
Where to Put the Restraint
Accident statistics show that children are safer
if they are restrained in the rear rather than the
front seat. We recommend that child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding
in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat and an older child riding
in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun
visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger’s airbag in ates. This is
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the
in ating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) under certain conditions,
no system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. 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.
50

Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will be visible when you
turn your ignition key to ON or START.
The airbag off symbol
will be visible near the
clock, located in the
center of the instrument
panel, during the
system check.
When the system check is complete, the airbag off
symbol will be visible under certain conditions.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on
page 165. The passenger sensing system will turn
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped)
under certain conditions. The driver’s airbags are
not part of the passenger sensing system.The passenger sensing system works with a
sensor that is part of the right front passenger’s
seat cushion. The sensor is designed to detect the
presence of a properly-seated occupant and
determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped)
should be enabled (may inflate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear, rather than the front
seat. We recommend that child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in
a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat, and an older child riding
in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on the sun
visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
76

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan
speed. In any setting other than off, the fan
will run continuously with the ignition on. The fan
must be on in order for the air conditioning
compressor to run.To change the current mode, select one of the
following from the middle knob:
E(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
((Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the
air to the instrument panel outlets, and then
directs the remaining air to the floor outlets.
5(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the floor outlets. Some of the air will also be
directed to the windshield, instrument panel side
outlets, and the rear outlets. Be sure to keep
the area under the front seats clear to allow the
flow of air to the rear compartment.
The middle knob can also be used to select the
defog and defrost modes. Information on defogging
and defrosting can be found later in this section.
Temperature Control:Turn the right knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to manually
increase or decrease the temperature inside your
vehicle. Turn the knob to the blue area to get
cool air and to the red area to get warm air.
Uplevel shown, Base similar
155

A/C (Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, follow these steps to use the system.
Start the engine and set the fan control knob to
the desired fan speed. The air conditioning
compressor does not operate when the fan control
knob is in the OFF position. Press the A/C
button to turn the air conditioning system on and
off. When A/C is pressed, an indicator light in
the button will come on to let you know that air
conditioning is activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside
air escape; then close them. This helps to reduce
the time it takes for your vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the
following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Press the A/C button.
4. Press the recirculation button.
5. Select the coolest temperature.Using these settings together for long periods of
time may cause the air inside of your vehicle
to become too dry. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in your vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may sometimes notice a small
amount of water dripping underneath your
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming into the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from entering your
vehicle or to help heat or cool the air inside
your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light in
the button will come on. Press this button again to
return to outside air mode.
Using the recirculation mode for extended periods
may cause your windows to fog. If this happens,
select the defrost mode.
156

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high
humidity or moisture condensing on the cool
window glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are
two modes to clear fog or frost from your
windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Select one of these available modes from the
right knob.
É(Defog):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the floor outlets. A small
amount of air is also directed to the outboard
outlets for the side windows and to the instrument
panel side outlets.When you select this mode, the system runs the
air-conditioning compressor. To defog the windows
faster, turn the temperature control knob
clockwise to the warmest setting.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the outboard outlets for the
side windows. A small amount of air is also
directed to the instrument panel side outlets.
When you select this mode, the system runs the
air-conditioning compressor. To defrost the
windows faster, turn the temperature control knob
clockwise to the warmest setting.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.
157

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something may
be wrong with the airbag system. If this
ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger’s seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag and side airbag (if equipped).
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 164
for more on this, including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briefly
when you turn on the
ignition, and the engine
is not running, as a
check to show you it
is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your dealer. Driving
while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
167

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate
on fuels that meet California specifications.
See the underhood emission control label. If this
fuel is not available in states adopting California
emissions standards, your vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp may turn on and your vehicle may
fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 172. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves
clean, or if your vehicle experiences problems due
to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that
is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Also, your dealer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
252

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used
oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
used oil, ask your dealer, a service station, or a
local recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located in the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 258for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the engine air cleaner/filter every
15,000 miles (25 000 km) and replace it every
30,000 miles (50 000 km). If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the engine air cleaner/filter remove the
filter from the vehicle and lightly shake the filter
to release loose dust and dirt. If the filter remains
caked with dirt, a new filter is required.
264