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn


signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold it there while you perform the next step.


2. Turn the key to RUN and LOCK twice. Then, with the


key in LOCK, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock switch lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice, and a 30 second program timer will begin.


3. You are now ready to program the automatic


door locks. Select one of the four programming options listed above, and press the unlock side of the power door lock switch to cycle through the unlocking options. You will have 30 seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the 30 second limit, the locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1
to re-enter the programming mode.


You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN. The locks will automatically lock and unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you are leaving the program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the current auto lock/unlock setting will not be modified. See your dealer for more information.


2-11


Rear Door Security Locks Your vehicle may have this feature. You can lock the rear doors so they cannot be opened from the inside by passengers. To use one of these locks do the following: 1. Open one of the rear doors. You will find a


security lock lever located on the inside edge of each rear door.


2. Move the lever down to engage the safety lock. Move the lever up to disengage the safety lock.


The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from the inside while this feature is in use. If you want to open the rear door while the security lock is on, unlock the door and open the door from the outside.


Lockout Protection This feature stops the power door locks from locking when the key is in the ignition and a door is open to protect you from locking your key in the vehicle. If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open and the key is in the ignition, all the doors will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock.


3. Close the door.


2-12


Liftgate/Liftglass


{CAUTION:


It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate or liftglass open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the liftgate open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the liftgate or liftglass:


(cid:127) Make sure all other windows are shut. (cid:127) Turn the fan on your 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” in the Index. If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way. See Engine Exhaust on page 2-35.


Liftgate Release To unlock the liftgate, you may use the power door locks or the keyless entry system described earlier. On some vehicles the liftglass will also unlock when the liftgate is unlocked. Press the pushbutton on the liftglass to open it. To open the entire liftgate, lift the handle located in the center of the liftgate. If you open the liftgate, the liftgate module will lock the liftglass after a one to two second delay. Emergency Release for Opening Liftgate 1. Remove the trim plug, located on the inside of the liftgate in the center, to expose the access hole in the trim panel.


2. Use a tool to reach through the access hole in the


trim panel.


3. Pry the left release lever up to the unlock position. Pry the right release lever up to unlatch the liftgate.


4. Reinstall the trim plug.


2-13


(cid:127) Windows


{CAUTION:


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


2-14


Power Windows The controls for the power windows are located on the armrest on each of the side doors. The switches operate the windows when the ignition is in RUN, ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-21. The driver’s door has a switch for each of the passenger’s windows as well.


Your vehicle will have one of the following sets of power window switches:


Press the top or bottom of the switch to raise or lower the window.


Press down the top of the switch to lower the window and pull up on the switch to raise the window. If you hold the switch down for three to seven seconds after the window has been completely lowered or raised, the window will not operate for about 15 seconds.


2-15


Express-Down Window


AUTO (Express-down): The driver’s and front passenger’s window switches have an express-down feature that allows you to lower the window without holding the switch down. Press the driver’s or front passenger’s window switch labeled AUTO to the second position to activate the express-down feature. Press the switch to the first position to open the window to the desired level. The express-down feature can be interrupted at any time by pressing the top of the switch or pulling up the front of the switch depending on which model you have. Window Lockout


o (Lockout): Your vehicle has a lockout feature to prevent passengers from operating the power windows. The lockout switch is located in front of the window switches on the driver’s door. A light in the lockout switch will come on to show that the switch has been activated. Press the lockout switch again to return to normal operation.


Power Rear Quarter Windows Your vehicle may have power rear quarter windows. The switch(es) that operate the windows are located on the overhead console. See Overhead Console on page 2-53. The switch(es) allow the driver to open and close each third row seat window separately. The ignition must be in RUN, ACCESSORY, or Retained Accessory Power (RAP) must be active, to use the power rear quarter windows. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-21.


Sun Visors To block out glare, you can pull the visor down. You can also slide the visor along the rod from side-to-side to cover the driver or passenger front window. Visor Vanity Mirror Pull the sun visor down to expose the vanity mirror. Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror Your vehicle may have this feature. Pull the sun visor down and lift the mirror cover to turn on the lamps. The lamps will turn off when the cover is closed.


2-16


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 be equipped with a content theft-deterrent alarm system.


The security light is located on the instrument panel cluster.


Here’s how to operate the system:


1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security light should flash.


3. Close all doors. The security light should turn off after approximately 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed until the security light turns off.


