
Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than
a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate
to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s
and right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in
moderate to severe side collisions for side impact
airbags.
What Will You See After an Airbag
In ates?
After a frontal airbag in ates, it quickly de ates, so
quickly that some people may not even realize
the airbag in ated. Roof-mounted side impact airbags
de ate more slowly and may still be at least partially
in ated minutes after the vehicle comes to rest. Some
components of the airbag module — the steering wheel
hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s airbag or the ceiling of your
vehicle near the side windows — may be hot for a
short time. The parts of the airbag that come into contact
with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.
There will be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents in the de ated airbags. Airbag in ation does
not prevent the driver from seeing out of the front
windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it
stop people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag in ates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
in ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors (if equipped with power door locks),
turn the interior lamps on, ash the hazard warning
ashers, and turn off the radio when the airbag in ates
(if battery power is available). You can lock the doors
again by using the door lock. The interior lamps
and hazard warning ashers will deactivate after
approximately 15 minutes. You can use the radio
controls to adjust the radio.
1-71

Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
You may want to consider not using seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger
sensing system. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-78for more
information about modi cations that can affect how the
system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still in ate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it in ates. Avoid wires wrapped
with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They
are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure
to follow proper service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work for you is
quali ed to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-77

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
If your vehicle has this feature you can lock and unlock
your doors and disarm or arm your theft-deterrent
system from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away
using the remote keyless entry transmitter. See
Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-13for additional
information.
UNLOCK:Press this
button to unlock the driver’s
door and turn on the
interior lamps. The parking
lamps may also ash,
and the horn may chirp,
when this button is pressed.
Press the unlock button again within three seconds and
all of the doors will unlock.
2-4

Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it is probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.To replace the battery, do the following:
1. Insert a thin coin, or similar object, in the slot
between the covers of the transmitter housing.
Gently pry the transmitter apart.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Check the operation of the transmitter.
2-6

If the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter
is pressed, but a door is open, the horn will chirp
six times. Press the lock button again, within
three seconds, and the doors will lock. Close the
open door and the system will be activated.
If a locked door is not opened using the remote keyless
entry transmitter, or by OnStar
®, the pre-alarm will go
off. If the engine is not started or unlock not pressed
within 10 seconds, the front turn signal lamps will
ash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for
two minutes, then will turn off to save the battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate
if you lock the doors with a key, the manual door lock, or
power door lock switch. The system can only be
activated using the remote keyless entry transmitter, or
by OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-38for
additional information. You should also remember that
you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if
the alarm has been set off.
Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door key after the doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with the remote keyless entry
transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set
off the alarm.If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn off the
alarm by pressing unlock on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to
unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by
locking the doors with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and
open the door. This should set off the alarm.
3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter or start the
engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the lights
ash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse
may be blown. To replace the fuse, seeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-102.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal
lamps do not ash, see your dealer for service.
2-14

Starting Your Engine
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. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If the engine does not start within 10 seconds, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the oor, 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.
For both the manual and automatic transmissions, when
starting the vehicle after it has been sitting idle and
the engine is cold, the engine starter may continue
cranking the engine up to approximately four seconds
after you release the ignition key. This is normal.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 will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor 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 brie y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ve 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 do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-18

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on the
steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your key is turned off,
but not in LOCK, there will be a small current drain on
your battery which could discharge your battery over
a period of time. If you need to leave your key in
the ignition but not in LOCK for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery cable
from the battery to prevent discharging your battery.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot 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.
Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-29. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-56.
2-20

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-11
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-17
Exit Lighting.................................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Trip Odometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-25
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-25
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-26
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-27
Battery Warning Light....................................3-29
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)...............3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-32
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-32
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-36
Security Light...............................................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-37
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-37
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light.....3-38
Fuel Gage...................................................3-38
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1