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Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood de ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside of your
vehicle more effectively.
When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle
is encountered, use the recirculation mode,
with the temperature knob at a comfortable
setting to prevent the odor from entering the
vehicle through the ventilation system. This can
be helpful when driving through a long tunnel
with poor ventilation. However, extended usage
of this mode in cold or cool weather can cause
window fogging.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will
help you locate them.Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there could be or
there is a problem with one of your vehicle’s
functions. As you will see in the details on the next
few pages, some warning lights come on brie y
when you start the engine just to let you know they
are working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there could be or there is
a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Often gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there is a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on when you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly — and even dangerous. Get
to know your warning lights and gages. They
are a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You
will know how fast you are going, how much fuel you have, and many other things you will need to drive
safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this cluster or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that
are explained on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.
United States 2.4L and 3.6L Engine shown, Canada 3.5L and 3.9L Engine similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per
hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United
States) or kilometers (used in Canada).
When in manual shift mode, the odometer will
change from the vehicle’s mileage to the letter M,
for manual mode, and a number indicating the
requested gear range when moving the shift lever
forward or rearward. For more information see
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 129.
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer.
Repair or replacement of your instrument panel
cluster should only be performed by your dealer.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can display how far you have
driven since you last reset it.
For more information seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 209.
Tachometer
The tachometer shows
your engine speed in
revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your
vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the tachometer in
the shaded warning area.
2.4L and 3.6L Engine
shown, 3.5L and
3.9L Engine similar
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there
is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensors, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 76.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not in ate in
a crash, or they could even in ate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
If there is a problem with the airbag system in
your vehicle, the SERVICE AIR BAG message will
appear on the DIC display. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 212for more information.
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Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on for a
few seconds when
you turn on the ignition
as a check to indicate
it is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on while you are
driving and you hear a chime, there could be
a problem with the electrical charging system. This
could indicate that there is a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have it
checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain the battery and result in the
engine and headlights suddenly shutting off.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio,
air conditioner and heater fan.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the vehicle. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
United StatesCanada
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When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 293.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), this light will
come on when your
engine is started and
may stay on for several
seconds. That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if
the light comes on when you are driving, stop
as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then
start the engine again to reset the system. If
the light still stays on, or comes on again while
you are driving, your vehicle needs service. If the
regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light
is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 199.
The ABS warning light will come on brie y when
you turn the ignition key to ON. This is normal. If the
light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the traction control
warning light comes on
and stays on, there
may be a problem with
the traction control
system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 262
for more information.
Traction Control System
Active Light
This light will appear
when the traction
control system is limiting
wheel spin. You may
feel or hear the system
working, but this is
normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this light
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
light will stay on for a few seconds after the
traction control system stops limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 262
for more information.
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Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
If the enhanced traction
control warning light
comes on and stays on,
there may be a
problem with the
enhanced traction
control system.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 263for more information.
Enhanced Traction System
Active Light
This light will appear
when the enhanced
traction control system is
limiting wheel spin. You
may feel or hear the
system working, but this
is normal.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this light
appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
light will stay on for a few seconds after the
enhanced traction control system stops limiting
wheel spin. SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS)
on page 263for more information.
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