Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors.
If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance
before you modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 408.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag
modules, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you have
questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 408.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 142
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 144
Horn.......................................................... 144
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 144
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 145
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 145
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 146
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 146
Windshield Wipers..................................... 146
Windshield Washer.................................... 147
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...................... 148
Cruise Control........................................... 148
Headlamps................................................ 151
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 152
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 153
Interior Lamps........................................... 153
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 153
Dome Lamp.............................................. 154
Entry Lighting............................................ 154
Map Lamps............................................... 154
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 154
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 154
Cigarette Lighter........................................ 155Climate Controls......................................... 156
Climate Control System............................. 156
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 161
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 162
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 163
Trip Odometer........................................... 163
Tachometer............................................... 163
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 164
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 164
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 165
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 166
Battery Warning Light................................ 168
Brake System Warning Light..................... 169
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 170
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 171
Low Traction Light..................................... 171
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light...................................................... 172
Low Coolant Warning Light....................... 172
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 173
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 176
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Change Engine Oil Light........................... 177
Security Light............................................ 177
Reduced Engine Power Light.................... 178
Highbeam On Light................................... 178
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light........................................ 179
Gate Ajar Light.......................................... 179
Fuel Gage................................................. 180
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 181
Auto Stop Mode........................................ 181
Charge/Assist Gage................................... 182
Fuel Economy Light.................................. 183
Hill Start Assist Light................................. 183
Hood Ajar Light......................................... 184Audio System(s)......................................... 184
Setting the Time (Without Date Display)....... 186
Setting the Time (With Date Display)........... 186
Radio with CD (Base)............................... 188
Radio with CD (MP3)................................ 195
Radio with CD and DVD........................... 205
Using an MP3........................................... 205
XM Radio Messages................................. 212
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 214
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 227
Radio Reception........................................ 228
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 229
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 229
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 229
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System......... 229
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The band on the wiper lever with the smaller
arrow operates the rear wiper/washer.
9(Off):Turn the band to this position to turn off
the rear wiper.
Z(Rear Wiper):Turn the band with the smaller
arrow to this position to turn on the rear wiper.
To set for a shorter or longer delay between wipes,
turn the other band with the larger arrow pointing
to the numbers (1, 2, or 3). Select 3 for the
most frequent movement; select 1 for the least
frequent. The band with the arrow pointing to the
numbers (1, 2, or 3) will affect both the front
and rear wipers if they are on at the same time.
Y(Wash):Turn and hold the band in this position
to spray washer uid on the rear window.
The rear wiper will also come on. Release the
band when enough uid has been sprayed on the
window. The rear wiper will run a few additional
times after you release it.
The rear window washer uses the same uid bottle
as the windshield washer. However, the rear
window washer will run out of uid before the
windshield washer. If you can wash your windshield
but not your rear window, check the uid level.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road conditions.
This can help you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or
always decrease stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not have
time to apply the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only
if it senses that one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
when your traction
control system is limiting
wheel spin.
SeeLow Traction Light on page 171. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system on. But you
can turn the traction control system off if you ever
need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow
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Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 240.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 287.
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Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you should
read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. Trailering
is different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transaxle, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine is required
to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (805 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (805 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Use INTERMEDIATE (I) or as you need to, a
lower gear which will minimize heat buildup
and extend the life of your transaxle.
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