
Lockout Protection
If you press the power door lock switch when the key is
in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will
lock and the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove
the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle.
The lockout protection can be overridden by pressing
and holding the power door lock in the lock position for
three seconds.
Rear Side Cargo Door
(HHR Panel Only)
The rear side cargo doors can be opened by pressing
the buttons located on the driver and passenger sides of
the instrument panel, or by using the Remote Keyless
Access (RKE) transmitter. SeeInstrument Panel
Overview on page 3-4, andRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4for more information.
To use the buttons on the instrument panel, the driver
side door must be unlocked.
Push the door to close.
Liftgate
To lock the liftgate from the outside, press the lock
button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
To unlock the liftgate with the RKE, press the unlock
button twice within ve seconds. For more information,
seeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-4. You can also use the power door
lock switch to lock and unlock the liftgate.
Open the liftgate by pressing the touchpad located in the
handle above the license plate. Once slightly opened, the
liftgate will rise by itself. Lamps in the rear of the vehicle
will come on, illuminating the rear cargo area, unless
the dome lamp lever is in the off position. For more
information, seeDome Lamp on page 3-17.
Notice:If you open the liftgate without checking for
overhead obstructions such as a garage door, you
could damage the liftgate or the liftgate glass. Always
check to make sure the area above and behind the
liftgate is clear before opening it.
2-12

Power Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the keys is
dangerous for many reasons, children or others
could be badly injured or even killed. They could
operate the power windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move. The windows will
function and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing window.
Do not leave keys in a vehicle with children.
When there are children in the rear seat use the
window lockout button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.The power window controls are located on each of the
side doors. The driver’s door also has switches that
control the passenger and rear windows.
Press the switch to lower the window. Pull up on the
front edge of the switch to raise the window.
The power windows work when the ignition has been
turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN or when
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-25. Driver’s Side Shown
2-17

Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
Arming the System
To arm the system:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Press lock on the RKE transmitter.
The system will arm after either of the following occur:
30 seconds after all the doors are closed.
60 seconds with any door open.Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter a second
time, while all the doors are closed, to immediately arm
the system. The system still arms in 60 seconds if a door
is open. When the open door is closed, it also arms.
The security light turns on to indicate that arming has
been initiated. Once the system is armed, the security
light ashes once every three seconds.
If the security light ashes twice per second, a door
is open.
Locking the vehicle with the manual lock knobs on the
doors will not arm the system.
Disarming the System
Disarm the system by doing any one of the following:
Press the RKE transmitter unlock button.
Turn the ignition on.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light stops
ashing.
2-19

How the System Alarm is Activated
If the system is armed, it can be activated by either:
Opening the driver’s door or tailgate. This causes a
10 second pre-alarm chirp followed by a 30 second
full alarm of horn and lights.
Opening any other door. This immediately causes a
full alarm of horn and lights for 30 seconds.
When an alarm event has nished, the system re-arms
itself automatically.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
To turn off the system alarm, do one of the following:
Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter.
The system will then re-arm itself.
Press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter.
This will also disarm the system.
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will
also disarm the system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
The content theft security system alarm was previously
activated if three chirps sound when you press the
lock or unlock buttons on the RKE transmitter.
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer
The PASS-Key III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in the vehicle.
2-20

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
When trying to start the vehicle if the engine does not
start and the security light comes on, there may be a
problem with your theft-deterrent system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time, you
may also want to check the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-109. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the rst key may be faulty. See your
dealer/retailer who can service the PASS-Key
®III+ to
have a new key made. In an emergency, contact
Roadside Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-7, for more information.
It may be possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to
“learn” the transponder value of a new or replacement
key. Up to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for programming additional
keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are
lost or do not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer
or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to
have keys made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
2-21

To program the new key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the already programmed key in the ignition
and start the engine. If the engine will not start,
see your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to the
ON/RUN position within ve seconds of the original
key being turned to the LOCK/OFF position.
The security light will turn off once the key has
been programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to
be programmed.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes on
and stays on, you may be able to restart your engine if
you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
®III+ system, however,
is not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer/retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
®III+ system at this time.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key,
see your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The 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. 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. SeeTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-34
orTowing a Trailer (Manual Transmission) on
page 4-41for the trailer towing capabilities of
your vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-22

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different positions.
In order to shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake pedal
must be applied.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in the
ignition could cause damage to the switch or break
the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the
way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer/retailer.
9(LOCK/OFF):This position locks the steering column
when the key is removed. The key can only be removed
in LOCK/OFF.On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with a manual transmission, the ignition
switch can be turned to LOCK/OFF in any shift lever
position.
The steering can bind with the wheel turned off center.
If this happens, move it from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this does not work, then the
vehicle needs service.
{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transmission removing the
key from the ignition switch will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position operates
some of the electrical accessories. It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition.
2-23

R(ON/RUN):This is the position in which you can
operate the electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The
switch stays in this position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/
RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be
drained. You may not be able to start the 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 ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is opened,
the ignition is in LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY and
the key is in the ignition.
Column Lock Release
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
following procedure allows the ignition to be turned to
LOCK/OFF and ignition key to be removed in case of a
dead battery or low voltage battery.
1. Make sure the shift lever is in P (Park).
2. Remove the cover from the bottom of the steering
column.
2-24