Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q:Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if
I am wearing a safety belt?
A:Youcouldbe — whether you are wearing a safety
belt or not. But your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so youcanunbuckle
and get out, ismuchgreater if you are belted.
And you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you
are upside down.
Q:If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have
to wear safety belts?
A:Airbags are supplemental systems only; so they
workwithsafety belts — not instead of them.
Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants
still have to buckle up to get the most protection.
That is true not only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other collisions.
Q:If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A:You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in
a crash — even one that is not your fault — you
and your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a
good driver does not protect you from things
beyond your control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km)
of home. And the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
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Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle
will not open it. You increase the chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
To unlock the driver’s door from the outside with the
key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of
the vehicle. To lock the driver’s door from the outside
with your key, insert the key and turn it toward the rear
of the vehicle.
If your vehicle has power door locks, you may be able
to unlock all of the doors and the liftgate when you insert
the key, turn it toward the front of the vehicle, and
hold it there for one second. You may be able to lock all
of the doors when you insert the key and turn it toward
the rear of the vehicle.
2-10
Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the extreme heat
and suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a
helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
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Sun Visors
To block out glare, swing down the sun visors. You can
also remove them from the center mount and swing
them to the side. The sun visors can also slide along the
rod to cover different areas of the front window.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle may have a visor vanity mirror. Pull down
the sun visor to access the vanity mirror.
Lighted Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle may have a lighted vanity mirror. Pull down
the sun visor and ip up the cover to expose the vanity
mirror. The lamps will come on when you ip up the
cover.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a theft-deterrent alarm system.
A light located on top of your instrument panel, near the
center of the vehicle next to the windshield, will ash
slowly to let you know that the system has been armed.
While armed, the doors will not unlock with the power
door lock switch.
Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to enter
the vehicle without using the remote keyless entry
transmitter or a key, or turns the ignition to ON/RUN.
The horn will sound and the turn signal lamps will ash
for up to two minutes.
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Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects components. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position, and then
released when the engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or
until the vehicle starts. If the engine does not
start and the key is held in START for many
seconds, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running. Engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the
ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the
way to the oor and holding it there as you hold
the key in START for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts brie y but then
stops again, do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, your
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranty.
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How OnStar Service Works
In order to provide you with OnStar services, your
vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of recording
and transmitting vehicle information. This information
is automatically sent to an OnStar Call Center at
the time of an OnStar button press, Emergency button
press or if your airbags or AACN system deploys.
The vehicle information usually includes your GPS
location and, in the event of a crash, additional
information regarding the accident that your vehicle has
been involved in (e.g. the direction from which your
vehicle was hit). When you use the Virtual Advisor
feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling, your vehicle also
sends OnStar your GPS location so that we can
provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar service
also cannot work unless you are in a place where the
wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that area
has coverage, network capacity and reception when the
service is needed, and technology that is compatible with
the OnStar service. Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas, or
at all times.OnStar service that involves location information about
your vehicle cannot work unless GPS satellite signals are
unobstructed and available in that place as well.
Your vehicle must have a working electrical system
(including adequate battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are other problems OnStar
cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing
OnStar service to you at any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to important parts of your
vehicle in an accident, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network congestion.
Your Responsibility
You may need to increase the volume of your radio to
hear the OnStar advisor. If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, this means that your system is not
functioning properly and should be checked by your
dealer/retailer. If the light appears clear (no light is
appearing), your OnStar subscription has expired. You
can always press the OnStar button to con rm that your
OnStar equipment is active.
2-50
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/
Automatic Headlamp System
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional Daytime
Running Lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes
the DRL work, so be sure it is not covered. The
DRL system will make front parking and turn signal
lamps come on in daylight when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is off.
When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. Your instrument panel will not be lit up.When it is dark enough outside, the exterior lamps
will come on automatically. When it is bright enough
outside, the exterior lamps will turn off and the DRL will
turn on. Of course, you may still turn on the headlamps
any time you need to.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take approximately 30 seconds
for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it
is light outside. During that delay, your instrument panel
cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure your
instrument panel brightness control is in the full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL and automatic
headlamps off, toggle the exterior lamp control to
off after starting the vehicle.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-16
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages appear in the DIC display located in the
instrument panel cluster, below the tachometer. The DIC
buttons are located on the center of the instrument
panel, below the center outlets.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC displays WELCOME DRIVER (1 or 2)
if a personalized key 1 or 2 is used, and then the
information that was last displayed before the engine
was turned off. The driver number also corresponds
to the numbers, 1 or 2, on the back of the remote
keyless entry transmitters.
The DIC displays the odometer, trip odometers, fuel
economy, trip computer, vehicle system information, and
compass display, if equipped. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is detected. In addition,
the DIC displays phone numbers that are called using the
OnStar
®system, if equipped. SeeOnStar®System on
page 2-47.On some vehicles, the outside air temperature
automatically appears in the bottom right corner
of the DIC display when viewing all of the information
screens, except for the oil life screens. If the outside air
temperature is at or below 37°F (3°C), the temperature
reading will toggle between displaying the outside
temperature and the word ICE for two minutes. If there is
a problem with the system that controls the temperature
display, the letters OC (open circuit) or SC (short circuit)
will appear on the display. If this occurs, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized
or personalized, if equipped. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-76
for more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different modes which can be accessed by
pressing the DIC buttons located on the center of the
instrument panel. The buttons are the information,
set/reset, and menu buttons.
The button functions are detailed in the following pages.
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