
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 a warning message will be
displayed when the parking brake is applied and
the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 kph).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 197.
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.Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{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 (Manual
Transaxle) on page 276orTowing a Trailer
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 277.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
128

3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. 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).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the shift lever intoPARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever
away from PARK (P) without rst pushing the
button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you
leave the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting
Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on page 128.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking
brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transaxle, then you will be able to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P).
129

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift lock release is
designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever
button fully released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a position
other than LOCK.
The shift lock release is always functional except
in the case of a an uncharged or low voltage
(less than 9 volt) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a
battery with low voltage, try charging or jump
starting the battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 320for more information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following
sequence:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press
the shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from
PARK (P), consult your dealer or a professional
towing service.Parking Your Vehicle
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch
pedal in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R),
and rmly apply the parking brake. Once the
shift lever has been placed in REVERSE (R) with
the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to LOCK, remove the key and release
the clutch. SeeManual Transaxle Operation on
page 125.
130

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 132.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 264.
{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. 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 128.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer (Manual
Transaxle) on page 276orTowing a Trailer
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 277.
133

Your Responsibility
You may need to increase the volume of your
radio to hear the OnStar®advisor. If the light next
to the OnStar®buttons is red, this means that
your system is not functioning properly and should
be checked by a dealer. If the light appears
clear (no light is appearing), your OnStar
®
subscription has expired. You can always press
the OnStar®button to con rm that your OnStar®
equipment is active.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Open the glove box by lifting up on the lever.
Close the glove box with a rm push.
Cupholder(s)
There are two cupholders located in the oor
console between the front seats. There is also a
cupholder for the rear seat passenger located
at the rear of the oor console. They can be
removed for cleaning.
Instrument Panel Storage Area
Your vehicle has a storage compartment on the
instrument panel above the air vents. Push
the button on the compartment to open the lid.
Floor Console Storage Area
There are two small storage compartments on the
oor console, one at the front under the window
switches and one next to the parking brake
lever. The rubber liners can be removed for
cleaning.
Rear Storage Area
Your vehicle may have two rear storage areas that
can be used for the convenience net or other
small items.
143

Brake System Warning Light..................... 185
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light........ 186
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.... 187
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 187
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 188
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 188
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 192
Security Light............................................ 193
Fog Lamp Light......................................... 193
Highbeam On Light................................... 193
Fuel Gage................................................. 193
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 194
DIC Operation and Displays...................... 195
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 197
DIC Vehicle Personalization....................... 200Audio System(s)......................................... 206
Setting the Time (Without Date Display).... 207
Setting the Time (With Date Display)......... 208
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 210
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 215
Using an MP3........................................... 226
XM Radio Messages................................. 232
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 233
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 234
Radio Reception........................................ 234
Care of Your CDs..................................... 235
Care of the CD Player.............................. 235
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 236
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 236
Section 3 Instrument Panel
150

J(On/Off):Press this button to turn the cruise
control system on and off. The indicator light on the
button will be on when the cruise control is on and
go off when the cruise control is turned off.
RES+ (Resume):Press this button to resume a
set speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET−(Set):Press this button to set a speed and
to decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the on/off button to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET−control button and release it.
The CRUISE ENGAGED message will appear
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) to
show the system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When you apply the brakes or clutch, the cruise
control will shut off.If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel
spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 246. When road conditions allow, the
cruise control can be used again.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of
course, disengages the cruise control. To return to
your previously set speed, you do not need to
go through the set process again. Once you are
going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you
can press the RES+ part of the button brie y.
This will take you back up to your previously
chosen speed and stay there.
161

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
1. Disengage the cruise control by applying the
brake pedal but do not turn it off. Accelerate
to a higher speed and reset the cruise control.
2. If the cruise control system is already
engaged, press the RES+ button. Hold it there
until reach the desired speed, and then
release the button. To increase your speed in
very small amounts, press the RES+ button
brie y and then release it. Each time you
do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET−button until you
reach the lower speed desired, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−button brie y. Each time you do this,
you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle
will slow down to the cruise control speed you set
earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills
depends upon the vehicle speed, load and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the accelerator pedal to
maintain your speed. When going downhill, you
might have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep
the vehicle speed down. Of course, applying the
brake turns off the cruise control. Many drivers nd
this to be too much trouble and don’t use cruise
control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end cruise control, step lightly on the brake
pedal or the clutch if your vehicle has a manual
transaxle.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch will only end
the current cruise control session. Press the
cruise control on/off button to turn the system
completely off.
162