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Automatic Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission,
the shift lever is located on the center console
between the front seats.
There are several
different positions for
the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start the
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{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.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock control system.
You must fully apply your regular brakes rst
and then press the shift lever button before you
can shift from PARK (P) when 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) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into another
gear. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 89.
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REVERSE (R):To back up, press the clutch
pedal. After the vehicle stops, shift into
REVERSE (R). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. If it is
hard to shift, let the shift lever return to NEUTRAL
and release the clutch pedal. Then press the
clutch pedal again and shift into REVERSE (R).
Do not attempt to shift into the fth gear
position prior to shifting into REVERSE (R).
Your transmission has a lock out feature which
prevents a fth gear to reverse gear shift.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
Also, use FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R), along
with the parking brake, for parking your vehicle.Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
To se the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down and pull up on the parking brake lever.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 134.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the release button
in as you move the brake lever all the way down.
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Do not use the rear defogger when the convertible
top is down.
=(Rear Defogger):Press the right knob on
the control panel to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. Do not use the rear defogger when
the convertible top is down.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do, you could
cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal
or anything similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the
side of your instrument panel to direct the air ow.
Use the tab located on the air outlets to change
the direction of the air ow.Your vehicle has ow through ventilation that
allows outside air to be forced through your
ventilation system when your vehicle is moving.
Outside air will enter the vehicle when the air
conditioning fan is running. Flow through
ventilation can be stopped in vent and bi-level
modes by pressing the recirculation button.
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-Saturn 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.
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If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is
a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the rear area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 359.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage to the vehicle.
Always put your vehicle on a atbed truck.
Your vehicle was neither designed nor intended to
be towed with any of its wheels on the ground.
If your vehicle must be towed, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” earlier in this section.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow a trailer.
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