Saturn Automobile 2005 Relay User Guide

2005 Saturn RELAY Owner Manual M  
OnStar® System  
HomeLink® Wireless Control System  
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You will also find a circle  
with a slash through it in  
this book. This safety  
symbol means “Do Not,”  
“Do Not do this” or “Do Not  
let this happen.”  
Safety Warnings and Symbols  
There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We  
use a box and the word CAUTION to tell about things  
that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.  
{CAUTION:  
These mean there is something that could hurt  
you or other people.  
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.  
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the  
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not,  
you or others could be hurt.  
iii  
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Vehicle Damage Warnings  
Vehicle Symbols  
Also, in this manual you will find these notices:  
The vehicle has components and labels that use  
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with  
the text describing the operation or information  
relating to a specific component, control, message,  
gage, or indicator.  
Notice: These mean there is something that could  
damage your vehicle.  
A notice tells about something that can damage the  
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered  
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But  
the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage.  
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a  
component, gage, or indicator, reference the following  
topics:  
When you read other manuals, you might see  
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in  
different words.  
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1  
Features and Controls in Section 2  
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3  
Climate Controls in Section 3  
There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use  
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.  
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3  
Audio System(s) in Section 3  
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5  
iv  
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These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:  
v
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NOTES  
vi  
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Section 1  
Seats and Restraint Systems  
1-1  
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Front Seats  
{CAUTION:  
Manual Seats  
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to  
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle  
is moving. The sudden movement could startle  
and confuse you, or make you push a pedal  
when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s  
seat only when the vehicle is not moving.  
Use the lever located on  
the front of the seat to  
adjust the seat forward or  
rearward. Pull up the  
lever to unlock the seat.  
Slide the seat to where you  
want it and release the  
lever.  
To make sure the seat is locked into place, try to move  
the seat back and forth with your body.  
1-2  
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Six-Way Power Seats  
Heated Seats  
Your vehicle may have this feature. If it does, the  
heated seat buttons are located on the climate control  
panel.  
Your vehicle may have this  
feature. If it does, the  
six-way power seat control  
is located on the outboard  
side of the driver’s  
This feature will heat the lower cushions of the driver’s  
and front passenger’s seats.  
seat. Your vehicle may  
also have a passenger’s  
six-way power seat.  
Press this button once to  
turn on the driver’s side  
heated seat to the  
high setting.  
Move the front of the control up or down to adjust  
the front portion of the cushion up or down.  
Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust  
the rear portion of the cushion up or down.  
Lift up or push down on the whole control to move  
the entire seat up or down.  
Both indicator lights to the right of the symbol will be lit  
to indicate that it is on the high setting. Press the  
button a second time to go to the low setting.  
One indicator will be lit. Press the button a third time to  
turn the heated seat off.  
To move the whole seat forward or rearward, slide  
the control forward or rearward.  
1-3  
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Press this button once to  
turn on the front  
Reclining Seatbacks  
passenger’s heated seat to  
the high setting.  
Both indicator lights to the left of the symbol will be lit to  
indicate that it is on the high setting. Press the button  
a second time to go to the low setting. One indicator will  
be lit. Press the button a third time to turn the heated  
seat off.  
To adjust a seatback, pull up on the lever located on  
the outboard side of the driver’s or front passenger’s  
seats. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you  
want it. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is  
locked into position. Pull up on the lever, and the seat  
will go to its original upright position.  
The heated seats will turn off when the ignition is  
turned to LOCK and will resume operation when the  
ignition is turned to RUN, unless the button is manually  
turned off.  
1-4  
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{CAUTION:  
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle  
is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you  
buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their  
job when you are reclined like this.  
The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it  
will not be against your body. Instead, it will be  
in front of you. In a crash you could go into it,  
receiving neck or other injuries.  
The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash  
the belt could go up over your abdomen. The  
belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic  
bones. This could cause serious internal  
injuries.  
But do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle  
is moving.  
For proper protection when the vehicle is in  
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit  
well back in the seat and wear your safety belt  
properly.  
1-5  
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Head Restraints  
Rear Seats  
Rear Seat Operation  
The rear seats in your vehicle have levers and straps  
used to adjust, remove, and reinstall the seats. By using  
the levers and straps in the correct order, you can  
easily remove the seats from the vehicle.  
When reinstalling the seats, make sure the seats are in  
the proper positions.  
If your vehicle has a second row center console, it can  
be removed. See Second Row Center Console on  
page 2-52. Do not put a seat in the center position  
because the safety belt cannot be worn properly in this  
on page 1-22.  
Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint  
is closest to the top of your head. This position  
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.  
The head restraints are adjustable on the first and  
second row seats. They are not adjustable on the third  
row seat, if equipped. To adjust a head restraint,  
slide it up or down.  
1-6  
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3. Release the rear set of  
hooks from the floor  
pins by pulling the  
nylon strap located at  
the base of the  
Flip and Fold Feature (Bucket Seats)  
The rear seats in your vehicle can be folded forward.  
Use this feature for exiting and entering third row seats.  
1. Ensure the adjustable head restraints are  
fully down.  
seat. Hang on to the  
strap to guide the seat  
forward.  
2. Fold the seatback flat  
on the seat, by either  
pulling on the nylon  
strap on the rear of the  
seat or lifting up on  
the lever located on the  
front of the seatback.  
If the seat adjusts, slide  
it all the way back.  
To return the seat(s) to the normal position, do the  
following:  
1. Push the seat back and firmly push the rear hooks  
onto the rear floor pins by pushing down on the  
rear of the seat.  
2. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.  
3. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon  
strap on the back of the seat and raise the  
seatback until it locks upright.  
4. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is  
locked.  
1-7  
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The other lever is  
located on the rear  
of the bucket seat.  
Bucket Seats  
If your vehicle has the bucket seats, the seatbacks can  
be folded down or reclined. The seats can also be  
adjusted forward or rearward, or removed.  
Adjusting the Bucket Seats  
There are two adjustment levers on each seat to adjust  
the seat forward or rearward.  
Lift up either lever and slide the seat forward or  
rearward.  
Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make  
sure it is locked into place.  
One is located below the center, in front of the  
bucket seats.  
1-8  
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Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks  
{CAUTION:  
If the seatback is not locked, it could move  
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could  
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always  
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is  
locked.  
Nylon Strap  
Recliner Lever  
The seatback on a bucket seat can be either folded  
forward or reclined. The following explains how to use  
either the nylon strap or the lever to fold or recline  
the seatback.  
To fold the seatback forward, pull the nylon strap  
located on the rear of the seat or lift up on the recliner  
lever located on the front of the seatback. The  
seatback will lock into place.  
1-9  
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To raise a seatback, pull the nylon strap or lift the  
recliner lever while raising the seatback until it locks  
upright. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is  
locked into place.  
To recline the seatback, pull the nylon strap or lift the  
recliner lever. Press back on the seatback until you  
reach the desired position, then let go of the strap or  
lever.  
To return the seatback to an upright position, pull on the  
nylon strap or lift the recliner lever without putting any  
pressure on the seatback. Push and pull on the  
seatback to be sure it is locked into place.  
Removing the Bucket Seats  
3. From behind the seat, pull the nylon strap, located  
at the base of the seat, to release the rear latches  
from the floor pins.  
Make sure the seatback is in the upright position. The  
head restraints should be fully down.  
1. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon  
strap on the back of the seat to fold the seatback  
forward.  
2. Slide the seat all the way back by lifting either one  
of the adjuster levers and sliding the seat fully  
rearward.  
1-10  
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You can also lift the lever on the side of the seat to  
release the rear latches from the floor pins.  
4. To unlatch the front latches, with the seat folded  
forward, squeeze the angled bar toward the  
straight crossbar.  
Do not let go of the strap or lever until the seat is  
folded all the way forward.  
5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly forward, then  
toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it  
out. This should be done in one motion.  
1-11  
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Replacing the Bucket Seats  
{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not  
properly attached, or twisted will not provide  
the protection needed in a crash. The person  
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.  
After installing the seat, always check to be  
sure that the safety belts are properly routed  
and attached, and are not twisted.  
If the seatback is not locked, it could move  
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could  
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always  
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is  
locked.  
Do not put the seats in so they face rearward because  
they will not latch that way. If you want more storage  
room behind the seat, adjust the seat by sliding it  
forward.  
{CAUTION:  
A seat that is not locked into place properly  
can move around in a collision or sudden stop.  
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure  
to lock the seat into place properly when  
installing it.  
1-12  
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Make sure the seats are in the full rear position before  
beginning this procedure.  
1. With the seat folded, squeeze the angled bar  
toward the straight crossbar while placing the  
front hooks of the bucket seat onto the front two  
floor pins.  
2. Make sure the bucket  
seat is angled so that  
the front hooks  
clear the floor pins.  
3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins  
by pushing down the rear of the seat.  
4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.  
If the front hooks are not attached correctly, the  
rear hooks will not attach to the rear set of  
floor pins.  
5. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon  
strap on the back of the seat and raise the  
seatback until it locks upright.  
If the front hooks are not attaching correctly, check  
that the seat is in the full rear position.  
6. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it  
is locked in place.  
1-13  
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Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks  
Captain Chairs  
If your vehicle has captain’s chairs, the chairs and  
seatbacks can be adjusted forward or rearward.  
{CAUTION:  
Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs  
(Second Row)  
If the seatback is not locked, it could move  
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could  
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always  
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is  
locked.  
The second row captain’s chairs can be adjusted  
forward or rearward.  
There are two manual adjustment bars on each seat.  
One is located under the front of the seat cushion. The  
other one is located under the rear of the seat cushion.  
Lift up either bar to slide the seat forward or rearward.  
Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to  
make sure it is locked into place.  
1-14  
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Removing the Captain’s Chairs  
To recline the seatback, lift up on the recliner lever,  
located on the outboard side of the seat. Use the recliner  
lever to move the seatback to the desired position.  
1. Pull the nylon strap behind the seat to release the  
rear hooks from the floor pins.  
It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you  
lean forward, taking the weight off the seatback.  
Lift up on the recliner lever and fold the seatback  
forward. The seatback will lock into place when you  
push it back to the upright position.  
The armrests can be lowered or raised for entering or  
exiting the vehicle.  
1-15  
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Replacing the Captain’s Chairs  
{CAUTION:  
If the seatback is not locked, it could move  
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could  
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always  
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is  
locked.  
{CAUTION:  
2. The seat can then be lifted off the front floor pins  
and removed from the vehicle.  
A seat that is not locked into place properly  
can move around in a collision or sudden stop.  
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure  
to lock the seat into place properly when  
installing it.  
1-16  
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{CAUTION:  
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not  
properly attached, or twisted will not provide  
the protection needed in a crash. The person  
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.  
After installing the seat, always check to be  
sure that the safety belts are properly routed  
and attached, and are not twisted.  
Do not put the seats in so they face rearward because  
they will not latch that way. For the second row, if  
you want more storage room behind the seat, adjust the  
seat by sliding it forward.  
1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins.  
Make sure the seatbacks are in the upright position, the  
seat belts are on the correct side of the seats and  
the seats are in the full rear position before beginning  
this procedure.  
1-17  
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Third Row Seat  
Your vehicle may have a third row seat. It is a full  
bench seat and may come with hideaway rear storage  
bins. See Hideaway Rear Storage Bins on page 2-54  
for more information. The third row seat can be removed  
and replaced, or with the seatback folded, it will lie  
flat with the hideaway rear storage bins.  
Folding the Seatback(s)  
To fold down either side of  
the 50/50 split bench seat,  
pull up on the lever  
located on the back of the  
seat you want to fold,  
and push the seatback  
down until it is locked  
into place.  
2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear  
latches onto the rear set of floor pins.  
3. Push and pull on the seat to be sure it is properly  
attached.  
Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is  
locked into place.  
1-18  
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Returning the Seatback to an Upright  
Position  
Removing the Third Row Seat  
1. Remove the hideaway rear storage bins, if  
on page 2-54 for more information.  
{CAUTION:  
2. Make sure all items are off the seat.  
3. Put the seatback in its folded position before  
removing the seat. See “Folding the Seatback”  
previously.  
If the seatback is not locked, it could move  
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could  
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always  
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is  
locked.  
To raise the seatback, do the following:  
1. Move the second row seat completely forward by  
using the manual adjustment bar under either the  
front or rear of the seat cushion.  
2. From the passenger’s or driver’s side sliding door,  
pull up on the lever to release the seatback, then  
push up on the seatback to raise the seat.  
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it  
is locked into the upright position.  
1-19  
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Installing the Third Row Seat  
{CAUTION:  
A seat that is not locked into place properly  
can move around in a collision or sudden stop.  
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure  
to lock the seat into place properly when  
installing it.  
{CAUTION:  
4. From behind the seat, squeeze the release handle  
until the pin indicators are fully out. This indicates  
that the rear latches are released from the floor. For  
ease of removing the seat, squeeze the handle  
with the palm of your hand up.  
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not  
properly attached, or twisted will not provide  
the protection needed in a crash. The person  
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.  
After installing the seat, always check to be  
sure that the safety belts are properly routed  
and attached, and are not twisted.  
5. Lift the seat slightly from the floor to ensure the  
latches are clear of the floor pins.  
6. Pull the seat rearward and out of the vehicle. The  
release handle can be used to carry the seat.  
1-20  
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Do not put the third row seat in so it faces rearward  
because it will not latch that way. The seat has to go in  
before the hideaway rear storage bins. See Hideaway  
Rear Storage Bins on page 2-54 for more information.  
3. Try to raise the seat to make sure that it is locked  
down. The indicator pins will no longer stick out  
when the seat is properly latched into place.  
For ease of installing the seat, put the seat in the folded  
position before beginning this procedure.  
{CAUTION:  
1. From the rear of the vehicle, place the front hooks  
of the seat onto the front floor pins in the third row.  
To do this, the seat will need to be angled  
approximately 8-10 inches (20–25 cm) from the  
floor so the front hooks clear the rear floor pins and  
rear floor cups. Use the release handle to guide  
the seat into place.  
If the seatback is not locked, it could move  
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could  
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always  
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is  
locked.  
If the front hooks are not attached correctly, the  
rear latches will not attach to the rear set of  
floor pins.  
4. Return the seatback to its upright position. See  
“Returning the Seatback to an Upright Position”  
earlier in this section.  
2. Firmly push the rear latches into the rear floor pins  
by pushing down on the rear of the seat.  
1-21  
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Safety Belts  
{CAUTION:  
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone  
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo  
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a  
collision, people riding in these areas are more  
likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not  
allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle  
that is not equipped with seats and safety  
belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a  
seat and using a safety belt properly.  
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety  
belts properly. It also tells you some things you should  
not do with safety belts.  
{CAUTION:  
Do not let anyone ride where he or she can not  
wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a  
crash and you are not wearing a safety belt,  
your injuries can be much worse. You can hit  
things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it.  
You can be seriously injured or killed. In the  
same crash, you might not be, if you are  
buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt,  
and check that your passengers’ belts are  
fastened properly too.  
Your vehicle has indicators to remind you and your  
passengers to buckle your safety belts. See Safety Belt  
Belt Reminder Light on page 3-32.  
1-22  
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In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law  
says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work.  
Why Safety Belts Work  
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as  
it goes.  
You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have  
a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one.  
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so  
serious that even buckled up, a person would not  
survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of  
them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes  
walk away. Without belts they could have been badly  
hurt or killed.  
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the  
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does  
matter...a lot!  
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat  
on wheels.  
1-23  
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Put someone on it.  
Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider  
does not stop.  
1-24  
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The person keeps going until stopped by something. In  
a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...  
or the instrument panel...  
1-25  
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Questions and Answers About  
Safety Belts  
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident  
if I am wearing a safety belt?  
A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety  
belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,  
even if you are upside down. And your chance of  
being conscious during and after an accident,  
so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if  
you are belted.  
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to  
wear safety belts?  
A: Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in  
most of them in the future. But they are  
or the safety belts!  
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.  
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,  
and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why  
safety belts make such good sense.  
supplemental systems only; so they work with  
safety belts — not instead of them. Every airbag  
system ever offered for sale has required the use of  
safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has  
airbags, you 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.  
1-26  
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How to Wear Safety Belts Properly  
Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from  
home, why should I wear safety belts?  
This part is only for people of adult size.  
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in an  
accident — even one that is not your fault — you  
and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good  
driver does not protect you from things beyond your  
control, such as bad drivers.  
Be aware that there are special things to know about  
safety belts and children. And there are different  
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be  
riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-43  
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-46. Follow  
those rules for everyone’s protection.  
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).  
First, you will want to know which restraint systems your  
vehicle has.  
We will start with the driver position.  
Safety belts are for everyone.  
1-27  
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The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt  
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt  
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt  
across you more slowly.  
Driver Position  
Lap-Shoulder Belt  
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wear  
it properly.  
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.  
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.  
If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt  
Extender on page 1-42.  
1. Close and lock the door.  
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see  
how, see “Seats” in the Index.  
Make sure the release button on the buckle is  
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the  
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.  
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.  
Do not let it get twisted.  
5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle  
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.  
1-28  
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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on  
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this  
applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would  
be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid  
under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen.  
This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The  
shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across  
the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take  
belt restraining forces.  
The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash,  
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.  
1-29  
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Q: What is wrong with this?  
{CAUTION:  
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt  
is too loose. In a crash, you would move  
forward too much, which could increase injury.  
The shoulder belt should fit against your body.  
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly  
as much protection this way.  
1-30  
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Q: What is wrong with this?  
{CAUTION:  
You can be seriously injured if your belt is  
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,  
the belt would go up over your abdomen. The  
belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic  
bones. This could cause serious internal  
injuries. Always buckle your belt into the  
buckle nearest you.  
A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.  
1-31  
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Q: What is wrong with this?  
{CAUTION:  
You can be seriously injured if your belt goes  
over an armrest like this. The belt would be  
much too high. In a crash, you can slide under  
the belt. The belt force would then be applied  
at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and  
that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be  
sure the belt goes under the armrests.  
A: The belt is over an armrest.  
1-32  
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Q: What is wrong with this?  
{CAUTION:  
You can be seriously injured if you wear the  
shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your  
body would move too far forward, which would  
increase the chance of head and neck injury.  
Also, the belt would apply too much force to  
the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder  
bones. You could also severely injure internal  
organs like your liver or spleen.  
A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should  
be worn over the shoulder at all times.  
1-33  
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Q: What is wrong with this?  
{CAUTION:  
You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt.  
In a crash, you would not have the full width of  
the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is  
twisted, make it straight so it can work  
properly, or ask your retailer to fix it.  
A: The belt is twisted across the body.  
1-34  
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Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment  
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt height  
adjuster to the height that is right for you.  
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt  
is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be  
away from your face and neck, but not falling off your  
shoulder.  
To move it down, push  
down on the button (A)  
and move the height  
adjuster to the desired  
position. You can move the  
height adjuster up by  
pushing up on the shoulder  
belt guide.  
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.  
The belt should go back out of the way.  
Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the  
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage  
both the belt and your vehicle.  
After you move the height adjuster to where you want it,  
try to move it down without pushing the button down  
to make sure it has locked into position.  
1-35  
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Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy  
Right Front Passenger Position  
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant  
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be  
seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.  
To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety  
belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-28.  
The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same  
way as the driver’s safety belt — except for one  
thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out  
all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking  
feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all  
the way and start again.  
Rear Seat Passengers  
It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle  
up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in  
the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those  
who are wearing safety belts.  
Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be  
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike  
others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.  
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and  
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible,  
below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.  
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the  
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more  
likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For  
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making  
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.  
