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2-
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2-1
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 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Remote Keyless Entry
2
-14 Trunk
2
-14 Theft
2
-15 PASS-Key II
2
-17 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-17 Ignition Positions
2
-19 Starting Your V6 Engine
2
-20 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-28 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-32 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-33 Engine Exhaust
2
-33 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-34 Windows2
-35 Horn
2
-35 TILT-WHEEL Adjustable Steering Column
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-45 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Sun Visors
2
-53 Accessory Power Receptacle
2
-54 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-55 Astroroof (If Equipped)
2
-55 OnStar (Option)
2
-56 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-57 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-60 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-75 Driver Information Center
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2-22
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
will have a shift lever on the
console between the seats.
The above graphic is also displayed on your instrument
panel cluster.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles when you're in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
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FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Driver Selectable Shift (If Equipped)
Press the driver selectable
shift button to allow the
transaxle to shift at higher
engine speeds, increasing
shift firmness and
acceleration performance.
The PERF SHIFT light on
your instrument panel
cluster will glow when the
driver selectable shifting
feature is in performance
shift mode.
Downshifts will occur at a lower percentage of
accelerator use while you're in the driver selectable
shift mode.
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2-39 Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there's a paddle
with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will run for
several sweeps and then either stop or return to your
preset speed. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
The LOW WASH light on
your instrument panel
cluster will glow when the
fluid level is low.
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
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2-56
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
A. Lamp Controls
B. Instrument Cluster
C. VentsD. Glove Box
E. Audio System
F. Climate Controls
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2-57
Instrument Panel Cluster
Standard Cluster: United States Version Shown, Canadian Similar
Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how fast
you're going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and economically.
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2-59 Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven in
either miles (used in the United States) or in kilometers
(used in Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper
-resistant odometer. If you see
ERROR, you'll know someone has probably tampered
with it and the numbers may not be accurate.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then that will be done.
But if it can't, then it will be set at zero and a label must
be put on the driver's door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your trip odometer tells how far you have driven since
you last reset it. To set it to zero, press the button on the
right side of the instrument cluster.
Your trip/select reset switch will go back and forth
between the odometer and the trip odometer if the button
is pressed and released within 1.5 seconds. If the button is
pressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in the
trip odometer mode, it will be reset to zero. If the button ispressed and held for longer than 1.5 seconds while in the
odometer mode, it will have no effect.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the
engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute
(rpm). (Optional cluster
tachometer shown.)
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the red area, or engine damage may occur.
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2-76
3800 V6 Engine
Your Driver Information Center, (DIC) located below
the tachometer on the instrument panel cluster, gives
you important safety and maintenance facts. When you
turn the ignition on, the entire center lights up for just a
few seconds.
Control Buttons
The Driver Information Center has three buttons that
control its functions.
E/M, RESET AND MODE: The English/Metric
(E/M), RESET and MODE buttons for the Driver
Information Center are located to the left of the steering
wheel, just below the instrument panel cluster.
E/M: Press this button to change the display from
English to metric units or metric to English.
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