Page 5 of 365

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:
ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
ªInstrument Panelº
ªComfort Controlsº
ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.
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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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2-43
Headlamps: Pulling the knob to the second position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately 20 seconds.
In order to operate the wiper
-activated headlamps, the
Twilight Sentinel must be turned on. This feature lights
the way in poor weather and it also makes your vehicle
more visible to other drivers. If the wiper
-activated
headlamps are on, and the ignition switch is turned off,
the wiper
-activated headlamps will immediately turn off.
The wiper
-activated headlamps will deactivate if you
turn off the Twilight Sentinel or if the windshield wipers
have been turned off for a period of one or two seconds.
Lamps On Reminder
If the exterior lamp knob is activated, you will hear a
warning chime if you open either door while leaving the
lamps on. An exception to this is when you're using
Twilight Sentinel.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the short periods after dawn and before sunset.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the high
-beam headlamps
come on at reduced brightness when:
The ignition is on,
the exterior lamp knob is not in the
headlamp position
the transaxle is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your high
-beam headlamps
(at reduced brightness) will be on. No other exterior
lamps such as the parking lamps, taillamps, etc., will be
on when the DRL are being used. Your instrument panel
won't be lit up either.
Page 123 of 365

2-66 Tachometer
The tachometer is located in
the instrument panel cluster,
to the left of the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in
the shaded area or engine damage may occur.
This gage indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at too
many revolutions per minute (rpm). When the engine's
rpm is critically high, the fuel supply to the engine
is shut off. When the engine speed slows, the fuel
supply will come on again. This helps prevent damage
to the engine.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that may
be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
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2-67
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index
for more information.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for
about 70 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
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6-24
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first,
if you add only DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).
Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added
to the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.