1-36  
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2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.  
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.  
Lap-Shoulder Belt  
All rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here  
is how to wear one properly.  
When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way,  
it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and  
start again.  
If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt  
Extender on page 1-42.  
Make sure the release button on the buckle is  
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the  
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.  
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.  
Do not let it get twisted.  
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt  
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt  
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt  
across you more slowly.  
3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle  
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.  
1-37  
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{CAUTION:  
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt  
is too loose. In a crash, you would move  
forward too much, which could increase injury.  
The shoulder belt should fit against your body.  
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on  
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash this applies  
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less  
likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the  
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause  
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go  
over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of  
the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.  
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.  
The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash,  
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.  
1-38  
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Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for  
Children and Small Adults  
Rear safety belt comfort guides may provide added  
safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown  
booster seats and for some adults. When installed on  
a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt  
away from the neck and head.  
There may be one guide for each second row position.  
If your vehicle has a third row, there is one guide for  
each outboard position. Here is how to install a comfort  
guide and use the safety belt:  
1. Remove the guide from its storage pocket on the  
side of the seatback.  
1-39  
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2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the  
two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.  
3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.  
The guide must be on top of the belt.  
1-40  
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{CAUTION:  
A safety belt that is not properly worn may not  
provide the protection needed in a crash. The  
person wearing the belt could be seriously  
injured. The shoulder belt should go over the  
shoulder and across the chest. These parts of  
the body are best able to take belt restraining  
forces.  
4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as  
described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-36.  
Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the  
shoulder.  
To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the  
belt edges together so that you can take them out of the  
guides. Slide the guide into the storage pocket.  
1-41  
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Safety Belt Pretensioners  
Safety Belt Extender  
Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the driver  
and right front passenger. Although you cannot see  
them, they are located on the retractor part of the safety  
belts. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s  
forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal or  
near frontal crash.  
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you  
should use it.  
But if a safety belt is not long enough, your retailer will  
order you an extender. It is free. When you go in to  
order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so  
the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid  
personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and  
use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender has  
been designed for adults. Never use it for securing  
child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety  
belt. For more information see the instruction sheet  
that comes with the extender.  
Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a  
crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other  
new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing  
1-42  
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Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts?  
Child Restraints  
A: If possible, an older child should wear a  
lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a  
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt  
should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt  
should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the  
top of the thighs. It should never be worn over  
the abdomen, which could cause severe or even  
fatal internal injuries in a crash.  
Older Children  
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they  
are restrained in the rear seat.  
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike  
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown  
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety  
belts properly.  
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should  
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.  
1-43  
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Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,  
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt  
is very close to the child’s face or neck?  
A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window,  
move the child toward the center of the vehicle.  
If the child is sitting in a center rear seat position,  
move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In  
either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still  
is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the  
child’s upper body would have the restraint  
that belts provide. If the child is sitting in a  
second row position or a third row outboard position  
(if equipped), see Rear Safety Belt Comfort  
{CAUTION:  
Never do this.  
Here two children are wearing the same belt.  
The belt can not properly spread the impact  
forces. In a crash, the two children can be  
crushed together and seriously injured. A belt  
must be used by only one person at a time.  
1-44  
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{CAUTION:  
Never do this.  
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a  
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is  
behind the child. If the child wears the belt in  
this way, in a crash the child might slide under  
the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied  
right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause  
serious or fatal injuries.  
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt  
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching  
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s  
pelvic bones in a crash.  
1-45  
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Infants and Young Children  
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes  
infants and all other children. Neither the distance  
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes  
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,  
the law in every state in the United States and in  
every Canadian province says children up to some age  
must be restrained while in a vehicle.  
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,  
they should have the protection provided by appropriate  
restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s  
adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice.  
Instead, they need to use a child restraint.  
{CAUTION:  
People should never hold a baby in their arms  
while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not  
weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a  
baby will become so heavy it is not possible to  
hold it.  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
1-46  
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CAUTION: (Continued)  
{CAUTION:  
For example, in a crash at only 25 mph  
(40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly  
become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s  
arms. A baby should be secured in an  
appropriate restraint.  
Children who are up against, or very close to,  
any airbag when it inflates can be seriously  
injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder  
belts offer protection for adults and older  
children, but not for young children and  
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system  
nor its airbag system is designed for them.  
Young children and infants need the protection  
that a child restraint system can provide.  
1-47  
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Q: What are the different types of add-on child  
restraints?  
{CAUTION:  
A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the  
vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types.  
Selection of a particular restraint should take  
into consideration not only the child’s weight, height  
and age but also whether or not the restraint will  
be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will  
be used.  
Newborn infants need complete support,  
including support for the head and neck. This  
is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck  
is weak and its head weighs so much  
compared with the rest of its body. In a crash,  
an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the  
restraint, so the crash forces can be  
distributed across the strongest part of an  
infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants  
always should be secured in appropriate infant  
restraints.  
For most basic types of child restraints, there are  
many different models available. When purchasing a  
child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used  
in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a  
label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle  
safety standards.  
The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come  
with the restraint, state the weight and height  
limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition,  
there are many kinds of restraints available for  
children with special needs.  
1-48  
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Child Restraint Systems  
{CAUTION:  
The body structure of a young child is quite  
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom  
the safety belts are designed. A young child’s  
hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s  
regular safety belt may not remain low on the  
hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle  
up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the  
belt would apply force on a body area that is  
unprotected by any bony structure. This alone  
could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young  
children always should be secured in  
appropriate child restraints.  
An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a  
motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed  
to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat  
surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward  
the center of the vehicle.  
1-49  
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A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the  
seating surface against the back of the infant. The  
harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash,  
acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.  
A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for  
the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes  
with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.  
1-50  
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Q: How do child restraints work?  
A: A child restraint system is any device designed for  
use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position  
children. A built-in child restraint system is a  
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on  
child restraint system is a portable one, which  
is purchased by the vehicle’s owner.  
For many years, add-on child restraints have used  
the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help  
reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be  
secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt  
system secures the add-on child restraint in the  
vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness  
system holds the child in place within the restraint.  
One system, the three-point harness, has straps that  
come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and  
buckle together at the crotch. The five-point harness  
system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a  
crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip  
straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that  
are attached to a flat pad which rests low against the  
child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has  
straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield  
that swings up or to the side.  
A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to  
improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some  
booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and  
some high-back booster seats have a five-point harness.  
A booster seat can also help a child to see out the  
window.  
1-51  
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When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child  
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is,  
it will have a label saying that it meets federal  
motor vehicle safety standards.  
Q: When securing an aftermarket child seat in a  
bucket seat, I am unable to get the seat  
fastened in snugly enough. What should I do?  
A: With some child seats, it may be difficult to tighten  
the vehicle belts so that there is less side-to-side or  
front-to-back movement of the child seat. A  
replacement buckle, which makes it easier to  
secure your child seat, is available from your retailer  
at no charge to you.  
Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You  
may find these instructions on the restraint itself or  
in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the  
belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to  
be secured within the restraint to help reduce the  
chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on  
child restraint, refer to the instructions that come  
with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself  
or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The  
child restraint instructions are important, so if they  
are not available, obtain a replacement copy  
from the manufacturer.  
Where to Put the Restraint  
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they  
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.  
General Motors recommends that child restraints  
be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a  
rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing  
child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.  
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate  
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor  
says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the  
front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is  
so great, if the airbag deploys.  
1-52  
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Wherever you install a child restraint, be sure to secure  
the child restraint properly.  
{CAUTION:  
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can  
move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure  
people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure  
any child restraint in your vehicle – even when no child  
is in it.  
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be  
seriously injured or killed if the right front  
passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because  
the back of the rear-facing child restraint  
would be very close to the inflating airbag.  
Top Strap  
Even though the passenger sensing system is  
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal  
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag  
(if equipped) under certain conditions, no  
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee  
that an airbag will not deploy under some  
unusual circumstance, even though it is turned  
off. General Motors recommends that  
Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It  
can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.  
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to  
the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints  
are designed for use with or without the top strap being  
anchored. Others require the top strap always to be  
anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for  
your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap  
be anchored, do not use the restraint unless it is  
anchored properly.  
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the  
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.  
If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can  
be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.  
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit  
is available.  
If you need to 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.  
1-53  
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{CAUTION:  
Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor  
only one child restraint. Attaching more than  
one child restraint to a single bracket could  
cause the anchor to come loose or even break  
during a crash. A child or others could be  
injured if this happens. To help prevent injury  
to people and damage to your vehicle, attach  
only one child restraint per bracket.  
Once you have the top strap anchored, you will be  
ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top  
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s  
instructions say.  
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child  
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be  
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints  
also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a  
top strap, it should be anchored.  
Top Strap Anchor Location  
Anchor the top strap to an anchor point specified in Top  
Strap Anchor Location on page 1-54. Be sure to use  
an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle  
as the seating position where the child restraint will  
be placed.  
Do not secure a child restraint in the right front  
passenger’s position or at the third row passenger’s-side  
position if a national or local law requires that the top  
strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come  
with the child restraint say that the top strap must be  
anchored. There is no place to anchor the top strap in  
these positions.  
If the position you are using has an adjustable head  
restraint, route the top strap under it. See Head  
Restraints on page 1-6.  
1-54  
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Third Row  
A. Top Strap Anchor  
B. Seatback Release Latch  
Second Row  
In the third row (if equipped), there is a top strap anchor  
for the driver’s-side position or for the center position.  
The anchor is located on the back of the seat near  
the center of the seatback. The anchor can  
accommodate one top strap.  
In the second row, there is a top strap anchor for each  
seating position. The anchors are located at the rear  
base of the seat.  
1-55  
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Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers  
for Children (LATCH System)  
Your vehicle has the LATCH system. There are anchors  
in each seating position in the second row.  
This system, designed to make installation of child  
restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts.  
Instead, it uses vehicle anchors and child restraint  
attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints  
also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top  
tether strap.  
A. Lower Anchorage  
B. Lower Anchorage  
A. Lower Anchorage  
B. Lower Anchorage  
C. Top Tether  
1-56  
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In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you  
need a child restraint designed for that system.  
{CAUTION:  
To assist you in locating  
the lower anchors for this  
child restraint system,  
each seating position with  
the LATCH system has  
a label on the seatback.  
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached  
to its anchorage points, the restraint will not  
be able to protect the child correctly. In a  
crash, the child could be seriously injured or  
killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child  
restraint is properly installed using the  
anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety  
belts to secure the restraint, following the  
instructions that came with that restraint, and  
also the instructions in this manual.  
The labels are located at each lower anchor position,  
near the base of each second row seating position.  
1-57  
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Securing a Child Restraint Designed  
for the LATCH System  
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear  
Seat Position  
1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seating  
position you want to use, where the bottom of the  
seatback meets the back of the seat cushion.  
Children (LATCH System) on page 1-56.  
If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH  
on page 1-53 if the child restraint has a top strap or  
top tether.  
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.  
For vehicles with a third row, there is no top strap  
anchor in the passenger’s-side position. Do not secure  
a child seat in this position if a national or local law  
requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the  
instructions that come with the child restraint say that  
the top strap must be anchored.  
3. Attach and tighten the LATCH attachments on the  
child restraint to the LATCH anchorages in the  
vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show  
you how.  
4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and  
tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage.  
The child restraint instructions will show you  
how. Also see Top Strap on page 1-53.  
If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,  
you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the  
child restraint. Be sure to follow the instructions  
that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the  
child restraint when and as the instructions say.  
5. Push and pull the child restraint in different  
directions to be sure it is secure.  
1. Put the child restraint on the seat.  
To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top  
tether from the top tether anchorage and then  
disconnect the LATCH attachments from the LATCH  
anchorages.  
2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder  
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or  
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions  
will show you how.  
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3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is  
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the  
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.  
4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of  
the retractor to set the lock.  
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Securing a Child Restraint in the  
Right Front Seat Position  
Your vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to  
secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to  
Put the Restraint on page 1-52.  
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing  
system. The passenger sensing system is designed to  
turn off the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags  
when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small  
child in a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat is  
detected. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-74  
for more information on this including important  
safety information.  
5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,  
pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the  
lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder  
belt back into the retractor. If you are using a  
forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful  
to use your knee to push down on the child  
restraint as you tighten the belt.  
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different  
directions to be sure it is secure.  
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s  
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety  
belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an  
adult or larger child passenger.  
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A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing  
child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the  
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.  
If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in  
the right front seat position, move the seat as far  
back as it will go before securing the forward-facing  
child restraint. See Manual Seats on page 1-2 or  
Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-3.  
{CAUTION:  
If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH  
Children (LATCH System) on page 1-56.  
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be  
seriously injured or killed if the right front  
passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because  
the back of the rear-facing child restraint  
would be very close to the inflating airbag.  
There is no top strap anchor at the right front seating  
position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a  
national or local law requires that the top strap be  
anchored or if the instructions that come with the child  
restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. See  
Top Strap on page 1-53 if your child restraint has one.  
Even though the passenger sensing system is  
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal  
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag  
(if equipped) under certain conditions, no  
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee  
that an airbag will not deploy under some  
unusual circumstance, even though it is turned  
off. General Motors recommends that  
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the  
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.  
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You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the  
child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the  
instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure  
the child in the child restraint when and as the  
instructions say.  
1. Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbags.  
See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-74.  
General Motors recommends that rear-facing child  
restraints be secured in a rear seat, even if the  
airbag or airbags are off. If your child restraint is  
forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it will  
go before securing the child restraint in this  
seat. See Manual Seats on page 1-2 or Six-Way  
Power Seats on page 1-3.  
When the passenger sensing system has turned off  
the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags, the  
off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator  
should light and stay lit when you turn the ignition  
to RUN or START. See Passenger Airbag  
Status Indicator on page 3-33.  
4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is  
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the  
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.  
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.  
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder  
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or  
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions  
will show you how.  
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5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of  
the retractor to set the lock.  
6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,  
pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the  
lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder  
belt back into the retractor. If you are using a  
forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful  
to use your knee to push down on the child  
restraint as you tighten the belt. You should not be  
able to pull more of the belt from the retractor  
once the lock has been set.  
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different  
directions to be sure it is secure.  
8. If the airbag or airbags are off, the off indicator on  
the instrument panel will be lit and stay lit when the  
key is turned to RUN or START.  
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If a child restraint has been installed and the on  
indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child  
restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint.  
If your vehicle has a side impact airbag for the driver  
and/or the right front passenger, the words AIR BAG will  
appear on the airbag covering on the side of the  
seatback closest to the door.  
If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting  
the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make  
sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child  
restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly  
recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat  
cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is  
not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this  
happens, adjust the head restraint.  
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child  
restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and  
check with your retailer.  
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s  
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety  
belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an  
adult or larger child passenger.  
Frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of  
injury from the force of an inflating frontal airbag.  
But these airbags must inflate very quickly to do their  
job and comply with federal regulations.  
Airbag System  
Your vehicle has a frontal airbag for the driver and a  
frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle  
may also have side impact airbags. Side impact  
airbags are available for the driver and right front  
passenger.  
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Here are the most important things to know about the  
airbag system:  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
Side impact airbags for the driver and right  
front passenger are designed to inflate in  
moderate to severe crashes where something  
hits the side of your vehicle. They are not  
designed to inflate in frontal, in rollover or in  
rear crashes.  
{CAUTION:  
You can be severely injured or killed in a crash  
if you are not wearing your safety belt — even  
if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt  
during a crash helps reduce your chance of  
hitting things inside the vehicle or being  
ejected from it. Airbags are designed to work  
with safety belts but do not replace them.  
Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety  
belt properly — whether or not there is an  
airbag for that person.  
Frontal airbags for the driver and right front  
passenger are designed to deploy in moderate  
to severe frontal and near frontal crashes.  
They are not designed to inflate in rollover,  
rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in many  
side crashes. And, for some unrestrained  
occupants, frontal airbags may provide less  
protection in frontal crashes than more  
forceful airbags have provided in the past.  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
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CAUTION: (Continued)  
{CAUTION:  
not for young children and infants. Neither the  
vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag  
system is designed for them. Young children  
and infants need the protection that a child  
restraint system can provide. Always secure  
children properly in your vehicle. To read how,  
see Older Children on page 1-43 or Infants and  
Young Children on page 1-46.  
Both frontal and side impact airbags inflate with  
great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you  
are too close to an inflating airbag, as you  
would be if you were leaning forward, it could  
seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you  
in position for airbag inflation before and during  
a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with  
frontal airbags. The driver should sit as far back  
as possible while still maintaining control of the  
vehicle. Front occupants should not lean on or  
sleep against the door.  
There is an airbag  
readiness light on the  
instrument panel cluster,  
which shows the airbag  
symbol.  
{CAUTION:  
Anyone who is up against, or very close to,  
any airbag when it inflates can be seriously  
injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder  
belts offer the best protection for adults, but  
The system checks the airbag electrical system for  
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical  
problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-32  
for more information.  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
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Where Are the Airbags?  
The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the  
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.  
The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the  
steering wheel.  
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If your vehicle has one, the right front passenger’s side  
impact airbag is in the side of the passenger’s  
seatback closest to the door.  
If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact airbag  
is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.  
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When Should an Airbag Inflate?  
{CAUTION:  
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags  
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or  
near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only  
if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment  
threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a  
variety of desired deployment and non-deployment  
events and are used to predict how severe a crash is  
likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and help  
restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will  
or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is  
traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction  
of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down.  
If something is between an occupant and an  
airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or  
it might force the object into that person  
causing severe injury or even death. The path  
of an inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do  
not put anything between an occupant and an  
airbag, and do not attach or put anything on  
the steering wheel hub or on or near any other  
airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block  
the inflation path of a side impact airbag.  
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags,  
which adjust the restraint according to crash severity.  
For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inflate at a  
level less than full deployment. Your vehicle is  
equipped with electronic frontal sensors, which help the  
sensing system distinguish between a moderate  
frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For  
more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If  
the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall  
that does not move or deform, the threshold level for  
the reduced deployment is about 12 to 18 mph  
(19 to 29 km/h), and the threshold level for a full  
deployment is about 18 to 25 mph (29 to 40.2 km/h).  
(The threshold level can vary, however, with specific  
vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above  
or below this range.)  
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Airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For  
example:  
Your vehicle may or may not have a side impact airbag.  
See Airbag System on page 1-64. Side impact airbags  
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side  
crashes. A side impact airbag will inflate if the crash  
severity is above the system’s designed “threshold  
level.” The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle  
design. Side impact airbags are not designed to  
inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear  
impacts, because inflation would not likely help the  
occupant. A side impact airbag will only deploy on the  
side of the vehicle that is struck.  
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbag  
could inflate at a different crash speed than if  
the object were moving.  
If the object deforms, the airbag could inflate at a  
different crash speed than if the object does not  
deform.  
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the  
airbag could inflate at a different crash speed  
than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).  
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an  
airbag should have inflated simply because of the  
damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs  
were. For frontal airbags, inflation is determined by  
the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle  
slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side  
impact airbags, inflation is determined by the location  
and severity of the impact.  
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the  
airbag could inflate at a different crash speed  
than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.  
The frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are  
not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear  
impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation  
would not likely help the occupants.  
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What Makes an Airbag Inflate?  
How Does an Airbag Restrain?  
