Page 68 of 380

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key Release Button
“1
The key cannot be
removed from the
ignition of manual
transmission vehicles
unless the key release
button is used.
To Remove the Key
On manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to the LOCK position while
pressing the key release button down at the same time. Pull t\
he key straight
out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn
the key to LOCK and pull it
straight out.
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 step\
s
to start the
engine.
Automatic transmission:
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t
start in any other position
- that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you
do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only
when your vehicle is stopped.
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Page 71 of 380

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the \
cord as
it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you
don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather, the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your
GM
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission
c There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, it now features an
electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. This display
must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
the
PARK (P) position. This means that if your key is in the OFF position,
but not locked, there will be a small current drain on your battery which
could discharge your battery over a period of time. If
you have a need to
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Page 72 of 380
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine leave your key in the ignition in the OFF position for an extended period for
any reason, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from
the battery
to prevent discharging your battery.
PARK (P) -This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use
when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
REVERSE (R) - Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward
could damage your transmission. Shift to REVERSE
(R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
e
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand
without damaging your transmission, see “If You’re Stuck:
In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow’’
in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N) - In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with
the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N)
only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
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Page 76 of 380

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on and off if you
quickly change the position of the accelerator. Ignore the SHIFT light when
you downshift.
Four- Wheel Drive Vehicles Only:
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and is equipped with a manual
transmission, disregard the shift light when the transfer case is in
4LO.
Locking Rear Axle
If you have this feature, your rear axle can give you additional traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle most
of the
time, but when one
of the rear wheels has no traction and the other does, the
locking feature will allow
the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
Parking Brake
To Set the Parking Brake:
To Release the Parking Brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your
right
foot. Push down
the parking brake
pedal with your left
foot. If the ignition is
on, the brake system
warning light will
come
on.
Hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the
brake release lever. It
is located
on the
bottom driver's side
of
the instrument panel.
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Page 78 of 380
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the p\
arking
brake.
2. Move the shift lever into
PARK
(P) position like
this:
Pull the lever
toward you.
Move the
lever up as
far as it will
go.
3. If you have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case shift lever, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Move the key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can walk away from your
vehicle with the
key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission Models Only)
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transmission into PARK
(P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
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Page 79 of 380

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you
leave the driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the
Index.
When you are ready to
drive, move the shift lever out of PARK (P) before
you release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the transmission,
so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, turn off your engine, put your manual
transmission in
REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case shift lever, be sure
your transfer case is in a drive gear. Your vehicle could roll
if it isn’t.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer,
see “Parking on Hills” or “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
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Page 84 of 380

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electronic Transfer Case
If your four-wheel
drive vehicle has the
electronic transfer
case, the transfer case
switches are on the
right side of your
instrument panel
above
the radio
controls.
Use these switches to shift into and out
of four-wheel drive. You can choose
among three driving settings:
2HI - This setting is for driving in most street and highway situations.
Your front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive.
4HI - This setting engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle.
Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads,
or in most off-road situations.
4LO - This setting also engages your front axle to give you extra
traction. You may never need 4LO. It sends the maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you were driving off-road in
sand, mud, deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
Amber indicator lights
in the switches show you which setting you are in.
The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and
one will stay on. If the lights do not come on,
you should take your vehicle
in for service. When shifting,
an indicator light will flash until the shift is
completed then remain solidly lit.
To shift from 2HI to 4HI - Press and release the 4HI switch. This can be
done at any speed, and the front axle will lock automatically.
To shift from 4HI to 2HI - Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be
done at any speed, and the front axle will unlock automatically.
To shift from 2H1, or 4HI to 4LO - The vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than
3 mph (4.8 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N)
in vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission or the clutch pedal
depressed
in vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The preferred
method for shifting into
4LO is to have your vehicle slowly moving 1 to 2
mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the 4LO switch. You must wait for
the amber
4LO indicator light to stop flashing and go solid amber before
shifting your transmission into gear or releasing the clutch pedal.
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Page 87 of 380
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
Four-door vehicles
have a lockout feature
to prevent passengers
from operating power
windows. It is located
on the driver’s door.
Press
LOCK and only
the driver can operate
all windows. Press
NORM and the
windows return to
normal operation.
Swing-Out Windows (2-Door Only)
If your vehicle has
rear swing-out
windows, just unlatch
them at their clasps and push out on the.
glass to open them.
When you close the
window, be sure the latch catches.
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