Page 80 of 417

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 Keyless Entry System
2
-12 Liftgate/Liftglass
2
-13 Theft
2
-14 Content Theft-Deterrent
2
-15 Passlock
2-16 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-16 Ignition Positions
2
-17 Starting Your Engine
2
-19 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-20 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-24 Parking Brake
2
-25 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-27 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-28 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-28 Engine Exhaust2
-29 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-30 Locking Rear Axle
2
-31 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-37 Exterior Lamps
2
-41 Interior Lamps
2
-43 Mirrors
2
-49 Storage Compartments
2
-57 Analog Clock
2
-58 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-61 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-62 HomeLink Transmitter
2
-66 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-68 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-69 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-83 Message Center
2
-91 Secondary Information Center (SIC)
2
-97 Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
Page 99 of 417

2-20
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator within
the instrument panel cluster. This display is powered any
time the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF, rather
than LOCK, there will be a small current drain on your
battery which could discharge your battery over a period
of time. If you have to leave your key in the ignition in
OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you
remove the IGN 0 fuse from the instrument panel fuse
block. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.PARK (P): This position locks your rear wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start your engine because
your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is 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 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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Page 110 of 417

2-31
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer
Flash
-to-Pass Feature
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
If you move the lever all the way up or down, and the
arrow flashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb
may be burned out and other drivers may not see
your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and a blown
fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
Page 111 of 417

2-32
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or
high to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature allows you to use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear it click.If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay
on as long as you hold the lever toward you and the
high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. Release the lever to turn the high
-beam
headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to LO. To stop the wipers, move the band
to OFF.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Page 114 of 417

2-35
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the SET button at the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
United States Canada
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
illuminate when the cruise control is engaged.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. But you don't need to
reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to
R/A briefly.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you continue to hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or
apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster,
don't hold the switch at R/A.
Page 146 of 417
2-67
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button
B. Headlamp and Parking Lamp Controls
C. Air Outlets
D. Folding Mirrors Button
E. Rear Wiper/Washer
F. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
G. Instrument Panel Cluster
H. Shift Lever
I. Tow/Haul Mode Selector Button
J. Audio System
K. Comfort Control System
L. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
M. Hood Release
N. Fog Lamps ButtonO. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
P. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block
Q. Tilt Lever
R. Parking Brake Release
S. Secondary Information Center (SIC)
T. Rear Window Defogger Button
U. Compact Disc Changer
V. Ashtray
W. Clock
X. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist Button
Y. StabiliTrak
Button (AWD)/Traction
Control Button (2WD)
Z. OnStar Buttons
Page 147 of 417
2-68
Instrument Panel Cluster
United States shown. Canada similar.
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know
how fast you're going, about how much fuel you have and many other things you'll need to know to drive safely
and economically.
Page 162 of 417

2-83
Here are some situations you may experience with your
fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.
Message Center
The message center is located on the left side of the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts. When you turn the ignition on,
the entire center lights up for just a few seconds.
As needed, the message center will display one of the
following messages. The message center is capable
of alternating among different messages if needed.
It gives you important safety and maintenance facts.
Battery Message
If this message is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this message displayed could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and the air conditioner.