Page 65 of 393
1-52
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 66 of 393
1-53
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 67 of 393
1-54
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 68 of 393

1-55
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 69 of 393

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
2
-13 Liftgate/Liftglass
2
-14 Theft
2
-15 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-17 Passlock
2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-18 Ignition Positions
2
-19 Starting Your Engine
2
-21 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-25 Parking Brake
2
-26 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-28 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-28 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-29 Engine Exhaust
2
-29 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-30 Locking Rear Axle
2
-30 All-Wheel Drive (Option)
2
-30 Horn
2
-31 Tilt Wheel
2
-31 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-39 Exterior Lamps
2
-42 Interior Lamps
2
-44 Mirrors
2
-48 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-55 Accessory Power Outlets
2
-56 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-60 Sunroof (Option)
2
-60 HomeLink Transmitter
2
-64 Instrument Panel -- Your Information System
2
-66 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-68 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-82 Driver Information Center (DIC)
Page 70 of 393
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 71 of 393

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.
Page 72 of 393
2-4
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Don't leave the keys in a vehicle with children.