Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System (Option)
Automatic Transaxle
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield Wipers
Cruise Control (Option)
Exterior and Interior LampsMirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net (Option)
Accessory Power Outlets
OnStar® System (If Equipped)
HomeLink® Transmitter (Option)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages
Driver Information Center (Option)
Rear Parking Assist (Option) Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag Systems
Restraint Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii
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Battery Saver
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave the
interior lamps on. If you leave any interior lamps on
while the ignition is in LOCK or OFF, they will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes. The lamps won't
come back on again until you do one of the following:
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACCESSORY,
turn the interior lamps thumbwheel all the way
clockwise, then slightly back counterclockwise, or
open (or close and reopen) a door that is closed.
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lights behind you, pull the lever
toward you (to the night position). To return the mirror
to the day position, push the lever away from you.
Power Remote Control Mirrors
The control, located on the
driver's door, operates both
outside rearview mirrors.
Turn the control counterclockwise to select the
driver's side rearview mirror, or clockwise to select the
passenger's side rearview mirror. Then use the control to
adjust each mirror so that you can see a little of the side
of your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable
driving position.
If you are not adjusting either mirror, leave the control
in the center off position. This prevents moving the
mirrors accidentally once you have them adjusted.
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Both outside mirrors can be folded forward or rearward.
In the rearward position, they will fold almost flush with
the vehicle. This feature is particularly useful in
automatic car washes.
Your mirrors have a blue tint to reduce glare while
driving at night.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Heated Outside Mirrors (If Equipped)
The outside rearview mirrors are heated when you
activate the rear window defogger. See ªRear Window
Defoggerº in the Index.
Storage Compartments
Your vehicle's large carrying capacity can store many
items. If you have the extended wheelbase version, you
can carry things as large as a 4 x 8 piece of plywood.
You can also use the floor pins that are used to attach the
seats, to secure larger loads.
Glove Box
Your vehicle has a glove box below the instrument
panel. To open the glove box, lift the latch release.
Use the key to lock or unlock the glove box.
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door
from lowering too far. Open the glove box until the door
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need it
fully open. To close the glove box, the door must be
pushed up past the detent.
In the door of the glove box, you will find a tissue pack
holder and clip for a pen or pencil.
2-84
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.
Visor Vanity Mirrors
Pull down the sun visor. Flip up the cover to expose the
vanity mirror.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors (If Equipped)
Pull down the sun visor. Flip up the cover to expose the
vanity mirror. The lamps will come on when you open
the cover.
Accessory Inflator System (Option)
Your vehicle may have an air inflator. With it, you can
inflate things like air mattresses and basketballs, and you
can also use it to bring your tires up to the proper pressure.
The air inflator is located in the rear compartment on the
driver's side. To remove the cover, pull the tab on the
cover and pull it off.
2-119
Resetting the Trip Computer
Press and hold the MODE and E/M buttons for at least
two seconds. The reset is acknowledged with the display
showing all segments on briefly. A reset can only be
done in AVG ECON, FUEL USED and AVG SPEED
displays. AVG ECON, FUEL USED and AVG SPEED
can be reset independently. Only the mode that is
displayed will be reset.
Rear Parking Assist (Option)
Rear parking assist can help you to determine how close
an object is to your rear bumper within a given area,
making parking easier. It is not intended to be used
primarily as a rear obstacle detection system.
The rear parking assist display is located inside the
vehicle, above the rear window. It has three color
-coded
lights that can be seen through the rearview mirror.
Rear parking assist can be
turned off by pressing the
rear park aid disable switch
located in the overhead
console switchbank.
How the System Works
If the rear park aid disable switch is not on, the rear
parking assist turns on automatically when the shift
lever is moved into REVERSE (R) and the vehicle
speed is less than 3 mph (5 km/h). When the system
turns on, the three lights on the display will illuminate
for 1.5 seconds to let you know that the system is
working. Rear parking assist senses how close your
vehicle is to an object. The distance is determined by the
four ultrasonic sensors located on the rear bumper.
3-5 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
Press the REAR button
(the light will glow) to
warm the defogger grid
on the rear window and to
turn on the heated outside
rearview mirrors.
The system will turn off automatically after about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the defogger
will operate for about five minutes. You can also turn
the defogger off by turning off the ignition or by
pressing the button again.Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
4-14
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you're following a larger vehicle.
Also, you won't have adequate space if the vehicle
ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and
don't get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have
a ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
4-15
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what happens
when the three control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid,
too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal. If you have the ªTraction Control
System,º remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration
skid. If you do not have this system, or if the system
is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you'll want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on
slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be
longer and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.