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1-32
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, or the air bag
covering on the driver's, right front passenger's
or rear seatback, the bag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the air bag module in
the steering wheel, both the air bag module and
the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the side impact air bag. Do not
open or break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and the
air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see
ªService and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag systems. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
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2-8
The average range of this system is about 10 feet (3 m).
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry transmitter. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions that follow.
If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.Operation
When you press this
symbol to unlock the
driver's door, the parking
lamps on your vehicle will
flash twice. (You can
program your vehicle so the
parking lamps will not
flash. They will also not
flash if the manual park
lamps are on.
For more information, see ªLock/Unlock Confirmationº
in the Index.) Pressing this symbol again within
five seconds will unlock the other doors. Pressing this
symbol will also disarm the theft
-deterrent system and
turn on the interior lamps at night.
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2-10
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.
NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to touch
any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage
the transmitter.
1. Use the round end of the door key or a coin to
pry open the transmitter.
2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a pencil
(or similar object) to remove the old battery.
Do not use a metal object.
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2-11
3. Replace the battery. Insert the new battery as the
instructions under the cover indicate.
4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure
no moisture can enter.
5. Resynchronize the transmitter. See
ªResynchronizationº following.
Resynchronization
Pressing the remote keyless entry transmitter buttons
numerous times (approximately 250 times) out of
the vehicle's operating range may cause the transmitter
not to work. Replacing the battery and pressing the
transmitter buttons out of range will also cause the
transmitter not to work. If only the instant alarm button
works, the transmitter needs to be resynchronized to the
receiver. Do this by pressing and holding both the lock
and unlock buttons on the transmitter for about eight
seconds. You must be within range of the vehicle.
Once the transmitter has been resynchronized, the locks
will cycle from lock to unlock. See your dealer for
service if your transmitter doesn't work properly.
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2-16
Theft-Deterrent System
If the ignition is off and
any door is open, the
SECURITY light will flash,
reminding you to activate
the system.
The light will also flash if the battery has been
disconnected and reconnected. To arm the system, do
the following:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door using the power door lock or the
remote keyless entry transmitter. The SECURITY
light should come on and stay on.
3. Close all the doors. The SECURITY light should go
off within about 30 seconds.
The horn will sound and the lamps will flash for about
30 seconds when the door or trunk is opened without the
key or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The horn
also sounds if the locks are damaged.Remember, the theft
-deterrent system won't activate if
you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock
button or the remote keyless entry transmitter.
To avoid activating the alarm by accident:
Always unlock a door with a known key or use the
remote keyless entry transmitter. (Using a known
key or pressing the unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter disables the theft
-deterrent
system.) Unlocking a door any other way, such
as using an unknown key, will activate the
alarm system.
The vehicle should be locked with the door key after
the doors are closed if you don't want to activate the
theft
-deterrent system.
If you activate the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with your key. You can also turn off the alarm by using
the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter or by using a known key. The alarm won't
stop if you try to unlock a door any other way
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2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned from
ON to OFF:
Radio
Power Windows
Sunroof
Power to these accessories will stop after 10 minutes or
if any door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY, then
back to OFF. Always leave your key in OFF when using
RAP. If you leave your key in any other position than
OFF, your battery will discharge prematurely.
Starting Your Engine
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
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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2-23
Starting Your Northstar 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. Wait about 15 seconds
between each try to help avoid draining your
battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº 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) and your vehicle has a column shifter,
try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY.
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.
Shift Lock Release (Console Shifter Only)
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P), and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than OFF.
The shift lock release is always functional except in
the case of a dead battery or low voltage (less
than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there is an override access hole that will allow
you to override the shift lock release.