Section
3
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
4
Section
5
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Off-Road Driving
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Radio/Cassette Player/CD ChangerRadio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road Your Driving and the Road
iii
2-8 Lockout Prevention
This feature protects you from locking your key in
the vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door
is open.
If the power lock switch is pressed when a door is open
and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the driver's door will unlock.
Child Security Locks
With this feature, you can
lock the rear doors so they
can't be opened from the
inside by passengers.
To use the security locks:
1. Open one of the rear doors.2. You will find a security lock lever on the inside edge
of the rear door. Move the lever up to engage the
security lock. Move the lever down to disengage the
security lock.
3. Close the door.
4. Do the same thing to the other rear door.
The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use. If you want to
open the rear door when the security lock is on, unlock
the door and open the door from the outside.
Keyless Entry System
You can lock and unlock your doors and liftgate from
about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using
the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with
your vehicle.
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
2-16
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
You can use your key to turn the ignition switch to
five different positions.
(A) ACCESSORY: This position lets you use things
like the radio, power windows and the windshield wipers
when the engine is off. Push in the key and turn it
toward you.
(B) LOCK: This position locks your ignition and
transmission. It's a theft
-deterrent feature. You will only
be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned
to LOCK.
2-17
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
(C) OFF:This lets you turn off the engine. Use OFF if
you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine
is off (for example, if your vehicle is being pushed).
(D) RUN: This is the position for driving.
(E) START: This position starts your engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature will allow
certain features on your vehicle to continue to work up
to 20 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF,
or a door is opened.
Your radio, power windows, sunroof (if equipped) and
OnStar System (if equipped) will also work when the
ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when
your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
2-38 Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a headlamp off delay,
which will keep the headlamps on for a short time after
the ignition is turned to OFF. For more information see
ªSecondary Information Center (SIC)º in the Index.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille. Be sure it is not
covered, or the system will be on whenever the ignition
is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights
does not affect the system. The DRL and automatic
headlamp system will only be affected when the light
sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than
the delay.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is
off. Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
You may be able to turn off your Automatic Headlamp
System and Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
See ªDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)º later in this
section for more information.
2-56 Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle is equipped with many accessory
power outlets.
One outlet is located in the center console. Press the
button on the side of the console door to access the
outlet. The outlet is located on the front wall inside the
console. Pull the protective cap off of the outlet to use it.
Be sure to reinstall the protective cap after you are done
using the outlet. There are also two accessory power
outlets located on the back of the center console.
Lift up on the doors to access the outlets.
Power outlets are also located in the rear cargo area on
the passenger side. Pull the protective caps off of the
outlets to use them. Be sure to reinstall the protective
caps after you are done using the outlets.
Do not try to put the cigarette lighter in any of the
accessory outlets.NOTICE:
Adding some electrical equipment to your vehicle
can damage it or keep other things from working
as they should. This wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Check with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment, and never use anything that
exceeds the fuse rating.
Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlets and could result in
blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on the accessory power plugs.
NOTICE:
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper
use of the power outlet can cause damage not
covered by your warranty.
2-59
Volume Control: You can control the volume of
the OnStar System using either the volume control
knob on the radio or using the steering wheel controls,
if equipped.
Telltale Light: This light will indicate the status of
the system. A solid green light will come on when you
start the vehicle to let you know that the system is on
and is ready to make or receive calls.
If the light blinks green it means that an incoming or
outgoing call is in progress. Press the Call ANSWER/END
button if you notice the light blinking and you are not on
a call.
The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system
malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar button to
attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection is made,
the advisor will assist you with steps to take to make
sure that the system is functioning properly. If you
cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your
dealership as soon as possible for assistance.
Safety and Security Services
Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment: If an
air bag deploys, a priority emergency signal is sent
automatically to the center. An advisor will locate your
vehicle's position, try to contact you and assist you in
the situation. If the center is unable to contact you,
an emergency service provider will be contacted.
Stolen Vehicle Tracking: Call the center at
1
-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to report
your vehicle stolen. The system can then locate and
track your vehicle and the advisor will be able to notify
the proper authorities.
Roadside Assistance with Location: For vehicle
breakdowns, press the OnStar button. An advisor will
contact the appropriate help.
Remote Diagnostics: If an instrument panel light
comes on, the center can perform a check of the engine
on
-board computer. An advisor can then recommend
what action needs to be taken.
2-63 Programming the HomeLink Transmitter
Do not use the HomeLink Transmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the ªstop and reverseº
feature. This includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door you are programming.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand
-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. Decide which one of the three channels (one of the
three HomeLink buttons) you want to program.
2. Press and hold the desired button on HomeLink
through Step 3.3. When the HomeLink indicator light begins to blink
slowly (this may take up to 30 seconds), hold the
hand
-held transmitter about 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm)
from HomeLink and then press and hold the transmit
button on the hand
-held transmitter. Continue to
hold both buttons until the indicator light on
HomeLink begins to flash rapidly (this may take
up to 90 seconds).
If you have trouble programming HomeLink, make
sure that you have followed the directions exactly as
described and that the battery in the hand
-held
transmitter is not weak. If you still cannot program it,
move the hand
-held transmitter to the left or right or
forward or backward or flip it upside down. HomeLink
may not work with older garage door openers that do
not meet current Federal Consumer Safety Standards.
If you cannot program the transmitter after repeated
attempts, refer to ªTraining a Garage Door Opener
with Rolling Codesº later in this section or contact
the manufacturer of HomeLink at 1
-800-355-3515,
or on the internet at www.homelink.com.
Be sure to keep the original hand
-held transmitter in
case you need to erase and reprogram HomeLink.