2010 Pontiac G6 Owners Manual

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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 headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback. 2-52 If the position you are using does not have a headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback. If the position you are using has a headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether under the headrest or head restraint and in between the headrest or head restraint posts. If the position you are using has a headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether under the headrest or head restraint and in between the headrest or head restraint posts. If the headrest or head restraint is adjustable, pull up on the headrest or head restraint to access the top tether anchors. If the headrest or head restraint is ﬁxed, there should be a gap to route the strap under the headrest or head restraint. Do not route the top strap around the headrest or head restraint. 3. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 2-53 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with your child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle. If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 2-46 for how to install your child restraint using LATCH. If you secure a child restraint using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 2-46 for top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor 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 strap must be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the safety 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. 2-54 If you need to install more than one child restraint in the rear seat, be sure to read Where to Put the Restraint on page 2-44. 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. 3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if necessary. 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. 6. If your child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 2-46 for more information. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 2-55 To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. If the top tether is attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it. If your seat has a safety belt guide, return the safety belt into the guide on the seatback by sliding the webbing through the opening on the guide. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position The vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint. In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system which is designed to turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. See Passenger Sensing System and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator 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. 2-56 { WARNING: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inﬂates and the passenger seat is in a forward position. Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you 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. See Passenger Sensing System on page 2-67 for additional information. If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) for how and where to install the child restraint using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) for top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top tether anchor 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 strap must be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. 1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator on the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you start the vehicle. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. If the seat has a safety belt guide, remove the safety belt from the guide on the head restraint by sliding the webbing through the opening on the guide. Do not secure the child restraint with the safety belt routed through the guide. 4. 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. 5. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary. 2-57 If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator will come on and stay on when the vehicle is started. If a child restraint has been installed and on indicator is lit, see “If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint” under Passenger Sensing System on page 2-67 for more information. To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position. If your seat has a safety belt guide, insert the safety belt into the guide on the head restraint by sliding the webbing through the opening on the guide. 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. 2-58 Airbag System The vehicle has the following airbags: • A frontal airbag for the driver. • A frontal airbag for the right front passenger. • A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the driver. • A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the right front passenger. The vehicle may also have the following airbags: • A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the passenger seated directly behind the driver. • A roof-rail airbag for the right front passenger and the passenger seated directly behind the right front passenger. All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening. For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and on the instrument panel for the right front passenger. With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback closest to the door. With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear along the headliner or trim. 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. Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: { WARNING: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to deploy in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are your only restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 2-63. 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. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. 2-59 { WARNING: { WARNING: Airbags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily close to the airbag, as you would be if you were sitting on the edge of your seat or leaning forward. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with 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 or side windows in seating positions with seat-mounted side impact airbags and/or roof-rail airbags. Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, 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 2-36 or Infants and Young Children on page 2-39. There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol. 2-60 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 4-28 for more information. Where Are the Airbags? The driver frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel. The right front passenger frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger side. 2-61 Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar The seat-mounted side impact airbags for the driver and right front passenger are in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door. If the vehicle has roof-rail airbags for the driver, right front passenger, and second row outboard passengers, they are in the ceiling above the side windows. 2-62 { WARNING: If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not use seat accessories that block the inﬂation path of a seat-mounted side impact airbag. Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inﬂating roof-rail airbag will be blocked. When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? Frontal airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver’s or right front passenger’s head and chest. However, they are only designed to inﬂate if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds 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. Frontal airbags may inﬂate at different crash speeds. For example: • If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. • If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform. 2-63 • 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. Thresholds can also vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. Frontal airbags are not intended to inﬂate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts. In addition, your vehicle has dual-stage frontal airbags. Dual-stage airbags 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, dual-stage airbags inﬂate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. 2-64 Your vehicle has seat-mounted side impact airbags. Your vehicle may or may not have roof-rail airbags. See Airbag System on page 2-59. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed threshold level. The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are not intended to inﬂate in frontal impacts, near-frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts. A seat-mounted side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. A roof-rail airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inﬂation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. For seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags, deployment is determined by the location and severity of the side impact. What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inﬂator. Gas from the inﬂator ﬁlls the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inﬂator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows that have occupant seating positions. 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. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body. But airbags would not help in many types of collisions, primarily because the occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 2-63 for more information. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts. What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact airbags inﬂate, they quickly deﬂate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inﬂated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inﬂated for some time after they deploy. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 2-65. 2-65 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. The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning ﬂashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags inﬂate. You can lock the doors, turn off the interior lamps and hazard warning ﬂashers by using the controls for those features. { WARNING: 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. { WARNING: A crash severe enough to inﬂate the airbags may have also damaged important functions in the vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and steering systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may be concealed damage that could make it difficult to safely operate the vehicle. Use caution if you should attempt to restart the engine after a cash has occurred. 2-66 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. • Airbags are designed to inﬂate only once. After an airbag inﬂates, you will need some new parts for the 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. • The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy on page 8-16 and Event Data Recorders on page 8-17. • Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on the airbag systems. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer/retailer for service. Passenger Sensing System The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position. The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started. United States Canada The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, are visible during the system check. If you are using remote start, if equipped, to start the vehicle from a distance, you may not see the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29. The passenger sensing system turns off the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag under certain conditions. The driver airbags and the roof-rail airbags are not affected by the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger seat. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag should be enabled (may inﬂate) or not. 2-67 According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the correct child restraint for their weight and size. We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who are large enough, using safety belts. A label on the 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. { WARNING: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inﬂates and the passenger seat is in a forward position. WARNING: (Continued) 2-68 WARNING: (Continued) Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped), no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though the airbag(s) are off. Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag(s) are off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger airbag and seat-mounted side impact 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 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 right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag, the off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbags are off. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-29. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on (may inﬂate) the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbags are 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 frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone in the vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. { WARNING: If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 4-28 for more information, including important safety information. If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit: 1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle. 3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers. 2-69 4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions provided by the child restraint manufacturer and refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 2-56. 5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, turn the vehicle off. Then slightly recline the vehicle seatback and adjust the seat cushion, if adjustable, to make sure that the vehicle seatback is not pushing the child restraint into the seat cushion. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. See Head Restraints on page 2-2. 6. Restart the vehicle. If the on indicator is still lit with an infant present in a child restraint, secure the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer/retailer. 2-70 If the Off Indicator is Lit for an Adult-Size Occupant If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, use the following steps to allow the system to detect that person and enable the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag: 1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove any additional material from the seat, such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers. 3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position. 4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended. 