Page 65 of 345

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PO477
To release the hatch and unlock the split-panel doors from the inside of the
vehicle, press the hatch
switch on the instrument panel just left of the
steering column. Then, pull up on the hatch handle
and open .the doors.
To release the hatch and unlock the split-panel doors from the outside of the
vehicle, put the key in the lock and turn
to the right. Then, pull up on the
hatch and open the right rear door first. Grasp the handle an\
d pull the
door
open.
To open the left rear
door, pull on the latch release handle in the inside of
the door.
To close the rear doors, close the left door first. Check to make sure both
doors are completely closed.
The rear
doors have a check assembly to keep the doors from opening
beyond
90".
To fully open the doors, push in on the clip and lift the check assembly up
off the mounting bracket. Do this on each door. Replace the assemblies the
same way.
The hatch and split-panel
doors will automatically lock when the hatch is shut.
If the hatch is partially closed, the rear doors will lock and you will need to
use the key or "Hatch Rel." switch, located to the left of the steering column,
to unlock them. (See also Hatch Release Switch, Rear WiperNVasher,\
and
Rear Defogger in the Index.)
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Page 66 of 345
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features dik Controls
Door Locks
I
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers-especially children-can easily open the doors and
-fall '
out. When a door is locked, the inside handle won't open it,
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow
down
or stop your vehicle.
This may
not be so obvious: You increase the chance of being
thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear
safety belts properly, lock your doors, and you will be far better off
whenever you drive your vehicle.
. .. -. . -. * i .. .. .- . 8. .. . -
'here are several ways
to lock and unlock your vehicle:
PO441
From the outside: Use your door key.
From the inside:
To lock front doors and sliding side door, slide the lock
levers down.
Rear doors cannot be manually locked from the inside.
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Page 67 of 345
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PO438
To unlock the front doors and the sliding side door from the ins\
ide: Slide the
lock levers up.
To unlock the rear hatch and split-panel doors from the inside: Push the top\
of the switch.
Power Door Locks
I I
P043E
If your vehicle has power door locks, push the power door lock switch to lock
or unlock all the doors at once.
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Page 68 of 345

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features & Contds
Every vehicle with power door locks has a pulse lock system. \
A pulse lock
system works like this:
If the sliding door is open and you push the power door lock sw\
itch, the
sliding door will not lock immediately. After you close the do\
or, the system
comes on and, in about five seconds, locks the sliding door.
All models have overriding door locks. When a door is locked, the \
door
handle will not work the latch. This will help stop a door from being
accidentally opened. However, power door locks do not affect th\
e operation of
the hatch.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your door and set t\
he
locks from inside. Then get out and close the door.
Theft
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. However, there are ways you can help.
Key in the ignition: If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside,
it’s an easy target for joy riders
or professional thieves-so don’t do it. When
you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you’ll \
hear a chime reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take i\
t with you.
Always do this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your ignition
and transmission. And remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night: Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight. Put the\
m in a storage
area,
or take them with you.
Parking Lots: If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your
vehicle,
it’s best to lock it up and take your keys. But what if you have to
leave your ignition key? What
if you have to leave something valuable in your
vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area out of sight.
Lock all doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key with you.
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Page 69 of 345
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE
Ignition Switch
Use your ignition key to start your vehicle. The ignition key lets you turn the
ignition switch to five different positions.
Acc (Accessory): Lets you use things like the radio and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off. To get into
Acc, push in the key and turn it
toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as
it was before you
inserted the key.
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Page 70 of 345

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine LOCK: This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmissi\
on. It‘s
a theft deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.
Off: This position lets you turn off the engine, but still turn the steering
wheel.
It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like LOCK. Use Off if you must
have your vehicle in motion while the engine is
off (for example, if your
vehicle is being pushed).
Ron: This is the position for driving.
Start: This starts your engine.
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure it is ai
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number for your engine. You will find the VIN
at the top left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle Identification Number\
”
in the index.)
Follow the proper steps to start the engine.
To Start Your 4.3 Liter (WN Codes Z and W) V6
€nglnes:
1. Move your shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). Your engine won’t start
in any other position-that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re
already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
2. Don’t push the accelerator pedal before starting your engine.\
In some
other vehicles you might need to
do this, but because of your vehicle’s
computer systems, you don’t.
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Page 71 of 345

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. Turn your 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 car-
your battery to be drained
---? s~-~~~ And the e:*-?ssive heat ---
damage your starter motor
I
4. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in atart. If it doesn’t start in
three seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way
down for
12 more seconds, or until it starts.
flooded with too much gasoline. Try this:
Wait
15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down. Then push your
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. Hold it there. Then, hold the
key in
Start for no more than ten seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
5. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), \
it could be
If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and do it all
again.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key and the accelerator pedal.
~ NOTICE
Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If yo
add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the fuel
injection svstem operates. Before adding electrical equipment, ch\
eck with
vour
dt If you -.m’t, you. -ngi might not 1 -.form I perlv.
IT you ever have to have your vehicle towe see tl pan of tnrs Man[
that tells how to do it without damaging your ‘We.
e “Towing You
Vehi
’ ” ‘7 the Inc’ .
Fuel Regulator
If you have the 4.3L engine (VIN Code W), you will have a fuel regulator
that shuts the fuel
off when the engine reaches 5600 rpm.
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Page 72 of 345
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features & Controls
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
’‘ ~ou drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water ci
ne in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your e\
ngine. I!
you can” .void deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very
slowly.
Engine Block Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, -0°F (-18°C) or colder, the engine block heater can
help. You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm-up.
To use the block heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
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