
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.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle may have a theft-deterrent system.
The theft-deterrent system will not arm when you lock
the doors using the key or the manual door lock. It arms
only when you use the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Close the doors, the windows, the hood, and the
trunk or liftgate.
Ensure that the windows are closed, as the system
can be armed even if the windows are open.
2. Turn the key to LOCK and remove the key from the
ignition.
If the key is inserted in the ignition, the transmitter
will not arm the theft-deterrent system.3. Lock the doors by pressing the lock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
•The LED light on the transmitter will flash once.
•All of the doors will lock.
•The hazard warning lamps will flash once and
the horn will chirp.
•The security light (A) will flash once every
second to indicate that the theft-deterrent system
is armed. The security light is located on the
secondary information center (SIC) on the center
of the instrument panel.
2-14

To avoid activating the alarm by accident, do one of the
following:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
•Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will activate the alarm
when a door or the trunk or liftgate is opened.
If you do not want to arm the theft-deterrent system,
lock the vehicle using the key or the manual door locks.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the following:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
•Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
- The LED light on the transmitter will
flash once.
- All of the doors will unlock.
- The hazard warning lamps will flash twice.
If the door is not opened or if the engine is not started
within 30 seconds after disarming the system using
the transmitter, all of the doors will automatically lock
and the theft-deterrent mode will rearm.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If a door or the trunk or liftgate is opened without using
the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the
horn will sound and the lamps will flash for up to
30 seconds.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
If the system alarm is active, it can be deactivated using
one of the following methods:
•Press the lock or unlock buttons on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
Otherwise, the alarm will automatically stop after
30 seconds. The system will then lock the doors and
rearm the theft-deterrent system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If the hazard warning lamps flash once when you press
the lock or unlock buttons on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the theft-deterrent system alarm was
activated while you were away.
2-15

Immobilizer
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
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.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle may have a passive theft-deterrent system.
The immobilizer system prevents your vehicle from
being started by unauthorized persons.
If your vehicle has an immobilizer system, your vehicle
has a special key that works with the theft-deterrent
system. There is a transponder in the key head that is
electronically coded. The correct key will start the
vehicle. An invalid key immobilizes the engine. The
immobilizer system isolates the power supply to
the ignition system, the fuel pump and the fuel injectors.
The engine immobilizer is activated after the key is
turned to LOCK and removed from the ignition.
The security light located on the top center of the
instrument panel in the secondary information center will
flash when the immobilizer is active. If the light does
not flash after removing the key, have the system
checked by your dealer.
The immobilizer system works when you turn the key to
START. If the immobilizer system does not recognize the
electronic code, the engine will not start and the security
indicator will continue blinking. If your key is ever
damaged, you may not be able to start your vehicle.
2-16

When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the security light continues flashing, the key
may have a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition off
and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be
undamaged, try another key. At this time, you may also
want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-75. If the engine still does not start with the
other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle
does start, the first key may be faulty. See your dealer
who can have a new key made.
Up to five keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
If you lose or damage your keys, only a GM dealer can
have new keys made.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes on
and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine
if you turn it off. The theft-deterrent system, however,
is not working properly and must be serviced by
your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not 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.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-35for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-17

Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the
key to four different
positions.
{CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK and removing it will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer
the vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you
need to turn the engine off while the vehicle is
moving, turn the key only to ACC. Do not push
the key in while the vehicle is moving.Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
LOCK:This position locks your steering wheel, ignition,
shift lever and transaxle. This is the only position in which
you can insert or remove the key. For easier key
operation when unlocking the steering wheel, move the
steering wheel from right to left and turn the key to ACC.
ACC (Accessory):This position operates some of your
electrical accessories, such as the radio, but not the
climate control system.
ON:This is the position to which the switch returns
after you start your engine and release the key.
The switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But
even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The switch will return to
ON for normal driving. Do not turn the key to START
if the engine is running.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow
you to operate electrical accessories, such as the radio.
2-18

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D4):This position is for
normal driving.
When operating your vehicle in severe cold conditions,
the transaxle may be prevented from shifting into
D4 gear until the transaxle fluid has warmed up to it’s
operational temperature.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that it is
moving slowly or not shifting gears as you
increase speed may damage the transaxle. Have
your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in
SECOND (2) when you are driving less than 35 mph
(55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D4) for
higher speeds until then.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. 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:Do not drive in SECOND (2) at speeds over
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage the transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D4) as much as
possible. Do not 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
but lower fuel economy 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 will not shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle
in place.
If there is a malfunction with the automatic transaxle,
the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or the HOLD
indicator light will turn on or flash. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-34orHold Mode Light
on page 3-34.
Have your vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
2-23

Hold Mode
If your vehicle’s transaxle has hold mode, you can
select this mode to drive with some characteristics of a
manual transaxle. With hold mode turned on, the
automatic transaxle will stay in a specific gear range.
Press the HOLD button on the shift lever console to turn
on hold mode. Press the button again to turn off hold
mode, and return to normal automatic transaxle
operation.While on, the HOLD light on the secondary information
center will light up. SeeHold Mode Light on page 3-34.
When hold mode is activated, the transaxle is fixed
in the gear selected.
Hold Mode Features
Winter Function
Select hold mode while in AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D4) to help the vehicle maintain traction on
slippery road surfaces, such as snow, mud, or ice.
Manually Controlling Shift
Select hold mode to use your automatic transaxle like a
three-speed manual transaxle.
2-24

Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
bucket seats.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-26