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Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles
(805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts.
Do not exceed 5,000 engine rpm. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 250for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in the
ignition switch, you can
turn it to four different
positions.
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 in all the way. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
9(OFF):This is the only position from which
you can remove the key. It also locks the ignition
and transaxle. A warning chime sounds if the
driver’s door is opened while the ignition is off and
the key is left in the ignition.ACC (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use
things like the radio and windshield wipers
while the engine is not running.
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 247.
R(ON):This position unlocks the ignition. It
is also the position to where the key returns after
you release the switch and the engine starts.
The switch will stay in this position while the
engine is running. But even while the engine is not
running, you can use ON to operate the electrical
accessories, and to display some instrument
panel warning lights.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACC or ON position with the engine off.
You might not be able to start your vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key.
The ignition switch will return to the ON position
for normal driving.
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Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
have to fully apply the regular brakes rst and
then press the shift lever button before shifting
from PARK (P) while the ignition key is in RUN. If
you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all
the way into PARK (P) while maintaining brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of PARK (P) on page 122.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 241.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart the engine
while your vehicle is already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when
your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed is dangerous.
Unless your foot is rmly on the brake
pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive
gear while your engine is running at high
speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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Shifting Into PARK (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing
the button on the shift lever while pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
housing.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
outside power mirrors
are located on the inside
of the vehicle near
the driver’s side mirror.Use the selector switch located above the four-way
control panel to choose either the left or right
outside mirror. Then press the control pad to move
the selected mirror in the desired direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area beside and behind your
vehicle.Heated Outside Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, the surface of the
outside mirrors will heat when the rear window
defogger is activated. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underAutomatic Climate Control
System on page 154for more information.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the
police and others that you have a problem. The
front and rear turn signal lamps will ash on
and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
towards the center of
the instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn
signal lamps ash on and off. Press the button
again to turn the ashers off.
While the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry re ective triangles, you can set them
up at the side of the road about 300 feet
(100 m) behind your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
A tilt and telescope wheel lets you adjust the
steering wheel before you drive. The steering
wheel can be raised to the highest level to give
your legs more room when you enter and exit the
vehicle.
The lever that lets you tilt and telescope the
steering wheel is located on the left side of the
steering column.
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Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions
let you 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
returns automatically to the normal position.
An arrow on the
instrument panel cluster
ashes in the direction of
the turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever returns
by itself when it is released.
If the arrows ash rapidly or do not go on at all as
you signal a turn or lane change, a signal bulb
could be burned out and other drivers will not see
your turn signal.
Replace burned out bulbs to help avoid an
accident. Also, check the appropriate fuses. See
Fuses on page 343.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to
high beam, push the turn signal/multifunction lever
toward the front of the vehicle.
This light on the
instrument panel cluster
comes on if the high
beam lamps are turned
on while the ignition
is on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low
beam, pull the turn signal lever toward the rear
of the vehicle.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that
you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever
toward you until the high-beam headlamps
come on, then release the lever to turn them off.
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Outlet Adjustment
There are four main air outlets on the instrument
panel. Use the lever located in the center of
each outlet by moving it either side-to-side or up
and down, to change the direction and amount
of air ow in the vehicle. The center thumbwheel
does not control the main outlets.
Dedicated Rear Seat Air Outlet
For vehicles with this feature, the dedicated rear
seat air outlet is located in the center of the
instrument panel above the two main center
outlets. This outlet is aimed to provide comfort to
the rear seat passengers, especially while
using air conditioning in warm weather.
Use the thumbwheel in the center of the outlet to
turn the air ow on or off. This can be adjusted
to improve front seat passenger comfort if
there are no rear seat passengers. The direction
of air ow cannot be adjusted since it is directed
towards the rear seat passengers.
Do not attempt to move the horizontal vent vane,
as breakage can occur.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
can block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Do not use non-GM approved hood de ectors
as they could 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.
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