Page 76 of 580

How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal
collisions, even belted occupants can contact
the steering wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle.
The airbag supplements the protection provided by
safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But
the frontal airbags would not help you in many
types of collisions, including rollovers, rear
impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag.
Roof-mounted rollover airbags would not help
you in many types of collisions, including many
frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the airbag. 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 roof-mounted rollover 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
an airbag in ated. Roof-mounted rollover airbags
are designed to 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, and the area
along the ceiling of the vehicle near the side
windows for vehicles with roof–mounted side
impact airbags — 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
windshield or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle.
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Page 85 of 580

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 542.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, rollover sensor
module, instrument panel, steering wheel,
ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim,
roof-mounted rollover airbag modules, or
airbag wiring can affect the operation of the
airbag system. If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are
in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 542.
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Page 86 of 580

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 500for more
information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag
covers, and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag,
or the side impact airbag covering on the
ceiling near the side windows, the airbag may
not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both
the airbag module and the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s airbag, or
side impact airbag module and ceiling covering
for roof-mounted rollover airbags. Do not
open or break the airbag coverings.
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Page 90 of 580

OnStar®System.......................................... 152
Universal Home Remote System................ 154
Universal Home Remote System
(With Three Round LED)....................... 154
Universal Home Remote System
(With One Triangular LED)..................... 155
Universal Home Remote System
Operation (With Three Round LED)....... 156
Universal Home Remote System
Operation (With One Triangular LED)..... 162Storage Areas............................................. 165
Glove Box................................................. 165
Cupholder(s).............................................. 166
Instrument Panel Storage Area.................. 166
Center Console Storage Area.................... 166
Luggage Carrier........................................ 166
Rear Seat Armrest.................................... 168
Cargo Cover Panels.................................. 168
All-Weather Cargo Area............................. 181
Top-Box Storage....................................... 186
Sunroof....................................................... 187
Section 2 Features and Controls
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Page 125 of 580

Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember
to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after it
has been parked for an extended period of time.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle has a Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) feature which will allow certain features on
your vehicle to continue to work up to 10 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to LOCK.
The radio, power windows, if the vehicle has a
sunroof and the OnStar
®System, will work when
the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK, these
features will continue to work for up to 10 minutes
or until a door is opened.
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Page 166 of 580

Cupholder(s)
Your vehicle has cupholders for the front and rear
passengers.
The cupholders are located in the center console
for the front passengers and on the rear of the
center console for the rear passengers.
To use the front cupholders, press down on the
access door and release. The door will then open.
Push the door back down to close it.
To use the rear cupholders, pull down on the door
located on the back of the console.
The front cupholder may be removed for cleaning
by pushing down and then back on the cupholder.
Instrument Panel Storage Area
Your vehicle may have a closed storage area on
the instrument panel above the compact disc
changer. You can open the storage area by
pressing in the bottom of the lid and the lid will
automatically raise up. Press down on the
lid to close the storage area.
Center Console Storage Area
Your vehicle has a console compartment between
the bucket seats. The console has both an
upper and lower storage bin that can be opened
by lifting up on the latches located at the front
of the console lids. The console may have
an accessory power outlet inside, seeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 217. The rear of the
console also has a cupholder that swings down for
the rear seat passengers to use.
Luggage Carrier
The vehicle may have a luggage carrier that can
be used to load things on top of the vehicle.
The luggage carrier has siderails attached to the
roof. It may also have crossrails which can be
moved back and forth to help secure cargo. Tie the
load to the siderails or siderail supports.
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Page 167 of 580

Notice:Loading cargo on the luggage carrier
that weighs more than 200 lbs (91 kg) or
hangs over the rear or sides of the vehicle
may damage your vehicle. Load cargo so that
it rests on the slats as far forward as
possible and against the side rails, making
sure to fasten it securely.
Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity
when loading your vehicle. For more information
on vehicle capacity and loading, seeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 372.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo while you are
driving, check now and then to make sure the
luggage and cargo are still securely fastened.
Be sure the cargo is properly loaded.
If small heavy objects are placed on the roof,
cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to t inside
the crossrails and siderails to spread the load.
Tie the plywood to the siderail supports.
Tie the load to the crossrails or the siderail
supports. Use the crossrails only to keep
the load from sliding. To move a crossrail, turn
the release knobs, on both sides of the rail,
counterclockwise to loosen it. Slide the
crossrail to the desired position balancing the
force side to side. Turn the release knobs,
on both sides of the rail, clockwise to tighten
it. Try to slide the crossrail back and forth
slightly to be sure it is tight.
If you need to carry long items, move the
crossrails as far apart as they will go. Tie
the load to the crossrails and the siderails or
siderail supports. Also tie the load to the
bumpers. Do not tie the load so tightly that the
crossrails or siderails are damaged.
After moving a crossrail, be sure it is securely
locked into the siderail.
Your vehicle has a Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) located above the rear glass.
If items are loaded on the roof of the vehicle, care
should be taken not to block or damage the
CHMSL unit.
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Page 187 of 580
Sunroof
Your vehicle may be equipped with a power
sliding sunroof. To open or close the sunroof, the
ignition needs to be turned to ON, or Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) must be active.
When RAP is active, the sunroof will work for
10 minutes after the ignition is turned off, or until
a front door is opened. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 125for more information.
There are two switches
in the overhead console
that operate the
sunroof.Manual-Open/Manual-Close:To open the
sunroof press and hold the rear of the driver’s side
switch until the sunroof reaches the desired
position. To close the sunroof, press and hold the
front of the driver’s side switch until the sunroof
reaches the desired position. The sunshade
will open automatically with the sunroof, but can
also be opened manually.
When the sunroof is opened, an air de ector will
automatically raise. The air de ector will retract
when the sunroof is closed.
187