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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry
2
-17 Trunk
2
-22 Theft
2
-23 PASS-Key II
2
-24 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-25 Ignition Positions
2
-26 Starting Your Engine
2
-27 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-28 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-33 Parking Brake
2
-34 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-36 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-37 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-38 Engine Exhaust
2
-38 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-39 Horn
2
-39 Tilt Wheel
2
-40 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-46 Exterior Lamps
2
-49 Interior Lamps
2
-52 Mirrors
2
-56 Storage Compartments
2
-58 Sun Visors
2
-58 Auxiliary Power Outlet
2
-59 Auxiliary Power Connection (Power Drop)
2
-60 OnStarSystem (If Equipped)
2
-64 Sunroof (Option)
2
-65 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-66 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-68 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Driver Information Center (Option)
2-27
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. This time keep the pedal down for five or
six seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the
engine. After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the
normal starting procedure.
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.
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.
At temperatures above 32F (0C), use of the
coolant heater is not required.
2-28 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is attached to the underside of the
vehicle's diagonal brace, which is located above
the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
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 Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever on the
console between the seats.
2-49
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature control the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
You can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights by
adjusting the exterior lamps control located to the right
of the exterior lamps control.
If you turn to control clockwise the interior lamps will
come on and become brighter as the control is turned
further to MAX. Turning the control all the way
clockwise turns on the courtesy lamps. If you turn the
control counterclockwise the lamps will begin to dim
and continue to get dimmer as the control is turned
closer toward LIGHTS MIN. If the control is turned
all the way counterclockwise, the lamps and lights will
turn off.
Courtesy Lamps
When any door is opened, several lamps come on. These
lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easy for you to
enter and leave your vehicle. You can also turn these
lamps on by turning the exterior lamps control
clockwise to MAX.
Illuminated Entry
Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a
set time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after
you close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open a
door, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.
Illuminated entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don't just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is canceled if you turn the ignition key to RUN or
START, so the lamps will dim right away.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless
a door is opened.
3-3
Mode Knob
The right knob has several settings to control the
direction of airflow. To access the various modes
available, turn the mode knob to the desired mode.
MAX (Maximum Air Conditioning): This setting
recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle and
sends it through the instrument panel outlets. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in this
setting unless the outside temperature is below 40F
(4C). (Even when the compressor is running, you can
control the temperature.)
VENT (Ventilation): This setting brings in outside air
and directs it through the instrument panel outlets.
BI
-LEV (Bi-Level): This setting brings in outside air
and directs it two ways. Half of the air is directed
through the instrument panel outlets. Most of the
remaining air is directed through the floor ducts and a
little to the defrost and side window vents.
HTR (Heater): This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of
the defroster and side window vents.BLEND: This setting allows half of the air to go to the
floor ducts and half to the defroster and side window
vents. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this setting unless the outside
temperature is below 40F (4C). (Even when the
compressor is running, you can control the temperature.)
DEF (Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the defroster and side window vents. Some of
the air goes to the floor ducts and the side window vents.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting unless the outside temperature is below
40F (4C). (Even when the compressor is running,
you can control the temperature.)
Mode Button
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn
the air conditioning on and off. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle when the A/C light
is on.
3-7 Heating (Engine Coolant Heater)
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside
-- 0F (-18C) or lower. An engine
coolant heater warms the coolant your engine and
heating system use to provide heat. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Air Conditioning
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot, inside air escape. This reduces the time for the
vehicle to cool down.
For a quick cool
-down on very hot days, use MAX
with the temperature levers all the way in the blue area.
If this setting is used for long periods of time, the air in
your vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use VENT with the
temperature levers in the blue area. The system will
bring in outside air and cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEV and set the temperature levers to a
comfortable setting. The system will bring in outside air
and direct it to your upper body, while sending slightly
warmed air to your lower body. You may notice this
temperature difference more at some times than others.
Defogging and Defrosting
If you have the Dual Comfortemp Climate Control, your
system has two settings for clearing the front and side
windows. To defrost the windows quickly, turn the mode
knob to the defrost setting and turn the temperature knob
all the way in the red area.
For maximum defroster performance, set both
driver and passenger temperature controls to the
warmest setting.
To warm passengers while keeping the windows clear,
use BLEND.
If you have the Dual Automatic Comfortemp Climate
Control, your system has two settings for clearing the front
and side windows. To defrost the windows quickly, press
the FRONT button, set the temperature to 90 F (32C),
select high fan speed and turn the DUAL button off. To
warm passengers while keeping the windows clear, push
the AIR FLOW button until WINDSHIELD/FLOOR
appears in the display. Select fan speed for comfort and
windshield clearing performance.
3-9 Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of
airflow by moving the
vent levers.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter may need to be
replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº or ªPassenger
Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
mode knob or button to FLOOR and the fan to the
highest speed for a few seconds before driving off.
This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle.
4-31
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle
-- such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as ªdinghy
towingº (towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground) and ªdolly towingº (towing your vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a ªdollyº).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See ªDinghy
Towingº and ªDolly Towing,º following.