1-28
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 and right front
passenger's 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 driver's and right
front passenger's 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.
2-7
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
With this feature, you can
lock and unlock the doors,
unlock the trunk, open the
fuel door and turn on your
vehicle's interior lamps
from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away
using the RKE transmitter
supplied with your vehicle.
Your Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system is intended
to be used as an added vehicle entry device. It is not
intended to replace a door key. It operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
The range of this system is from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease
in range. This is normal for any RKE system. 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.
2-8 Operation
When you press this button 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. For more information, see ªVehicle
Programming and Personalization Featuresº in the
Index.) Pressing this button again within one to five
seconds will unlock the other doors. Pressing this button
will also disarm the theft
-deterrent system and turn on
the interior lamps at night.
When you press this button to lock the doors, the
parking lamps will flash once and the horn will sound
once. (You can program your vehicle so the parking
lamps will not flash and/or the horn will not sound.
For more information, see ªVehicle Programming and
Personalization Featuresº in the Index.) This also arms
the theft
-deterrent system when the ignition is turned off.
Press this button to open the trunk. (The valet lock
switch must be in the OFF position.)
Press this button to open the fuel door. (The valet
lock switch must be in the OFF position.)
The numbers on the back of the RKE transmitter
correspond to Driver 1 and Driver 2. See ªVehicle
Programming and Personalization Features º in the Index.Remote confirmation is not operational if any door
is open.
The RKE transmitter can also be used to recall the
memory seats for up to two drivers. For more
information, seeªMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering
Wheelº in the Index.
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Once your dealer has
coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not
unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have only up to
four transmitters matched to it.
All transmitters must be present when replacement or
additional transmitters are being programmed.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your 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.
2-20 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.
2-49 Illuminated Entry
The illuminated entry system turns on the courtesy
lamps and the backlighting to the driver's door switches
and to the ignition key when a door is opened or if you
press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
unlock button. The illuminated entry system works with
the light sensor and it must be dark outside in order
for the courtesy lamps or backlighting to turn on. The
courtesy lamps turn off approximately 25 seconds after
the last door is closed or after the ignition key is turned
to RUN or if the RKE transmitter lock button is pressed.
The courtesy lamps turn off approximately 40 seconds
after the doors are unlocked with the RKE transmitter
if no door is opened.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of the instrument
panel lights during daylight while the parking lamps are
on. This feature works with the light sensor and is fully
automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness outside,
the instrument panel lights can be adjusted by following
the steps under ªInstrument Panel Intensity/Brightness
Control.º Backlighting to the instrument panel will
also turn on.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located in the roof. These lamps
and the interior courtesy lamps come on when any door
is opened and it is dark outside. The rear lamps come on
when a rear door is opened. Press the button near the
lamps to turn them on and off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle's electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle
at a higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting than
normal to make sure the battery charges. High electrical
loads may occur when several of the following are on:
headlamps, high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, high blower fan, heated seats and engine
cooling fans.
2-71 Charging System Light
This light goes on when
you turn your key to ON
or START. It goes off once
you start your engine.
That's a check to be sure the light works. If it doesn't
come on, be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to
warn you if something goes wrong.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save your
battery until you get there, turn off all accessories.
Brake System Warning and Park Brake
Indicator Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it
doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if
there's a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.