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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
-3 Door Locks
2
-6 Keyless Entry System
2
-11 Rear Doors
2
-13 Theft
2
-13 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-16 Feature Customization
2
-20 Passlock
2-20 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-21 Ignition Positions
2
-22 Starting Your Engine
2
-24 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-25 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-28 Four-Wheel Drive
2
-32 Parking Brake
2
-33 Shifting Into Park (P)
2
-35 Shifting Out of Park (P)
2
-36 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-36 Engine Exhaust2
-37 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-38 Locking Rear Axle
2
-38 Windows
2
-39 Horn
2
-39 Tilt Wheel
2
-40 Multifunction Lever
2
-46 Exterior Lamps
2
-49 Interior Lamps
2
-51 Mirrors
2
-55 Storage Compartments
2
-61 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-63 Sun Visors
2
-63 Universal Transmitter
2
-67 Cellular Telephone (If Equipped)
2
-67 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-68 Instrument Panel
2
-70 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-72 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
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Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0F
(
-18C) 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 Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater electrical cord is located
on the driver's side of the engine compartment, near
the power steering reservoir.
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
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
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 dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
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Comfort Controls
Heater and Air Conditioning
Control System
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the heating system control
panel controls the fan speed. The knob has four speed
positions. To increase airflow, move the knob toward
HI. To decrease airflow, move it toward LO. To turn the
fan off, move the knob to OFF. If you have the air
conditioner on, moving the fan knob to OFF also turns
off the A/C compressor.
In OFF, while driving, air will flow through the floor
outlets. The mode knob will not redirect the airflow to
other selected outlet positions. This is normal operation
for the OFF position.Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
relative temperature of the air flowing into the passenger
area of your vehicle. This knob will allow you to adjust
the relative air temperature independently of the
function knob setting. Turn the knob clockwise
toward the red area for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. The control knob
can be placed in any position between any two mode
settings to blend the flow of air.
VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
VENT/HEAT: Use this setting to divide airflow
between the floor outlets and instrument panel outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs air through the
floor outlets.
DEFOG: This setting directs air to the heater
outlets and toward the windshield.
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DEFROST: This setting directs air toward
the windshield.
Rear Air Conditioning
You can increase and decrease the airflow at the rear
vents. You can also send cooled air to the rear of
the vehicle.
Your vehicle has rear air conditioning (without rear
heater). The controls are located above the front and
second seats. The front and rear overhead controls let
you increase and decrease the airflow at the rear vents.
To operate the rear air conditioning system, the front air
conditioning system must be on. With the front air
conditioning system off, the rear system controls can be
used to circulate air in the rear of the vehicle.
To operate the rear system using the front control, just
turn the knob to the blower position you want.
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To use the rear control, first turn the front control knob
to REAR CNTL. Then, the rear control can be used to
increase and decrease the airflow.
Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
The recirculation button, between the fan and
temperature knobs, allows the air inside your vehicle to
be recirculated. This setting helps to maximize your air
conditioner's performance and your vehicle's fuel
economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest and
can be used to keep unwanted odors and/or dust from
entering the vehicle. When using the air conditioner,
turn off recirculation after the vehicle reaches a
comfortable interior temperature. When the right knob
on the control panel is between HEATER and
DEFROST, the recirculation feature will not function.
The A/C button, between the temperature and mode
knobs, allows the air coming into your vehicle to be
cooled. This setting is useful for normal cooling on hot
days. When you use A/C with the recirculation button
pushed in, turn off recirculation as soon as the vehicle
reaches a comfortable interior temperature.
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With the A/C on, turn the temperature knob to MAX for
maximum cooling. This setting also puts the system in
the recirculation mode and helps to maximize your air
conditioner's performance and your vehicle's fuel
economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest. After
the vehicle's interior reaches a comfortable temperature,
turn the temperature knob clockwise to place the air
conditioning system in the normal mode.
Heating
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, 20F (
-8C) 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 ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Ventilation System
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 ªAir Conditioningº earlier
in this section.
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Your vehicle has air outlets in the center and on the sides
of your instrument panel. You can move the outlets from
side
-to-side or up and down to direct the flow of air, or
close the outlets altogether. When you close an outlet, it
will increase the flow of air coming out of any outlets
that are open. These outlets do not completely shut off
airflow when in a closed vent position.Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to HI for a few moments before driving.
This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
The use of hood air deflectors may adversely
affect the performance of the heating and air
conditioning system.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use DEFOG to keep the
windshield and side windows clear. Use DEFROST to
remove fog or ice from the windshield in extremely
humid or cold conditions. Use DEFROST with the
temperature knob toward the red area and the fan control
toward HI.
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CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.