Page 80 of 430
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system
in several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inflate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase
a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 415.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still in ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it in ates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
quali ed to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
80
Page 88 of 430

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This
is normal for any RKE system. If the transmitter
does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
•Check the distance. You may be too far
from your vehicle. You may need to stand
closer during rainy or snowy weather.
•Check the location. Other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps
to the left or right, hold the transmitter
higher, and try again.
•Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 88.
•If you are still having trouble, see your dealer
or a qualified technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and
unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up
to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless
entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
To unlock the
driver’s door,
press the UNLOCK
button once.
If you press the button again within five seconds,
all of the doors will unlock. When the UNLOCK
button is pressed, the interior dome lamps
are turned on for about 40 seconds or until the
ignition switch is activated. Press the LOCK button
to lock all doors.
88
Page 89 of 430

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your
vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased through your
dealer. Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you go to your dealer.
When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining
transmitters must also be matched. Once your
dealer has coded the new transmitter, the
lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each
vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters
matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote
keyless entry transmitter should last about
two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter
won’t work at the normal range in any location.
If you have to get close to your vehicle before the
transmitter works, it’s probably time to change
the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care
not to touch any of the circuitry. Static
from your body transferred to these surfaces
may damage the transmitter.
1. Insert a thin object, such as a coin, into the
slot between the covers of the transmitter
near the key ring hole. Remove the bottom by
twisting the object.
2. Remove and replace the battery, positive (+)
side down. Use one CR2032 battery.
89
Page 90 of 430
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Check the operation of the transmitter. If the
transmitter does not work after battery
replacement, it may need to be
resynchronized to your vehicle. See
Resynchronizationfollowing.
Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the
security method used by this system. The
transmitter does not send the same signal twice to
the receiver. The receiver will not respond to a
signal it has been sent previously. This prevents
anyone from recording and playing back the signal
from the transmitter.
To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to
your vehicle and simultaneously press and
hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter for at least five seconds. The door locks
should cycle to confirm resynchronization. If the
locks do not cycle, see your dealer for service.
90
Page 96 of 430

Ignition Positions
With your key in the ignition switch, you can turn it
to five different positions.
A (ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio, power windows and the
windshield wipers when the engine is off. To get
into ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward you. Your steering wheel will remain
locked, just as it was before you inserted the key.B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition,
steering wheel and transmission. It is a
theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to
remove your key when the ignition is turned
to LOCK.
C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine
but still turn the steering wheel. It does not lock
the steering wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if
you must have your vehicle in motion while the
engine is off.
D (RUN):This is the position for driving.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACCESSORY or RUN 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.
E (START):This position starts your engine.
96
Page 97 of 430

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.
Engine Starter Over-Crank
Protection
Your vehicle may have an engine starter
over-crank protection system. If the starter motor
overheats and shuts off due to over-cranking,
the motor must cool down before it will reset and
allow starter operation. It can take up to
six minutes before the starter will work again.
Starting the Gasoline Engine
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) shows the code letter for your
engine. Use this number to verify the type of
engine in your vehicle. SeeVehicle Identi cation
Number (VIN) on page 340. Follow the proper steps
to start the engine.
To start a diesel engine, seeStarting the Diesel
Engine on page 100.
Automatic Transmission
Set the parking brake and move your shift lever to
NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P), if so equipped. Your
engine will not start in any other position — that is a
safety feature.
Manual Transmission
Set the parking brake, shift to neutral NEUTRAL (N)
and hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine.
97
Page 101 of 430

Notice:Holding your key in START for longer
than 15 seconds at a time will cause your
battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
Notice:If the wait to start light stays on
after starting your vehicle, your vehicle may
not run properly. Have your vehicle serviced
right away.
3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds
of cranking, turn the ignition key to OFF. Wait
one minute for the starter to cool, then try
the same steps again.
If you are trying to start your engine after you
have run out of fuel, seeRunning Out of Fuel
on page 262.
When your engine is cold, let it run for a few
minutes before you move your vehicle. This lets
oil pressure build up. Your engine will sound louder
when it is cold.
Notice:If you are not in an idling vehicle and
the engine overheats, you would not be there to
see the overheated engine indication. This
could damage your vehicle. Do not let your
engine run when you are not in your vehicle.Cold Weather Starting
If your vehicle has the 6.6L DURAMAX®Diesel
Engine and the Isuzu 6H Diesel Engine, the
following notice applies:
Notice:Your diesel engine has an electric air
intake heater system which reduces white
smoke and helps start the engine in cold
weather. Do not spray starting uid into the air
intake where it can contact the heater elements.
If you do not have the GM Automatic Ether
Injection System, do not use starting uid or
you could damage your engine. If you have the
GM system, use only GM approved starting
uid that has been tested to establish
compatibility with the air inlet heater system.
101
Page 104 of 430

If the light does not come on when the engine is
cold, your vehicle needs service.
If your batteries do not have enough charge to
start your engine, seeBattery on page 304.
Be sure you have the right oil for your engine, and
that you have changed the oil at the proper
times. If you use the wrong oil, your engine may
be harder to start.
Be sure you are using the proper fuel for existing
weather conditions. SeeWhat Fuel to Use on
page 253.
If the engine starts, runs a short time, then stops,
your vehicle needs service.
{CAUTION:
Do not use gasoline or starting aids, such
as ether, in the air intake. They could
damage your engine. There could also be
a re, which could cause serious personal
injury.
Engine Alarm and Automatic
Shutdown
Your check gages warning light will come on if the
system senses high engine temperature or low
engine oil pressure. If high engine temperature or
low engine oil pressure is detected, you will
also hear a tone alarm at two beats per second.
The alarm and the light will remain on until
the condition is fixed. If the engine temperature or
oil pressure condition worsens, the tone alarm
will go to five beats per second.
If the system senses low engine coolant, the
five beat per second alarm and the low coolant
warning light will come on.
The five beats per second tone alarm means that
your engine will shut down in about 25 to
30 seconds. There is also an engine shutdown
light to indicate that the engine will shut down. See
Engine Shutdown Warning Light on page 177.
104