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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 System
Operation on page 101.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer
or a quali ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
The vehicle’s doors may be locked and unlocked,
and the trunk can be opened from approximately
3 feet (1 m) up to 197 feet (60 m) away with the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. If your
vehicle has the remote vehicle start feature, you
can also start the vehicle’s engine with the RKE
transmitter.
Remote Keyless Entry
with Remote StartRemote Keyless Entry
without Remote Start
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Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your RKE
transmitter should last about four years.
The battery is weak if the transmitter will not work
at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter
works, it is probably time to change the battery.
The KEY FOB BATT LOW message in the
vehicle’s DIC will display if the RKE transmitter
battery is low.
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.To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter do
the following:
1. Insert a at object, with a thin edge, into the
notch located below the vehicle locator/panic
alarm button, and separate the bottom
half from the top half of the transmitter.
2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new
one. Make sure the positive (+) side of the
battery faces up. Use one three-volt, CR2032,
or equivalent, type battery.
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Page 128 of 486

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have this feature. In very cold
weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant
heater can provide easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the
coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum
of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord.
This will prevent operation of the engine coolant
heater when the temperature is at or above
0°F (−18°C) as noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On the 2.4L L4 ECOTEC
®engine, the engine
coolant heater cord is located near the air
cleaner box on the passenger’s side of the
engine compartment. On the 3.5L, 3.6L and
3.9L V6 engines, the engine coolant heater
cord is located on the driver’s side around
the battery box. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 318for more information
on location.3. Plug the cord 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.
128
Page 325 of 486

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 349.
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.4L L4 and 3.5L V6
Engines) on page 332orAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid (3.6L Engine) on page 332orAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 335.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 325.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 325.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 339.
H. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 342.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 352.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 355.K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 350.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 318
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
325
Page 355 of 486

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with
top-quality GM brake parts. When you replace parts
of your braking system — for example, when your
brake linings wear down and you need new ones
put in — be sure you get new approved GM
replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When
it is time for a new battery, get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery’s
label. We recommend an ACDelco
®replacement
battery. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 318for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
355
Page 358 of 486

4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 318for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need
more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
do not need to add water to the battery
installed in your new vehicle. But if a
battery has ller caps, be sure the right
amount of uid is there. If it is low, add
water to take care of that rst. If you do not,
explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can
burn you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on your
skin, ush the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
358