Page 91 of 402
2-27
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on and a single chime will be heard.
If you start to drive with the parking brake set, a chime
will sound after the vehicle has traveled approximately
40 feet (12 m).
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. This will release the
parking brake pedal. When you lift your left foot, the
parking brake pedal will follow it to the release position.
If you try to drive with the parking brake on, the brake
light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the
parking brake.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
Page 93 of 402
2-29 Console Shift Lever (Option)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you (or, if you have the console shift lever,
without first pushing the button). If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Page 95 of 402
2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren't done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Page 96 of 402
2-32
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Page 110 of 402
2-46
Rear Reading Lamps
The rear reading lamps will come on as courtesy lamps
when you open any of the doors while it is dark outside.
They will also come on as part of the interior lighting
features listed previously.
To turn on a reading lamp when the doors are closed,
press either switch. Press it again to turn the lamp off.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle's battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp or cigarette lighters. When the ignition
is turned off, the power to these features will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes. Power will be
restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door is
opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp switch
is turned on. To restore power back to the cigarette
lighters the ignition must be turned back to RUN.
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
higher revolutions per minute (rpm) 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.
Page 115 of 402
2-51
To open a rear ashtray, lift the cover.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other smoking
materials could set them on fire, causing damage.
The cigarette lighter is located next to the storage tray.
To use a lighter, just push the center in all the way and
let it go. When it is ready, the center will pop back out
by itself. Pull out the entire unit to use it.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
The cigarette lighter will only operate when the ignition
key is in the RUN position and for 10 minutes after
turning the ignition OFF. If you would like the lighter to
operate regardless of ignition position, and for unlimited
periods of time, see ªEngine Compartment Bussed
Electrical Centerº in the Index or see your dealer.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also remove them from the center mount and
swing them to the side, while the auxiliary sunshade
remains to block glare from the front.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Open the cover to expose the vanity mirror.
If your vehicle has the optional lighted vanity mirrors,
the lamps come on when you open the cover.
Page 117 of 402
2-53
The accessory power outlet will only operate when the
ignition key is in the RUN position and for 10 minutes
after turning the ignition OFF. If you would like the
accessory power outlet to operate regardless of ignition
position, and for unlimited periods of time, see ªEngine
Compartment Bussed Electrical Centerº in the Index or
see your dealer.
Leaving an accessory on for a long period of time, or a
fuse in the wrong place, can drain the vehicle's battery.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory power outlet, the
maximum load of any electrical equipment
should not exceed 15 amps.
OnStar System (If Equipped)
Onstar is a vehicle communications service. The
following services are available through a subscription
with OnStar and are available 24 hours a day:
Emergency Services
Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment
Theft Notification and Stolen
-Vehicle Tracking
Roadside Assistance with Location
Remote Diagnostics
OnStar MED
-NET
Accident Assist
Convenience Services
Remote Door Unlock
Route Support
Concierge Services
Ride Assist
A complete user's guide is provided with the OnStar
System. For more information contact OnStar
at 1
-888-ONSTAR7.
Page 119 of 402
2-55
HomeLink Transmitter
(If Equipped)
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, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.Changes and modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter
Do not use the HomeLink Transmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the ªstop and reverseº
safety feature. This includes any garage door opener
model manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door you are programming.
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. If you have previously programmed a transmitter
channel, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise, hold down
the two outside buttons on the HomeLink
Transmitter until the indicator light begins to flash
rapidly (after 20 seconds). Then release the buttons.
This procedure initializes the memory and erases any
previous settings for all three channels.
2. Decide which one of the three channels you want to
program. Hold the end of the hand
-held transmitter
about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) away from the
surface of the HomeLink Transmitter so that you
can still see the indicator light.