5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for two to three minutes after the on indicator is lit. Additional Factors Affecting System Operation Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints” in the Index for additional information about the importance of proper restraint use. A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. We recommend that you not use seat covers or other aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM for your speciﬁc vehicle. See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-72 for more information about modiﬁcations that can affect how the system operates. { WARNING: Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or between the passenger seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system. 2-71 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in several places around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service manual have information about servicing the vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 8-15. { WARNING: 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. Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Q: Is there anything I might add to or change about the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly? A: Yes. If you add things that change the vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height, front end or side sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Changing or moving any parts of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument panel, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner or pillar garnish trim, front sensors, or airbag wiring can affect the operation of the airbag system. In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position, which includes sensors that are part of the passenger’s seat. The passenger sensing system may not operate properly if the original seat trim is replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or with GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a different vehicle. 2-72 Any object, such as an aftermarket seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device, installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing system. This could either prevent proper deployment of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system from properly turning off the passenger airbag(s). See Passenger Sensing System on page 2-67. If you have any 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 8-2. Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my vehicle modiﬁed. How can I ﬁnd out whether this will affect my airbag system? A: 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 8-2. In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual have information about the location of the airbag sensors, sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring. 2-73 Airbags The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag readiness light is working. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 4-28 for more information. Notice: or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there are any opened or broken airbag covers, have the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced. For the location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 2-65. See your dealer/retailer for service. If an airbag covering is damaged, opened, Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems Safety Belts Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job. See your dealer/retailer to 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. Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 4-27 for more information. Keep safety belts clean and dry. See Care of Safety Belts on page 6-110. 2-74 If the vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being used during a crash, you may need new LATCH system parts. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not being used at the time of the crash. If an airbag inﬂates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section. Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, if the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is started, or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 4-28. Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash { WARNING: 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 the vehicle has been in a crash, do you need new safety belts or LATCH system (if equipped) parts? After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary. But the safety belt assemblies that were used during any crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your dealer/retailer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced. 2-75 ✍ NOTES 2-76 Section 3 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................3-2 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System ................3-3 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation ...................................................3-3 Remote Vehicle Start ......................................3-5 Doors and Locks .............................................3-8 Door Locks ....................................................3-8 Power Door Locks ..........................................3-8 Door Ajar Reminder ........................................3-9 Delayed Locking .............................................3-9 Automatic Door Lock .......................................3-9 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock .............3-10 Rear Door Security Locks ..............................3-10 Lockout Protection ........................................3-11 Trunk ..........................................................3-11 Windows ........................................................3-13 Power Windows ............................................3-14 Sun Visors ...................................................3-16 Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................3-16 Content Theft-Deterrent .................................3-16 PASS-Key® III+ Electronic Immobilizer .............3-18 PASS-Key® III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation .................................................3-18 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................3-20 New Vehicle Break-In ....................................3-20 Ignition Positions ..........................................3-20 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................3-21 Starting the Engine .......................................3-21 Engine Coolant Heater ..................................3-23 Automatic Transmission Operation ...................3-24 Parking Brake ..............................................3-29 Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) ......3-30 Shifting Out of Park ......................................3-31 Parking Over Things That Burn .......................3-32 Engine Exhaust ............................................3-32 Running the Vehicle While Parked ..................3-33 Mirrors ...........................................................3-34 Manual Rearview Mirror .................................3-34 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror ................3-34 Compass .....................................................3-35 Outside Power Mirrors ...................................3-36 Outside Convex Mirror ...................................3-36 Storage Areas ................................................3-37 Glove Box ...................................................3-37 Cupholders ..................................................3-37 Center Console Storage .................................3-37 Convenience Net ..........................................3-37 Sunroof .........................................................3-37 Retractable Hardtop ........................................3-38 Lowering the Retractable Hardtop ...................3-38 Raising the Retractable Hardtop ......................3-41 3-1 Keys { WARNING: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons, children or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The windows will function with the keys in the ignition and children could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the path of a closing window. