ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
2-
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
-3 Door Locks
2
-7 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-11 Theft
2
-12 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-13 Passlock
2-14 New Vehicle ªBreak Inº
2
-14 Ignition Positions
2
-15 Starting Your Engine
2
-17 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-18 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-22 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-28 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-31 Engine Exhaust2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-33 Level Control (If Equipped)
2
-34 Autoride (If Equipped)
2
-34 Locking Rear Axle
2
-34 Windows
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-55 Storage Compartments
2
-62 HomeLink Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-65 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-66 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-68 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-69 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Message Center
2-17
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.
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 cord is located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering fluid reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
2-18
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.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator within
the instrument panel cluster. This display must be
powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being
moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is
in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will be a small current
drain on your battery which could discharge your battery
over a period of time. If you have to leave your key in
the ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is
recommended that you remove the IGN 0 fuse from the
instrument panel fuse block. See ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index.
2-74 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210F (100C) or less. If you are pulling a
load or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
fluctuate and approach the 250F (122C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260F (125C) mark, it indicates that
the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
The ªProblems on the Road,º section of this manual shows
what to do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Transmission Temperature Gage (If Equipped)
United States Canada
If your vehicle has a heavy duty automatic transmission,
you will have a transmission temperature gage.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the temperature
of the transmission fluid. The normal operating range is
from 100F (38C) to about 265F (130C).
At approximately 265F (130C), the message center
will display a TRANS FLUID HOT message and the
transmission will enter a transmission protection mode.
When the transmission enters the protection mode, you
may notice a change in the transmission shifting patterns.
The transmission will return to normal shifting patterns
when the transmission fluid temperature falls below
260F (127C).
2-85
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a heavy load
Low transmission fluid level
High transmission fluid level
Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler (if equipped).
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on
a frequent basis, see ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the
Index for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.LOW COOLANT
This message is displayed
when the cooling system is
low on coolant.
The engine may overheat. See ªEngine Coolantº in the
Index and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
CHECK COOLANT TEMP
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets hot.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. See ªEngine Coolantº and ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº in the Index. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index for further information.
2-86 ENGINE OVERHEATED
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot.
This message will be displayed after the air conditioning
system has automatically turned off for the engine
coolant protection mode. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index for further information.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot
and the engine further
enters the engine coolant
protection mode.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index for
further information.
CHECK ENG OIL PRESSURE
This message is displayed
when the engine oil pressure
is low.
See ªOil Pressure Gageº in the Index for more information.
CHECK ENG OIL LEVEL
This message is displayed
when the engine oil level
is low.
Once oil is added, it may need time to drain and settle in
the engine before this message will turn off. It is best to
let the engine cool down (if it is hot) or warm up (if it is
cold) and cycle the ignition to be sure this message turns
off. Refer to the dipstick for the correct level.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index on how to check the oil
level and for what type of oil to add.
3-6
Mode Knob - Automatic Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. When the system is
set for automatic operation, sensors will control the air
delivery mode. Air will come primarily from the floor or
instrument panel outlets, with some air directed to the
windshield to prevent fogging.
When the system is in AUTO mode, the air conditioning
light will turn on, and the recirculation and outside air
lights turn off. With the system in full auto control
(both the fan and mode knobs in AUTO), you still
have the ability to override any function. However,
continually overriding the outside air or the A/C
compressor will limit the ability of the system to cool
the vehicle quickly.
If you push a button for a function which is not
available, the light next to that button will flash three
times to alert you that it's not available.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 74F (23C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
adjust the temperature if necessary.With the automatic setting, the air conditioning
compressor automatically cycles when needed to cool the
air. In cold weather, when the system senses the need
for heat, the airflow will be directed out the floor outlets.
As the interior temperature approaches a desired setting,
the blower speed will decrease. To maintain interior
comfort, the airflow will adjust between the instrument
panel air outlets and floor outlets. On bright sunny days
in cool weather, the airflow may come out of the air
conditioning and floor outlets (bi
-level mode) to maintain
comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time
since the engine was last started. As the coolant warms
up, the blower fan speed will gradually increase and
air will flow from the heater outlets, with some airflow
to the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located around the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.