Page 65 of 432
1-53
6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
You may find it helpful to use your knee to push
down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.
Page 66 of 432
1-54
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder
belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt
can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the
face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the
hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should
never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause
severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.
Page 67 of 432
1-55
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can't properly spread the impact forces.
In a crash, the two children can be crushed
together and seriously injured. A belt must
be used by only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window,
move the child toward the center of the vehicle.
If the child is sitting in the center rear seat
passenger position, move the child toward the
safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the
shoulder belt still is on the child's shoulder, so that
in a crash the child's upper body would have the
restraint that belts provide. If the child is sitting
in a rear seat outside position, see ªRear Safety
Belt Comfort Guidesº in the Index.
Page 68 of 432
1-56
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way,
in a crash the child might slide under the belt.
The belt's force would then be applied right on
the child's abdomen. That could cause serious
or fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.
Page 69 of 432

1-57
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach
it to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.
Page 70 of 432

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
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-13 Liftgate/Liftglass
2
-14 Theft
2
-16 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-17 Passlock
2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-20 Starting Your Engine
2
-21 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-26 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2
-30 Parking Brake
2
-31 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-33 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-33 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-34 Engine Exhaust2
-34 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-35 Locking Rear Axle
2
-36 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-44 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-49 Mirrors
2
-56 Storage Compartments
2
-61 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-62 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-63 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-66 Sunroof (Option)
2
-67 HomeLink Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-70 Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
2
-72 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-74 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-89 Driver Information Center (DIC)
(If Equipped)
Page 71 of 432
2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome
by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
Page 72 of 432

2-3
Power Windows
The controls for the power windows are located on the
armrest on each of the side doors. With power windows,
the switches operate the windows when the ignition is
in RUN, ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. (See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index.) The driver's door has a switch for
each of the passenger's windows as well.
Press the bottom of the switch to lower the window.
Press the top of the switch to raise the window.Express
-Down Window
The driver's and front passenger's window switches
have an express
-down feature that allows you to lower
the window without holding the switch down. Press the
bottom of the driver's window switch down briefly to
activate the express
-down feature. Lightly tap the switch
to open the window slightly. The express
-down feature
can be interrupted at any time by pressing the top of
the switch.
Lockout Switch
Your vehicle has a lockout feature to prevent passengers
from operating the power windows. A small light in the
lockout switch will come on to show that the switch has
been activated. Press the lockout switch again to return
to normal operation.