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing  
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both  
frontal and side impact airbags, the sensing system  
triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates  
the airbag. The inflator, the airbag and related hardware  
are all part of the airbag modules. Frontal airbag modules  
are located inside the steering wheel and instrument  
panel. For vehicles with side impact airbags, the airbag  
modules are located in the seatback closest to the  
driver’s and/or right front passenger’s door.  
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,  
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or  
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side  
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside  
of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection  
provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of  
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper  
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the  
frontal airbags would not help you in many types  
of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many  
side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion  
is not toward the airbag. Side impact airbags would not  
help you in many types of collisions, including frontal  
or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts,  
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward  
those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded  
as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and  
then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal  
collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s  
frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe  
side collisions for vehicles with a driver’s and right front  
passenger’s side impact airbag.  
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What Will You See After an Airbag  
Inflates?  
{CAUTION:  
After the airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly  
that some people may not even realize the airbag  
inflated. Some components of the airbag module will be  
hot for a short time. These components include the  
steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag and the  
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal  
airbag. For vehicles with side impact airbags, the side of  
the seatback closest to the driver’s and/or right front  
passenger’s door will be hot. The parts of the bag that  
come into contact with you may be warm, but not  
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust  
coming from the vents in the deflated airbags.  
When an airbag inflates, there is dust in the  
air. This dust could cause breathing problems  
for people with a history of asthma or other  
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in  
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe  
to do so. If you have breathing problems but  
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag  
inflates, then get fresh air by opening a  
window or a door. If you experience breathing  
problems following an airbag deployment, you  
should seek medical attention.  
Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing  
or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop  
people from leaving the vehicle.  
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In many crashes severe enough to inflate an airbag,  
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.  
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the  
right front passenger airbag.  
Notice: If you damage the covering for the driver’s  
or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the airbag  
covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s  
seatback, the airbag may not work properly. You  
may have to replace the airbag module in the  
steering wheel, both the airbag module and the  
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s  
airbag, or both the airbag module and seatback for  
the driver’s and right front passenger’s side  
impact airbag. Do not open or break the airbag  
coverings.  
Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an  
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for  
your airbag system. If you do not get them,  
the airbag system will not be there to help protect  
you in another crash. A new system will include  
airbag modules and possibly other parts. The  
service manual for your vehicle covers the need to  
replace other parts.  
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and  
diagnostic module which records information after  
Data Recorders on page 7-6.  
Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag  
system. Improper service can mean that an  
airbag system will not work properly. See your  
retailer for service.  
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The passenger sensing system will turn off the right  
front passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag  
(if equipped) under certain conditions. The driver’s  
airbag or airbags are not part of the passenger sensing  
system.  
Passenger Sensing System  
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The  
passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument  
panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to  
RUN or START. The words ON and OFF or the symbol  
for on and off, will be visible during the system check.  
When the system check is complete, either the word ON  
or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol  
for off will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status  
Indicator on page 3-33.  
The passenger sensing system works with sensors that  
are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety  
belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of  
a properly-seated occupant and determine if the  
passenger’s airbag or airbags should be enabled  
(may inflate) or not.  
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they  
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.  
General Motors recommends that child restraints  
be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a  
rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing  
child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.  
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate  
a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor  
says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the  
front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is  
so great, if the airbag deploys.  
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States  
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada  
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The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off  
the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags if:  
{CAUTION:  
the right front passenger seat is unoccupied  
the system determines that an infant is present in a  
rear-facing infant seat  
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be  
seriously injured or killed if the right front  
passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because  
the back of the rear-facing child restraint  
would be very close to the inflating airbag.  
the system determines that a small child is present  
in a forward-facing child restraint  
the system determines that a small child is present  
in a booster seat  
Even though the passenger sensing system is  
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal  
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag  
(if equipped) under certain conditions, no  
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee  
that an airbag will not deploy under some  
unusual circumstance, even though it is turned  
off. General Motors recommends that  
a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of  
the seat for a period of time  
the right front passenger seat is occupied by a  
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown  
child restraints  
or if there is a critical problem with the airbag  
system or the passenger sensing system.  
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the  
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.  
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the  
passenger’s airbag or airbags, the off indicator will  
light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag or airbags  
are off.  
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If a child restraint has been installed and the on  
indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child  
restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint  
following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions  
Seat Position on page 1-60.  
When the passenger sensing system has allowed the  
airbag or airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light  
and stay lit to remind you that the airbag or airbags  
are active.  
For some children who have outgrown child restraints  
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system  
may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s  
airbag or airbags, depending upon the person’s seating  
posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle  
who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety  
belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for  
that person.  
If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the  
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make  
sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child  
restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly  
recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat  
cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is  
not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this  
happens, adjust the head restraint.  
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front  
passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be  
because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If  
this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the person  
to place the seatback in the fully upright position, then sit  
upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with  
the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the  
vehicle and have the person remain in this position for  
about two minutes. This will allow the system to  
detect that person and then enable the passenger’s  
airbag or airbags.  
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child  
restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and  
check with your dealer.  
The passenger sensing system is designed to enable  
(may inflate) the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags  
anytime the system senses that a person of adult size  
is sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat.  
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CAUTION: (Continued)  
vehicle serviced promptly, because an  
adult-size person sitting in the right front  
passenger’s seat may not have the protection  
of the frontal airbag. See Airbag Readiness  
Light on page 3-32 for more on this, including  
important safety information.  
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect  
how well the passenger sensing system operates.  
You may want to consider not using seat covers or other  
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger  
sensing system. See Adding Equipment to Your  
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-78 for more  
information about modifications that can affect how the  
system operates.  
{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument  
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it  
means that something may be wrong with the  
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the  
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat  
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and  
seatback may interfere with the proper  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
operation of the passenger sensing system.  
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Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped  
Vehicle  
Adding Equipment to Your  
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle  
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.  
There are parts of the airbag system in several places  
around your vehicle. Your retailer and the service  
manual have information about servicing your vehicle  
and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,  
page 7-9.  
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, front end or side sheet  
metal or height, 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  
page 7-2  
{CAUTION:  
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is  
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an  
airbag can still inflate during improper service.  
You can be injured if you are close to an  
airbag when it inflates. Avoid yellow  
connectors. They are probably part of the  
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper  
service procedures, and make sure the person  
performing work for you is qualified to do so.  
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.  
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Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my  
vehicle modified. How can I find out whether  
this will affect my airbag system?  
Restraint System Check  
Checking the Restraint Systems  
A: Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,  
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic  
module (located under the driver’s seat), or  
the instrument panel 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  
page 7-2.  
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light  
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors  
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other  
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see  
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing  
its job, have it repaired.  
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a  
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt  
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.  
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and  
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system  
does not need regular maintenance.)  
1-79  
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If the LATCH system was being used during a more  
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.  
Replacing Restraint System Parts  
After a Crash  
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision  
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH  
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.  
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt  
or LATCH system was not being used at the time of  
the collision.  
{CAUTION:  
A crash can damage the restraint systems in  
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may  
not properly protect the person using it,  
resulting in serious injury or even death in a  
crash. To help make sure your restraint  
systems are working properly after a crash,  
have them inspected and any necessary  
replacements made as soon as possible.  
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag  
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier  
in this section.  
If the frontal airbags inflate you will also need to replace  
the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor  
assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new retractor  
assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.  
After a crash you may need to replace the driver and  
front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even  
if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver  
and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies  
contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your  
safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has  
been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays  
on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving.  
See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-32.  
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or  
LATCH system parts?  
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.  
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if  
worn during a more severe crash, then you need  
new parts.  
1-80  
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Section 2  
Features and Controls  
PASS-Key® III ..............................................2-28  
HomeLink® Wireless Control System ...............2-44  
HomeLink® Wireless Control System  
2-1  
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Keys  
{CAUTION:  
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition  
key is dangerous for many reasons. They  
could operate the power windows or other  
controls or even make the vehicle move. The  
children or others could be badly injured or  
even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle  
with children.  
This vehicle has a double sided key for the ignition and  
the driver’s door lock.  
Your vehicle has the PASS-Key® III vehicle theft  
system. The key has a transponder in the key head that  
matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column.  
If a replacement key or any additional key is needed,  
you must purchase this key from your retailer. The key  
will have PK3 stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag  
that came with the original keys. Give this tag to your  
retailer if you need a new key made.  
2-3  
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Any new PASS-Key® III key must be programmed  
before it will start your vehicle. See PASS-Key® III on  
page 2-28 for more information on programming your  
new key.  
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.  
Notice: If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,  
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.  
Be sure you have spare keys.  
Changes or modifications to this system by other than  
an authorized service facility could void authorization to  
use this equipment.  
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, see  
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5 for more  
information.  
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar® system with  
an active subscription and you lock your keys inside  
the vehicle, OnStar® may be able to send a command to  
unlock your vehicle. See OnStar® System on page 2-43  
for more information.  
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is  
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the  
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer  
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:  
Check the distance. You may be too far from your  
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during  
rainy or snowy weather.  
Remote Keyless Entry System  
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may  
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the  
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and  
try again.  
If equipped, the keyless entry system operates on a  
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications  
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.  
Check to determine if battery replacement is  
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under  
page 2-5.  
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.  
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.  
If you are still having trouble, see your retailer or a  
qualified technician for service.  
2-4  
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/ (Remote Vehicle Start): If your vehicle has this  
feature, you can start the engine from outside the  
vehicle. See “Remote Vehicle Start” at the end of this  
section for more detailed information.  
Remote Keyless Entry System  
Operation  
You can lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors and the  
liftgate using the remote keyless entry transmitter  
supplied with your vehicle.  
Q (Lock): To lock all doors and the liftgate, press the  
lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.  
See Power Door Locks on page 2-11 for more details on  
the power door lock features. If your vehicle has the  
content theft-deterrent system, the remote keyless entry  
transmitter’s lock button may arm the system. See  
Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-26 for more details.  
The remote keyless entry  
transmitter shown here is  
for a vehicle equipped  
with the remote vehicle  
start feature and dual  
power sliding doors.  
When you use the remote keyless entry transmitter  
to lock your vehicle, the turn signal lamps may flash to  
let you know the command has been received. If  
you press the lock button again, within five seconds, the  
horn will sound and the turn signal lamps may flash  
to let you know the vehicle is already locked. See “FOB  
LOCK FEEDBACK” under DIC Vehicle Personalization  
(Uplevel Only) on page 3-64 for additional information.  
The remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your  
vehicle will only contain the buttons specific to your  
vehicle’s factory installed remote system features.  
2-5  
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" (Unlock): When you press unlock on the remote  
keyless entry transmitter, only the driver’s door  
will unlock. If you press unlock again within five seconds,  
all the doors and the liftgate will unlock. If you would  
like all the doors to unlock the first time you press  
unlock, see “FOB UNLOCK ON 1ST PRESS” under DIC  
*+ (Dual Power Sliding Doors): If your vehicle  
has dual power sliding doors, your remote keyless entry  
transmitter will have two buttons that have a van symbol  
on them. The van symbol on the left is for the driver’s side  
sliding door and the van symbol on the right is for the  
passenger’s side sliding door. Press and hold the  
passenger’s or driver’s side button, with the van symbol  
on it, to open or close the selected power sliding door.  
See Power Sliding Door (PSD) on page 2-16.  
If your vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system,  
the unlock button on the remote keyless entry  
transmitter will disarm the system. See Content  
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-26 for more details.  
You can operate the power sliding door(s) with the  
remote keyless entry transmitter even if the power  
sliding door override switch(es), on the overhead  
console, are active or inactive. See Power Sliding  
Door (PSD) on page 2-16 for additional information.  
When you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to  
unlock your vehicle the turn signal lamps will flash to  
let you know the command was received.  
If the sliding door is closed and the power sliding door  
button on the transmitter is pressed and held, the  
vehicle’s doors will unlock and then the power sliding  
door will open. If the power sliding door has been locked  
using the manual door lock lever, you will need to  
unlock the power sliding door before it can be opened  
with the keyless entry transmitter sliding door button.  
L (Remote Alarm): When you press the horn button  
on the remote keyless entry transmitter, the turn  
signal lamps will flash and the horn will sound. This will  
allow you to attract attention, if needed.  
Press this button again to stop the alarm from sounding.  
If your vehicle’s fuel filler door is opened, the driver’s side  
power sliding door will not open completely. Do not try to  
force the door. Once the fuel filler door is closed, the  
driver’s side sliding door can be opened normally.  
Remote Power Sliding Door Operation  
+ (Power Sliding Door): If your vehicle has one  
power sliding door, the remote keyless entry transmitter  
will have a button with a van symbol on it. Press and hold  
this button to open or close the power sliding door. See  
2-6  
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1. Insert a flat object, such as a coin, into the slot on  
the side of the transmitter and twist it to separate  
the halves.  
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your  
Vehicle  
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to  
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.  
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can  
be purchased through your retailer. Remember to bring  
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to  
your retailer. When the retailer matches the replacement  
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters  
must also be matched. Once your retailer has coded the  
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock  
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four  
transmitters matched to it.  
See your retailer to match transmitters to another  
vehicle.  
Battery Replacement  
2. Gently pry the battery out of the transmitter. Do not  
use the metal flanges to pop out the battery.  
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless  
entry transmitter should last about three years.  
3. Replace the battery.  
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not  
work at the normal range in any location. If you have  
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,  
it is probably time to change the battery.  
4. Reassemble the transmitter. Make sure the halves  
are snapped together tightly so water will not get in.  
5. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons  
for seven seconds to synchronize the transmitter.  
Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to  
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body  
transferred to these surfaces may damage the  
transmitter.  
6. Check the transmitter operation.  
2-7  
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To start the engine using the remote start feature, do the  
following:  
Remote Vehicle Start  
This feature allows you to start the engine from outside  
the vehicle. It may also turn the rear window defogger  
if the outside temperature is below 45°F (7°C).  
1. Aim the remote keyless entry transmitter, if  
equipped with the remote vehicle start button,  
at the vehicle.  
Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of  
remote starters. For example, some laws may require  
a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view  
when doing so. Check local regulations for any  
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.  
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,  
then immediately press and hold the remote  
vehicle start button until the vehicle’s turn signal  
lamps flash, or for at least two seconds, if the  
vehicle’s lights are not visible. The vehicle’s doors  
will be locked.  
/ (Remote Vehicle Start): If your vehicle has the  
remote vehicle start feature, the remote keyless entry  
transmitter will have a button with this symbol on it.  
3. When the vehicle’s engine starts, the parking lamps  
will turn on and remain on while the engine is  
running.  
An increased range of operation is provided with the  
remote keyless entry transmitter that has the remote  
vehicle start button.  
After a remote start, the engine will automatically shut  
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has  
been done or the vehicle’s key is inserted into the  
ignition switch and turned to RUN.  
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low  
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.  
The maximum number of remote starts or remote start  
attempts between ignition cycles with the key is two.  
If it is the vehicle’s first remote start, and the engine is  
still running, repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a 10 minute time  
extension. Ten minutes will be added to the remaining  
minutes of the first remote start. The 10 minute time  
extension is considered a second remote start.  
2-8  
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After two remote starts have been provided, the  
vehicle’s ignition switch must be turned to RUN and  
then back to LOCK using the key before the remote start  
procedure can be used again.  
The remote vehicle start feature will not operate if:  
The remote start system is disabled. See “REMOTE  
Only) on page 3-64.  
If you enter the vehicle after a remote start, and the  
engine is running, insert the key into the ignition switch  
and turn it to the RUN position to drive the vehicle.  
The vehicle’s key is in the ignition.  
The vehicle’s hood, liftgate or doors are not closed.  
The hazard warning flashers are on.  
There is an emission control system malfunction.  
The engine coolant temperature is too high.  
The oil pressure is low.  
To manually shut off the engine after a remote start, do  
any of the following:  
Aim the remote keyless entry transmitter at the  
vehicle and press the remote start button until  
the parking lamps turn off.  
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.  
Two remote vehicle starts have already been  
provided. The maximum number of remote starts or  
remote start attempts between ignition cycles  
with the key is two.  
Insert the vehicle’s key into the ignition switch and  
turn the switch to RUN and then back to LOCK.  
2-9  
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There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.  
Doors and Locks  
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless  
entry transmitter.  
Door Locks  
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.  
{CAUTION:  
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.  
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.  
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.  
2-10  
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Power Door Locks  
From the inside, press the  
top of the power door lock  
switch, located on either  
front door, to unlock  
all doors and the liftgate.  
From the inside, use the manual or power door locks.  
With the content theft-deterrent system, the power door  
lock switch will not unlock the doors until the system  
is disarmed. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-26  
for more details.  
To unlock either front door from the inside, pull back on  
the manual lever. To lock either front door from the  
inside, push the manual lever forward.  
You can lock all doors and the liftgate from the inside  
by pressing the bottom of the power lock switch on  
either front door. With the content theft-deterrent system,  
the power door lock switch may cause the system to  
arm. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-26 for  
more details.  
2-11  
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If the liftgate has been unlocked with the power door  
locks, you will not need the key to open it. Squeeze the  
handle located above the license plate to open the  
liftgate. This is also true if you use the remote keyless  
entry transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry System on  
page 2-4.  
The doors may be locked immediately by repeating any  
of the above actions more than one time.  
If a door remains open, without any other door being  
opened or closed, the vehicle will lock after  
approximately 45 seconds.  
If the key is in the ignition, this feature will not lock  
the doors.  
Delayed Locking  
To turn the delayed locking feature off or on, see DIC  
This feature allows the locking of the vehicle to be  
delayed until all doors have been closed for  
approximately five seconds.  
Sliding Door Delayed Locking  
To activate the delayed locking feature, do one of the  
following:  
If either sliding door is open when you use the power  
door locks to lock the vehicle, the sliding door that  
is open will not lock. Normally the delayed locking  
feature will be used to lock the sliding door after it has  
been closed.  
Press the driver’s door power lock switch one time  
while the driver’s door is open.  
Press the passenger’s door power lock switch one  
time while the passenger’s door is open.  
The sliding door delayed locking feature will lock your  
sliding door(s) in situations where the delayed  
locking feature does not apply or was overridden or  
programmed to be off. See “Delayed Locking” earlier in  
this section. Shortly after the last sliding door is  
closed, all the doors will lock.  
Press the lock button on the remote keyless entry  
transmitter one time while any door is open.  
Two chimes will sound to signal that delayed locking is  
active.  
2-12  
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Automatic Door Locks  
Lockout Protection  
All of the doors will lock automatically when you move  
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This feature cannot  
be disabled.  
The lockout protection feature makes it more difficult to  
lock the key in the vehicle. If the driver’s door is  
open while the key is in the ignition, the door cannot be  
locked with the power door lock switch.  
If someone needs to get out of the vehicle while it is not  
in PARK (P), shift into PARK (P), or, have that person  
use the manual lever or the power door lock switch.  
When the door is closed again, it will lock when  
the vehicle exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h).  
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be  
locked out of the vehicle. If the key is not left in  
the ignition, or, if the manual door lock is used, the key  
could still be locked inside the vehicle. Always  
remember to take the key with you.  
With automatic door locks, you can lock or unlock the  
doors at any time, either manually or by using the power  
door lock switches.  
Dual Sliding Doors  
To open either sliding door from outside the vehicle, pull  
the handle out and then pull the door toward the rear.  
If you slide the door all the way back, the door will rest in  
a detent position.  
Programmable Automatic Door  
Unlock  
Your vehicle was programmed so that all doors will  
unlock automatically when the shift lever is moved into  
PARK (P).  
To move the door forward, you must first pull the door  
past the open detent position.  
