
PARK (P):This position locks the front wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start the 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 ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
while the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever ± push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into
the gear you wish. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on
page 2-37. Column Shifter (Digital and Analog Cluster similar)
2-28

Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X).
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.
·When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power. You
can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or
in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put in FIRST
(1), the transaxle won't shift into ®rst gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)
Notice:If your front wheels won't turn, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle. Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don't hold your
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This
could overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Performance Shifting (DTS Only)
When your vehicle detects a change in driving
conditions, it will automatically initiate the appropriate
performance shift mode. When this occurs, the
gear display on the instrument panel cluster will change
to indicate that the transaxle has shifted to a different
gear. For example, the gear display on the cluster may
indicate 3 or 2 even though the gearshift is still in
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X). Once the performance
shift mode ends, the gear display on the instrument
panel cluster will return to normal.
Shift Lock Release
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to do
the following:
·Prevent the ignition key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK (P), and
·prevent movement of the console shift lever
(DTS only) out of PARK (P) unless the ignition is in
a position other than OFF. The shift lock release
is always functional except in the case of a
dead battery or low voltage (less than 9 V) battery.
The following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to OFF and for ignition key removal in case of a
dead battery or low voltage battery for vehicles equipped
with a column shift lever.
2-30

1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Locate the override
access slot underneath
the steering column
below the lock
cylinder.
3. Remove the override access slot cap.
4. Insert a tool into the access slot, press in and hold.
5. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
6. Remove the tool from the slot.
7. Remove the key from the ignition.
8. Reinstall the override access slot cap.The following procedure applies only to vehicles
equipped with the console shift lever and is used to shift
the transaxle out of PARK (P) in case of a dead
battery or low voltage battery.
The console shift lock
release is located on the
front of the center console.
To access the shift lock release, do the following:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Pull up the rubber mat located on the front of the
center console.
3. Remove the shift lock release hole cover by prying
it open with a small diameter tool.
2-31

4. Press the shift lock
release toward the
front of the vehicle and
hold it there.
5. While applying the brakes, shift the transaxle from
PARK (P) as needed.
6. Reinstall the shift lock release hole cover and the
rubber mat.Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located to the left of the
regular brake pedal,
near the driver's door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal down with your left foot.
2-32

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 ®nd 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 ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-34.
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 have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is ON. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation
on page 2-27.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the pressure
on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you
ever hold the pedal down but still can't shift out of
PARK (P), try the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the RAP feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you
want.
5. Have the vehicle ®xed as soon as you can.
2-37

OnStaržSystem
OnStaržuses global positioning system (GPS) satellite
technology, wireless communications, and call centers
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information and convenience services. An OnStar
ž
subscription plan is included in the price of your vehicle.
You can upgrade or extend your OnStaržservices to
meet your needs.
A complete OnStar
žuser's guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStaržSubscription Service
Agreement are included in your vehicle's glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com,
contact OnStar
žat 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or press the blue OnStaržbutton to speak to an
OnStaržadvisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OnStaržServices
OnStaržprovides a number of service plans. Some of
the services currently provided by OnStaržare:
·Automatic Noti®cation of Air Bag Deployment
·Emergency Services
·Roadside Assistance Stolen Vehicle Tracking
·AccidentAssist
·Remote Door Unlock
·Remote Diagnostics
·Online and Personal Concierge Services
·Route Support
·RideAssist
·Information and Convenience Services
OnStaržPersonal Calling
With OnStaržPersonal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It's a hands-free wireless
phone that's integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts, no roaming charges and no access fees.
To ®nd out more about OnStar
žPersonal Calling, refer
to the OnStaržuser's guide in your vehicle's glove
box, or call OnStaržat 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
2-45

HomeLinkžTransmitter
HomeLinkž, a combined universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way to replace up to three
hand-held transmitters used to activate devices such as
gate operators, garage door openers, entry door
locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional
Homelink
žinformation can be found on the internet at
www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.If your vehicle is equipped with the HomeLink
ž
Transmitter, it 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.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
Changes and modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
2-47

Storage Areas
Glove Box
The glove box is located in front of the passenger's seat
on the instrument panel. To lock the glove box door,
insert the master key into the lock cylinder and
turn it clockwise. Turn the key counterclockwise to
unlock the door.
Instrument Panel Storage Area
This storage compartment is located in the center of the
instrument panel below the radio. Pull the door out to
reveal the accessory power outlet and storage
compartment. To clean the storage compartment, lift out
while pulling on the sides.
Cellular Telephone
Your vehicle may have been prewired for dealer
installation of a portable cellular telephone system. The
system has steering wheel telephone controls and
information output through the Driver Information Center
(DIC). Voice activation with remote record and
hands-free operation are standard features. For more
information, contact your dealer. A user's guide is
provided with the telephone.
Front Storage Area
If your vehicle is equipped with the front storage area, it
comes with a coinholder, a storage compartment for
CDs or tapes, an optional cellular telephone and a dual
cupholder.
Full Floor Console Storage Area
If your vehicle is equipped with the full ¯oor console, it
has an upper and lower storage area. The upper
storage area is available for the optional cellular
telephone. The lower storage area has two removable
bins that can hold tapes and/or CDs.
To open the console, pull up on either lever to open the
upper or lower storage area.
There is also a removable coinholder that attaches to
the side of one of the bins. A dual cupholder is located in
front of the console. Open and close by pressing on
the cupholder.
Center Console Storage Area
If your vehicle is equipped with the center console, it
comes with a storage tray, a storage compartment for
CDs or tapes, a dual cupholder that unfolds, a coinholder,
an optional phone and an armrest. The cupholder can be
opened by pressing on the surface panel located in front
of the armrest and unfolding it. Close the lid to secure it.
2-51