{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. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 196for more on this, including
important safety information.
A thick layer of additional material such as a
blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers,
can affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. Remove any additional material from
the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the
child restraint and before a small occupant,
including a small adult, sits in the right front
passenger’s seat. You may want to consider not
using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment ifyour 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.
The passenger sensing system may suppress the
airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into
the seat. If this happens, the off indicator in the
passenger airbag status indicator and the
airbag readiness light on the instrument panel will
be lit. The system should resume normal
operation after the seat is allowed to dry. If the
system operates incorrectly after the seat
has dried, have your dealer check the system.
{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
Keys.............................................................. 99
Remote Keyless Entry System.................. 100
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation............................................... 101
Doors and Locks........................................ 108
Door Locks................................................ 108
Power Door Locks..................................... 109
Door Ajar Reminder.................................. 109
Delayed Locking........................................ 110
Automatic Door Lock................................. 110
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock....... 111
Rear Door Security Locks......................... 111
Lockout Protection..................................... 112
Trunk........................................................ 113
Windows...................................................... 115
Power Windows........................................ 116
Sun Visors................................................ 117
Theft-Deterrent Systems............................. 118
Content Theft-Deterrent............................. 118
PASS-Key
®III+......................................... 120
PASS-Key®III+ Operation......................... 120Starting and Operating Your Vehicle......... 122
New Vehicle Break-In................................ 122
Ignition Positions....................................... 122
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)............. 124
Starting the Engine.................................... 125
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 127
Engine Coolant Heater.............................. 128
Automatic Transaxle Operation.................. 129
Manual Transaxle Operation...................... 134
Parking Brake........................................... 135
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 136
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 138
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)................................ 138
Parking Over Things That Burn................. 139
Engine Exhaust......................................... 140
Running the Engine While Parked............. 141
Section 2 Features and Controls
97
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
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the temperature inside your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside 0°F (−18°C) or lower,
use the engine coolant heater, if the vehicle has
one, to warm air faster in your vehicle. An
engine coolant heater warms the engine coolant
that is used to warm the inside of your vehicle. For
more information, seeEngine Coolant Heater on
page 128.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air conditioning system on or off. When
the air conditioning button is pressed, an indicator
light comes on to indicate that the air conditioning
is activated.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so sometimes a small amount of water drips
underneath the vehicle while it is idling or after the
engine is turned off. This is normal.
Maximum Air Conditioning
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
Cvent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select
#air conditioning.
4. Select the
?recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of
time can 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.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, it will
turn on using the last settings selected on the
climate control before the vehicle was turned off.
The fan and air delivery knobs can be used during
remote start. The buttons will not work until the
ignition is turned on by the key.
The climate control system changes back to
manual operation when the vehicle key is
turned to ON.
184
Temperature Control:Press the up and down
arrows to increase or decrease the temperature
inside the vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air conditioning compressor on and off. A
light above the button will come on while the air
conditioning is on.
When air conditioning is selected or in AUTO
mode, the system runs the air conditioning
automatically to cool and dehumidify the air
entering the vehicle.
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let
hot inside air escape. This reduces the time it
takes for your vehicle to cool down. Then keep the
windows closed for the air conditioner to work
its best.On cool, but sunny days while using manual
operation of the automatic system, use bi-level to
deliver warm air to the oor and cooler air to
the instrument panel outlets. To warm or cool the
air, press the temperature buttons to the desired
setting.
In AUTO mode the system will cool and dehumidify
the air inside the vehicle. Also while in AUTO
mode, the system will maximize its performance
by using recirculation as necessary.
Heating:On cold days when using manual
operation of the automatic system, choose oor
mode to deliver air to the oor outlets. To warm or
cool the air delivered, push the temperature
buttons to the desired setting.
If you want to use the automatic mode, turn the
knob to AUTO and adjust the temperature by
pressing the temperature buttons.
The heater works best if you keep the windows
closed while using it.
190
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
199
You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
If your vehicle has a traction system, the traction
system can often help to free a stuck vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 262,
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 263,
orStabiliTrak
®System on page 265.Ifthestuck condition is too severe for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 288.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 389.
287