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
-8 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-12 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-18 PASS-Key II
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-32 Engine Exhaust
2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-33 Tilt Wheel
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-51 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Sun Visors
2
-54 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-57 Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 HomeLink Transmitter (Option)
2
-62 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-66 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-78 Driver Information Center (DIC)
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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.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
A. Engine Oil Dipstick Location
B. Engine Coolant Heater Cord
C. Transaxle Dipstick/Fluid Fill Location
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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.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver's side of
the engine, behind the transaxle dipstick/fluid fill
location (C) and next to the engine.
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 110-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.
2-72 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This light tells you that
the engine coolant has
overheated. A warning
chime will sound if this
light comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you start your vehicle.
If the light comes on and the chime sounds while
you are driving, you should stop your vehicle and
turn the engine off as soon as possible. See ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the shaded area, the engine
is too hot.
When the pointer is in the shaded area, that means
the same thing as when the engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on and the chime sounds.
See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Lightº
previously in this section and ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index for more information.
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If this message appears and stays on while driving or
after starting your vehicle, have it checked immediately
to determine the cause of this problem. To help the
generator recharge the battery quickly, you can reduce
the load on the electrical system by turning off the
accessories. You can monitor battery voltage on the
DIC by pressing the SKIP INFO button. The normal
range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
- 82: This means that
the life of the engine oil has expired and it should be
changed within 200 miles (322 km). See ªEngine Oilº
in the Index. After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator
must be reset. See ªOil Life Indicator, How to Resetº
in the Index.
CHANGE TRANS FLUID
- 47: This message will
appear when it is time to replace the transaxle fluid.
See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index for the proper
fluid and change intervals.CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
- 37: This message
will display if the ignition is in RUN to inform the
driver that the brake fluid level is low. Have the brake
system serviced by a technician as soon as possible.
See ªBrake System Warning Lightº in the Index.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
- 2: This message
will appear when there is a low level of engine coolant.
Have the cooling system serviced by a technician as
soon as possible.
CHECK FUEL GAUGE
- 39: This message will
appear when the fuel supply is less than 3.5 gallons
(13.2 L) remaining. A single chime will also sound
when this message is displayed.
CHECK GAS CAP
- 61: This message will appear
if the gas cap has not been fully tightened. You should
recheck your gas cap to ensure that it's fully tightened.
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CHECK OIL LEVEL - 36: For correct operation
of the low oil sensing system, your vehicle should be on
a level surface. A false CHECK OIL LEVEL message
may appear if the vehicle is parked on grades. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil level
if the engine has been off for a short period of time, and
the oil level is never sensed while the engine is running.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears and
your vehicle has been parked on level ground with the
engine off for at least 30 minutes, the oil level should
be checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior to
checking the oil level, be sure the engine has been off
for five minutes and your vehicle is on a level surface.
Then check the dipstick and add oil if necessary.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
- 25: This message
will appear for several seconds indicating that you
need windshield washer solvent.
CRUISE ENGAGED
- 43: This message will
appear for a few seconds when you select a speed at
which to cruise.DOOR AJAR
- 141: A door other than the driver's is
open or ajar when this message appears. The vehicle's
engine must be running and the transaxle not in
PARK (P) for this message to display. A chime will
also sound when the vehicle's speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
- 140: This message will
display when the vehicle is being shifted out of
PARK (P) with the engine running to signal that the
driver's door is open or ajar. A chime will also sound
when the vehicle's speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE ENGINE
- 44:
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is over 248F (126C). To avoid added
strain on a hot engine, turn off the climate control
system. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools
down or the message is removed. If it does not cool
down, turn off the engine and have it serviced before
driving it again. Severe engine damage can result from
an overheated engine. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.
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ENGINE HOT - A/C OFF - 16: This message
displays when the engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically turned off so that air conditioned air is
not delivered. If the coolant temperature returns to
normal, you must select AC to return to a normal A/C
compressor operation. If this message continues to
appear, have the system repaired as soon as possible to
avoid compressor damage.
ENGINE MISFIRE
-- EASE OFF GAS
PEDAL
- 114: An engine misfire has occurred.
You'll need to ease off the gas pedal.
ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE
- 42:
This message will appear when the engine has overheated.
Stop and turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe
engine damage. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
- 41: This message
informs you that your vehicle is reducing engine power
because the transaxle is being placed in gear under
conditions that may cause damage to the vehicle
powertrain or vehicle acceleration.FUEL LEVEL LOW
- 11 : This message serves as
a warning that the fuel level in the tank is critically low.
Stop for fuel soon.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
- 23: If it's dark enough
outside and Twilight Sentinel is off, a HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will display on the DIC.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended even though the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are still illuminated
(it's become dark enough outside to require the
headlamps and/or other exterior lamps).
ICE POSSIBLE
- 13: This message appears when
the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LOW REFRIG A/C OFF
- 12: This message means
that the air conditioning system detects a refrigerant
level that is low enough to cause damage to the air
conditioning compressor. Have the air conditioning
system serviced if this message appears.
MONITORED SYSTEMS OK
- 1: This message only
appears in the ªrecallº mode by pressing the NO INFO
RESET button. It lets you know that no other messages
are stored or are currently active.
3-4
!~(Fan): Press the switch with the fan symbol on it
until AUTO is displayed on the screen. This setting
automatically controls the fan speed. If it is cold outside,
the fan may not run in the maximum speed right away.
The system checks the temperature of the engine coolant
to assure it is warm enough to provide heat. When the
engine coolant is warm, the controller allows the fan to
gradually increase to a higher speed. This prevents cold
air from blowing into the passenger compartment. If you
want the fan at a higher speed, press the up arrow until
you see HI on the display. If you want the fan speed to
be automatic, but you want the fan speed to be higher
than the AUTO setting, press the fan symbol until
HI AUTO is shown on the display. If you want the
fan at a lower speed, press the down arrow until LO is
shown on the display. If you want the fan speed to run
lower than the AUTO setting, press the switch until
LO AUTO is shown on the display.OFF: Press this button to turn the system off.
Fresh air will continue to flow through the vehicle,
and the system will try to maintain the previously set
temperature. The outside temperature will show on the
display when the system is OFF.
AC (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the
air conditioning on and off. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle. In the AUTO
mode, the display will show that AC is active, but the
air conditioning compressor only operates when the
system determines it is needed.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to cool the air quickly or
limit odors entering your vehicle. In the AUTO mode,
the system will use recirculation as necessary to cool
the air. Pressing the recirculation button will change the
operation to a manual mode and the air will recirculate
non
-stop. Press this button again to turn off the
recirculation feature.
If you notice the windows fogging, press the
recirculation button to exit the recirculation mode.