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children. 3-2 The key can be used for the ignition and all locks. The key has a bar-coded key tag that the dealer/retailer or qualiﬁed locksmith can use to make new keys. Store this information in a safe place, not in your vehicle. Notice: you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you are locked out of your vehicle, contact Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 8-7. If you ever lock your keys in the vehicle, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System See Radio Frequency Statement on page 8-18 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and RSS-210/211 of Industry and Science Canada. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. If there is a decrease in the RKE operating range, try this: • Check the distance. The transmitter may be too far from the vehicle. Stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. • 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. • Check the transmitter’s battery. See “Battery Replacement” later in this section. • If the transmitter is still not working correctly, see your dealer/retailer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions work up to 60 m (195 feet) away from the vehicle. There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 3-3. With Remote Start Shown, Without Remote Start Similar / (Remote Vehicle Start): For vehicles with this feature, press to operate the remote start feature. See Remote Vehicle Start on page 3-5. 3-3 Q (Lock): Press to lock all the doors. The interior lamps turn off after all of the doors are closed. If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the remote lock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals ﬂash to conﬁrm locking. See “LOCK HORN” and “LIGHT FLASH” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-47. Pressing Q may also arm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 3-16. K (Unlock): Press to unlock the driver door. If K is pressed again within ﬁve seconds, all remaining doors unlock. The interior lamps turn on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the remote unlock feedback can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals ﬂash to conﬁrm unlocking. See “UNLOCK HORN” and “LIGHT FLASH” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-47. The high-beam headlamps, parking lamps, and back-up lamps may turn on when K is pressed. See “EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-47. Pressing K on the RKE transmitter disarms the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 3-16. 3-4 V (Remote Trunk Release): Press and hold for approximately one second to open the trunk. The trunk will open using the transmitter when the vehicle speed is less than 3 km/h (2 mph), when the ignition is off, or when the vehicle shift lever is in P (Park). L (Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm): Press to locate the vehicle. The horn sounds three times and the headlamps and turn signals ﬂash three times. Press and hold L for approximately three seconds to sound the panic alarm. The horn sounds and the headlamps and turn signals ﬂash for 30 seconds. Press L again to cancel the panic alarm. Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle Only RKE transmitters programmed to the vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased and programmed through your dealer/retailer. When the replacement transmitter is programmed to the vehicle, all remaining transmitters must also be programmed. Any lost or stolen transmitters no longer work once the new transmitter is programmed. Each vehicle can have up to four transmitters programmed to it. Battery Replacement Replace the battery if the KEY FOB BATT LOW message displays in the DIC. See “KEY FOB BATT LOW” under DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42. Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from your body could damage the transmitter. To replace the battery: 1. Separate the transmitter with a ﬂat, thin object inserted into the notch on the side. 2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object. 3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery. 4. Snap the transmitter back together. Remote Vehicle Start Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature. This feature allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle. It may also start the vehicle’s heating or air conditioning systems and rear window defogger. When the remote start system is active and the vehicle has an automatic climate control system, it will automatically regulate the inside temperature. Normal operation of the system will return after the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN. Laws in some 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. Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel. The remote start feature provides two separate starts per ignition cycle, each with 10 minutes of engine running time. 3-5 The remote start feature needs to be reset after your vehicle’s engine is started two times using the transmitter’s remote start button. To reset the remote start feature, insert the vehicle’s key into the ignition switch and turn it to ON/RUN. See Ignition Positions on page 3-20 for information regarding the ignition positions on your vehicle. If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE transmitter functions will have an increased range of operation. However, the range may be less while the vehicle is running. There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 3-3 for additional information. / (Remote Start): This button will be on the RKE transmitter if you have remote start. To start the vehicle using the remote start feature: 1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle. 2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button, then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s remote start button until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps ﬂash. When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn on and remain on while the engine is running. 3-6 3. If it is the ﬁrst remote start since the vehicle has been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is still running, to extend the engine running time by 10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time. After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle. The engine will shut off automatically after 10 minutes, unless a time extension has been done or the vehicle’s key is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to ON/RUN. To manually shut off a remote start: • Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press and release the remote start button. • Turn on the hazard warning ﬂashers. • Turn the ignition switch ON/RUN and then LOCK/OFF. The parking lamps will turn off to indicate the engine is off. Your vehicle’s engine can be started two times, per ignition cycle, using the transmitter’s remote start feature. 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. 