The driver’s side sliding door is designed to open only a  
little if the fuel door is open. If this ever happens, do  
not try to force the sliding door. Just close the driver’s  
side sliding door. Then when the fuel filler door is  
closed, the driver’s side sliding door can be opened  
normally.  
To change the way the automatic door unlocking  
Only) on page 3-64.  
2-13  
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Sliding Door Lock  
{CAUTION:  
If your vehicle is facing downward on a steep  
grade (15 percent or more), the door may not  
stay open and could slam shut, possibly  
injuring someone. To make sure the door does  
not slam shut be sure to hold it open until  
everyone is clear of the door, and only then  
allow it to slowly close.  
2-14  
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Sliding Door Security Lock  
Your vehicle is equipped with sliding door security locks  
that helps prevent young children or other passengers  
from opening the sliding door(s) using the inside  
door handle. To use one of these locks, do the following:  
1. Open the sliding door.  
2. On the inside of the  
sliding door(s), on the  
front edge of the  
door will be a lock.  
Push the lever  
up to engage the lock.  
Lock either sliding door from inside the vehicle by  
moving the manual lever down. Unlock it by moving the  
lever up.  
With the power door locks, the sliding door lock has a  
delay feature. See Delayed Locking on page 2-12  
page 3-64.  
3. Close the door.  
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other door.  
2-15  
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If your vehicle has power sliding door(s), you can  
prevent power opening of the sliding door from the  
passenger power sliding door (psd) activation switch by  
pressing the psd second row passenger override  
(deactivation) switch located on the overhead console.  
See Power Sliding Door (PSD) on page 2-16.  
Power Sliding Door (PSD)  
If your vehicle has this feature, you can open and close  
the power sliding door(s) using the switches inside  
your vehicle. You can also operate the sliding door(s)  
with your remote keyless entry transmitter. See Remote  
Keyless Entry System on page 2-4.  
If you want to open the sliding door while the security  
lock is on, unlock and open the door from the outside.  
You should let adults and older children know how  
the security lock works, and how to cancel the lock. If  
you do not, adults or older children who ride in the rear  
will not be able to open the sliding door from the  
inside while the security lock feature is in use.  
{CAUTION:  
Leaving your children or pets unattended in  
your vehicle can be dangerous. They could  
operate the power sliding door. A child or  
others could be injured. Do not leave children  
or pets unattended in your vehicle.  
Canceling the Sliding Door  
Security Lock  
1. Unlock the sliding door and open the door from the  
outside.  
2. Push the security lock lever all the way down.  
3. Close the door.  
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other door.  
The sliding door lock will now work normally.  
2-16  
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If your vehicle has dual  
power sliding doors, you  
have these switches.  
Power Sliding Door (PSD) Switches  
Your vehicle will have one of the following switch(es)  
located on the overhead console switchbank.  
If your vehicle has a single  
power sliding door (PSD),  
you have this switch.  
Driver’s Side and  
Passenger’s Side PSD  
Switches  
Your vehicle also has  
passenger power sliding  
door activation switch(es).  
If you have a single  
PSD Activation/Override  
(Deactivation) Switch  
PSD, this switch is located  
in front of the passenger  
side sliding door. If  
your vehicle has dual  
PSDs, the switches are  
located in front of  
both sliding doors.  
Passenger PSD  
Activation Switch  
2-17  
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Power Sliding Door Operation  
To manually close the power sliding door(s) while  
the switches are in the activation position, pull the  
inside or outside door handle or the edge of  
the door. Move the door about 4 inches (10 cm)  
toward the closed position and release it. The door  
will close completely and latch.  
The power sliding door(s) will only open if the transaxle  
is in PARK (P). The transaxle does not have to be in  
PARK (P) to close the door(s).  
There are several ways to open and close the power  
sliding door(s).  
If a power sliding door is locked, it cannot be unlocked  
and opened using the overhead console PSD  
switch(es) or the passenger PSD activation switch(es).  
The power sliding door must either be manually  
unlocked or unlocked using the power door unlock  
switch located on the driver’s or front passenger’s  
armrest, and then opened using the overhead or  
passenger PSD activation switch(es).  
If your vehicle has a single power sliding door,  
press the top of the overhead console PSD  
activation/override (deactivation) switch.  
If your vehicle has dual power sliding doors, press  
the top of the driver’s side and/or passenger’s side  
overhead console PSD switch.  
Press the passenger PSD activation switch. This  
switch will also stop a moving door immediately.  
The remote keyless entry transmitter can also be used  
to open the power sliding door(s). If the vehicle is  
locked, press the power sliding door button(s) and all  
doors will unlock and the sliding door(s) will open.  
page 2-5.  
Press the power sliding door button on the remote  
keyless entry transmitter.  
To manually open the power sliding door(s) while  
the switch(es) are in the activation position, pull  
and release the inside or outside door handle  
to release the door latch. The door will fully open.  
If the power sliding door has been manually locked, you  
must unlock the PSD before it can be opened.  
2-18  
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Notice: If you leave the power sliding door on  
when you go through an automatic car wash, the  
door may accidentally open. Be sure the power  
sliding door is turned off when going through a  
car wash.  
If the power sliding door(s) is open or in the process of  
closing when you shift out of PARK (P), a chime will  
sound. This is a warning that the sliding door(s) is not  
completely closed. Also, the Driver Information  
Center (DIC) will indicate if the door is open. See DIC  
Warnings and Messages on page 3-49. Stop the vehicle  
and close the door.  
{CAUTION:  
If an object obstructs the power sliding door(s) while it is  
closing, the door will automatically reverse to the  
open position, provided it meets sufficient resistance.  
Resistance must be as strong as the force of the closing  
door, or stronger. The force of the closing door  
increases significantly as the door approaches the  
latched position.  
If you shift the transaxle out of PARK (P) and  
accelerate before the power sliding door  
latches closed, the door may reverse to the  
open position. A child or others could fall out  
of the vehicle and be injured. Always make  
sure the power sliding door is closed and  
latched before you drive away.  
The driver’s side sliding door is designed to open only a  
little if the fuel door is open. If this ever happens, do  
not try to force the sliding door. When the fuel filler door  
is closed, the driver’s side sliding door can be opened  
normally.  
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{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
You or others could be injured if caught in the  
path of the sliding door. Make sure the door  
path is clear before closing the door.  
If your vehicle is facing downward on a steep  
grade (15 percent or more), the door may not  
stay open and could slam shut, possibly  
injuring someone. To make sure the door does  
not slam shut, turn on the power sliding door  
feature. Then if the door closes, it will close  
under the control of the power door system.  
Power Sliding Door Second Row  
Passenger Override (Deactivation)  
To help avoid accidental operation of the sliding door(s)  
by using the passenger PSD activation switch, press  
the override (deactivation) part of the overhead console  
switch. The door can still be manually opened from  
the inside or outside with the override (deactivation) on.  
To open a power sliding door(s) manually when the  
overhead console switch is in override (deactivation)  
position, pull the inside or outside door handle and slide  
the door all the way back.  
To close the door(s) manually when the override  
switch(es) is in the override (deactivation) position, pull  
the inside or outside door handle and slide the door  
all the way forward to the latched position.  
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To stop the door(s) immediately while the door(s) is  
opening or closing, press the PSD override  
(deactivation) part of the switch.  
3. If the power sliding door overhead console switch is  
in the override (deactivation) position, return to the  
activation position.  
4. Open the sliding door using the remote keyless entry  
transmitter, overhead console switch, or passenger  
switch. Allow the door to travel fully open.  
Pressing the PSD button(s) on the remote keyless entry  
will open and close the door unless the door has  
been manually locked using the mechanical slider.  
If the door does not travel to the fully open position,  
press the overhead console switch to the override  
(deactivation) position and slide the door fully open and  
closed. Check for foreign objects in the tracks. Repeat  
the procedure starting with Step 1. If the door resists  
travel to the fully open position, see your dealer  
for service.  
Resetting the Power Sliding Door  
The power sliding door may operate incorrectly or not at  
all because of the following conditions:  
A low voltage or dead battery  
A disconnected battery  
If the instrument panel PSD/fuse 21, LHPSD/fuse  
24 or RHPSD/fuse 25 are removed or blown.  
Liftgate  
See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-98 for more  
information about your fuse panel.  
To unlock or lock the liftgate from the outside, use the  
remote keyless entry transmitter. For more information,  
page 2-5. You can also use the power door lock switch  
to lock and unlock the liftgate.  
If any of these conditions occur, the power sliding door  
may need to be reset. If your vehicle has the dual  
power sliding doors, both doors will have to be reset. To  
reset a door, do the following:  
Open the liftgate using the handle located 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.  
1. Check to be sure the power sliding door is unlocked  
and securely closed.  
2. Turn the ignition to LOCK.  
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Notice: If you open the liftgate without checking for  
overhead obstructions such as a garage door,  
you could break the liftgate glass. Always check to  
make sure the area above the liftgate is clear  
before opening it.  
{CAUTION:  
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate  
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can  
come into your vehicle. You cannot see or  
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and  
even death. If you must drive with the liftgate  
open or if electrical wiring or other cable  
connections must pass through the seal  
between the body and the liftgate:  
To close the liftgate, pull down on the handle, then  
firmly shut the liftgate. Do not drive with the liftgate even  
slightly open.  
Make sure all other windows are shut.  
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling  
system to its highest speed and select the  
control setting that will force outside air  
into your vehicle. See Climate Control  
System on page 3-24.  
If you have air outlets on or under the  
instrument panel, open them all the way.  
See Engine Exhaust on page 2-40.  
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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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Power Windows  
Manual Rear Quarter Windows  
Your vehicle may have manual rear quarter windows.  
The switches on the  
driver’s door armrest  
control the front windows  
when the ignition is in  
RUN, ACCESSORY  
or when Retained  
Accessory Power (RAP) is  
active. See Retained  
on page 2-31.  
To open, pull the latch  
forward to release it, then  
swing the window  
outward. Press the center  
of the latch to secure  
the window in the open  
position.  
The driver’s power window switch has two down  
positions. The first position lowers the window normally.  
To close, pull the center of the latch forward and then  
close the latch. Press the center of the latch to  
secure the window in the closed position.  
To raise the window, pull up the front of the switch.  
Express-Down Window  
To activate the express-down feature, push the AUTO  
switch all the way down to the second position, then  
release it. The window will lower completely. To stop the  
window from lowering all the way, pull up on the front  
of the switch.  
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Power Rear Quarter Windows  
Sun Visors  
Your vehicle may have power rear quarter windows.  
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You  
can also remove them from the center mount and  
swing them to the side.  
This switch, located in the  
overhead console  
switchbank, is used for  
opening and closing  
the power rear quarter  
windows.  
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 flip up the cover to expose the  
vanity mirror. The lamps will come on when you flip up  
the cover.  
Press the top of the switch to open the windows; both  
windows will open. The windows will continue to open as  
long as the switch is pressed, until they are fully  
opened.  
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.  
Press the bottom of the switch to close both windows.  
The windows can be closed fully or partially, depending  
on how long the switch is pressed.  
The ignition must be in RUN, ACCESSORY, or Retained  
Accessory Power (RAP) must be active, to use the  
power rear quarter windows. See Retained Accessory  
Power (RAP) on page 2-31.  
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Arming with the Power Lock Switch  
Content Theft-Deterrent  
Your alarm system will arm when the key is removed  
from the ignition and you use the driver’s power  
door lock switch, with the driver’s door open or the  
passenger’s door power door lock switch with the  
passenger’s door open to lock the vehicle. If you would  
like to turn on power door lock switch arming, see  
page 3-64.  
Your vehicle may have a theft-deterrent alarm system.  
When the security light flashes quickly the system is  
arming. After all doors and the liftgate are closed  
and locked, the security light will begin flashing at a  
very slow rate to let you know the system is armed.  
Arming with the Remote Keyless Entry  
Transmitter  
Your alarm system will arm if the key is not in the  
ignition and you use your remote keyless entry  
A light located on top of your instrument panel, near the  
center of the vehicle next to the windshield, will flash  
slowly to let you know that the system has been armed.  
transmitter to lock the doors. The security light will flash  
to let you know the system is arming. If you press  
the transmitter’s lock button twice withiin 5 seconds, the  
horn will sound. After all doors and the liftgate are  
closed and locked, the security light will begin flashing  
at a very slow rate to let you know the system is 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 RUN. The  
horn will sound and the turn signal lamps will flash for up  
to two minutes.  
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Arming with Your Key  
Disarming with the Remote Keyless  
Entry Transmitter  
Your alarm system will arm when you use your key to  
lock the driver’s door. The security light will flash to  
let you know the system is arming. After all doors and  
the liftgate are closed and locked, the security light  
will begin flashing at a very slow rate to let you know the  
system is armed. If you would like your key not to  
arm the system, see DIC Vehicle Personalization  
(Uplevel Only) on page 3-64.  
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your  
remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors.  
The security light will stop flashing to let you know the  
system is no longer armed.  
Disarming with Your Key  
Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key  
to unlock the driver’s door. The security light will  
stop flashing to let you know the system is no longer  
armed. If you would like your key not to disarm the alarm  
Only) on page 3-64.  
Arming Confirmation  
If remote unlock confirmation is on, the turn signal  
lamps will flash briefly to let you know when your alarm  
system has disarmed. If you would not like the turn  
signal lamps to flash, see DIC Vehicle Personalization  
(Uplevel Only) on page 3-64.  
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PASS-Key® III  
PASS-Key® III Operation  
Your PASS-Key® III system operates on a radio  
frequency subject to Federal Communications  
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.  
Your vehicle is equipped  
with the PASS-Key® III  
(Personalized Automotive  
Security System)  
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.  
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:  
theft-deterrent system.  
PASS-Key® III is a passive  
theft deterrent system.  
This means you do  
not have to do anything  
different to arm or disarm  
the system. It works  
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:  
when you insert or remove  
the key from the ignition.  
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.  
When the PASS-Key® III system senses that someone  
is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s  
starter and fuel systems. The starter will not work and  
fuel will stop being delivered to the engine. Anyone  
using a trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be  
discouraged because of the high number of electrical  
key codes.  
Changes or modifications 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 your vehicle.  
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If the engine does not start and the security message  
comes on, the key may have a damaged transponder.  
Turn the ignition off and try again.  
To program the new key, do the following:  
1. Verify the new key has PK3 stamped on it.  
2. Insert the original, already programmed key into the  
ignition lock cylinder and start the engine. If the  
engine will not start, see your retailer for service.  
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 instrument panel  
PASS KEY fuse. If the engine still does not start with  
the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle  
does start, the first key may be faulty. See your  
retailer or a locksmith who can service the  
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK  
and remove the key.  
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to RUN  
within 10 seconds of removing the previous key.  
PASS-Key® III to have a new key made. See Fuses and  
Circuit Breakers on page 5-98.  
5. The security message will turn off once the key has  
been programmed. It may not be apparent that the  
security message went on due to how quickly  
the key is programmed.  
It is 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.  
This procedure is for learning additional keys only. If all  
the currently programmed keys are lost or do not  
operate, you must see your retailer or a locksmith who  
can service PASS-Key® III to have keys made and  
programmed to the system.  
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to  
be programmed.  
If you are ever driving and the security message comes  
on and stays on, you will 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 retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by the  
PASS-Key® III system at this time.  
If you lose or damage a PASS-Key® III key, see your  
retailer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key® III to  
have a new key made.  
See your 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.  
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Ignition Positions  
Starting and Operating Your  
Vehicle  
The key can be turned to one of four positions while in  
the ignition switch.  
New Vehicle Break-In  
Notice: Your 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 speed, fast or slow, for  
the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not make  
full-throttle starts.  
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles  
(322 km) or so. During this time your 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.  
A (LOCK): This is the only position from which you can  
remove the key. This position locks your ignition and  
transaxle.  
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing  
a Trailer on page 4-38 for more information.  
Notice: Using a tool to force the key from the  
ignition switch could cause damage or break the  
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with  
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If  
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.  
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B (ACCESSORY): This is the position in which you can  
operate the electrical accessories, such as the radio.  
Starting the Engine  
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).  
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is  
a safety feature. To restart when you are already  
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.  
C (RUN): This is the position to which the switch returns  
after the engine is started and the ignition key is  
released. This is the position for driving. Even while the  
engine is not running, RUN can be used to operate  
your electrical accessories and to display some  
instrument panel warning lights.  
Notice: Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle  
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into  
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.  
D (START): This position starts the engine. When the  
engine starts, release the ignition key. The switch  
will return to RUN for driving.  
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your  
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let  
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as  
your engine warms up.  
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)  
Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than  
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to  
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat  
can damage your starter motor. Wait about  
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining  
your battery or damaging your starter.  
With RAP, your power windows and the audio system  
will continue to work for up to 10 minutes after the  
engine is turned off or until either door is opened. If a  
door is opened, the power windows and audio system  
will shut off.  
2. If the engine does not start in 10 seconds, push the  
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way  
down while you turn the key to START. Do this until  
the engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of  
the key.  
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3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then  
stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline.  
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the  
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in  
START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears  
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine  
still will not start, or starts briefly but then stops  
again, repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on the  
temperature. When the engine starts, release the  
key and the accelerator pedal.  
Engine Coolant Heater  
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater. In  
very cold weather, 0°F (18°C) or colder, the engine  
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and  
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,  
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum  
of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At  
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant  
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have an  
internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will  
prevent operation of the engine coolant heater when  
the temperature is at or above 0°F (18°C) as noted on  
the cord.  
Notice: Your 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 Saturn retailer. If you do not,  
your engine might not perform properly. Any  
resulting damage would not be covered by your  
vehicle’s warranty.  
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater  
1. Turn off the engine.  
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The  
electrical cord is located on the driver’s side of the  
engine compartment.  
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.  
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Automatic Transaxle Operation  
{CAUTION:  
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet  
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the  
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat  
and cause a fire. You could be seriously  
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded  
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will  
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong  
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.  
Maximum engine speed is limited when the vehicle is in  
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline  
components from improper operation.  
There are several different positions for the shift lever.  
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and  
store the cord as it was before to keep it away  
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be  
damaged.  
PARK (P): This gear position locks the front wheels.  
It is the best position to use when you start the engine  
because your vehicle cannot move easily.  
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting  
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle  
shift lock control system. Fully apply the regular brakes  
before shifting from PARK (P) when the ignition key  
is in RUN. A click from a solenoid may be heard,  
indicating that the shift lock control system is operating  
properly.  
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged  
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the  
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead  
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact  
your Saturn retailer in the area where you will be  
parking your vehicle. The Saturn retailer can give you  
the best advice for that particular area.  
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If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on  
the shift lever — push the shift lever all the way  
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then  
move the shift lever into the desired gear. See  
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.  
Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle  
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.  
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.  
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is  
stopped.  
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,  
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If  
on page 4-30.  
{CAUTION:  
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the  
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the  
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.  
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine does not  
connect with the wheels. To restart the vehicle when it  
is already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also,  
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.  
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is  
running unless you have to. 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, always set your  
parking brake and move the shift lever to  
PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park (P) on  
page 2-38. If you are pulling a trailer, see  
Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.  
{CAUTION:  
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is  
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless  
your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your  
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could  
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not  
shift into a drive gear while your engine is  
running at high speed.  
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Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)  
while the engine is running at high speed may  
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be  
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not  
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.  
Warm-Up Shift  
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle  
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside  
temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice  
that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until  
the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition  
designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment  
and defrost the windows more quickly. See Climate  
Control System on page 3-24 for more information.  
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for  
normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and  
you are:  
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the  
accelerator pedal about halfway down.  
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving,  
but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than  
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).  
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the  
accelerator all the way down.  
