Page 6 of 433
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Symbols 
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. 
For  example, 
these  symbols 
are  used  on  an 
original  battery: 
POSSIBLE A 
CAUTION 
INJURY 
PROTECT  EYES  BY 
SHIELDING 
CAUSTIC 
ACID  COULD  BAllERY 
CAUSE 
BURNS 
AVOID 
SPARKS 
OR 
FLAMES 
SPARK 
OR ,\I/, 
COULD  FLAME 
EXPLODE  BATTERY 
These  symbols 
are  important 
for  you  and 
your  passengers 
whenever  your 
vehicle  is 
driven: 
DOOR  LOCK 
UNLOCK 
FASTEN  SEAT 
BELTS 
POWER 
WINDOW 
These symbols 
have  to 
do with 
your  lamps: 
SIGNALS e 
TURN 
WARNING 
A 
HAZARD 
FLASHER 
RUNNING 
* . 0 
DAYTIME 
LAMPS 
FOG  LAMPS $0 
These symbols 
are on some 
of 
your  controls: 
WINDSHIELD 
WIPER 
WINDSHIELD  DEFROSTER 
WINDOW 
DEFOGGER 
VENTILATING  FAN 
These symbols are  used  on 
warning  and 
indicator lights: 
COOLANT - 
TEMP - 
CHARGING I-1 
BATTERY 
SYSTEM 
BRAKE 
(a) 
COOLANT a 
ENGINE  OIL w, 
PRESSURE 
ANTI-LOCK 
(@) 
BRAKES 
Here are some 
other symbols 
you  may  see: 
FUSE 
t 
LIGHTER n 
HORN )cr 
SPEAKER 
b 
FUEL p3 
V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 72 of 433

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 2 Features  and  Controls 
Here  you can learn about the many  standard and  optional  features on your vehicle,  and information  on starting, 
shifting and braking. Also  explained  are the instrument panel  and the warning systems that tell  you if everything  is 
working  properly 
-- and  what  to do if  you  have a  problem. 
2-2 
2-3 
2-6 
2-8 
2-11 
2-  12 
2-  12 
2-  13 
2-  15 
2-  16 
2-20 
2-20 
2-25 
2-26 
2-28  Keys 
Door Locks 
Keyless  Entry System 
Your  Doors  and How They  Work 
Theft 
New  Vehicle  “Break-In” 
Ignition Positions 
Starting  Your Gasoline  Engine 
Engine Coolant Heater 
Automatic Transmission Operation 
Locking  Rear Axle 
Four-wheel  Drive 
Parking  Brake 
Shifting Into  PARK (P) 
Shifting Out  of  PARK 
(P) 
2-29 
2-29 
2-30 
2-3 
1 
2-33 
2-3 3 
2-40 
2-42 
2-44 
2-48 
2-5 8 
2-59 
2-60 
2-62 
2-64 Parking Over 
Things That Burn 
Engine  Exhaust 
Running  Your Engine  While You’re  Parked 
Windows 
Tilt Wheel 
Multifunction Lever 
Lamps 
Interior Lamps 
Mirrors 
Storage  Compartments 
Ashtrays and  Cigarette  Lighter 
Sun  Visors 
Instrument Panel 
Instrument Panel  Cluster 
Warning  Lights, Gages and Indicators   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 86 of 433
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine  Coolant Heater  (Option) 
In very  cold weather, 0°F 
(- 18 O C) or colder, the 
engine  coolant  heater 
can  help. 
You’ll  get easier starting and better fuel economy  during 
engine warm-up.  Usually, the coolant  heater should be 
plugged  in  a minimum  of four hours prior 
to starting 
your  vehicle. 
To Use the  Coolant  Heater 
1. Turn  off the  engine. 
2. Open  the hood  and unwrap  the electrical  cord. 
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded  110-volt AC outlet. 
- 
/! CAUTION: 
Plugging  the  cord into an ungrounded outlet 
could  cause  an electrical  shock.  Also,  the wrong 
kind  of extension  cord could  overheat  and cause 
a  fire. 
You could be  seriously  injured. Plug the 
cord  into  a  properly  grounded  three-prong 
110-volt  AC  outlet. 
If the  cord  won’t  reach,  use a 
heavy-duty three-prong  extension cord  rated  for 
at  least 
15 amps. 
2-15   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 87 of 433
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Before  starting the engine,  be  sure  to unplug  and  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  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  Operation 
There are several different positions for  your shift lever. 
2-16   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 139 of 433

