Page 109 of 397

2-43
Console Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Hold in the button on the shift lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the
console shift lever, without first pushing the button).
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn't fully
locked into PARK (P).
Page 110 of 397

2-44 Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's
seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Release the
shift lever button if you have a console shift. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button if you have a console shift.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal down until the
end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Page 111 of 397
2-45
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren't done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Page 112 of 397

2-46
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan is at the highest setting. One place this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be 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've 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
Press at or near the horn symbols on your steering wheel
pad to sound the horn.
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2-71
Remote Diagnostics: If an instrument panel light comes
on, press the OnStar Services button. An advisor can
perform a check of the engine on
-board computer, and
recommend what action needs to be taken.
OnStar MED
-NET: Med-Net can store your personal
medical history and provide it to emergency personnel if
necessary. (Requires activation and additional fee).
Accident Assist: An advisor can provide step
-by-step
guidance following an accident.
Remote Door Unlock: To contact the center, call
1
-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to provide
your security information. An advisor will send a
command to your vehicle to unlock itself. The advisor
can delay unlocking your vehicle. Remote Door Unlock
is disabled 48 hours after the vehicle is parked to
maintain the battery charge.Vehicle Locator Service: To contact the center, call
1
-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to provide your
security information. An advisor will send a command
to your vehicle to sound the horn and/or flash the lamps.
Route Support: An advisor can provide directions or
guidance to most places you want to go. In addition,
they can help you locate gas stations, rest areas, ATMs,
hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more.
Ride Assist: An advisor can locate transportation in the
event that you are unable to drive.
Concierge Services: The concierge advisor can obtain
tickets, reservations, or help with vacation/trip planning
and other unique items and services.
Page 141 of 397

2-75
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
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)
away 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 Training a Garage Door Opener with
ªRolling Codesº next 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.
Page 146 of 397
2-80
Instrument Panel Cluster
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 is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely
and economically.
3400 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version shown, Canada similar
Page 147 of 397
2-81
3800 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version shown, Canada similar