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Ignition Switch
Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch
to
five different positions:
2
3
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
ACC (Accessory): ACC 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.
LOCK: This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmission.
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).
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START: This starts your engine.
I I
A CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key to LOCK will
lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause
a collision. If you need to turn the
engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only to OFF.
Don’t press the key release button while the vehicle is moving.
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NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure
it is all the
way in. If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and
right while you turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your vehicle needs
service.
Key Release Button
The ignition 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
in (see the caution earlier in this section
about the key release lever). Keeping your finger
on the button, pull the key
straight
out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn the key to LOCK and pull it
straight out.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel Engine” in the Index.
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.
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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
T
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with an 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 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.
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Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock. With the ignition in
the RUN position, you must fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P).
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) as you continue pressing the
brake pedal. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you want. If you still
cannot shift the shift lever out of PARK (P), see “Shifting Out of PARK (P)”
later in this section.
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.
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.
0 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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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 4-LOW.
Manual Transmission Shift Speeds
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the engine is not running
smoothly,
you should downshift to the next lower gear. You may have to
downshift two or more gears
to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
A CAUTION:
If you skip more ;than one gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. And you could injure yourself or
others. Don’t shift down more than one gear when you
downshift.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you downshift, or if you
race the engine when you downshift, you can damage the engine,
clutch or transmission.
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.
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Torque Lock
When parking, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission. It may be difficult to pull the selector
lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To find out how to
prevent torque lock,
see “Torque Lock” later in this section.
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Models Only)
1. Hold the brake
pedal down with
your right foot
and set the
parking 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.
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3. If you have four-wheel drive, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
4. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
-not in NEUTRAL (N)
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can walk away from your
vehicle with the ignition key
in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock system. You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P). See
“Automatic Transmission”
in the Index.
If
you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and
push the shift lever all the way up into PARK
(P) as you maintain brake
application. Then, move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If
you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of PARK (P),
try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the brake-transmission shift interlock system fixed as soon as
you can.
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission
Models Only)
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine
running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever
is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. If you
have four-wheel drive with
a manual transfer case shift lever
and your transfer case
is in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be
free to roll, even if your shift lever
is in PARK (P). So be sure the
transfer case is in
a drive gear - not in NEUTRAL (N). And, if
you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch
fire. You or others could be injured. Don’t leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to.
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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
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).
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