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)  
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):  
The vehicle will shift down to the next gear and have  
more power.  
When driving on hilly, winding roads  
Notice: If your vehicle seems to start up rather  
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and  
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you  
could damage the transaxle. Have your vehicle  
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)  
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and  
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds  
until then.  
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting  
between gears  
When going down a steep hill  
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SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but  
lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use  
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control the vehicles  
speed while going down steep mountain roads, but then  
you would also want to use the brakes off and on.  
Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in  
one place on a hill using only the accelerator  
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,  
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,  
use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle  
in place.  
Notice: Driving in SECOND (2) for more than  
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)  
may damage the transaxle. Also, shifting into  
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can  
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC  
OVERDRIVE (D) instead of SECOND (2).  
All-Wheel Drive  
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive, your engine’s driving  
power is sent to all four wheels for extra traction  
when needed.  
Notice: If your vehicle seems to start up rather  
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go  
faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle  
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your  
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,  
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,  
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less  
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher  
speeds.  
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate  
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It  
is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for  
road conditions.  
You may experience a brief vehicle vibration upon  
acceleration when driving in slippery conditions. This is  
normal and is an indication that the all-wheel drive  
system is functioning properly.  
See All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System on page 4-11 for  
more information.  
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power  
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use  
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the  
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle will  
not downshift into first gear until the vehicle is going  
slow enough.  
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If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will  
come on. See Brake System Warning Light on  
page 3-35.  
Parking Brake  
The parking brake is  
located under the  
instrument panel on the  
driver’s side of the vehicle.  
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake  
pedal down with your right foot while you push down on  
the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you  
lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop  
up to the released position.  
Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can  
overheat the brake system and cause premature  
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that  
the parking brake is fully released and the brake  
warning light is off before driving.  
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,  
see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.  
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal  
down with your right foot and push down on the parking  
brake pedal with your left foot.  
2-37  
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine  
Running  
Shifting Into Park (P)  
{CAUTION:  
{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 firmly 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. If you are  
pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on  
page 4-38.  
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with  
the engine running. Your vehicle could move  
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in  
PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set.  
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine  
running, it could overheat and even catch fire.  
You or others could be injured. Do not leave  
your vehicle with the engine running.  
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine  
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the  
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you  
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular  
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift  
lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it  
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was  
not fully locked into PARK (P).  
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and  
set the parking brake with your left foot.  
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the  
shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it  
will go.  
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.  
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can  
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your  
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).  
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Torque Lock  
Parking Over Things That Burn  
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your  
vehicle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle  
may put too much force on the parking pawl in the  
transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever  
out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To  
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift  
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s  
seat. To find out how, see Shifting Into Park (P)  
on page 2-38.  
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of  
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.  
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another  
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the  
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you  
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).  
Shifting Out of Park (P)  
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock  
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)  
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. In addition,  
you must fully apply your regular brakes before you can  
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See  
{CAUTION:  
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust  
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not  
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other  
things that can burn.  
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Engine Exhaust  
Running the Engine While Parked  
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you  
ever have to, here are some things to know.  
{CAUTION:  
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas  
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot  
see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness  
and death.  
{CAUTION:  
Idling the engine with the climate control  
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into  
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under  
Engine Exhaust on page 2-40.  
You might have exhaust coming in if:  
Your exhaust system sounds strange or  
different.  
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.  
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.  
Your vehicle was damaged when driving  
over high points on the road or over road  
debris.  
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly  
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if  
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.  
One place this can happen is a garage.  
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.  
NEVER park in a garage with the engine  
running.  
Repairs were not done correctly.  
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been  
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See  
Winter Driving on page 4-26.  
modified improperly.  
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into  
your vehicle:  
Drive it only with all the windows down to  
blow out any CO; and  
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.  
2-40  
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Mirrors  
{CAUTION:  
Manual Rearview Mirror  
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle  
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with  
the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can  
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine  
is running unless you have to. 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, always set your  
parking brake and move the shift lever to  
PARK (P).  
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the  
mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip  
the mirror in the center to move it up or down and side to  
side. The day/night adjustment can lessen glare from the  
headlamps behind your vehicle. Pull the tab forward for  
daytime use; push it back for night use.  
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not  
move. See Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-38.  
If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on  
page 4-38.  
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Outside Power Mirrors  
Outside Convex Mirror  
The controls, located on  
the driver’s door, operate  
both outside rearview  
mirrors.  
{CAUTION:  
A convex mirror can make things (like other  
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.  
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you  
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your  
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder  
before changing lanes.  
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex  
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the  
driver’s seat. It also makes things appear farther  
away than they really are.  
Push the top control to the left or right to choose either  
the driver’s or passenger’s outside rearview mirror.  
Leave the control in the center position to prevent  
moving the mirrors once they are adjusted.  
Use the arrows on the bottom control to adjust the  
position of each mirror. Adjust each mirror so that you  
can see the side of your vehicle and the area behind it,  
while sitting in a comfortable driving position.  
Outside Heated Mirrors  
The outside heated rearview mirrors are activated when  
the rear window defogger is turned on. See “Rear  
Window Defogger” in Climate Control System on  
page 3-24.  
Both outside mirrors can be folded forward or rearward  
to prevent damage when going through car washes  
or confined spaces.  
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OnStar® System  
Safe and Sound Plan  
Advanced Automatic Collision Notification  
Automatic Notification of Airbag Deployment  
Emergency Services  
OnStar® uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite  
technology, wireless communications, and call centers  
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,  
information, and convenience services.  
Roadside Assistance  
A complete OnStar® user’s guide and the terms and  
conditions of the OnStar® Subscription Service  
Agreement are included in the vehicle’s glove box  
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com or  
www.onstarcanada.com. Contact OnStar® at  
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827), or press the  
OnStar® button to speak to an OnStar® advisor 24 hours  
a day, 7 days a week.  
Stolen Vehicle Tracking  
AccidentAssist  
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert  
Remote Diagnostics  
Online Concierge  
Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service  
Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com or  
www.onstarcanada.com.  
Directions and Connections Plan  
All Safe and Sound Plan Services  
Driving Directions  
OnStar® Services  
RideAssist  
For new vehicles equipped with OnStar®, the Safe and  
Sound Plan is included for the first year. You can  
extend this plan beyond the first year, or upgrade to the  
Directions and Connections Plan to meet your needs.  
For more information, press the OnStar® button to speak  
with an advisor.  
Information and Convenience Services  
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OnStar® Personal Calling  
HomeLink® Wireless Control  
System  
As an OnStar® subscriber, the Personal Calling  
capability is an available hands-free wireless phone that  
is integrated into the vehicle. Calls can be placed  
nationwide using simple voice commands with no  
additional contracts and no additional roaming charges.  
To find out more about OnStar® Personal Calling,  
refer to the OnStar® user’s guide in the vehicle’s glove  
box or visit www.onstar.com or www.onstarcanada.com;  
or speak with an OnStar® advisor by pressing the  
OnStar® button or by calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR  
(1-888-466-7827).  
OnStar® Virtual Advisor  
Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar® Personal Calling  
that uses minutes to access up-to-date weather and  
traffic reports for your area, news and sports updates,  
stock quotes, entertainment and more. Customize  
your information profile at www.myonstar.com. See the  
OnStar® user’s guide for more information.  
HomeLink, a combined universal transmitter and  
receiver, provides a way to replace up to three  
handheld transmitters used to activate devices such as  
gate operators, garage door openers, entry door  
locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional  
HomeLink information can be found on the Internet  
at www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.  
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If your vehicle is equipped with the HomeLink®  
transmitter, it complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.  
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:  
HomeLink® Wireless Control  
System Operation  
Do not use the HomeLink® Transmitter with any garage  
door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse”  
feature. This includes any garage door opener model  
manufactured before April 1, 1982. If you have a newer  
garage door opener with rolling codes, please be  
sure to follow Steps 6 through 8 to complete the  
programming of your HomeLink® Transmitter.  
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.  
Read the instructions completely before attempting to  
program the HomeLink® Transmitter. Because of  
the steps involved, it may be helpful to have another  
person available to assist you in programming the  
transmitter.  
2. This device must accept any interference received,  
including interference that may cause undesired  
operation of the device.  
Changes and modifications to this system by other than  
an authorized service facility could void authorization  
to use this equipment.  
Keep the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as  
well as for future HomeLink® programming. It is also  
recommended that upon the sale of the vehicle,  
the programmed HomeLink® buttons should be erased  
for security purposes. Refer to “Erasing HomeLink®  
Buttons” or, for assistance, contact HomeLink® on the  
Internet at: www.homelink.com or by calling  
1-800-355-3515.  
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Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage  
door or gate operator you are programming. When  
programming a garage door, it is advised to park outside  
of the garage.  
Some entry gates and garage door openers may  
require you to substitute Step 3 with the procedure  
noted in “Gate Operator and Canadian  
Programming” later in this section.  
4. The indicator light will flash slowly at first and then  
rapidly after HomeLink® successfully receives the  
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter.  
Release both buttons.  
5. Press and hold the newly-trained HomeLink® button  
and observe the indicator light.  
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in  
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more  
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.  
Programming HomeLink®  
Your vehicle’s engine should be turned off while  
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to  
program up to three channels:  
If the indicator light stays on constantly,  
programming is complete and your device should  
activate when the HomeLink® button is pressed and  
released.  
To program the remaining two HomeLink® buttons,  
begin with Step 2 under “Programming HomeLink®.”  
Do not repeat Step 1 as this will erase all of the  
programmed channels.  
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons,  
releasing only when the indicator light begins to  
flash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the  
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not  
repeat this step to program a second and/or third  
transmitter to the remaining two HomeLink® buttons.  
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter about  
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the HomeLink®  
buttons while keeping the indicator light in view.  
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds  
and then turns to a constant light, continue with  
Steps 6 through 8 following to complete the  
programming of a rolling-code equipped device  
(most commonly, a garage door opener).  
3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired  
button on HomeLink® and the hand-held transmitter  
button. Do not release the buttons until Step 4  
has been completed.  
6. Locate in the garage, the garage door opener  
receiver (motor-head unit). Locate the “Learn”  
or “Smart” button. This can usually be found where  
the hanging antenna wire is attached to the  
motor-head unit.  
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7. Firmly press and release the “Learn” or “Smart”  
button. The name and color of the button may  
vary by manufacturer.  
Gate Operator and Canadian  
Programming  
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter  
signals to “time out” or quit after several seconds of  
transmission. This may not be long enough for  
HomeLink® to pick up the signal during programming.  
Similarly, some U.S. gate operators are manufactured to  
“time out” in the same manner.  
You will have 30 seconds to start Step 8.  
8. Return to the vehicle. Firmly press and hold the  
programmed HomeLink® button for two seconds,  
then release. Repeat the press/hold/release  
sequence a second time, and depending on the  
brand of the garage door opener (or other rolling  
code device), repeat this sequence a third time  
to complete the programming.  
HomeLink® should now activate your rolling-code  
equipped device.  
To program the remaining two HomeLink® buttons,  
begin with Step 2 of “Programming HomeLink®.” You do  
not want to repeat Step 1, as this will erase all  
previous programming.  
If you live in Canada, or you are having difficulty  
programming a gate operator by using the  
“Programming HomeLink®” procedures (regardless of  
where you live), replace Step 3 under “Programming  
HomeLink®” with the following:  
Continue to press and hold the HomeLink® button while  
you press and release every two seconds (cycle)  
your hand-held transmitter until the frequency signal has  
been successfully accepted by HomeLink®. The  
indicator light will flash slowly at first and then rapidly.  
Proceed with Step 4 under “Programming HomeLink®”  
to complete.  
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Using HomeLink®  
Press and hold the appropriate HomeLink® button for at  
least half of a second. The indicator light will come  
on while the signal is being transmitted.  
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink®  
Button  
To program a device to HomeLink® using a HomeLink®  
button previously trained, follow these steps:  
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLink® button.  
Do not release the button.  
Erasing HomeLink® Buttons  
To erase programming from the three buttons do the  
following:  
2. The indicator light will begin to flash after  
20 seconds. While still holding the HomeLink®  
button, proceed with Step 2 under “Programming  
HomeLink®” shown earlier in this section.  
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons until  
the indicator light begins to flash, after 20 seconds.  
Do not hold the two outside buttons for longer  
than 30 seconds.  
Resetting Defaults  
To reset HomeLink® to default settings do the following:  
2. Release both buttons.  
HomeLink® is now in the train (learning) mode and can  
be programmed at any time beginning with Step 2  
under “Programming HomeLink®” shown earlier in this  
section.  
1. Hold down the two outside buttons for about  
20 seconds until the indicator light begins to flash.  
2. Continue to hold both buttons until the HomeLink®  
indicator light turns off.  
Individual buttons cannot be erased, but they can be  
reprogrammed. See “Reprogramming a Single  
HomeLink® Button” following this section.  
3. Release both buttons.  
For questions or comments, contact HomeLink® at  
1-800-355-3515, or on the Internet at  
www.homelink.com.  
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Cupholder(s)  
Storage Areas  
There are cupholders located below the center  
instrument panel switchbank. The cupholders have a  
rubber liner that can be removed, so that larger cups can  
fit into the cupholders. You can also remove the liner  
to clean it.  
Your vehicle’s large carrying capacity can store many  
items. If the vehicle has an extended wheelbase, it can  
carry even larger items. The floor pins that are used  
to attach the seats, can be used to secure larger loads.  
There may be additional storage areas behind the  
seats. Pull the lid towards you to open the storage.  
To use the cupholders, pull the tray out. Push the tray  
back when not in use.  
Glove Box  
Overhead Console (With Rail)  
If the glove box has a lock, put your key into the lock  
and turn the key counterclockwise. To open the  
glove box, pull the latch release.  
If your vehicle is equipped with an overhead console, it  
may contain the following:  
Reading lamps. See Front Reading Lamps on  
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door  
from lowering too far. Open the glove box until the door  
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need  
it fully opened.  
page 3-18 or Rear Reading Lamps on page 3-18.  
Switchbank. See Overhead Console Switchbank on  
page 3-19.  
To close the glove box, the door must be pushed up  
past the detent. To lock the glove box, put your key into  
the lock and turn the key clockwise.  
OnStar® System buttons. See OnStar® System on  
page 2-43.  
HomeLink® Transmitter buttons. See HomeLink®  
Wireless Control System on page 2-44.  
See your retailer to purchase additional items for the rail  
system.  
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Storage Bin  
Your vehicle may have a storage bin located on the  
overhead rail that you can use for storage.  
4. Firmly press down making sure the latch is flat with  
the ribs (A) on the storage bin.  
5. Switch hands and repeat Steps 2 through 4 for the  
latch on the opposite side of the storage bin.  
1. Place the storage bin on to the rails in the desired  
location.  
6. Reverse these steps in order to remove the  
storage bin.  
2. Push firmly upward on the bin while supporting it  
with one hand.  
The contents of the bin should never weigh more than  
1.5 lbs (0.7 kg).  
3. Push in on the latch and then rotate it 90 degrees.  
Always make sure to close and latch the bin before  
driving.  
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Overhead Console (Without Rail)  
Folding Tray  
If your vehicle has an overhead console without the rail  
system, it has two reading lights, a courtesy light,  
and a switchbank. See Overhead Console Switchbank  
on page 3-19 for more information.  
Your vehicle may be  
equipped with folding  
convenience trays located  
between seats. To use  
each tray lift up on  
the handle located on its  
front end, while pulling  
up on the tray to lock it into  
place. There are four  
cupholders on each tray.  
Floor Console Storage Area  
If your vehicle has a storage compartment located on  
the front console below the front cupholders. Pull up and  
then forward on the handle to open the storage  
compartment.  
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Replacing the Center Console  
Second Row Center Console  
If your vehicle has the second row center console, use  
the following procedure to remove or install the  
console.  
{CAUTION:  
Removing the Center Console  
1. Locate the attachment lever in an opening on the  
rear of the console  
A second row center console that is not locked  
into place properly can move around in a  
crash or sudden stop. People in the vehicle  
could be injured. Be sure to lock the console  
into place properly when installing it.  
2. Pull the attachment lever upward to release the  
attachment hook.  
3. Lift the console up to remove it from the vehicle.  
1. Position the second row center console above the  
forward floor attachments between the second row  
bucket seats.  
For information on installing the seats, see Rear  
Seat Operation on page 1-6.  
2. Place the console’s front hooks onto the forward  
floor attachments.  
3. Locate the attachment lever at the rear of the  
console and pull up.  
4. Rock the rear attachment bracket onto the floor  
attachment and release the lever.  
5. Pull up on the console to ensure the rear  
attachment hook is latched.  
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Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when  
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle  
capacity and loading, see Loading Your Vehicle on  
page 4-31.  
Luggage Carrier  
{CAUTION:  
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you are driving,  
check now and then to make sure the cargo is still  
securely fastened.  
If you try to carry something on top of your  
vehicle that is longer or wider than the luggage  
carrier — like paneling, plywood, a mattress  
and so forth — the wind can catch it as you  
drive along. This can cause you to lose  
control. What you are carrying could be  
violently torn off, and this could cause you or  
other drivers to have a collision, and of course  
damage your vehicle. You may be able to carry  
something like this inside. But, never carry  
something longer or wider than the luggage  
carrier on top of your vehicle.  
Convenience Net (with Hideaway  
Rear Storage Bins)  
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The  
convenience net is designed to help keep small loads,  
from falling out of the vehicle when the liftgate is  
opened. Install the convenience net at the rear of your  
vehicle, inside the liftgate.  
To use the convenience net, do the following:  
1. Attach the upper loops to the posts on both sides of  
the liftgate opening. The label on the net should be  
in the upper left corner.  
If you have the luggage carrier, you can load things on  
top of your vehicle. Crossrails are not standard on  
this vehicle and must be purchased at your retailer.  
2. Attach the lower loops to the tabs at the rear edge  
of the rear hideaway rear storage bins.  
Notice: Loading cargo on the luggage carrier that  
weighs more than 150 lbs (68 kg) or hangs over  
the rear or sides of the vehicle may damage your  
vehicle. Load cargo so that it rests on the slats  
as far forward as possible and against the side rails,  
making sure to fasten it securely.  
When not in use, it is recommended that you take down  
the convenience net to extend the life of the net and  
to help retain its elasticity, and to keep the rear  
exit clear.  
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Convenience Net (without Hideaway  
Rear Storage Bins)  
Hideaway Rear Storage Bins  
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The  
convenience net is designed to help keep small loads,  
like grocery bags, from falling over. Install the  
convenience net at the rear of your vehicle, inside the  
liftgate.  
{CAUTION:  
If any removable convenience item is not  
secured properly, it can move around in a  
collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle  
could be injured. Be sure to secure any such  
item properly.  
To use the convenience net, do the following:  
1. Attach the upper loops to the posts on both sides of  
the liftgate opening. The label on the net should be  
in the upper left corner.  
Your vehicle may have hideaway rear storage bins. It  
provides extra storage space for the rear of the vehicle.  
2. Attach the lower hooks to the metal rings on  
the floor.  
To open the hideaway rear storage bins, pull up on  
the door latch located on the front of the cover.  
The hideaway rear storage bins cover has two automatic  
prop rods to hold it up and in place.  
3. Once you have loaded items into the net, stretch  
the higher side of the net up and over the top of  
the load to hold it firmly in place.  
The convenience net has a maximum capacity of  
100 lbs (45 kg). It is not designed to hold larger, heavier  
loads. Store such loads on the floor of your vehicle,  
as far forward as you can.  