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock  Brake  System  Warning  Light 
With the anti-lock  brake 
system, this  light will come 
ANTI - 
LOCK 
on when  you start your 
engine  and may stay  on  for 
several  seconds. 
That’s normal. 
Engine  Coolant  Temperature  Gage 
This gage shows  the engine 
coolant temperature. 
If  the  light  stays on, or comes  on  when you’re  driving, 
your  vehicle  needs service.  If the  regular  brake  system 
warning  light  isn’t on, you still have brakes, but  you 
don’t  have anti-lock  brakes.  If the  regular  brake  system 
warning  light is also  on,  you don’t have anti-lock  brakes 
and  there’s  a problem with your  regular brakes.  See 
“Brake  System  Warning Light”  earlier in this section. 
The  anti-lock  brake  system warning  light should  come 
on  briefly  when you turn the  ignition key to 
RUN. If the 
light  doesn’t  come  on  then,  have it  fixed 
so it will be 
ready  to warn  you  if  there  is  a problem. 
It also  provides  an indicator  of how  hard  your vehicle  is 
working. During  a majority  of the operation,  the gage 
will read 
2 10 OF ( 100 ” C) or  less.  If  you  are pulling  a 
load  or  going  up  hills, it is normal for  the temperature 
to 
fluctuate and approach the 260 OF( 160” C) mark.  If  the 
gage  reaches the 
260”F( 160°C) mark,  it indicates that 
the cooling system 
is working  beyond its capacity. 
In  “Problems  on  the Road,” this  manual  shows  what  to 
do.  See  “Engine Overheating”  in  the Index. 
2-68   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 144 of 433
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check  Gages  Light Headlamp  High-Beam  Indicator  Light 
CHECK 
GAGES 
This light  will come  on 
briefly when  you are 
starting the  engine.  The 
high-beam  indicator is 
on whenever you  use  your 
high-beam  headlamps.  For 
more  details  about  high 
beams,  see  “Headlamp 
HighLow  Beam  Changer” 
earlier  in this  section. 
If  the  light comes on  and stays  on  while 
YOU are driving, Turn  Signal  and  Lane  Change 
it could indicate a problem with your vehicle.  It  could  be 
a problem  with  your oil pressure, coolant temperature, 
or  some other problem. Check your various  gages 
to see 
signal a turn 
or lane  change. 
vehicle serviced right 
away.  come  on  whenever 
you 
if they are in the warning zones. If they  are, have  your  The  signal  indicator 
will 
See  “Turn  Signal  and Lane 
Change  Indicator”  earlier  in 
Indicator  Lights 
this section. 
2-73   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 155 of 433

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heating Ventilation  System 
The heater  works best  if you  keep  your windows  closed 
while  using  it. On  cold  days,  use  the  HEATER or 
VENT/HEAT setting with  the temperature  knob  in 
the 
red area. 
If  you  use  the  engine  coolant  heater  before  starting  your 
engine  in  cold weather, 
20°F (-8 O C) or lower, your 
heating  system  will produce warmer  air faster,  to heat 
the  passenger  compartment in  cold weather. 
The  use 
of an  engine  coolant heater  also  reduces the 
time  it takes  for  the engine  to  reach normal  operating 
temperature,  and shortens the  time it takes  the heater  to 
reach  full  output. For more  information,  see  “Engine 
Coolant  Heater” in the Index.  For 
mild  outside  temperatures  when little heating  or 
cooling is  needed,  use  VENT to direct outside  air 
through your vehicle.  Air will flow  through the 
instrument  panel outlets. 
Your  vehicle’s ventilation system supplies outside air 
to  the inside  of your vehicle  when it is moving.  With 
the  side  windows closed, air will flow into  the front 
air  inlet  grilles,  through the vehicle,  and  out  the air 
exhaust valves. 
Outside  air will  also  enter the vehicle  when the heater  or 
the  air  conditioning  fan 
is running,  unless  you  have the 
recirculation button pushed 
in. For more information  on 
the recirculation button, see 
“Air Conditioning” earlier 
in  this section.   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 231 of 433

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making ’hms 
NOTICE: 
Making  very  sharp  turns  while  trailering  could 
cause  the  trailer  to  come  in contact  with  the 
vehicle.  Your vehicle  could  be  damaged.  Avoid 
making  very  sharp  turns  while  trailering. 
When you’re  turning  with  a trailer,  make  wider turns than 
normal. 
Do this so your trailer  won’t  strike soft shoulders, 
curbs,  road  signs,  trees  or other objects. Avoid jerky or 
sudden  maneuvers.  Signal  well 
in advance. 
Turn  Signals  When  Towing a Trailer 
The arrows  on your  instrument  panel will flash 
whenever  you signal a turn  or  lane change.  Properly 
hooked  up,  the trailer lamps will  also  flash, telling  other 
drivers  you’re about  to turn,  change  lanes or  stop. 
When  towing a trailer, the  arrows on your  instrument 
panel  will flash  for turns  even 
if the bulbs  on the trailer 
are burned  out. Thus, you may  think drivers behind you 
are  seeing  your signal when  they  are  not. It’s important 
to check  occasionally  to be  sure  the trailer bulbs  are 
still  working. 
Driving  On  Grades 
Reduce speed and shift  to a lower gear before you  start 
down a  long  or  steep  downgrade. If  you don’t shift 
down,  you might have 
to use your  brakes so much  that 
they would  get hot and  no longer  work  well. 
On  a long  uphill grade, shift  down and reduce  your 
speed  to around 
45 mph (70 kmh) to reduce  the 
possibility  of engine  and transmission overheating. 
If  you  have an automatic transmission,  you can tow 
in 
AUTOMATIC  OVERDRIVE (0). You  may want  to 
shift the transmission  to THIRD 
(3) or, if necessary,  a 
lower  gear  selection if the  transmission shifts  too often 
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or  hilly conditions). 
When  towing  at high altitude on steep  uphill grades, 
consider  the following: Engine coolant  will  boil  at a 
lower  temperature  than  at normal altitudes.  If  you turn 
your  engine  off immediately after towing  at  high altitude 
on  steep  uphill grades,  your vehicle  may  show  signs 
similar 
to engine  overheating. To avoid  this,  let  the 
engine  run while parked (preferably on  level ground) 
with  the automatic transmission in  PARK 
(P) for a few 
minutes before turning  the engine off.  If  you do get  the 
overheat  warning,  see “Engine Overheating”  in 
the Index. 
4-52