
Sun Visors
To block glare, pull the sun visor down. It can also
be detached from the center mount and moved
to the side to block glare from that direction.
Visor Vanity Mirror
The passenger’s side sun visor may have a
mirror. Pull down the visor to access the mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some
cities. Although your vehicle has a number of
theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we
put on it can make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
If your vehicle has
the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) system,
the vehicle has a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
To activate the content theft-deterrent system:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the doors with the RKE transmitter.
The security light, located on the instrument
panel cluster, will ash.
If the lock button on the RKE 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.
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If a locked door is not opened using the RKE
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
RKE transmitter, or by OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®
System on page 149for 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 RKE 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 RKE
transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to
unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system
by locking the doors with the RKE 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 RKE 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 433.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal
lamps do not ash, see your dealer/retailer for
service.
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Passlock®
Your vehicle has the Passlock®theft-deterrent
system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder
is turned with a valid key. If an incorrect key is
used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with,
the fuel system is disabled and the vehicle will
not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn
off approximately ve seconds after the engine
is started. SeeSecurity Light on page 196.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes,
wait about 10 minutes until the light stops
ashing before trying to restart the engine.
Remember to release the key from START as
soon as the engine starts.If the engine does not start after three tries,
the vehicle needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if
you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock
®
system is not working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer/retailer. Your vehicle is
not protected by Passlock
®at this time. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 466.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms
or deactivates the theft deterrent system in
the vehicle.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in
the ignition switch,
you can turn to
four different
positions.
LOCK (A):This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission on automatic transmission
vehicles. It will locks the steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles when the key is removed.
It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be
able to remove your key when the ignition is
turned to LOCK.If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to LOCK unless the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from
the ignition switch could cause damage
or break the key. Use the correct key and turn
the key only with your hand. Make sure the
key is all the way in. If it is, turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B):This is the position in
which you can operate your electrical accessories
or items plugged into the accessory power
outlets. On automatic transmission vehicles,
this position unlocks the ignition. On manual
transmission vehicles, it unlocks the ignition and
steering wheel. Use this position if your vehicle
must be pushed or towed.
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ON (C):This is the position that the switch
returns to after you start your engine and release
the switch. The switch stays in ON when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not running, you can use ON to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning and indicator
lights. The transmission is also unlocked in
this position on automatic transmission vehicles.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in
the ACC or ON position with the engine off. You
may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
START (D):This is the position that starts the
engine. When the engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch returns to ON for driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON
allows you to operate the electrical accessories,
such as the radio or items plugged into the
accessory power outlets.A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and
the key is in the ignition.
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 transmission. 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.
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Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up
to 20 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Wipers
Power Windows
These features work when the key is in ON or
ACC. Once the key is turned from ON to LOCK,
power to these features continue to work for
up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position – this
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when
your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in the NEUTRAL position
and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch
pedal to the oor and start the engine. Your
vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all
the way down. That is a safety feature.
Starting Procedure
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 the engine gets warm. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to the START
position, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor damage.
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To prevent gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is already
running. Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to the ACC or
LOCK position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding
it there as you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. 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. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race
the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
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/retailer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your
vehicle’s warranty.
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Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have this feature.
In very cold weather, 0°F (–18°C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should
be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to
starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F
(0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required.
Your vehicle may also have an internal thermostat
in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent
operation of the engine coolant heater when the
temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as
noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The cord is located in the engine
compartment behind the underhood fuse block
on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.
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 your
dealer/retailer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer/retailer can give you
the best advice for that particular area.
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