To close the cover, you must pull one of the prop rod  
linkages toward you while holding onto the door  
latch and lower the cover to close it.  
When not in use, it is recommended that you take down  
the convenience net to extend the life of the net and  
to help retain its elasticity, and to keep the rear  
exit clear.  
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3. Lift the hideaway rear storage bins up and into the  
rear of the vehicle.  
Removing the Hideaway Rear  
Storage Bins  
1. Make sure that all items are off the hideaway rear  
storage bins and that they are empty.  
4. Slide the hideaway rear storage bins in and align it  
to the rear seat.  
5. Press down on the front of the hideaway rear  
storage bins so the center is aligned on the sill  
mounting bracket.  
2. Turn the hand knob, located at the rear of the  
hideaway rear storage bins, counterclockwise  
until the knob is loose.  
6. Turn the hand knob clockwise until it is tight.  
3. Lift up on the hand knob, then grip and pull up on  
the hideaway rear storage bins to remove them  
from the vehicle.  
7. Pull up on the hideaway rear storage bins to make  
sure they are locked into place.  
The cover of the hideaway rear storage bins can be left  
in its upright position while the vehicle is moving.  
Replacing the Hideaway Rear  
Storage Bins  
1. Make sure the third row seat is properly installed in  
the vehicle. See Third Row Seat on page 1-18 for  
more information. If the third row seat is not in  
the vehicle with the hideaway rear storage bins, the  
hideaway rear storage bins will not be locked  
into the correct position in the vehicle.  
The hideaway rear storage bins and the third row  
seat both have a maximum weight capacity of  
400 lbs (181.6 kg).  
Notice: Overloading your vehicle may cause  
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your  
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.  
2. Make sure that the hideaway rear storage bins are  
empty and closed.  
2-55  
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NOTES  
2-56  
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Section 3  
Instrument Panel  
3-1  
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Section 3  
Instrument Panel  
3-2  
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NOTES  
3-3  
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Instrument Panel Overview  
3-4  
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The main components of the instrument panel are the following:  
A. Air Outlets. See Outlet Adjustment on page 3-27.  
I. Audio System. See Audio System(s) on page 3-72.  
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See Turn  
J. Exterior Lamps Control. See Exterior Lamps on  
page 3-14.  
C. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See  
K. Interior Lamps Control. See Interior Lamps Control  
on page 3-16. Instrument Panel Brightness Control.  
See Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-16.  
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. See Instrument Panel  
Cluster on page 3-30.  
L. Hood Release. See Hood Release on page 5-11.  
M. Parking Brake. See Parking Brake on page 2-37.  
N. Horn. See Horn on page 3-6.  
E. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls (If  
page 3-43.  
O. Cruise Controls (If Equipped). See Cruise Control on  
F. Traction Control System Button (If Equipped). See  
page 3-10.  
P. Climate Controls. See Climate Control System on  
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Switch. See Hazard  
page 3-24.  
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.  
Q. Heated Seat Controls (If Equipped). See Heated  
H. Passenger Airbag Status And Passenger Seatbelt  
Reminder Indicator. See Passenger Airbag  
Belt Reminder Light on page 3-32.  
Seats on page 1-3.  
R. Glove Box. See Glove Box on page 2-49.  
3-5  
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Hazard Warning Flashers  
Horn  
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They  
also let police know you have a problem. Your front  
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.  
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering  
wheel pad to sound the horn.  
Tilt Wheel  
The hazard warning  
flasher button is located in  
the center of the  
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel  
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to  
the highest level to give your legs more room when you  
enter and exit the vehicle.  
instrument panel.  
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is  
located on the left side of the steering column.  
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what  
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in.  
To tilt the wheel, hold the  
wheel and pull the lever.  
Then move the wheel  
to a comfortable position  
and release the lever  
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal  
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to  
turn the flashers off.  
to lock the wheel in place.  
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn  
signals will not work.  
Other Warning Devices  
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set them up at  
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind  
your vehicle.  
3-6  
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The lever on the left side of the steering column  
includes the following:  
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever  
G Turn and Lane Change Signals. See Turn and  
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.  
3 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See  
Flash-to-Pass. See Flash-to-Pass on page 3-9.  
N Windshield Wipers. See Windshield Wipers on  
page 3-9.  
L Windshield Washer. See Windshield Washer  
on page 3-9.  
Z Rear Window Wiper. See Windshield Washer  
on page 3-9.  
= Rear Window Washer. See Windshield Washer  
on page 3-9.  
For information on the headlamps, see Exterior Lamps  
on page 3-14.  
3-7  
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If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for  
the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will flash at a  
normal rate even if a turn signal bulb is burned  
out. Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly  
to make sure they are working.  
Turn and Lane-Change Signals  
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two  
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you  
to signal a turn or a lane change.  
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up  
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will return  
automatically.  
Turn Signal On Chime  
If either turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 mile  
(1.2 km), a chime will sound to let the driver know to turn  
it off. If you need to leave the signal on for more than  
3/4 mile (1.2 km), turn off the signal and then turn it  
back on.  
An arrow on the instrument  
panel cluster will flash in  
the direction of the  
turn or lane change.  
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer  
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,  
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.  
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever  
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you  
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself  
when you release it.  
When the high beams are  
on, this light will appear on  
the instrument panel  
cluster.  
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrow  
flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned  
out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.  
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an  
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you  
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and check  
the fuse. See Bulb Replacement on page 5-47  
and Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-98.  
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,  
pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you.  
3-8  
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1 (High Speed): For high-speed wiping, turn the  
band further, to the second solid band past the  
delay settings.  
Flash-to-Pass  
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you  
to momentarily turn on the high beams. This will  
signal that you are going to pass. When you release the  
lever, they will turn off.  
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades  
before using them. If they are frozen to the windshield,  
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become  
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.  
Windshield Wipers  
Windshield Washer  
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band  
with the wiper symbol on it.  
LQ (Windshield Washer): Press and hold the  
windshield washer paddle with this symbol on it to wash  
your windshield. The washers and wipers will operate.  
8(Mist): For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to  
mist. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let go. The  
wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more  
wipes, hold the band on mist longer.  
When you release the paddle, the washers will stop, and  
the wipers will continue to operate for two cycles, unless  
your wipers had already been on. In that case, the wipers  
will resume the wiper speed you had selected earlier.  
9(Off): To stop the wipers, move the band to off.  
N(Delay): You can set the wiper speed for a long or  
short delay between wipes. This can be very useful  
in light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay  
time. The closer to the top of the lever, the shorter  
the delay.  
{CAUTION:  
In freezing weather, do not use your washer  
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the  
washer fluid can form ice on the windshield,  
blocking your vision.  
6 (Low Speed): For steady wiping at low speed,  
turn the band away from you to the first solid band past  
the delay settings. For high-speed wiping, turn the  
band further, to the second solid band past the delay  
settings. To stop the wipers, move the band to off.  
3-9  
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Rear Window Washer/Wiper  
Cruise Control  
The controls for the rear  
window washer/wiper are  
located on the end of  
the turn signal/multifunction  
lever.  
{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 needless wheel spinning,  
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise  
control on slippery roads.  
9 (Off): Move the lever to this position to turn the  
rear washers/wipers off.  
Z (Rear Wiper): Move the lever to this position to  
turn the rear wipers on.  
The cruise control lever is  
located below the  
windshield wiper control on  
the right side of the  
steering wheel.  
= (Rear Washer/Wiper): Move the lever to this  
position to wash and wipe the rear window.  
3-10  
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Setting Cruise Control  
Q RES + (Resume/Accelerate): Push the lever up to  
resume the cruise control speed, or to accelerate  
when passing another vehicle.  
{CAUTION:  
J (CRUISE CONTROL) ON/OFF q: Press the  
button on the end of the lever to turn the cruise control  
on. Press it again to turn cruise control off.  
If you leave your cruise control on when you  
are not using cruise, you might hit a button  
and go into cruise when you do not want to.  
You could be startled and even lose control.  
Keep the cruise control switch off until you  
want to use cruise control.  
R SET — (Set/Coast/Decelerate): Push the lever  
down to set the cruise speed. If the cruise speed  
is already set this position can be used to coast or  
decelerate from a higher speed.  
CANCEL R: Pull the lever to cancel the cruise  
control speed.  
1. Push the button at the end of the cruise control  
lever to turn the cruise control on.  
Cruise control allows a speed of approximately 25 mph  
(40 km/h) or more to be maintained without keeping  
your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips.  
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about  
25 mph (40 km/h).  
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.  
3. Push down on the cruise control lever and release  
it. This will set the speed in cruise control.  
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.  
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control  
shuts off.  
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction  
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin, the  
cruise control will automatically disengage. See Traction  
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8. When road  
conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.  
3-11  
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This symbol will appear on  
the instrument panel  
cluster when the cruise  
control is set.  
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise  
Control  
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:  
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher  
speed. Push up on the cruise control lever toward  
the plus (resume/accelerate) position, then  
release the lever and take your foot off the  
accelerator pedal. The vehicle will now cruise at the  
higher speed.  
This symbol will disappear when the brakes are applied  
or the cruise control is cancelled. It will reappear  
when the set cruise speed is resumed.  
Push up and hold the cruise control lever toward  
the plus (resume/accelerate) position until the  
vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then release  
the cruise control lever. To increase the vehicle’s  
speed in very small amounts, push up briefly on the  
cruise control lever and release it. Each time this  
is done, the vehicle will speed up approximately  
one mph (1.6 km/h).  
Resuming a Set Speed  
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then  
the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.  
But the cruise control does not need to be reset.  
Once the vehicle is traveling approximately 25 mph  
(40 km/h) or more, the cruise control lever can be  
pushed upward toward the plus (resume/accelerate)  
position to return to the preset cruise speed.  
The acceleration feature will only work after the cruise  
control speed has been set by pushing the cruise control  
lever down to the set position.  
The vehicle will return to and stay at the preset cruise  
speed. If the cruise control lever is pushed up and  
held toward the plus (resume/accelerate) position, the  
vehicle speed will increase until the lever is released or  
the brakes are applied. Do not continue to hold the  
lever in the plus (resume/accelerate) position, unless a  
faster speed is desired.  
3-12  
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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise  
Control  
Using Cruise Control on Hills  
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends  
upon the vehicle’s speed, its load, and the steepness of  
the hills. When going up steep hills, the accelerator  
pedal might have to be used in order to maintain  
the vehicle’s speed. When going downhill, the brakes  
might have to be applied, or the transaxle might have to  
be shifted to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed  
down. Doing either of these things will take the  
vehicle out of cruise. It may be better not to use the  
cruise control if the brakes constantly have to be  
applied, or the vehicle continuously needs to be shifted  
to a lower gear.  
There are two ways to reduce the vehicle’s speed while  
using cruise control:  
Push the cruise control lever downward toward the  
minus (set/coast/decelerate) position until a lower  
speed is reached, then release it.  
To slow down in very small amounts, push the  
cruise control lever downward toward the minus  
(set/coast/decelerate) position briefly. Each time this  
is done, the vehicle will slow down approximately  
one mph (1.6 km/h).  
Cancelling Cruise Control  
Passing Another Vehicle While Using  
Cruise Control  
To cancel a cruise control session, pull the cruise  
control lever forward, or step lightly on the brake pedal.  
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s  
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the  
vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed  
set earlier.  
Doing either of these things will only end the current  
cruise control session, but the set speed will be retained  
in memory.  
Push the button at the end of the cruise control lever to  
turn the system off.  
Erasing Speed Memory  
When the cruise control or the ignition is turned off, the  
cruise control set speed memory is erased.  
3-13  
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Due to the momentary switch design, your automatic  
lights may be disabled even if the control is in the AUTO  
position.  
Exterior Lamps  
The control to the left of  
the steering column  
operates the exterior  
lamps.  
; (Parking Lamps): Turn the control to this position  
to turn on the parking lamps together with the  
following:  
Taillamps  
Instrument Panel Lights  
5 (Headlamps): Turn the control to this position to  
turn on the headlamps, together with the previously  
listed lamps and lights.  
Wiper Activated Headlamps  
9 (Off): Turn the control to this position to toggle off  
all lamps. This is a momentary control that will spring  
back to AUTO when released.  
This feature, if equipped, will automatically activate the  
headlamps and parking lamps after the windshield  
wipers have been in use for about 30 seconds and when  
all of the following conditions are met.  
This momentary control will turn the automatic  
headlamps and/or the Daytime Running Lamps on and  
off for U.S. vehicles. For vehicles first sold in Canada,  
this is only true when the transaxle is in PARK (P).  
The exterior lamp control is in AUTO.  
The headlamps have not already been activated by  
automatic lighting.  
AUTO (Automatic): Turn the control to this position to  
set your headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode,  
if enabled, will turn the exterior lamps on and off  
automatically depending on how much light is available  
outside the vehicle.  
The automatic lighting feature has not been  
disabled using the exterior lamp control.  
See Exterior Lamps on page 3-14 for additional  
information.  
3-14  
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If the wipers are activated for over 30 seconds and the  
exterior lamp control is in the parking lamps position,  
or the automatic lighting feature has been disabled using  
the exterior lamp control, a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED  
message will appear on the Driver Information Center,  
if equipped.  
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.  
Headlamps on Reminder  
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 turn the ignition to LOCK while leaving the lamps  
on, you will hear a warning chime once the driver’s  
door is opened.  
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)/  
Automatic Headlamp System  
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. See Instrument Panel  
Brightness on page 3-16.  
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 first  
sold in Canada.  
To idle your vehicle with the DRL and automatic  
headlamps off, toggle the exterior lamp control to off  
after starting the vehicle.  
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the  
DRL work, so be sure it is not covered.  
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular  
headlamp system when you need it.  
3-15  
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Instrument Panel Brightness  
Interior Lamps Control  
The knob to adjust the  
instrument panel  
brightness is located in the  
center of the interior  
lamp controls.  
The interior lamp control is  
located to the right of the  
exterior lamp controls  
on the instrument panel to  
the left of the steering  
column.  
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights and  
counterclockwise to dim them.  
R (Interior Lamp Override): Turn the outer knob to  
this position to have your interior lamps remain off  
while any door is open.  
1 (Door): Turn the outer knob to this position to turn  
the interior lamps on while any door is open and  
when the ignition key is removed from the ignition.  
+ (Interior Lamps): Turn the outer knob to  
this position to turn the interior lamps on.  
Turn the inner knob to adjust the instrument panel  
brightness, described earlier in this section.  
3-16  
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The interior lamps may stay on for up to 25 seconds  
after all doors have been closed if they have not been  
locked. See Delayed Lighting on page 3-17.  
Dome Lamp  
The dome lamp is located in the headliner and has two  
buttons to manually turn it on or off. The dome lamp  
will come on each time you open a door, unless you turn  
on the interior lamps override feature. See Interior  
Lamps Control on page 3-16.  
To turn the entry lighting feature off or on, see DIC  
Delayed Lighting  
Entry Lighting  
The delayed lighting feature will continue to illuminate  
the interior for 20 seconds after all doors have been  
closed, so that you can find your ignition and buckle your  
safety belt at night. Delayed lighting will not occur  
while the ignition is in RUN or ACCESSORY. After  
20 seconds have passed, the interior lamps will slowly  
fade out. The lamps will fade out before the 20 seconds  
have passed if you do one of the following:  
With entry lighting, the interior of your vehicle is  
illuminated so that you can see inside before you enter  
your vehicle. The lamps will come on for 20 seconds  
if you unlock your door using your key or the remote  
keyless entry transmitter and the ignition is in LOCK.  
After 20 seconds have passed, the interior lamps  
will slowly fade out. The lamps will turn off before the  
20 seconds if you do one of the following:  
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACCESSORY.  
Lock all doors using the remote keyless entry  
transmitter.  
Lock all the doors using the key.  
Press lock on the power door lock switch.  
Press lock on the remote keyless entry transmitter.  
Lock all doors using the power door lock switch or  
the key.  
When any door is opened, entry lighting is cancelled.  
The interior lamps will stay on while any door or  
the liftgate is open, and slowly fade out when all doors  
and the liftgate are closed.  
To turn the delayed lighting feature off or on, see DIC  
3-17  
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Exit Lighting  
Front Reading Lamps  
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on for  
about 25 seconds whenever you remove the key from  
the ignition. If you turn the ignition key to RUN or  
ACCESSORY, the lamps will fade out. The lamps will  
also fade out if you lock the doors with the power  
door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter.  
There are two reading lamps and one courtesy lamp in  
the overhead console. To turn either reading lamp  
on or off, press the lens of the lamp. The courtesy lamp  
will come on each time you open a door, unless you  
turn on the interior lamps override feature. See Interior  
Lamps Control on page 3-16.  
When any door is opened, exit lighting is cancelled.  
The interior lamps will stay on while any door or  
the liftgate is open, and slowly fade out when all doors  
and the liftgate are closed.  
Rear Reading Lamps  
There are two reading lamps in the third row headliner.  
To turn either reading lamp on or off, press the lens  
of the lamp.  
The interior lamps may stay on for up to 20 seconds  
after all doors have been closed if they have not been  
locked. See Delayed Lighting on page 3-17.  
There may also be a reading lamp in the second row,  
integrated with the dome lamp. To turn the second  
row reading lamp on or off, press the button next to the  
lamp lens.  
To turn the exit lighting feature off or on, see DIC  
3-18  
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Cargo Lamp  
Overhead Console Switchbank  
The cargo lamp is located in the rear of your vehicle,  
above the liftgate opening, and does not have a switch.  
The cargo lamp will come on each time you open a  
door, unless you turn on the interior lamps override. See  
Interior Lamps Control on page 3-16.  
Battery Run-Down Protection  
The overhead console switchbank is located in the  
overhead console. This switchbank may include  
the following:  
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from  
draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave the  
interior lamps on. If you leave any interior lamps on  
while the ignition is in lock or off, they will automatically  
turn off after 10 minutes. The lamps will not come  
back on again until you do one of the following:  
Power Sliding Door(s)/Override Switch(es).  
See Power Sliding Door (PSD) on page 2-16.  
Power Rear Quarter Windows. See Power Rear  
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACCESSORY  
Quarter Windows on page 2-25.  
Open a closed door, or close and reopen a door.  
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)  
Disable Switch. See Ultrasonic Rear Parking  
Assist (URPA) on page 3-20.  
Turn the interior lamps on if they are in the door or  
override position.  
Turn the interior lamps to the door or override  
position and then to on again if the interior  
lamp control is in the on position.  
If your vehicle does not have some of these options,  
there will be a blank.  
If your vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the  
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after  
only three minutes.  
3-19  
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Ultrasonic Rear Parking  
Assist (URPA)  
{CAUTION:  
If your vehicle is equipped with the Ultrasonic Rear  
Parking Assist (URPA) system, it is designed to help you  
park, while the vehicle is in REVERSE (R). It operates  
only at very low speeds, less than 3 mph (5 km/h).  
URPA can help make parking easier and to help you  
avoid colliding with objects such as parked vehicles. The  
URPA system can detect objects up to 5 feet (1.5 m)  
behind the vehicle, and tell you how close these objects  
are from your rear bumper.  
Even with the Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist  
system, the driver must check carefully before  
backing up. The system does not operate  
above typical backing speeds of 3 mph  
(5 km/h) while parking. And, the system does  
not detect objects that are more than 5 feet  
(1.5 meters) behind the vehicle.  
So, unless you check carefully behind you  
before and when you back up, you could strike  
children, pedestrians, bicyclists or pets behind  
you, and they could be injured or killed.  
