
CAUTION: (Continued)
We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be secured in the rear seat,
even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger seat as
far back as it will go. It is better to secure
the child restraint in a rear seat.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front seat position, move the seat as far
back as it will go before securing the forward-facing
child restraint. SeeManual Seats on page 9.
If your child restraint has the LATCH system,
seeLower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) on page 53.
There is no top tether anchor at the right front
seating position. Do not secure a child restraint in
this position if a national or local law requires that
the top tether be anchored or if the instructions thatcome with the child restraint say that the top tether
must be anchored. SeeLower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH) on page 53if your child
restraint has a top tether.
You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure
the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow
the instructions that came with the child restraint.
Secure the child in the child restraint when and as
the instructions say.
1. Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s
frontal airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 77. We recommend that rear-facing
child restraints be secured in a rear seat, even
if the airbag is off. If your child restraint is
forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it
will go before securing the child restraint in this
seat. SeeManual Seats on page 9.
When the passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag, the off indicator in the passenger
airbag status indicator should light and stay lit
when you turn the ignition to RUN or START.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on
page 168.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
65

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 414.
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, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted 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 414.
83

How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some
other things. Instead of trying to list everything here,
we ask that you contact a dealer/retailer in the area
where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, the shift
lever is located on the console between the seats.
There are several
different positions for
the automatic transaxle.
PARK (P):This position locks your front 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
Transaxle) on page 124. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (Manual
Transaxle) on page 267orTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transaxle) on page 268.
118

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
For vehicles equipped with an armrest, lift the
console armrest in order to access the parking
brake lever.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 171.
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.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime
will sound and the PARKING BRAKE message
will appear along with the brake system warning
light when the parking brake is applied and
the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 184.
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.
Automatic Shown, Manual Similar
123

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control
System on page 158.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on
page 161.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 145.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped) and
Driver Information Control Buttons. SeeCruise
Control on page 149andDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 181.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument
Panel Cluster on page 165
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on
page 222.
G. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 144.
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. See
Windshield Wipers on page 147andWindshield
Washer on page 148.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 192.J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog
Lamps on page 154.
K. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 102.
L. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 154.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 144.
N. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s)
and Cigarette Lighter on page 157.
O. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). SeeManual
Transaxle Operation on page 121and
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 118.
P. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 158.
Q. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator and Heated
Seats Button (If Equipped). SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 168and
Heated Seats on page 11.
R. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 136.
143

The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very
high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can
increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action
may be noticeable to the driver.Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed
to protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition
is turned off, the battery rundown protection
system automatically turns the lamp off after
20 minutes. This prevents draining of the battery.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone
or CB radio.
The accessory power outlet is located in the
center console, rearward of the shift lever.
To use the outlet, remove the cover. When not in
use, always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in
use and do not plug in equipment that exceeds
the maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
156

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid
to remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when
the ignition is in RUN.
<(Rear):Press the button to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as
much snow from the rear window as possible.
An indicator light above the button will come on
to let you know that the rear window defogger
is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off about
15 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned
on again, the defogger will only run for about
seven minutes before turning off. If the vehicle
is moving faster than 50 mph (80 kph), the
rear defogger will stay on. The defogger can
also be turned off by pressing the button again
or by turning off the engine.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 thumbwheels located next to and below
the air outlets to change the direction of the air ow
and to open and close the outlets.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood de ectors 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.
161

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as you
can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 420.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
264