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/retailer to add the manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature. If the RKE transmitter has a plus (+) symbol on the back cover, your vehicle has the remote start ready feature. See your dealer/retailer 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 any of the follow occur: • The remote start system is disabled through the DIC. • The vehicle’s key is in the ignition. • The vehicle’s hood is open. • The hazard warning ﬂashers are on. • The check engine light is on. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4-34. • The engine coolant temperature is too high. • The oil pressure is low. • Two remote vehicle starts have already been used for that ignition cycle. Vehicles that have the remote vehicle start feature are shipped from the factory with the remote start system enabled. The system may be enabled or disabled through the DIC. See “REMOTE START” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-47 for additional information. 3-7 Doors and Locks Door Locks { WARNING: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. • 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. The chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash is increased if the doors are not locked. So, all passengers should wear safety belts properly and the doors should be locked whenever the vehicle is driven. • 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 the vehicle whenever leaving it. WARNING: (Continued) 3-8 WARNING: (Continued) • 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 several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key or, if your vehicle has one, the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. Turn the key counterclockwise to unlock the door. Turn the key clockwise to lock the door. From the inside, use the manual lock knobs or the power lock switches. Power Door Locks The power door lock switches are located on the driver’s and front passenger’s door. Press the outboard side of the switch to unlock all doors. Press the inboard side of the switch to lock all doors. The rear doors do not have power door lock switches. Rear seat passengers must use the manual lock knob on their doors. Door Ajar Reminder A chime will sound and the DOOR AJAR message will display if one of the doors is not fully closed. This happens when the ignition is on and the shift lever is moved out of P (Park) or N (Neutral). See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42. Delayed Locking This feature lets the driver to delay the locking of the vehicle. It will not operate with the key in the ignition. See Lockout Protection on page 3-11. Press the driver’s power door lock switch or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter lock button once. With the key removed from the ignition and the driver’s door open, the following will occur: • Three chimes will sound to signal the delay. • All doors will lock and the turn signals will ﬂash once ﬁve seconds after the last door has been closed. • The horn will chirp if the horn chirp feature is enabled. See DIC Operation and Displays on page 4-40. If a door is opened before the ﬁve seconds has ended, the doors will not lock until ﬁve seconds after all doors are closed. If the power door lock switch or the transmitter lock button is pressed twice when leaving the vehicle, the doors will lock immediately. If the power door unlock switch or the transmitter unlock button is pressed, the doors will unlock immediately and do not lock automatically after the doors are closed. This feature is turned on at the factory but may be turned off through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-47. Automatic Door Lock Your vehicle is programmed at the factory to lock all doors automatically when the following are met: • All doors are closed. • The ignition is on. • The shift lever is moved out of P (Park). This feature cannot be disabled. If someone needs to exit the vehicle once the doors are locked, have that person use the manual lock knob or power door unlock switch. 3-9 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock Your vehicle was programmed at the factory to unlock when the shift lever is moved to P (Park). You can change the settings of the programmable automatic door unlock feature through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 4-47. Rear Door Security Locks Rear door security locks 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. The rear doors must be opened to access them. 3-10 To use the lock: 1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it so the slot is in the horizontal position. 2. Close the door. 3. Do the same for the other rear door. To open a rear door when the security lock is on, do the following: 1. Unlock the door using the RKE transmitter, if the vehicle has one, the power door lock switch, or by lifting the rear door manual lock. 2. Open the door from the outside. To cancel the rear door security lock: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside. 2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it so the slot is in the vertical position. 3. Do the same for the other rear door. Lockout Protection If your vehicle has power door locks, it will have this feature. 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 the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle. The lockout protection can be overridden by pressing and holding the power door lock in the lock position for three seconds. Trunk To open the trunk from the outside, press and hold the trunk release button on the RKE transmitter. You can also use the key in the trunk lock, except on retractable hardtop models. { WARNING: Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any objects that pass through the seal between the body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open: • Close all of the windows. • Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel. • Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting that brings in only outside air and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index. • If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate, disable the power liftgate function. For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 3-32. 3-11 Remote Trunk Release Emergency Trunk Release Handle Press this button located on the driver’s door near the map pocket to open the trunk. You can open the trunk when the gear selector is in P (Park). When the retractable hardtop is down and stowed in the trunk, the trunk open function will be disabled. When the ignition is on, the TRUNK NOT ALLOW message will be displayed on the DIC when attempting to open the trunk with the retractable hardtop stowed inside. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42 for more information. 3-12 Notice: Do not use the emergency trunk release handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk as it could damage the handle. The emergency trunk release handle is only intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk, enabling them to open the trunk from the inside. There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the trunk latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from the inside. Windows { WARNING: 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. 3-13 Power Windows { WARNING: Leaving children in a vehicle with the keys is dangerous for many reasons, children or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The windows will function and they could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the path of a closing window. Do not leave keys in a vehicle with children. When there are children in the rear seat use the window lockout button to prevent unintentional operation of the windows. 