Your vehicle’s URPA operates when the shift lever is  
moved into REVERSE (R) and the vehicle speed is less  
than 3 mph (5 km/h). Four ultrasonic sensors located  
at the rear bumper are used to detect the distance to the  
object. The URPA display is located inside the vehicle,  
near the rear window. It has three color-coded lights  
used to provide distance and system information to  
the driver.  
Whether or not you are using rear park assist,  
always check carefully behind your vehicle  
before you back up and then watch closely as  
you do.  
3-20  
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URPA can be turned off by  
pressing the rear park aid  
disable switch located  
in the overhead console  
switchbank. While the  
system is disabled,  
an indicator light will be lit  
on the switch. You will  
not see any lights on the  
rear display if the switch is  
in the off position.  
How the System Works  
Unless disabled, the URPA will turn on automatically  
when the shift lever is moved into REVERSE (R). When  
the system turns on, the three lights on the display  
will illuminate for one and a half seconds to let you know  
that the system is working. If your vehicle is moving in  
REVERSE (R) at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h),  
the red light will flash to remind you that the system  
does not work at speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).  
If an object is detected at a REVERSE (R) speed of less  
than 3 mph (5 km/h), one of the following will occur:  
Description  
amber light  
amber/amber lights  
English  
5 ft  
40 in  
Metric  
1.5 m  
1.0 m  
amber/amber/red lights &  
continuous chime  
20 in  
0.5 m  
amber/amber/red lights  
flashing & continuous  
chime  
1 ft  
0.3 m  
A chime will sound the first time an object is detected  
between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m) away.  
URPA cannot detect objects that are above liftgate level.  
In order for the rear sensors to recognize an object, it  
must be within detection range behind the vehicle.  
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When the System Does Not Seem to Work  
Properly  
Accessory Power Outlets  
Your vehicle may be equipped with a front accessory  
power outlet located below the climate controls on  
the instrument panel. It can be used to plug in electrical  
equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio.  
The light may flash red when the vehicle is in  
REVERSE (R) if the ultrasonic sensors are not kept  
clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free of mud,  
dirt, snow, ice and slush. Other conditions that may  
affect system performance include things like the  
vibrations from a jackhammer or the compression of air  
brakes on a very large truck. If after cleaning the  
rear bumper and then driving forward at least 15 mph  
(25 km/h), the display continues to flash red, see  
your dealer.  
Pull the cover down to use the accessory power outlet.  
When not in use, keep the cover on.  
The rear accessory power outlet is located on the rear  
compartment on the driver’s side.  
To remove the cover, pull the tab on the cover and pull  
it off. To put the cover back on, line up the tabs at  
the back of the cover and put the cover in place. Push  
down the tab to secure the cover. When not in use,  
always cover the rear accessory power outlet with the  
protective cap.  
If a trailer was attached to your vehicle, or a bicycle or  
an object was on the back of, or hanging out of your  
liftgate during your last drive cycle, the light may  
also flash red. The light will continue to flash whenever  
in REVERSE (R) until your vehicle is driven forward  
at least 15 mph (25 km/h) without any obstructions  
behind the vehicle.  
Notice: Leaving electrical equipment on for  
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn  
off electrical equipment when not in use and do  
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum  
amperage rating.  
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible  
with the accessory power outlet and could result  
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a  
problem see your retailer for additional information  
on accessory power outlets.  
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Notice: Adding any electrical equipment to your  
vehicle may damage it or keep other components  
from working as they should. The repairs would not  
be covered by your warranty. Check with your  
retailer before adding electrical equipment.  
The power outlet is located  
behind the third row seats  
on the passenger’s  
side rear quarter trim  
panel.  
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the  
proper installation instructions included with the  
equipment.  
Notice: Improper use of the power outlet can cause  
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not  
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket  
from the plug because the power outlets are  
designed for accessory power plugs only.  
The power outlet is not designed for the following  
electrical equipment and may not work properly if these  
items are plugged into the power outlet:  
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating  
Current  
Equipment with high initial peak wattage such as:  
compressor-driven refrigerators and electric  
power tools.  
Your vehicle may have a power outlet that can be used  
to plug in auxiliary electrical equipment with a  
maximum limit of 150 watts. If you try to use equipment  
that requires more than the limit, a protection circuit  
will cut the power supply. To reset the outlet, unplug the  
item and plug it back in or turn the ignition key to  
OFF or ACC and then back on. The power will  
automatically restart when equipment that operates  
within the limit is plugged in.  
Other equipment requiring an extremely stable  
power supply such as: microcomputer-controlled  
electric blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.  
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Operation  
Climate Controls  
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to  
direct the airflow inside of your vehicle.  
Climate Control System  
To change the current mode, select one of the following:  
With this system you can control the heating, cooling  
and ventilation for your vehicle.  
H (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument  
panel outlets.  
) (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the  
instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining  
air to the floor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper  
outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets.  
6 (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the  
floor outlets. Use this mode to send air to the rear of the  
vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats free of  
objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of  
the vehicle.  
The right knob can also be used to select defog or  
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging and  
Defrosting” later in this section.  
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Outside Air: This mode will be automatically selected  
when your vehicle is in any mode except maximum  
air conditioning.  
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air  
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time  
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps  
the system to operate more efficiently.  
9 (Fan): Turn the left knob clockwise or  
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.  
Turn the knob to 0 to turn off the fan. The fan must  
be turned on for the air conditioning compressor  
to operate.  
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the  
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of  
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling  
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.  
# MAX (Maximum Air Conditioning): Turn the right  
knob to this position for maximum air conditioning.  
This will select air conditioning and recirculation  
for maximum cooling of your vehicle. This mode directs  
air to the instrument panel outlets.  
Temperature Control: Turn the center knob clockwise  
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the air  
temperature inside your vehicle.  
# (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the  
air-conditioning system on or off. When it is pressed, an  
indicator light in the button will come on to let you  
know that air conditioning is activated.  
Recirculation: This mode keeps outside air from  
coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside  
air and odors from entering your vehicle or help heat  
or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.  
This mode will automatically be selected when you  
select maximum air conditioning.  
You may notice a slight change in engine performance  
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and  
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed  
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while  
still maintaining the selected temperature.  
( (Heated Seats): Press this button to turn on the  
heated seats. The button on the left controls the driver’s  
seat and the button on the right controls the passenger’s  
seat. See Heated Seats on page 1-3 for additional  
information.  
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Defogging and Defrosting  
Rear Window Defogger  
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity,  
or moisture, condensing on the cool window glass.  
This can be minimized if the climate control system is  
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost  
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear  
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the  
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to  
remove fog from the rear window.  
< REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window  
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button  
will come on to let you know that the rear window  
defogger is activated.  
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or  
frost from the windshield more quickly.  
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes  
after the button is pressed. If turned on again, the  
defogger will only run for about five minutes before  
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off  
by pressing the button again or by turning off the engine.  
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.  
- (Defog): This mode directs air to the windshield  
and the floor outlets. When you select this mode,  
the system turns off recirculation and runs the  
air-conditioning compressor unless the outside  
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation  
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.  
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.  
0 (Defrost): This mode directs most of the air to the  
windshield and the side window outlets, with some  
air directed to the floor outlets. In this mode, the system  
will automatically turn off recirculation and run the  
air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside  
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot  
be selected while in the defrost mode.  
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.  
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Outlet Adjustment  
Rear Climate Control System  
Your vehicle may have a rear climate control system  
that allows the driver to adjust the fan speed for the rear  
seating area. This system works with the main climate  
control system in your vehicle.  
k (Open): Turn the thumbwheel to this position to  
open the air outlets.  
l (Closed): Turn the thumbwheel to this position to  
close the air outlets.  
Use the louvers located on the air outlets to change the  
direction of the airflow.  
Operation Tips  
Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air  
inlets at the base of the vehicle that may block  
the flow of air into your vehicle.  
Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors 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.  
This thumbwheel is located below the main climate  
control system on the instrument panel. Use this  
thumbwheel to adjust the fan speed for the rear seat  
passengers.  
9 (Fan): Slide the thumbwheel to 1, 2, or 3 to  
increase or decrease airflow to the rear seating area.  
Slide the fan knob to 0 to turn the fan off.  
AUX: Slide the thumbwheel to AUX to allow the rear  
passengers to adjust the temperature and airflow to the  
rear seating area.  
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Your vehicle may also have a rear climate control  
system that allows the rear passengers to adjust the  
temperature and fan speed for the rear seating area.  
t r (Decrease Setting): Press this button to  
decrease the fan or temperature setting when arrows  
are active in the display.  
When the front climate control is in AUX and the  
rear climate control fan or temperature button is  
pressed, the display will show the same airflow modes  
as the front climate control system. See Climate  
Control System on page 3-24  
[ u (Increase Setting): Press this button to  
increase the fan or temperature setting when arrows are  
active in display.  
9 (Fan): Press this button to increase or decrease  
fan speed. After pressing this button, arrows and a fan  
will appear in the display. The arrows indicate that to  
increase or decrease fan speed, you need to press  
either the left or right arrow button. The displayed arrows  
and fan will disappear after a few seconds.  
b (Temperature): Press this button to increase or  
decrease temperature. After pressing this button, arrows  
and a temperature scale will appear in the display.  
The arrows indicate that to increase or decrease  
temperature, you need to press either the left or right  
arrow button. The displayed arrows and temperature  
scale will disappear after a few seconds.  
The front control must be in AUX position to enable  
adjustment of the temperature and fan speed on the rear  
control system. If it is not in AUX, pressing the fan or  
temperature button on the rear climate control will show  
a DISABLED message on the rear seat entertainment  
system display.  
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Warning lights come on when there may be or is a  
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will  
see in the details on the next few pages, some  
warning lights come on briefly when you start the  
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are  
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed  
when this happens.  
Rear Air Outlets  
The outlet behind the left rear seat is the cold air return  
outlet. Be sure to keep it free from obstructions.  
Also, keep the area around the base of the center  
instrument panel console, between and under the front  
seats, free of objects that could also obstruct airflow  
to the rear seating area.  
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem  
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages  
and warning lights work together to let you know when  
there’s a problem with your vehicle.  
For more information on how to use the main climate  
control system, see Climate Control System on  
page 3-24. For information on ventilation, see Outlet  
Adjustment on page 3-27.  
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on  
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows  
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you  
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.  
Waiting to do repairs can be costly — and even  
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights  
and gages. They’re a big help.  
Warning Lights, Gages, and  
Indicators  
This part describes the warning lights and gages that  
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you  
locate them.  
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is  
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause  
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to  
your warning lights and gages could also save you  
or others from injury.  
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Instrument Panel Cluster  
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how  
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically. The  
indicator warning lights and gages are explained on the following pages.  
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Speedometer and Odometer  
Tachometer  
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both  
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).  
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has  
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)  
or kilometers (used in Canada).  
The tachometer displays  
the engine speed in  
revolutions per  
minute (rpm).  
Your vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer.  
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a  
new odometer installed. The new one can be set to  
the mileage total of the old odometer.  
Trip Odometer  
The trip odometer can display how far you have driven  
since you last reset it.  
Safety Belt Reminder Light  
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will  
come on for several seconds to remind people to  
fasten their safety belts.  
For more information see DIC Operation and Displays  
on page 3-43.  
The safety belt light will  
also come on and stay on  
for several seconds. If  
the driver’s belt is already  
buckled, neither the  
chime nor the light will  
come on.  
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Passenger Safety Belt Reminder  
Light  
Airbag Readiness Light  
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument  
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system  
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.  
The light comes on if there is an electrical problem. The  
system check includes the airbag sensor, the airbag  
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module.  
For more information on the airbag system, see Airbag  
System on page 1-64.  
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or  
START, a chime will be provided for several seconds to  
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety belt.  
This would only occur if a passenger is detected by the  
passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing  
System on page 1-74 for more information. The  
passenger safety belt light will also be provided and  
stay on for several seconds, then it will flash for several  
more. You should have the passenger buckle their  
safety belt.  
This light will come on  
when you start your  
vehicle, and it will flash for  
a few seconds. Then  
the light should go out.  
This means the system  
is ready.  
This chime and light will be  
repeated if the passenger  
remains unbuckled and  
the vehicle is in motion.  
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the  
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your  
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle  
serviced right away.  
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the  
chime nor the light will be provided.  
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator  
{CAUTION:  
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.  
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag status  
indicator.  
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you  
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system  
may not be working properly. The airbags in  
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they  
could even inflate without a crash. To help  
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your  
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag  
readiness light stays on after you start your  
vehicle.  
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States  
The airbag readiness light should flash for a few  
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the  
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will  
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.  
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada  
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START, the  
passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and  
OFF, or the symbol for on and off, for several seconds  
as a system check.  
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Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator  
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol  
to let you know the status of the right front passenger’s  
frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped).  
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag  
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing  
system has turned off the right front passenger’s airbag  
or airbags. See Passenger Sensing System on  
page 1-74 for more on this, including important safety  
information.  
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger  
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front  
passenger’s airbag or airbags are enabled (may inflate).  
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights  
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a  
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing  
system. See your retailer for service.  
{CAUTION:  
If the on indicator comes on when you have a  
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right  
front passenger’s seat, it means that the  
passenger sensing system has not turned off  
the passenger’s frontal airbag and  
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped).  
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be  
seriously injured or killed if the right front  
passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because  
the back of the rear-facing child restraint  
would be very close to the inflating airbag. Do  
not use a rear-facing child restraint in the right  
front passenger’s seat.  
{CAUTION:  
If the off indicator and the airbag readiness  
light ever come on together, it means that  
something may be wrong with the airbag  
system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle  
serviced promptly, because an adult-size  
person sitting in the right front passenger seat  
may not have the protection of the airbags.  
See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-32.  
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Charging System Light  
Brake System Warning Light  
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light  
will come on when you set your parking brake. The  
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release  
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully  
released, it means you have a brake problem.  
The charging system light  
will come on briefly when  
you turn on the ignition,  
but the engine is not  
running, as a check to  
show you it is working.  
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two  
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still  
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need  
both parts working well.  
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays  
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a  
problem with the charging system. It could indicate  
that you have problems with a generator drive belt, or  
another electrical problem. Have it checked right  
away. Driving while this light is on could drain your  
battery.  
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake  
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.  
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be  
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio  
and air conditioner.  
United States  
Canada  
This light should come on briefly when you turn the  
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it  
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a  
problem.  
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If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the  
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is  
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the  
floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,  
have the vehicle towed for service. See Anti-Lock Brake  
Vehicle on page 4-36.  
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning  
Light  
Your vehicle has an  
anti-lock brake system  
warning light. The anti-lock  
brake system warning  
light should come on for a  
few seconds when you  
turn the ignition key  
to RUN.  
{CAUTION:  
Your brake system may not be working  
properly if the brake system warning light is  
on. Driving with the brake system warning light  
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still  
on after you have pulled off the road and  
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for  
service.  
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on  
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn  
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on  
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn  
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset  
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again  
while you’re driving, the anti-lock brake system needs  
service and you do not have anti-lock brakes.  
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come  
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If  
the light does not come on then, have it fixed so it will  
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.  
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If the traction control system warning light comes on  
and stays on for an extended period of time when the  
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.  
Traction Control System (TCS)  
Warning Light  
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage  
Your vehicle is equipped  
with a traction control  
system warning light.  
The traction control system warning light may come on  
for the following reasons:  
If you turn the system off by pressing the traction  
control button. To turn the system back on, press  
the button again. The warning light should go  
off. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8  
for more information.  
United States  
Canada  
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the  
red gage lamp turns on, your engine is too hot!  
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically  
related to traction control, the traction control  
system will turn off and the warning light will come  
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction  
control system will turn off and the warning light will  
come on until your brakes cool down.  
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If  
you have been operating your vehicle under normal  
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your  
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.  
See Engine Overheating on page 5-25.  
If the traction control system is affected by an  
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and  
the warning light will come on.  
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Notice: Modifications made to the engine,  
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your  
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with  
other than those of the same Tire Performance  
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission  
controls and may cause this light to come on.  
Modifications to these systems could lead to costly  
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may  
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission  
Inspection/Maintenance test.  
Malfunction Indicator Lamp  
Check Engine Light  
Your vehicle is equipped  
with a computer which  
monitors operation of the  
fuel, ignition, and emission  
control systems.  
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is  
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is  
not running. If the light does not come on, have it  
repaired. This light will also come on during a  
malfunction in one of two ways:  
This system is called OBD II (On-Board  
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to  
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the  
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner  
environment. The check engine light comes on to  
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.  
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system  
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more  
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also  
designed to assist your service technician in correctly  
diagnosing any malfunction.  
Light Flashing — A misfire condition has been  
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions  
and may damage the emission control system on  
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be  
required.  
Light On Steady — An emission control system  
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.  
Diagnosis and service may be required.  
Notice: If you keep driving your vehicle with this  
light on, after awhile, your emission controls  
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not  
be as good, and your engine may not run as  
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may  
not be covered by your warranty.  
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been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing  
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.  
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed  
should turn the light off.  
If the Light Is Flashing  
The following may prevent more serious damage to  
your vehicle:  
Reducing vehicle speed  
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?  
Avoiding hard accelerations  
Avoiding steep uphill grades  
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition  
will usually be corrected when the electrical system  
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.  
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of  
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible  
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?  
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See  
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will  
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.  
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling  
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation  
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These  
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)  
This will be detected by the system and cause the  
light to turn on.  
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If  
the Light Is On Steady” following.  
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,  
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.  
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart  
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If  
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still  
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your retailer  
for service as soon as possible.  
If you experience one or more of these conditions,  
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least  
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.  
If the Light Is On Steady  
You may be able to correct the emission system  
malfunction by considering the following:  
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,  
your retailer can check the vehicle. Your retailer has  
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any  
mechanical or electrical problems that may have  
developed.  
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?  
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install  
the cap. See Filling the Tank on page 5-8. The  
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has  
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Emissions Inspection and Maintenance  
Programs  
Oil Pressure Light  
If you have low engine oil  
pressure, this light will stay  
on after you start your  
engine, or come on when  
you are driving.  
Some state/provincial and local governments have or  
may begin programs to inspect the emission control  
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this  
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle  
registration.  
Here are some things you need to know in order to help  
your vehicle pass an inspection:  
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check  
engine light is on or not working properly.  
This indicates that your engine is not receiving enough  
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have  
some other oil problem. Have it fixed immediately by  
your retailer.  
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD  
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical  
emission control systems have not been completely  
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be  
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if  
you have recently replaced your battery or if your  
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is  
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems  
during normal driving. This may take several days  
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle  
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD  
system readiness, your retailer can prepare the vehicle  
for inspection.  
The oil light could also come on in three other situations:  
When the ignition is on but the engine is not  
running, the light will come on as a test to show you  
it is working. The light will go out when you turn  
the ignition on. If it does not come on with the  
ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse  
or bulb. Have it fixed right away.  
If you are idling at a stop sign, the light may blink  
on and then off.  
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for  
a moment. This is normal.  
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Cruise Control Light  
{CAUTION:  
This light comes on  
whenever you set your  
cruise control.  
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If  
you do, your engine can become so hot that it  
catches fire. You or others could be burned.  
Check your oil as soon as possible and have  
your vehicle serviced.  
The light will go out when the cruise control is turned  
off. See Cruise Control on page 3-10 for more  
information.  
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may  
damage the engine. The repairs would not be  
covered by your warranty. Always follow the  
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing  
engine oil.  
Highbeam On Light  
This light will come on  
when the high-beam  
headlamps or the  
Flash-to-Pass feature  
is in use.  
