
Theft-Deterrent  Systems 
Vehicle  theft  is big business, especially  in some  cities. 
Although  your vehicle  has a number  of theft-deterrent 
features,  we  know that  nothing we  put  on it can  make  it 
impossible 
to steal.  However,  there  are ways  you 
can  help. 
Content  Theft-Deterrent 
Your  vehicle  may  be  equipped  with a content 
theft-deterrent  alarm system. 
SECURITY 
4 I1 
I I I I 
United  States  Canada 
Here’s how to operate the system: 
1. Open the  door. 
2. Lock the door  with the  power  door  lock switch or 
the  remote  keyless entry transmitter.  The 
SECURITY  light should flash. 
3. Close all doors.  The  SECURITY  light should go off 
after approximately 30 seconds. The alarm is not 
armed  until  the SECURITY  light goes 
off. 
If a  locked  door is opened  without the  key  or  the  remote 
keyless entry transmitter, the  alarm will  go 
off. The 
headlamps  and  parking  lamps will flash  for  two minutes, 
and  the  horn will  sound  for 
30 seconds, then will turn 
off to save the  battery power. 
Remember,  the  theft-deterrent  system  won’t activate 
if 
you lock the  doors with a  key or  use  the manual 
door  lock. 
It activates  only if you  use a power  door  lock 
switch with the  door open,  or with  the remote  keyless 
entry transmitter.  You should also  remember  that 
you  can start your vehicle with the correct ignition  key 
if 
the  alarm has been  set off. 
Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm  by accident: 
If you  don’t  want  to  activate the theft-deterrent 
system,  the  vehicle should  be locked with  the  door 
key 
after the  doors  are closed. 
0 Always  unlock a  door with  a  key,  or  use the remote 
keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a  door  any 
other  way will  set 
off the alarm. 
If  you  set 
off the alarm  by accident, unlock  any  door  with 
the key.  You can also turn 
off the alarm  by pressing 
unlock  on the  remote  keyless entry transmitter.  The alarm 
won’t stop 
if you  try to unlock  a  door  any  other way. 
2-1 6  

Testing the Alarm 
The alarm can  be  tested by following these  steps: 
1. From inside  the vehicle, lower  the driver’s  window 
and  open  the  driver’s  door. 
Passlock@ 
2. Activate the system  by  locking  the doors with  the 
power  door  lock  switch while  the  door  is open, or 
with  the  remote keyless entry transmitter. 
3. Get  out  of  the  vehicle, close the  door and wait  for 
the  SECURITY  light  to go  out. 
4. Then  reach in through the  window,  unlock the  door 
with  the  manual door lock and open  the  door. This 
should  set 
off the  alarm. 
When  the  alarm is set  the power  door unlock switch 
is 
not operational. 
If  the  alarm  does  not  sound  when  it should but the 
headlamps  flash, check 
to see if the  horn works. The 
horn  fuse  may  be blown. To replace the fuse,  see 
Fuses 
and  Circuit  Breakers  on  page 
5-86. 
If  the  alarm  does  not  sound or the  headlamps  do not 
flash,  the  vehicle  should be serviced by your  dealer.  Your 
vehicle  is equipped with  the 
Passlock@ theft-deterrent system. 
Passiock@ 
is a  passive theit-deterrent  system. 
Passlock@ enables fuel 
if the  ignition lock cylinder  is 
turned with  a valid  key. If a correct  key  is not  used  or the 
ignition  lock cylinder is tampered with,  the  fuel  system 
is disabled and  the vehicle will  not start. 
During normal operation, the SECURITY light will turn 
off 
approximately five seconds after the key  is turned 
to  RUN. 
If  the  engine stalls and the  SECURITY  light flashes, 
wait  about 
10 minutes until the  light stops flashing  before 
trying 
to restart  the  engine.  Remember to release the 
key from  START as soon  as the  engine  starts. 
If  the  engine  does  not start after three  tries,  the  vehicle 
needs service. 
If the  engine  is  running and  the SECURITY  light comes 
on, you  will  be able 
to restart  the engine if you  turn 
the  engine 
off. However, your  Passlock@ system  is not 
working  properly and  must  be serviced  by your 
dealer.  Your vehicle  is not protected  by  Passlock@  at 
this  time.  You  may also want  to check  the  fuse. 
See 
Fuses  and Circuit  Breakers  on  page 5-86. See your 
dealer  for service. 
In an  emergency, call the  GM  Roadside Assistance 
Center.  See 
Roadside  Assistance  Program on page 7-5. 
2-1 7  