3-14 Sedan Shown, Coupe Similar The power window switches for all the windows are located on the driver’s door armrest. Each passenger door also has a power window switch for its own window. Press the front of the switch to the ﬁrst position to lower the window to the desired level. Pull the switch up to raise the window. Window Indexing (Coupe and Retractable Hardtop) This feature automatically lowers the window a small amount when the door is opened. Then, when the door is closed, the window will automatically raise fully. If the vehicle loses power or the window freezes, this feature may not work. From outside the vehicle, close the door and push the window inward so that the glass goes under the molding. Power Window Initialize (Coupe and Retractable Hardtop) After a power reconnect, such as battery replacement, the indexing feature will not function until the system is initialized. This procedure needs to be done for each individual window. Once power is restored: 1. Close the door. 2. Raise the window by pulling the power window switch up. 3. Hold the window switch up for two seconds after the window is closed. Release the switch. Then hold the switch up again for two seconds. 4. Lower the window all the way down. Hold the switch down for two seconds. 5. Repeat the procedure for each window, including the rear quarter windows on retractable hardtop models, until all windows are initialized. Express-Down Window The express-down feature lowers the window all the way without continuously pressing the AUTO switch. On sedan and retractable hardtop models, the driver’s window has the express-down feature. On coupe models, both the driver’s and front passenger window have the express-down feature. The front passenger express-down is activated by the driver’s side switch only. Press the front of the switch all the way down and release it to express open the window. To stop the window while it is lowering, pull the front of the switch up brieﬂy. 3-15 Window Lockout (Sedan Only) o (Window Lockout): This button prevents the rear passengers from using their window switches. The window lockout button is located near the driver’s power window switches. The driver can still operate all the windows and the front passenger can operate their own window with the lockout on. Press the right side of the switch to turn the lockout feature on. Press the left side to turn it off. The red part of the switch is visible when you have returned to normal window operation. Sun Visors Swing down the visors to block glare. The visors can be removed from the center mount and swung to the side. It can be moved along the rod from side-to-side in this position also. Your vehicle may have lighted vanity mirrors on the driver’s and passenger’s visors. When you lift the cover, the light will turn on. 3-16 Theft-Deterrent Systems Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however, they do not make it impossible to steal. Content Theft-Deterrent Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent alarm system. Arming the System With the ignition off, press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter lock button to arm the system. The system will arm 30 seconds after all the doors are closed, or 60 seconds with any door open. If you press the lock button on the transmitter a second time while all the doors are closed, the system will arm immediately. The system will still arm in 60 seconds if a door is open. When the open door is closed, the system will arm. The security light, located on the instrument panel cluster, comes on to indicate that arming has been initiated. Once the system is armed, the security light ﬂashes once every three seconds. If the security light is ﬂashing twice per second, this means that a door is open. If the system is armed and the key is used to unlock the vehicle, the alarm will be activated. If you do not want to arm the content theft system, lock the vehicle with the manual lock knob on the doors or with the inside power door lock switches. The alarm will sound and the exterior lights will ﬂash if any door is opened while armed. Disarming the System To disarm the system, do one of the following: • Press the RKE transmitter unlock button. • Turn the ignition to ON/RUN. Once the system is disarmed, the security light will stop ﬂashing. How the System Alarm is Activated To activate the system if it is armed: • Open the driver’s door or trunk. A ten second pre-alarm chirp will sound followed by a thirty second full alarm of horn and lights. • Open any other door. A full alarm of horn and lights will immediately sound for thirty seconds. • Open the hood. If the vehicle has the remote start feature, it will activate the full alarm. When an alarm event has ﬁnished, the system will re-arm itself automatically. How to Turn Off the System Alarm To turn off the system alarm: • Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter. The system will then re-arm itself. • Press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter. This will also disarm the system. • Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will also disarm the system. 3-17 How to Detect a Tamper Condition If three chirps are heard when the unlock or lock button is pressed on the RKE transmitter, it means that the content theft security system alarm was previously triggered. PASS-Key® III+ Electronic Immobilizer See Radio Frequency Statement on page 8-18 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and RSS-210/211 of Industry and Science Canada. PASS-Key® III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation Your vehicle has the PASS-Key® III+ (Personalized Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key® III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is automatically armed when the key is removed from the ignition. You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system. The security light will come on if there is a problem with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system. 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. When trying to start the vehicle if the engine does not start and the security light comes on, 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. Also, check the fuse. See Fuses on page 6-116. 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/retailer who can service the PASS-Key® III+ and have a new key made. In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. 3-18 It is possible for the PASS-Key® III+ decoder to “learn” the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up to 10 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/retailer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key® III+ to have keys made and programmed to the system. See your dealer/retailer 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. To program the new key: 1. Verify that the new key has 1 stamped on it. 2. Insert the already programmed key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not start, see your dealer/retailer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and remove the key. 4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to the ON/RUN position within ﬁve seconds of removing the original key. The security light will turn off once the key has been programmed. 