Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition key
is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever. Push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park (P) on page 129.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging your transaxle. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 332for
additional information.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using your
brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or in
deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the
transaxle will not shift into rst 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.
Performance Shifting
If your vehicle has this feature, it can detect a
change in driving patterns. If you make an
aggressive driving maneuver, the vehicle’s
transaxle automatically shifts to the lowest possible
gear to maximize vehicle performance. The
vehicle will automatically return to normal operation
when you return to normal driving patterns.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver’s door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster should come
on. If it does not, you need to have your vehicle
serviced.
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A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is
set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). The brake light
will come on and stay on until the parking brake is
released. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 229for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal down with your left foot.
When you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal
will follow it to the released position.
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.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 342.Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 342.
126
Steering Column Shift Lever
If your vehicle has a steering column shift lever,
use the following procedure to shift the vehicle into
PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 125for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
If your vehicle is equipped with a console shift
lever, use the following procedure to shift
the vehicle into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of your
vehicle and then to the left.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 125for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
127
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is RUN. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 122.
The shift lock control system is designed to do the
following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed
unless the shift lever is in PARK (P).
Prevent movement of the console shift lever
out of PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a
position other than OFF.
The shift lock control system is always functional
except in the case of a dead battery or low
voltage (less than 9 V) battery.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the
pressure on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all
the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear
you want.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have
your vehicle serviced soon.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry
grass, or other things that can burn.
129
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Intellibeam™, OnStar
®, and
Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with OnStar®and a compass
display. For more information, seeOnStar®
System on page 139. For more information on
Intellibeam™, see “Intellibeam Intelligent
High-Beam Headlamp Control System” under
Exterior Lamps on page 193.
The mirror includes an eight-point compass
display in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates
as the vehicle is driven.
Automatic Dimming
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror. The automatic dimming
feature is activated whenever the vehicle is
turned on and dims only during nighttime driving.
Compass Operation
AUTO3:Press and hold the “auto highbeam”
button for approximately three seconds to turn
the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
about two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
If after two seconds the display does not show the
correct direction, (N for North for example),
there may be a strong magnetic eld interfering
with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder, or a similar magnetic item.
The compass can be placed in calibration mode
manually by pressing and holding the “auto
highbeam” button for approximately nine seconds
untilaCisshown in the compass display.
The mirror can then be calibrated by driving the
vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display reads a direction.
132
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the
mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass display. The mirror
also contains OnStar
®controls. For more
information seeOnStar®System on page 139.
The mirror includes an eight-point compass display
in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as
the vehicle is driven.
Mirror Operation
O
(On/Off):Press and hold the button, located
on the lower left side of the mirror face, for about
three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature on or off. The indicator light will illuminate
when this feature is active. The automatic dimming
feature is active each time the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
about two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
If after two seconds, the display does not show a
compass heading (for example, N for North),
there may be a strong magnetic eld interfering
with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item. If
the letter C should ever appear in the compass
window, the compass may need calibration.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display reads a direction.
The compass can be placed in calibration mode
manually by pressing and holding the on/off button
untilaCisshown in the compass display.
134
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the
mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass display.
The mirror includes an eight-point compass
display in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates
as the vehicle is driven.
Mirror Operation
O
(On/Off):Press and hold the button, located
on the lower left side of the mirror face, for about
three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature on or off. The indicator light will illuminate
when this feature is active. The automatic dimming
feature is active each time the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
about two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
See “Compass Calibration” underAutomatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®and
Compass on page 134for more information.
Compass Variance
See “Compass Variance” underAutomatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®and
Compass on page 134for more information.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the
mirror housing.
136