If a locked door is opened without the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. The headlamps and parking lamps will flash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will turn off to save the battery power. Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off.


2-17


Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:


If you don’t want to activate the theft-deterrent system, the vehicle should be locked with the door key after the doors are closed.


(cid:127) Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote


keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm.


If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door with the key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm won’t stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.


Testing the Alarm The alarm can be tested by following these steps: 1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window


and open the driver’s door.


2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the power door lock switch while the door is open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter.


3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for


the security light to go out.


4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm.


When the alarm is set the power door unlock switch is not operational. If the alarm does not sound when it should but the headlamps flash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-91. If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by your dealer.


Passlock® Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock® theft-deterrent system. Passlock® is a passive theft-deterrent system that enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system is disabled and the vehicle will not start.


2-18


(cid:127) During normal operation, the security light will turn off approximately five seconds after the key is turned to RUN. If the engine stalls and the security light flashes, wait about 10 minutes until the light stops flashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from START as soon as the engine starts. If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle needs service. If the engine is running and the security light comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock® system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock® at this time. You may also want to check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-91. See your dealer for service. In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.


Starting and Operating Your Vehicle


New Vehicle Break-In Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: (cid:127) Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less


for the first 500 miles (805 km).


(cid:127) Do not drive at any one speed, fast or slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.


(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 4-55 for more information.


2-19


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 it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.


B (ACCESSORY): This position lets you use things like the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. Notice: Lengthy operation of features such as the radio in the accessory ignition position may drain the battery and prevent your vehicle from starting. Do not operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition position for a long period of time.


C (RUN): This is the position for driving.


D (START): This position starts the engine.


Ignition Positions


Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four different positions.


A (LOCK): This position locks the ignition and transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove the key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.


2-20


Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features of your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes after the ignition key is turned to LOCK. Your radio, power windows, sunroof (option) and overhead console will work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK, these features will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.


Starting the Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position — that is a safety feature. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.


Notice: Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm.


Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging your starter. 2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you hold the ignition key in START. When the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.


2-21


When starting your engine in very cold weather (below 0°F or −18°C), do this: 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn


the ignition key to START and hold it there up to 15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key.


2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.


Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.


2-22


Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal If your vehicle has this feature, you can change the position of the throttle and brake pedals. This feature is designed for shorter drivers, since the pedals cannot move farther away from the standard position, but can move closer for better pedal reach. This feature can be programmed to work with the memory function, if equipped, on your vehicle. See Memory Seat on page 2-60. The vehicle must be in PARK (P) for this feature to operate.


The toggle switch used to adjust the pedals is located on the steering column.


Press the switch forward or backward to move the pedals closer of farther away from you.


Engine Coolant Heater Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required. To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, behind the battery.


3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-Volt AC outlet.


{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.


2-23


Displacement on Demand (DoD) Your vehicle’s engine may be equipped with Displacement on Demand (DoD). This system allows the engine to operate on either four or eight cylinders, depending on your driving demands. The system determines when to switch into and out of the four-cylinder mode by first making sure that certain enabling criteria are met, such as coolant and oil temperatures, and the transmission being in either THIRD (3) or FOURTH (4) gear. When greater power demands are required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing, or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain eight-cylinder operation. When less power is required, such a cruising at a constant vehicle speed, the system will automatically enable the four-cylinder mode, allowing your vehicle to achieve better fuel economy.


Automatic Transmission Operation


There are several different positions for your gear shift lever.


PARK (P): This position locks the rear wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.


2-24


{CAUTION:


{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 2-32. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.


If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. See Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27. See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-32.


Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, press the button on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-34.


2-25


REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-42.


NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.


{CAUTION:


Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed.


2-26


Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.


DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you are: (cid:127) Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push


the accelerator pedal about halfway down.


(cid:127) Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push


the accelerator all the way down.


You will shift down to the next gear and have more power. DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often.


THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D).


SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use the brakes off and on. You can also use SECOND (2) for starting the vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.


FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission will not shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.


Four-Wheel Drive If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the part that follows before using four-wheel drive. You should use 2HI (two-wheel high) for most normal driving conditions. Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for an extended period of time may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in four-wheel drive for extended periods of time.


2-27


Automatic Transfer Case


If your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive, the transfer case knob is located to the right of the steering wheel on the instrument panel. Use this knob to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.


