In many crashes severe enough to inflate an airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.
•Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for
your airbag system. If you do not get them,
the airbag system will not be there to help protect
you in another crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly other parts. The
service manual for your vehicle covers the need to
replace other parts.
•Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after
a crash. SeeVehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders on page 7-10.
•Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag
system. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position. The passenger airbag
status indicator will be visible when you turn your ignition
key to ON or START. The airbag off symbol will be
visible near the clock, located in the center of the
instrument panel during the system check. When the
system check is complete, the airbag off symbol will be
visible under certain conditions. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-26.
The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and side airbag (if
equipped) under certain conditions. The driver’s frontal
airbag and driver’s side airbag (if equipped) are not
part of the passenger sensing system.United States
Canada
1-65
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Temperature Control:Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to manually increase or decrease
the temperature inside your vehicle. Turn the knob to the
blue area for cool air and to the red area for warm air.
9(Fan):Turn the middle knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
In any setting other than off, the fan will run continuously
with the ignition on. The fan must be on in order for
the air conditioning compressor to run.To change the current mode, select one of the following
from the right knob:
Y(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument panel
outlets.
\(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the air
to the instrument panel outlets, and then directs the
remaining air to the floor outlets.
[(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets. Some of the air will also be directed to the
rear outlets. Be sure to keep the area under the front
seats clear to allow the flow of air to the rear
compartment.
The right knob can also be used to select the defog and
defrost modes. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming into the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or
to help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more
quickly.
If your vehicle has a recirculation button (uplevel
model), press the button to turn the recirculation mode
on. When the button is pressed, an indicator light in
the button will come on. Press the button again to return
to outside air mode. Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-18
If your vehicle has a lever (base model), move the lever
to choose the recirculation mode.
Using the recirculation mode for extended periods may
cause your windows to fog. If this happens, select
the defrost mode.
:(Outside Air):This mode brings outside air into
the vehicle.
If your vehicle has a recirculation button (uplevel
model), press the button until the recirculation mode is
turned off. Your vehicle will then return to outside
air mode.
If your vehicle has a lever (base model), move the lever
to choose the outside air mode.
A/C (Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, follow these steps to use the system. Start
the engine and set the fan control knob to the desired
speed. The air conditioning compressor does not
operate when the fan control knob is in the off position.
Press the A/C button to turn the air conditioning
compressor on and off. When the A/C button is pressed,
an indicator light in the button will come on to let you
know that air conditioning is activated.On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Press the A/C button.
4. Select the recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
3-19
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
or moisture condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost from
your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
Select one of these available modes from the
right knob.
0(Defog):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the floor outlets. A small amount of air
is also directed to the outboard outlets for the side
windows and to the instrument panel side outlets.
When you select this mode, the system runs the
air-conditioning compressor. To defog the windows
faster, turn the temperature control knob clockwise to
the warmest setting.
1(Defrost):This mode directs the air to the
windshield and the outboard outlets for the side
windows. A small amount of air is also directed to the
instrument panel side outlets. When you select this
mode, the system runs the air-conditioning compressor.
To defrost the windows faster, turn the temperature
control knob clockwise to the warmest setting.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.
Rear Window and Outside Mirror
Defogger
Your vehicle may have a rear window and outside
mirror defogger. This feature will only work when the
ignition is turned to ON.
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window. Before using
this feature, clear as much snow from the rear
window as possible.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window and outside mirror defogger on or
off. An indicator light in the button will come on to let
you know that the feature is activated.
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, the rear
window defogger will remain on until the button is
pressed again.
3-20
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the rear window
defogger will turn off about 10 minutes after the button
is pressed. The defogger can also be turned off by
pressing the button again or by turning the engine off.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knob located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction of the airflow.
Operation Tips
•
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into your vehicle.
•Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
•Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may have a passenger compartment
air filter. It is located behind the glove box and can be
accessed after removing the glove box from its housing.
The filter traps most of the pollen from air entering
the module. Like your engine’s air cleaner/filter, it may
need to be changed periodically.
To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:
1. Open the glove box halfway down.
2. Grip the glove box by both the upper and lower
sides and pull it out of its housing.
3-21
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on or flashes when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly. Have
your vehicle serviced right away by your GM dealer.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not in ate in a crash, or they
could even in ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.The airbag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
and the engine is not
running, as a check
to show you it is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked by your GM dealer. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
3-33
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The Check Engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modi cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or replacement tires that do not match your
vehicle’s original tires can affect your vehicle’s
emission controls and may cause this light to come
on. Modi cations to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
This may also result in a failure to pass a required
Emission Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications on page 5-3.When the ignition is on, this light should come on and
should go out after a few seconds as a check to
show you it is working. If the light does not come on,
have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
•Light Flashing— A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
•Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
•Reducing vehicle speed
•Avoiding hard accelerations
•Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
3-35
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the
proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you may notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service.
Gasoline Speci cations
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 in
Canada. Some gasolines may contain an
octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). General Motors
recommends against the use of gasolines containing
MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6for additional
information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-34. If this occurs, return to your authorized GM
dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
5-5