5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be programmed. If you are ever driving and the security light comes on and stays on, you may be able to restart your engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key® III+ system, however, is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer/retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by the PASS-Key® III+ system at this time. If you lose or damage your PASS-Key® III+ key, see your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key® III+ to have a new key made. Do not leave the key or device that disarms or deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle. 3-19 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle New Vehicle Break-In Notice: The vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: (cid:129) Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. Do not exceed 5,000 engine rpm. Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle. (cid:129) Avoid making hard stops for the ﬁrst 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time the 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:129) Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing a Trailer on page 5-27 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information. Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased. 3-20 Ignition Positions The ignition switch has four different positions. Notice: Using a tool to force the key to turn in the ignition could cause damage to the switch or break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer/retailer. 9 (LOCK/OFF): This is the only position from which you can remove the key. The shift lever must be in P (Park) with the ignition in LOCK/OFF to remove the key. ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY): This position unlocks the transmission. It also lets you use things like the radio and windshield wipers while the engine is not running. To use ACC/ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise to the ﬁrst position. Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed. See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 5-23. R (ON/RUN): This position can be used to operate the electrical accessories and to display some instrument panel warning lights. The ignition switch will stay in this position while the engine is running. The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine off. You may not be able to start the 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 the ON/RUN position for normal driving. A warning tone will sound when the driver door is opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition. Retained Accessory Power (RAP) These vehicle accessories can be used for up to 10 minutes after the engine is turned off: • Audio System • Power Windows • Heated Seats (if equipped) • Sunroof (if equipped) These features continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF. The power windows, heated seats, and sunroof will work until any door is opened. The radio continues to work until the driver door is opened. All these features operate when the key is in the ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. Starting the Engine Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle is stopped. 3-21 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, repeat these steps. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts. Notice: The engine is designed to work with the electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will slow down as the engine warms. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts. The 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, 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/ ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF 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 let the cranking motor cool down. 3-22 Engine Coolant Heater The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicle with an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting. An internal thermostat in the plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent engine coolant heater operation at temperatures above 0°F (−18°C). To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On the 2.4L L4 ECOTEC® engine, the engine coolant heater cord is located near the air cleaner box on the passenger’ side of the engine compartment. On the 3.5L, 3.6L and 3.9L V6 engines, the engine coolant heater cord is located on the driver side around the battery box. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-16 for more information on location. 3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. { WARNING: 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 and prevent damage. The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in the area where you will be parking your vehicle for the best advice in this. 3-23 Automatic Transmission Operation The vehicle will have one of these styles of shifter located in the center console between the seats. P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily. { WARNING: It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 3-30. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 5-27. Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You must apply the regular brake ﬁrst, then press the shift lever 3-24 button before shifting from P (Park) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Press the shift lever button and then move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park on page 3-31 later in this section. R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped. To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 5-17. N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed. { WARNING: Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is ﬁrmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed. Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle. D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more power for passing, and you are: • Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down. • Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding” under Loss of Control on page 5-10. 3-25 If your vehicle seems to accelerate slowly Notice: or not shift gears when you go faster, and you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you could damage the transmission. Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in L (Low) when you are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and D (Drive) for higher speeds until then. 3 (Third): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without using the brakes. Here are some times you might choose 3 (Third) instead of D (Drive): • When driving on hilly, winding roads. • When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears. • When going down a steep hill. L (Low): This position reduces vehicle speed more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use L (Low) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed going down steep mountain roads along with using the brakes off and on. You can use L (Low) on very steep hills, in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is in L (Low), the transmission will not shift into ﬁrst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. Notice: Driving in LOW (L) for more than 25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h) may damage the transmission. Also, shifting into LOW (L) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead of LOW (L). Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place. M (Manual Mode): This position allows you to change gears similar to a manual transmission. If the vehicle has this feature, see Manual Shift Mode (MSM) following. Manual Shift Mode (MSM) (If Equipped) To use this feature, 1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward into the M (Manual Mode). While driving in manual mode, the transmission will remain in the driver selected gear. 2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward to downshift. 