2HI (Two-Wheel High): This setting is for driving in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. It also provides the best fuel economy. A4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is ideal for use when road conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in automatic four-wheel drive, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. When the vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI. 4HI (Four-Wheel High): This setting should be used when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting also engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle. 2-28


4LO (Four-Wheel Low): This setting also engages your front axle and delivers extra torque. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose this setting if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, and climbing or descending steep hills.


{CAUTION:


Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL. See Parking Brake on page 2-31.


NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-50 for more information. An indicator light in the knob will show you which position the transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on.


If the lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will flash while shifting the transfer case. It will stay on when the shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting. If the service four-wheel drive light on the instrument panel cluster stays on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service. See Service Four-Wheel Drive Warning Light on page 3-47 for further information. Shifting Into 4HI (Four-Wheel High) or A4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) Turn the knob to 4HI or A4WD. This can be done at any speed unless you are shifting out of 4LO. The indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is complete. Shifting Into 2HI (Two-Wheel High) Turn the knob to 2HI. This can be done at any speed unless you are shifting out of 4LO. Shifting Into 4LO (Four-Wheel Low) To shift to 4LO, the vehicle’s engine must be running and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N). The preferred method for shifting into 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 or 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).


Turn the knob to 4LO. You must wait for the 4LO indicator light to stop flashing and stay on before shifting the transmission into gear. If you turn the knob to 4LO when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4LO indicator light will flash for 30 seconds and not complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) and the transmission is in NEUTRAL (N). After 30 seconds, the transfer case will return to the setting last chosen. Shifting Out of 4LO (Four-Wheel Low) To shift from 4LO to 4HI, A4WD drive, or 2HI your vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and the engine running. The preferred method for shifting out of 4LO is to have your vehicle moving 1 or 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to 4HI, A4WD or 2HI. You must wait for the 4HI, A4WD, or 2HI indicator light to stop flashing and stay off before shifting your transmission into gear. If the knob is turned to 4HI, A4WD, or 2HI when your vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the 4HI, A4WD, or 2HI indicator light will flash for 30 seconds. It will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is moving less than 2 mph (3.2 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).


2-29


Shifting Out of NEUTRAL To shift the transfer case out of NEUTRAL, do the following: 1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular


brake pedal.


2. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off. 3. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N). 4. Turn the transfer case knob to the desired


position (2 HI, 4HI, or A4WD).


5. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL,


the indicator light will go out.


6. Release the parking brake. 7. You may start the engine and shift the transmission


to the desired position.


Shifting into NEUTRAL Before shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL, first make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.


1. Set the parking brake. 2. Start the vehicle. 3. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N). 4. Shift the transfer case to 2HI. 5. Turn the transfer case knob all of the way past four-wheel low and hold it there for a minimum of 10 seconds. The neutral indicator light will come on.


6. With the engine running, shift the transmission


to REVERSE (R) for one second, then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D) for one second, to ensure transfer case is in NEUTRAL. 7. Turn the engine off, by turning the key to


ACCESSORY.


8. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P). 9. Turn the ignition to LOCK.


2-30


Parking Brake To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your foot and pull up on the parking brake lever located between the seats. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on the instrument panel cluster will come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-38.


Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the brake system and cause premature wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving. If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a hill, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.


To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press in the button at the end of the lever. Hold the button in as you move the parking brake lever all the way down.


2-31


To shift into PARK (P), do the following: 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your foot and set


the parking brake.


2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the button on the side of the shift lever and pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.


3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. You know


your vehicle is in PARK (P) if the key can be removed from the ignition.


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. With four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. See Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27. Always put the shift lever fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.


2-32


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. If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be free to roll — even if your lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not NEUTRAL. See Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-27. 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 unless you have to.


If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pressing the button on the console shift lever. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P). Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-32. When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).


2-33


Shifting Out of Park (P) Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-24.


Parking Over Things That Burn


{CAUTION:


Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that can burn.


2-34


CAUTION:


(Continued)


If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your vehicle:


(cid:127) Drive it only with all the windows down


to blow out any CO; and


(cid:127) Have your vehicle fixed immediately.


Engine Exhaust


{CAUTION:


Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death. You might have exhaust coming in if:


(cid:127) Your exhaust system sounds strange or


different.


(cid:127) Your vehicle gets rusty underneath. (cid:127) Your vehicle was damaged in a collision. (cid:127) Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris.


(cid:127) Repairs were not done correctly. (cid:127) Your vehicle or exhaust system had been

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