
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Don’t operate accessories in the ACCESSORY
position for long periods
of time. Prolonged
operation of accessories in the ACCESSORY
position could drain your battery and prevent
you from starting your vehicle.
LOCK (B): 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 (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. Use
OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is
off (for
example, if your vehicle is being towed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START
(E): This starts your engine. 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.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key Release Button
*A
To remove the key on
manual transmission
vehicles,
turn the key to the
OFF position. Then turn the
key to the
LOCK position
while pressing the key
release button down at the
same time. Pull the key
straight out.
Starting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
1 Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or
number for your engine.
You will ‘find the VIN at the t OP
left of your instrum&t panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps
to start the engine.
1
2-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. 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 outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and so.me 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 Operation
. --
P RNDD 21
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it 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 need to leave your key in the ignition in the OFF
position for an extended period, 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.
2-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in,PARK (P) with the ’
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift .lever to PARK
(P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll
-- even .if your shift lever
is in PARK (P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two-wheel high (2HI) or four-wheel
high (4HI) or four-wheel low (4LO)
-- not in
NEUTRAL
(N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index. Ensure’ the shift lever
is €ully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has a
brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is
ii.1 the RUN position.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See
“Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in the Index.
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 (Rjonly 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
“Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shift Light
SHIFT
If you have a manual
transmission, you have a
SHIFT light. This light will
show you when to shift
to
the next higher gear for
best fuel economy.
When this light comes on,
you can shift to the next
higher gear
if weather, road and traffic conditions let
you.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when
the light comes on.
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.
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.'
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, sad 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electronic Transfer Case (Option)
If your four-wheel-drive
vehicle has the electronic
transfer case, the transfer case switches are 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.
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.
An indicator light will flash while shifting. It will
remain illuminated when
the shift is completed.
Shifting from 2HI to 4HI
Press and release the 4HI switch. This can be done at
any speed, and the front axle will lock automatically.
Shifting from 4HI to 2HI
Press and release the 2HI switch. This can be done at
any speed, and the front axle will unlock automatically.
Shifting from 2HI or 4HI to 4LO
To shift from 2HI or 4HI to 4L0, the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than
3 mph (4.8 kmh) with the
transmission
in NEUTRAL (N) in vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission. The clutch pedal
must
be engaged on vehicles equipped with a manual
2-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Models
0 lv)
@ 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. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from
your ignition, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the
parking brake firmly set. If you have four-wheel
drive 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 -9 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.
2-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle
is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave
it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you. If
you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
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).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transmission Operation”
in the Index.
If
you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way
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 vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
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