Starting and Operating  Your 
Vehicle 
New  Vehicle  Break-In 
Notice: Your  vehicle  doesn’t  need  an  elaborate 
“break-in.”  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 “Towing  a 
Trailer”  in  the  Index  for  more  information. 
Ignition  Positions 
C 
Use the  key to turn  the  ignition  switch  to  four  different 
positions. 
A (LOCK):  This position  locks  the  ignition  and 
transmission.  It’s  a theft-deterrent  feature.  You  will  only 
be  able  to remove  the key  when  the  ignition  is turned 
to LOCK. 
2-1 8  

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 these  works, 
then  your  vehicle  needs  service. 
B (ACCESSORY):  This position  lets you  use things  like 
the  radio  and the windshield wipers  when the  engine 
is 
off. 
Notice: Don’t  operate  accessories in the 
ACCESSORY  position  for  long  periods  of  time. 
Prolonged  operation  of  accessories 
in the 
ACCESSORY  position  could  drain  your  battery  and 
prevent  you  from  starting  your  vehicle. 
C (RUN):  This  is the position  for driving. 
D (START):  This position starts  the engine, 
Retained  Accessory  Power  (RAP) 
Your  vehicle is equipped with  a  Retained Accessory 
Power  (RAP)  feature  which  will  allow certain features 
01 
your  vehicle to continue to work  up to 20 minutes 
after  the  ignition key is turned  to  LOCK. 
Your  radio,  power  windows,  sunroof  (option) and 
overhead  console will  work  when the ignition key  is  in 
RUN  or  ACCESSORY.  Once the key  is turned from 
RUN  to LOCK,  these features will  continue to work  for 
up  to 
20 minutes  or until a  door  is opened. 
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. 
Notice: Holding  your  key in START for  longer  than 
15  seconds  at  a  time  will  cause  your  battery  to 
be  drained  much  sooner.  And  the  excessive  heat 
can  damage  your  starter  motor. 
At 15  seconds,  the 
starter  will  automatically  be  disengaged.  Wait 
about  15 seconds  between  each  try  to  help  avoid 
draining  your  battery  or  damaging  your  starter. 
2. If  it doesn’t  start within 10 seconds,  push the 
accelerator pedal  all the  way  to  the  floor,  while you 
hold  the ignition key  in START. When  the engine 
starts,  let  go  of the  key and  let up on  the accelerator 
pedal.  Wait about  15 seconds  between  each try. 
2-1 9  

When starting  your engine  in very cold weather  (below 
0°F  or -18"C),  do this: 
1. With  your foot off the  accelerator pedal,  turn the 
ignition  key to  START and  hold  it there  up to 
15 seconds. When  the engine starts,  let  go  of 
the  key. 
2.  If your  engine still won't  start 
(or starts  but then 
stops),  it could  be flooded with 
too much gasoline. 
Try  pushing  your accelerator pedal all  the way  to the 
floor  and  holding  it there  as you  hold the  key  in 
START  for about three  seconds. When the  engine 
starts,  let  go 
of the key and accelerator.  If the 
vehicle  starts briefly but then  stops again,  do the  same  thing,  but this  time  keep the  pedal down 
for  five  or  six  seconds. This  clears the  extra 
gasoline  from  the engine. 
Notice: Your engine is designed  to work  with the 
electronics  in  your  vehicle. 
If you  add  electrical 
parts  or  accessories,  you  could  change the  way  the 
engine  operates.  Before  adding electrical  equipment, 
check  with your  dealer. 
If you don't,  your engine 
might not perform  properly. 
Engine  Coolant  Heater 
Your vehicle  may have  this  feature.  In very  cold 
weather, 
0°F (-18°C)  or colder,  the  engine  coolant 
heater can  help. You'll  get  easier starting and  better  fuel 
economy  during engine warm-up.  Usually,  the  coolant 
heater should be  plugged in a  minimum of four 
hours prior to  starting  your vehicle.  At temperatures 
above  32°F (OOC),  use of the  coolant  heater 
is not 
required. 
2-20  

