There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the
airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system
for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is
an electrical problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 181for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.
79
{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. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 181for
more on this, including important safety
information.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can
affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. You may want to consider not using
seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if
your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 93for more information about
modi cations that can affect how the system
operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
91
To activate the content theft-deterrent system,
do the following:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the doors with the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The security light, located on the
instrument panel cluster, will ash.
If the lock button on the remote keyless entry
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.
If a locked door is not opened using the remote
keyless entry 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 remote keyless
entry transmitter, or by OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®
System on page 146for 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 remote keyless
entry 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 remote
keyless entry transmitter. The alarm will not stop if
you try to unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system
by locking the doors with the remote keyless
entry 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 remote keyless entry transmitter or
start the engine.
113
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.
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.
116
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 in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on
the steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument cluster. This display must
be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of
being moved out of PARK (P). This means that if
your key is turned off, but not in LOCK, there will be
a small current drain on your battery which could
discharge your battery over a period of time.
120
Instrument Panel Overview........................ 156
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 158
Other Warning Devices............................. 158
Horn.......................................................... 158
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 158
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 159
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 160
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 161
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 161
Windshield Wipers..................................... 161
Windshield Washer.................................... 162
Cruise Control........................................... 163
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 166
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 167
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 167
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 168
Fog Lamps................................................ 169
Exterior Cargo Lamps................................ 169
Interior Lamps........................................... 170
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 170
Dome Lamp.............................................. 170
Dome Lamp Override................................ 170
Exit Lighting.............................................. 171
Electric Power Management...................... 171
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 171Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 172
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 173
Climate Controls......................................... 173
Climate Control System............................. 173
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 176
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 177
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 178
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 179
Trip Odometer........................................... 179
Tachometer............................................... 179
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 180
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 180
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 181
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 182
Battery Warning Light................................ 184
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)........ 185
Brake System Warning Light..................... 185
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 186
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 187
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 187
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 188
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 191
Security Light............................................ 192
Cruise Control Light.................................. 192
Section 3 Instrument Panel
153
The main components of your vehicle’s instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on
page 176.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 159.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 178.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 158.
E. Passenger Side Airbag. SeeAirbag System on
page 76.
F. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 166. Fog Lamps (If Equipped). SeeFog
Lamps on page 169. Exterior Cargo Lamps.
SeeExterior Cargo Lamps on page 169.
G. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake
on page 130.H. Horn. SeeHorn on page 158.
I. Traction Control Button or Four-Wheel Drive
Buttons. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 249andFour-Wheel Drive on page 126.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on
page 203.
K. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s)
and Cigarette Lighter on page 173.
L. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 173.
M. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 172.
N. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 182.
O. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 150.
157
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 161.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 162.
JCruise Control. SeeCruise Control on
page 163.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will
automatically return to the off position.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until the
change is completed. The lever will return by
itself when released.An arrow on the
instrument panel cluster
will ash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the
arrows ash more quickly than normal, a signal
bulb may be burned out and other drivers will not
see your vehicle’s turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when
signaling a turn, check for a burned-out bulb or a
blown fuse. For bulb replacement, seeTaillamps,
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
on page 364. For a blown fuse or circuit breaker,
seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 426.
160