Page 48 of 361

How The Airbag Systems Work
²
The airbag control module determines if an impact is
severe enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based
on the level of collision severity, the control module
determines the proper rate of inflation. The front
airbag inflators are designed to provide different rates
of airbag inflation. The airbag control module will not
detect roll over collisions.
The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON positions. These
include all of the items listed under ªThe Front Airbag
Systemº, except the passenger knee blocker, instru-
ment panel and the steering wheel and column. If the
key is in the OFF position, in the ACC position, or not
in the ignition switch, the front airbags are not on and
will not inflate.The airbag control module sends a message
to the instrument cluster to turn on the
AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6
to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned ON, then turns the light off. If the airbag
control module detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, the airbag light will turn on either momen-
tarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 106 of 361

To activate the delay feature, turn off the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The 90 second delay inter-
val begins when headlight switch is turned off. If the
headlights or park lights are turned back on or the
ignition switch is turned on, the delay will be cancelled.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of turning the ignition off to activate this feature
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the Multi-Function
Lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn on the
parking lights or the low beam headlights and pull
out the end of the Multi-Function Lever.NOTE:The fog lights will only operate with the head-
lights on low beam. Selecting high beam headlights will
turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Lever up or down and the
arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
If either light has a very fast flash rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If an indicator fails to light
when the lever is moved, it would suggest that the fuse
or indicator bulb is defective.
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 110 of 361
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull the lever, located behind the turn
signal control, toward you and move the steering wheel
up or down, as desired. Release the lever to lock the
steering wheel firmly in place.WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH Ð IF EQUIPPED
The traction control Indicator, located in the instrument
cluster, will light up when the Traction Control is in use.
To turn the system OFF, press the Traction Control switch
located on center console next to the ash tray, until the
traction control Indicator in the instrument cluster lights
up.
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 112 of 361

To Activate:
Push the ªON/OFFº button once and the CRUISE indi-
cator located near the instrument cluster odometer will
illuminate showing the electronic speed control system is
on. To turn the system OFF, push the ªON/OFFº button
again and the system and indicator will turn off.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidently
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren't using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the ªSETº button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed. The
CRUISE SET indicator located near the instrument clus-
ter odometer will illuminate showing the electronic
speed control is set.
NOTE:While in the AutoStick mode, Speed Control will
only function in third or fourth gear.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the ªCANCELº
button or normal braking while slowing the vehicle will
deactivate the speed control without erasing the memory.
Pushing the ªON/OFFº button to the OFF position or
turning off the ignition erases the speed memory.
112 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 133 of 361
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
mInstruments And Controls.................136
mInstrument Cluster......................137
mInstrument Cluster Descriptions............138
mElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . . 145
NCustomer Programmable Features
Ð If Equipped.......................148
NCompass Display Ð If Equipped..........151
NMini-Trip Functions Ð If Equipped........153
mSetting The Analog Clock.................154mElectronic Digital Clock..................154
NClock Setting Procedure.................154
mSales Code RAHÐAM & FM Stereo Radio With CD
Player And CD/DVD Changer Controls.......155
NRadio Operation......................155
NCD Player Operation...................157
NCD/DVD Changer Operation.............159
mSales Code RBPÐAM & FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player, CD Player, And Optional
CD/DVD Changer Controls...............1604
Page 137 of 361
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4
Page 138 of 361

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Voltage Light
This light monitors the electrical system voltage.
The light should turn on momentarily as the
engine is started. If the light stays on or turns on while
driving, it indicates a problem with the charging system.
Immediate service should be obtained.
2. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 204 of 361

AUTOSTICK
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide you with more
control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
Autostick Operation
The Autostick position is just below the Overdrive posi-
tion and is identified by the word ªAUTOSTICKº. When
you place the shift lever in the Autostick position, it can
be moved from side to side. Moving the lever to the left
(-) triggers a downshift and to the right (+) an upshift.
The gear position will be shown in the transmission gear
display, located in the instrument cluster.You can shift in or out of the autostick mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you
choose the Overdrive mode, the transmission will oper-
ate automatically; shifting between the four available
gears. When you wish to engage autostick, simply move
the shift lever to the AUTOSTICK position. The transmis-
sion will remain in the current gear until an upshift or
downshift is chosen.
Move the lever back to the Overdrive position to shift out
of the Autostick mode.Autostick General Information
²
The transmission will automatically upshift from first
to second gear and from second to third gear when
engine speed reaches about 6300 RPM.
²Downshifts from third to second gear above 74 mph
(119 km/h) and from second to first gear above 41
mph (66 km/h) will be ignored.
204 STARTING AND OPERATING