3-26 The odometer display on the instrument panel cluster will change from vehicle mileage to the letter M, for manual shift mode, and a number indicating the requested gear range when moving the shift lever forward or rearward. See Speedometer and Odometer on page 4-26 for more information. While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have ﬁrmer shifting and sportier performance. You can use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking. The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (RPM): • The transmission will not shift to the next higher gear if the engine RPM is too low. • The transmission will not allow shifting to the next lower gear if the engine RPM is too high. If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or detects a problem with the transmission, the range of gears may be reduced and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will come on. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4-34 for more information. Driver Shift Control (DSC) (If Equipped) To use this feature, 1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) rearward to MANUAL (M). While driving in manual mode, the transmission will remain in the driver selected gear. When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will automatically shift into FIRST (1) gear. 2. Press the + (plus) paddle located on top of the steering wheel controls forward to upshift, or push the backside of the shift paddle rearward to downshift. 3-27 The odometer display on the instrument panel cluster will change from the vehicle’s mileage to the letter M for Manual Shift Mode, and a number indicating the requested gear range when moving the shift lever forward or rearward. See Speedometer and Odometer on page 4-26 for more information. While using the DSC feature the transmission will have ﬁrmer shifting and sportier performance. You can use this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking. The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions per minute (RPM): • The transmission will not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is too high. • The transmission will not allow shifting to the next lower gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is too high. 3-28 If you attempt a third gear start while 2 (Second)/3 (Third) Gear Start Feature Notice: trailering or towing a heavy load, you will notice reduced engine power. This could overheat and damage your transmission. Do not attempt a third gear start while trailering or towing your vehicle. Vehicles with a 6-speed transmission allow 2 (Second) and 3 (Third) gear starts. When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to shift into 2 (Second), or 3 (Third) gear. A higher gear, and light application of the gas pedal, may allow you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces. With the MSM, the vehicle can accelerate from a stop in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third). 1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the M (Manual Mode) position. 2. With the vehicle stopped, move the lever forward towards the + (plus) to select 2 (Second) or 3 (Third) gear. The vehicle will start from a stop position in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third) gear. 3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired drive gear. Parking Brake To release the parking brake: 1. Hold the brake pedal down. 2. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can press the release button. 3. Hold the release button in as you move the brake handle all the way down. Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the brake system and cause premature wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving. If you are towing a trailer and you are parking on a hill, see Towing a Trailer on page 5-27. GT and GTP Shown, SE Similar To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 4-30. 3-29 Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) { WARNING: It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the 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 5-27. Use this procedure to shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 3-29 for more information. 2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle. 3-30 3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is in P (Park). Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running { WARNING: It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) 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 the vehicle with the engine running. If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running, be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is ﬁrmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without ﬁrst pushing the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into P (Park). Torque Lock If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the automatic transmission into P (Park) 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 P (Park). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat. To ﬁnd out how, see “Shifting Into Park” previously in the section. When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) 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 P (Park). Shifting Out of Park The vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock release system. The shift lock release is designed to: • Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully released, and • Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is applied. The shift lock release is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt) battery. If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery. See Jump Starting on page 6-43 for more information. To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal. 2. Press the shift lever button. 3. Move the shift lever to the desired position. If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button. 2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever button again. 3. Move the shift lever to the desired position. If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park), see your dealer/retailer. 3-31 WARNING: (Continued) • The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or damage. • The vehicle’s exhaust system has been modiﬁed, damaged or improperly repaired. • There are holes or openings in the vehicle body from damage or after-market modiﬁcations that are not completely sealed. If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected that exhaust is coming into the vehicle: • Drive it only with the windows completely down. • Have the vehicle repaired immediately. Never park the vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed area such as a garage or a building that has no fresh air ventilation. Parking Over Things That Burn { WARNING: Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can burn. Engine Exhaust { WARNING: Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO can cause unconsciousness and even death. Exhaust may enter the vehicle if: • The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation (parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that may block underbody airﬂow or tail pipes). • The exhaust smells or sounds strange or different. WARNING: (Continued) 3-32 Running the Vehicle While Parked It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. { WARNING: { WARNING: Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see Engine Exhaust on page 3-32. It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking

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2010 Pontiac G6 Owners Manual