Safety Warnings and Symbols
Warning Messages found on vehicle labels and in thismanual describe hazards and what to do to avoidor reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a high level of riskwhich will result in serious injury or death.
WarningorCautionindicates a hazard that could resultin injury or death.
{WARNING:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Notice:This means there is something that couldresult in property or vehicle damage. This would notbe covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
A circle with a slashthrough it is a safetysymbol which means “DoNot,” “Do not do this,”or “Do not let this happen.”
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that usesymbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along withthe text describing the operation or informationrelating to a specific component, control, message,gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found onthe vehicle and what they mean. For more informationon the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
iv
Safety Belt
Refer to the following sections for important informationon how to use safety belts properly.
•Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 2-12.
•How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 2-17.
•Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 2-26.
•Lap Belt on page 2-32.
•Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 2-45.
Sensing System for Passenger
Airbag
The passenger sensing system will turn off the rightfront passenger frontal airbag and seat-mountedside impact airbag under certain conditions. The driverairbags and roof-rail airbags are not affected by this.
The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible onthe overhead console when the vehicle is started.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 2-67forimportant information.
United StatesCanada
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Climate Controls
A. Fan Control
B. Display
C. Air Delivery Mode
Control
D. Driver and
Passenger
Temperature
Controls
E. Air Conditioning
F. Outside Air or AUX
G. Air Recirculation
H. PASS (Passenger
Climate Control)
I. Rear Window
Defogger
SeeDual Climate Control System on page 4-36. Forvehicles with rear climate control, seeRear ClimateControl System on page 4-42.
Dual Climate Control System
Dual Climate Control System for Vehicles with RearClimate Control
1-14
How OnStar Service Works
Q:This blue button connects you to a specially
trained OnStar advisor to verify your account informationand to answer questions.
]:Push this red emergency button to get priority help
from specially trained OnStar emergency advisors.
X:Push this button for hands-free, voice-activated
calling and to give voice commands for turn-by-turnnavigation.
Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, VehicleDiagnostics, Remote Door Unlock, Roadside Assistance,Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Hands-Free Calling areavailable on most vehicles. Not all OnStar services areavailable on all vehicles. For more information see theOnStar Owner’s Guide or visit www.onstar.com (U.S.)or www.onstar.ca (Canada), contact OnStar at1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or TTY
1-877-248-2080, or pressQto speak with an OnStar
advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For a full description of OnStar services and systemlimitations, see the OnStar Owner’s Guide in theglove box.
OnStar service is subject to the OnStar terms andconditions included in the OnStar SubscriberInformation.
OnStar service cannot work unless the vehicle is in aplace where OnStar has an agreement with a wirelessservice provider for service in that area. OnStarservice also cannot work unless the vehicle is in a placewhere the wireless service provider OnStar has hiredfor that area has coverage, network capacity andreception when the service is needed, and technologythat is compatible with the OnStar service. Not allservices are available everywhere, particularly in remoteor enclosed areas, or at all times.
The OnStar system can record and transmit vehicleinformation. This information is automatically sent to an
OnStar call center whenQis pressed,]is pressed, or
if the airbags or ACR system deploy. This informationusually includes the vehicle’s GPS location and, in theevent of a crash, additional information regarding thecrash that the vehicle was involved in (e.g. the directionfrom which the vehicle was hit). When the virtual advisorfeature of OnStar hands-free calling is used, the vehiclealso sends OnStar the vehicle’s GPS location so they canprovide services where it is located.
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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for thedriver and right front passenger seating positions.
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the beltis centered on the shoulder. The belt should be awayfrom the face and neck, but not falling off the shoulder.Improper shoulder belt height adjustment couldreduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.
Press the releasebutton (A) and move theheight adjuster to thedesired position. Theadjuster can be moved upby pushing up on theshoulder belt guide.
After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try tomove it down without pressing the release buttonto make sure it has locked into position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for frontoutboard occupants. Although the safety beltpretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of thesafety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safetybelts during the early stages of a moderate to severefrontal or near frontal crash if the threshold conditions forpretensioner activation are met. And, if your vehiclehas side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners canhelp tighten the safety belts in a side crash.
Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensionersactivate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, andprobably other new parts for the vehicle’s safetybelt system. SeeReplacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash on page 2-75.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
This vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guidesfor each outside passenger position in the rear seat. Ifnot, they are available through your dealer/retailer. Theguides may provide added safety belt comfort for olderchildren who have outgrown booster seats and for someadults. When installed the comfort guide positions theshoulder belt away from the neck and head.
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Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position
This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place tosecure a forward-facing child restraint. SeeWhere toPut the Restraint on page 2-44.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing systemwhich is designed to turn off the right front passengerfrontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbagunder certain conditions. SeePassenger SensingSystem on page 2-67andPassenger Airbag StatusIndicator on page 4-51for more information, includingimportant safety information.
A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facingchild seat in the front.” This is because the risk tothe rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{WARNING:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger
airbag inflates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the
inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger
seat is in a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing system has turned
off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat,
even if the airbag is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger seat as far back
as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 2-67for
additional information.
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When the system check is complete, either the wordON or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible.SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-51.
The passenger sensing system turns off the rightfront passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted sideimpact airbag under certain conditions. The driverairbags and the roof-rail airbags are not affected by thepassenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors thatare part of the right front passenger seat. The sensorsare designed to detect the presence of a properly-seatedoccupant and determine if the right front passengerfrontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbagshould be enabled (may inflate) or not.
According to accident statistics, children are safer whenproperly secured in a rear seat in the correct childrestraint for their weight and size.
We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat,including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facingchild restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing childseat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children,who are large enough, using safety belts.
A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facingchild seat in the front.” This is because the risk tothe rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{WARNING:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger
airbag inflates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the
inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger
seat is in a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing system has turned
off the right front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped), no
system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though the airbag(s) are off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat,
even if the airbag(s) are off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat,
always move the front passenger seat as far back
as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.
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R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle ismoving forward could damage the transmission.The repairs would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicleis stopped.
Also use this gear to rock the vehicle back and forth toget out of snow, ice or sand without damaging thetransmission. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,Ice, or Snow on page 5-17for additional information.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does notconnect with the wheels. To restart when you arealready moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, useN (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) withthe engine running at high speed may damagethe transmission. The repairs would not be coveredby the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine isnot running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. Itprovides the best fuel economy for the vehicle. If youneed more power for passing, and you are:
•Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to the next gear andhave more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditionscould result in skidding, see Skidding underLoss ofControl on page 5-10.
Notice:Driving the vehicle if you notice that it ismoving slowly or not shifting gears as you increasespeed may damage the transmission. Have thevehicle serviced right away. You can drive in2 (Second) when you are driving less than 35 mph(55 km/h) and D (Drive) for higher speeds until then.
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