Automatic  Transmission  Operation 
There  are  several different positions for your  shift  lever 
PARK  (P):  This  position locks the  rear  wheels. It’s 
the  best position to  use when you start the engine  because your  vehicle can’t  move easily. 
It is  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  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  “Shifting  Into  Park  (P)” 
in the 
Index.  If  you’re  pulling  a  trailer,  see  “Towing  a 
Trailer” 
in the  Index.  Ensure 
the shift  lever  is  fully in PARK  (P)  before  starting 
the engine.  Your vehicle has an  automatic  transmission 
shift  lock control  system.  You have to fully apply  the 
regular brakes before  you can shift from  PARK 
(P) when 
the  ignition key is  in RUN.  If  you  cannot  shift  out  of 
PARK (P), ease pressure  on  the shift lever,  press  the 
button on the shift  lever and push  the  shift  lever  all 
the  way  into PARK  (P) as you  maintain  brake 
application.  Move the  shift lever into the  gear you wish. 
See 
Shifting Out of Park  (P) on  page 2-27. 
REVERSE (R): Use  this  gear  to  back up. 
Notice: Shifting  to REVERSE (R) while  your  vehicle 
is moving  forward  could  damage  your  transmission. 
Shift  to 
REVERSE (R) only  after  your  vehicle  is 
stopped. 
To rock  your vehicle  back and forth to  get  out  of  snow, 
ice  or sand without damaging  your  transmission, 
see 
If You Are Stuck: In Sand,  Mud, Ice or Snow on 
page 
4-40. 
2-22  

NEUTRAL  (N): In this  position,  the engine  doesn’t 
connect  with  the wheels.  To  restart when you’re  already 
moving,  use N  ITRAL 
(N) only. 
1 ifting  into c _. 2 gear w e your  engine  is 
“racing”  (running  at high speed) is dangerous. 
Unless  your  foot  is  firmly on the  brake pedal, 
your  vehicle  could  move very rapidly.  You 
could  lose  control  and hit people or  objects. 
Don’t  shift  into  a drive  gear  while  your  engine 
is  racing. 
Nofice: Damage  to  your  transmission caused by 
shifting  out 
of PARK  (P) or NEUTRAL  (N) with 
the  engine  racing  isn’t  covered by  your  warranty. 
On cold  days,  approximately 32°F (OOC) or colder,  your 
transmission  is  designed 
to shift differently until the 
engine  reaches  normal  operating temperature. This  is 
intended 
to improve heater performance. 
DRIVE  (D): This  position is for normal driving. If you 
need  more power  for passing, and  you’re: 
Going  less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push  the 
0 Going  about 35 mph (55 km/h) or  more,  push  the 
You’ll  shift  down 
to the  next  gear  and have  more  power. 
DRIVE  (D) can  be used  when  towing  a trailer,  carrying 
a  heavy load, driving on steep hills or for  off-road driving. 
You  may  want 
to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) 
or, if necessary, a  lower  gear selection if the 
transmission  shifts 
too often. 
accelerator  pedal about  halfway down. 
accelerator  all the  way  down. 
THIRD (3): This  position is also  used  for normal  driving, 
however  it offers more power  and lower fuel  economy 
than  DRIVE  (D). 
SECOND (2): This  position  gives you more  power  but 
lower fuel  economy than THIRD  (3). 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 the  brakes 
off and on. 
You  can also  use SECOND  (2)  for starting  the vehicle 
from  a  stop on slippery  road surfaces. 
2-23  

Convenience  Net 
Your vehicle  may have this  feature. A convenience  net 
in the  rear  of your  vehicle  helps keep small  items, 
like gloves  and light clothing  in place during sharp turns 
or  quick  stops and starts. 
The  net  is not  designed  to retain these  items during 
off-road  use. The  net is not  for larger, heavier items. 
To  use the  convenience  net, do the following: 
1. Attach  the upper loops  to the  retainers on  either 
side  of the  liftgate opening  (the label should  be  in 
the  upper passenger’s side corner, visible from 
the  rear  of the vehicle). 
2. Attach  the lower hooks  to the  rear  cargo tie  downs 
on  the  floor. 
Cargo  Cover 
If your vehicle  has a cargo  cover,  you can  use it  to 
cover  items  in the  cargo  area of your  vehicle. 
To  install  the cargo cover,  do  the  following: 
1. Align  the endcap with  the  pocket in  the  trim  panel 
2. Compress the  opposite  endcap,  align  it  with  the 
located behind the 
rear  seat. 
pocket located  on  the opposite side 
of the  trim 
panel  and release. 
3. Grasp  the handle  and unroll  the  cover.  Latch  the 
posts into the  sockets  on  the  inside of the  vehicle 
to  secure 
it. 
2-44