To replace the batteries:
1. Insert a dime in the side seam of the transmitter housing, near the key
ring hole.
2. Twist the dime to separate the two halves of the transmitter housing.
3. Remove and replace the batteries. Put the new batteries in with the
Separate
the housing, bottom half first.
printed side down.
4. Align the housing and snap the halves together.
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 tone
reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you.
Always do this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition. If
you have an automatic transmission, taking your key out also
locks your transmission. And remember
to lock the doors.
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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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Automatic transrnissiox
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.
Manual transmission:
The gear selector should be in Neutral (N). Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start
if the clutch pedal is not
all the way down
- that’s a safety feature.
To start your 5.7 Liter (Code K) or 7.4 Liter (Code N) V8 engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, 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 cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in START. 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:
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops), it could be
4. 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. If the engine still doesn’t start, wait another
15 seconds and do Step 4 again.
Hot Engine Restart (Vehicles With 5.7L LO5 Engine and Over 8500 lbs.
GVWR):
If your engine is already hot and then stalls, turn your ignition key to OFF.
Then turn your key to RUN and wait 20 seconds before you restart your
engine. When the engine starts, let
go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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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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NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
0 AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) - This position is for normal
driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
You’ll shift down
to the next gear and have more power.
@ should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select THIRD
GEAR
(3) when operating the vehicle under any of these
conditions.
0 THIRD GEAR (3) - This is like @, but you never go into Overdrive.
You should use THIRD GEAR (3) when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving.
0 SECOND GEAR (2) - This position gives you more power but lower
fuel economy. You can use SECOND GEAR (2) on hills. It can help
control your speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select
SECOND GEAR (2), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when
you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
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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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