Security Light  
For information regarding  
this light, see  
on page 2-25.  
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Here are four things some owners ask about. All these  
things are normal and do not indicate that anything  
is wrong with the fuel gage.  
Fuel Gage  
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before  
the gage reads full.  
It takes a little more (or less) fuel to fill up than the  
gage reads. For example, the gage read half full,  
but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s  
capacity to fill it.  
The gage pointer may move while cornering,  
braking or speeding up.  
The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition  
is turned off.  
United States  
Canada  
When the indicator nears empty, you still have a little  
fuel left, but you should get more soon.  
Low Fuel Warning Light  
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have  
left when the ignition is on.  
The light next to the fuel gage will come on briefly when  
you are starting the engine.  
This light comes on when the fuel tank is low on fuel.  
To turn it off, add fuel to the fuel tank.  
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If equipped, 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 retailer.  
Driver Information Center (DIC)  
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).  
All messages will 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 will display 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 DIC also allows some features to be customized or  
personalized, if equipped. See DIC Vehicle  
Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-64 for more  
information.  
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. See OnStar®  
System on page 2-43.  
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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DIC Buttons  
Information Button Items  
Q4R (Information): Press this button to scroll  
through the following items:  
Odometer  
Press the information button until the odometer displays.  
This mode shows the distance the vehicle has been  
driven in either miles or kilometers.  
Q4R (Information): Press this button to display the  
odometer, trip distance, time elapsed, average speed,  
fuel economy, battery voltage, oil life, and to turn off  
the DIC.  
Trip A and Trip B  
Press the information button until A or B displays. This  
mode shows the current distance traveled in either  
miles or kilometers since the last reset for each  
trip odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the  
same time.  
r (Set/Reset): Press this button to set or reset  
certain functions and to turn off or acknowledge  
messages on the DIC.  
The display will show the odometer on the top line and  
the trip odometer information, either A or B, on the  
bottom line.  
q (Menu): Press this button to display the units,  
language, personalization, if equipped, compass zone  
and compass calibration, if equipped. See DIC  
more information.  
Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by  
pressing the set/reset button while the desired trip  
odometer is displayed.  
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There is also a retroactive trip odometer function that  
performs the following for each trip odometer:  
TIME ELAPSED feature will automatically start timing  
where it left off when you last stopped. To reset it, press  
and hold the set/reset button for approximately  
1.5 seconds. The display will return to zero.  
If the vehicle’s speed has exceeded 3 mph (5 km/h)  
during the current ignition cycle, this function will  
set the trip odometer to the distance driven  
during the current ignition cycle.  
Average Speed  
Press the information button until AVERAGE SPEED  
displays. This mode shows the average speed of the  
vehicle in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per  
hour (km/h). This average is calculated based on the  
various vehicle speed recorded since the last reset of this  
value. To reset the value, press the information button to  
display AVERAGE SPEED, then press and hold the  
set/reset button. The display will return to zero.  
If the vehicle’s speed has not exceeded 3 mph  
(5 km/h), this function will set the trip odometer  
to the distance driven during the previous ignition  
cycle plus the distance driven during the current  
ignition cycle.  
Press and hold the set/reset button for three seconds,  
then release the button. The retroactive trip odometer  
value will be set into the currently displayed trip  
odometer.  
Fuel Range  
Press the information button until FUEL RANGE  
displays. This mode shows the approximate number of  
remaining miles or kilometers the vehicle can be  
driven without refueling.  
Time Elapsed  
Press the information button until TIME ELAPSED :00  
displays. This mode is like a stopwatch, in that you can  
clock the time it takes to get from one point to another.  
Each of the fields for the hours, minutes, and seconds  
are two numeric digits.  
Fuel range is based on several factors, including  
distance travelled, fuel used, fuel capacity, etc. This  
estimate will change if driving conditions change.  
For example, if driving in traffic and making frequent  
stops, this mode may read one number, but if the vehicle  
is driven on a freeway, the number may change even  
though the same amount of fuel is in the fuel tank.  
Once TIME ELAPSED :00 is displayed, press the  
set/reset button to start the timing feature. Press the  
set/reset button again to stop it. If you will be starting  
and stopping your vehicle, during a trip for instance, the  
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This is because different driving conditions produce  
different fuel economies. Generally, freeway driving  
produces better fuel economy than city driving.  
Fuel range cannot be reset.  
Battery  
Press the information button until BATTERY displays.  
This mode shows the current battery voltage.  
If there is a problem with the battery charging system, a  
DIC message will display. See DIC Warnings and  
Messages on page 3-49 for more information.  
If your vehicle is low on fuel, FUEL RANGE LOW will  
display followed by the LOW FUEL message. See “LOW  
FUEL” under DIC Warnings and Messages on  
page 3-49 for more information.  
Your vehicle’s charging system regulates voltage based  
on the state of the battery. The battery voltage may  
fluctuate when viewing this information on the DIC. This  
is normal.  
Average Fuel Economy  
Press the information button until AVG ECONOMY  
displays. This mode shows the approximate average  
miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers  
(L/100 km). This number is calculated based on the  
number of mpg (L/100 km) recorded since the last time  
this menu item was reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY,  
press and hold the set/reset button. The display  
will return to zero.  
Oil Life  
Press the information button until OIL LIFE displays.  
This mode shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining  
useful life. If you see OIL LIFE 99% on the display, that  
means 99% of the current oil life remains. The engine  
oil life system will alert you to change your oil on a  
schedule consistent with your driving conditions.  
Instantaneous Fuel Economy  
When the remaining oil life is low, the LOW OIL  
PRESSURE message will appear on the display. You  
should change your oil as soon as possible. See Engine  
Oil on page 5-13. In addition to the engine oil life  
system monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is  
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this  
manual. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 for  
more information.  
Press the information button until INST ECONOMY  
displays. This mode shows the current fuel economy at  
a particular moment and will change frequently as  
driving conditions change. This mode shows the  
instantaneous fuel economy in miles per gallon (mpg) or  
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km). Unlike average  
fuel economy, this screen cannot be reset.  
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Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself after  
each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be  
careful not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any  
time other than when the oil has just been changed. It  
cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change.  
To reset the engine oil life system, see Engine Oil Life  
System on page 5-16. The display will show 100%  
when the system is reset.  
Language  
Press the menu button until the language screen  
displays. This mode allows you to select the language  
in which the DIC messages will appear. Once in  
this mode, press the set/reset button to select among  
the following choices:  
English  
Francais (French)  
Espanol (Spanish)  
Menu Button Items  
q (Menu): Press this button to scroll through the  
Personalization (Uplevel Only)  
following items:  
Press the menu button until PERSONAL PROGRAM  
displays. Your vehicle may have personalization  
capabilities that allow you to program certain features to  
a preferred setting for up to two drivers.  
Units  
Press the menu button until UNITS displays. This mode  
allows you to select between English or Metric units  
of measurement. Once in this mode, press the set/reset  
button to select between ENGLISH or METRIC.  
Your vehicle may also have customization capabilities  
that allow you to program certain features to one  
preferred setting. Customization features can only be  
programmed to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be  
programmed to a preferred setting for up to two  
on page 3-64 for additional information on personal  
programming.  
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Compass Zone (Uplevel Only)  
Press the menu button until COMPASS ZONE displays.  
Press the set/reset button to change the compass  
zone. Zones 1 through 15 are available. The direction  
the vehicle is moving will be displayed in the top  
right corner of the DIC display.  
Compass Calibration (Uplevel Only)  
Under certain circumstances, such as during a long  
distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary to  
compensate for compass variance and reset the zone  
through the DIC.  
Compass variance is the difference between the earth’s  
magnetic north and true geographic north. If not  
adjusted to account for compass variance, the compass  
in the vehicle could give false readings.  
In order to do this, the compass must be set or  
calibrated to the variance zone in which the vehicle is  
travelling.  
2. Find the vehicle’s current location and variance  
zone number on the map.  
3. Press the set/reset button to scroll through and  
select the appropriate variance zone.  
To adjust for compass variance, use the following  
procedure:  
4. Press the menu button to advance to the  
COMPASS CALIBRATION screen.  
1. Press the menu button until COMPASS ZONE  
displays.  
5. To start the compass calibration, press and hold the  
set/reset button until CALIBRATION BEGUN DRIVE  
UNTIL DONE appears in the DIC display.  
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6. Drive the vehicle slowly in a circle two times to  
activate the compass.  
You should take any messages that appear on the  
display seriously and remember that clearing the  
messages will only make the messages disappear,  
not correct the problem.  
When the calibration is complete, the DIC will  
display CALIBRATION FINISHED.  
The following are the possible messages that can be  
displayed and some information about them.  
7. If the message CAL appears in the DIC, you must  
manually put the compass into the calibration mode  
again. Repeat Steps 1 through 6.  
A/C OFF FOR ENGINE PROTECTION  
This message will display when the engine coolant  
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.  
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air  
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.  
When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air  
conditioning compressor will turn back on. You can  
continue to drive your vehicle.  
DIC Warnings and Messages  
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver  
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that  
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the  
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after  
another.  
Some messages may not require immediate action, but  
you can press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge  
that you received the message and clear it from the DIC  
display.  
This message will come on while the ignition is in RUN.  
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
warning message and to clear it from the screen.  
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC  
display because they are more urgent. These messages  
require action before they can be cleared.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If there are any active warning messages when the  
vehicle is turned off, two chimes will sound and the DIC  
will go into a reminder mode. The reminder mode  
displays any active message. If there are multiple  
messages, the DIC will display each message for  
five seconds. After each active message is displayed  
once, the reminder mode will turn off.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on. If this message continues  
to appear, have the system repaired by your retailer  
as soon as possible to avoid damage to your engine.  
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The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.  
You can monitor the battery voltage by pressing the  
information button until BATTERY displays.  
ALL WHEEL DRIVE DISABLED  
If your vehicle has the all-wheel drive system, this  
message will display when there is a spare tire on the  
vehicle, or when the anti-lock brake system warning light  
comes on, or when the rear differential fluid is  
overheating. This message will turn off when the  
differential fluid cools.  
CHANGE OIL SOON  
This message will display when service is required for  
the vehicle. See your retailer. See Engine Oil on  
page 5-13 and Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 for  
more information.  
The all-wheel drive system will be disabled until the  
compact spare tire is replaced by a full-size tire. If the  
warning message is still on after putting on the full-size  
tire, you need to reset the warning message. To  
reset the warning message, turn the ignition off and  
then back on again. If the message stays on, see your  
retailer right away. See All-Wheel Drive (AWD)  
System on page 4-11 for more information.  
The CHANGE OIL SOON message is reset by  
acknowledging the message. The OIL LIFE screen  
under the gages menu on the DIC must also be reset.  
See “Oil Life” under DIC Operation and Displays on  
page 3-43 and Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16.  
This message will display while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE  
This message will display when the system detects that  
the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable  
level. The battery saver system will start reducing certain  
features of the vehicle that you may be able to notice.  
At the point that the features are disabled, this message  
is displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to  
save the charge in the battery.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the battery  
to recharge.  
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This message will display and a chime will sound while  
the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons  
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from  
the screen.  
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE  
This message will display when there is a problem with  
the generator and battery charging systems. Driving  
with this problem could drain your battery. Turn off all  
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the  
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical  
system checked by your retailer immediately.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display and a chime will sound while  
the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons  
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from  
the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
DELAYED LOCKING  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display to inform the driver that even  
though a door lock switch or the lock button on the  
remote keyless entry transmitter has been pressed, that  
actual locking of the doors is being delayed because  
the delayed locking feature has been activated in  
the DIC. See “DELAYED LOCKING” under DIC Vehicle  
Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-64 for more  
information.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
CHECK GAS CAP  
This message will display if the gas cap is not on, or is  
not fully tightened. Check the gas cap to ensure that  
it is on properly. See Filling the Tank on page 5-8  
for more information.  
This message will appear and a chime will sound when  
the ignition is off.  
This message cannot be acknowledged.  
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DRIVER’S DOOR AJAR  
DRIVER’S REAR DOOR AJAR  
This message will display when the driver’s door is not  
closed properly. When this message appears, you  
should make sure that the driver’s door is closed  
completely.  
This message will display when the driver’s side rear  
door is not closed properly. When this message  
appears, you should make sure that the driver’s side  
rear door is closed completely.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A  
chime will sound when the ignition is shifted out of  
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge  
this message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A  
chime will sound when the ignition is shifted out of  
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge  
this message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
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This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
ENGINE COOLANT HOT  
Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the engine is  
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If  
an overheat warning appears on the instrument  
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon  
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above  
normal idling speed. See Engine Overheating on  
page 5-25 for more information.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED  
This message will display when the engine coolant  
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant temperature  
warning light will also appear on the instrument panel  
page 3-37 for more information.  
This message will display when the amount of available  
light outside of the vehicle is low, or the windshield  
wipers have been on for approximately 30 seconds, and  
the exterior lamps control is off or in the park lamps  
position. This message informs the driver that turning on  
the exterior lamps is recommended. See Exterior  
Lamps on page 3-14 for more information.  
To avoid added strain on the engine, turn off the air  
conditioner if it is on. When the coolant temperature  
returns to normal, the air conditioner can be turned  
back on.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.  
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will display only when the ignition is in  
RUN. A chime will sound continuously when this  
message is displayed. Press any of the DIC buttons to  
acknowledge this message and to clear it from the  
screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
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HOOD AJAR  
KEY FOB BATTERY LOW  
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this  
message will display when the hood is not closed  
properly. When this message appears, you should make  
sure that the hood is closed completely. See Hood  
Release on page 5-11.  
This message will display when the battery in the  
remote keyless entry transmitter needs to be replaced.  
To replace the battery, see “Battery Replacement”  
on page 2-5.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.  
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.  
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
KEY IN IGNITION  
This message will display and a chime will sound  
continuously when the driver’s door is open and the key  
is in the ignition and in the accessory or off position.  
This message cannot be acknowledged.  
This message will disappear and the chiming will stop  
when the key is removed from the ignition.  
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This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
LEFT FRONT TURN LAMP OUT  
This message will display when the left front turn signal  
bulb needs to be replaced. See Headlamps and  
Sidemarker Lamps on page 5-47.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.  
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
LIFT GATE AJAR  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display when the liftgate is not closed  
completely. You should make sure that the liftgate is  
closed completely. See Liftgate on page 2-21.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A  
chime will sound when the ignition is shifted out of  
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge  
this message and to clear it from the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
LEFT REAR TURN LAMP OUT  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display when the left rear turn signal  
bulb needs to be replaced. See Taillamps, Turn  
This message will display while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
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The message will display and a chime will sound while  
the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons  
to acknowledge this message and to clear it from  
the screen.  
LOW BRAKE FLUID  
This message will display when the brake fluid level is  
low. Fill the brake master cylinder to the proper  
level. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12  
for the location of the brake master cylinder reservoir.  
Also, see Brakes on page 5-36 for proper fluid level.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
LOW OIL PRESSURE  
The brake system warning light will also appear on the  
instrument panel cluster when this message appears  
on the DIC. See Brake System Warning Light on  
page 3-35.  
Notice: If the LOW OIL PRESSURE warning  
message appears on the DIC display, stop the  
vehicle immediately. Do not drive the vehicle until  
the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.  
Severe engine damage can result from driving a  
vehicle with low oil pressure. See Engine Oil  
on page 5-13 for more information.  
This message will display and a chime will sound only  
while the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC  
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it  
from the screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine oil  
pressure is low. The oil pressure light will also appear  
on the instrument panel cluster. See Oil Pressure Light  
on page 3-40.  
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can  
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure. Have  
the vehicle serviced by your retailer as soon as  
possible when this message is displayed.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
LOW FUEL  
This message will display only when the ignition is in  
RUN. A chime will sound continuously when this  
message is displayed.  
This message will display when your vehicle is low on  
fuel. You should refill the tank as soon as possible. See  
Fuel Gage on page 3-42 and Filling the Tank on  
page 5-8 for more information.  
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This message cannot be acknowledged and cleared  
from the screen. This message will re-display for a few  
seconds if the condition still exists when the engine  
is turned off.  
PARK LAMPS ON  
This message will display to alert the driver when the  
headlamps or parking lamps are on while the ignition is  
off and the driver’s door is opened. See Exterior  
Lamps on page 3-14 for more information. A chime will  
sound continuously while this message is displayed.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
PARKING BRAKE ON  
This message cannot be acknowledged.  
This message will display to alert the driver when the  
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in RUN, and  
the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).  
Release the parking brake before driving. See Parking  
Brake on page 2-37 for more information.  
PASSENGER’S DOOR AJAR  
This message will display when the front passenger’s  
door is not closed properly. When this message  
appears, you should make sure that the front  
passenger’s door is closed completely.  
The brake light will also appear on the instrument panel  
cluster when this message appears on the DIC. See  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A  
chime will sound when the ignition is shifted out of  
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge  
this message and to clear it from the screen.  
A chime will sound continuously while this message is  
displayed if driving above 5 mph (8 km/h). Press  
any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this message  
and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
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The reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the  
vehicle is in motion, the driver is unbuckled and the  
passenger is still unbuckled and the passenger airbag is  
enabled. If the passenger’s seat belt is already  
PASSENGER’S REAR DOOR AJAR  
This message will display when the passenger’s side  
rear door is not closed properly. When this message  
appears, you should make sure that the passenger’s  
side rear door is closed completely.  
buckled, this message and chime will not come on.  
REDUCED ENGINE POWER  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN. A  
chime will sound when the ignition is shifted out of  
PARK (P). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge  
this message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will display when the vehicle’s engine  
power is reduced. This happens when driving conditions,  
such as climbing a steep hill, make the transaxle  
overwork in a gear that may cause damage to the  
vehicle’s engine or transaxle. Reduced engine power  
can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display and a chime will sound only  
when the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC  
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it  
from the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT  
FASTENED  
This message reminds you to buckle the passenger’s  
seat belt.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will display and a chime will sound when  
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is buckled, the  
passenger’s seat belt is unbuckled with the passenger  
airbag enabled and the vehicle is in motion. You should  
have the passenger buckle their seat belt.  
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REDUCED POWER STOP WHEN SAFE  
REMOTE START DISABLED  
This message will display when your vehicle is in an  
overheated engine operating mode. This operating mode  
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an  
emergency. In this mode, you will notice a significant  
loss in power and engine performance. See Overheated  
more information. Anytime this message is on, the  
vehicle should be taken to your retailer for service as  
soon as possible.  
This warning message will come on if a remote start  
attempt is unsuccessful. This may be caused if any of  
the following conditions are true when a remote  
start attempt is made:  
The remote start system is disabled through  
the DIC.  
The key is in the ignition.  
The hood or the doors are not closed.  
There is an emission control system malfunction.  
The engine coolant temperature is too high.  
The oil pressure is low.  
This message will display and a chime will sound only  
when the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC  
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it  
from the screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
The hazard warning flashers are turned on.  
The maximum number of remote starts or remote  
start attempts between ignition cycles has been  
reached.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
The content theft-deterrent alarm is on while  
attempting to remote start the vehicle.  
See “REMOTE START” under DIC Vehicle  
“Remote Vehicle Start” under Remote Keyless Entry  
System Operation on page 2-5 for more information.  
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Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
REMOTE START ON  
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this  
message will display when a remote start is initiated.  
See “Remote Vehicle Start” under Remote Keyless Entry  
System Operation on page 2-5 for more information.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
RIGHT FRONT TURN LAMP OUT  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will display when the right front turn  
signal bulb needs to be replaced. See Headlamps and  
Sidemarker Lamps on page 5-47.  
SERVICE ABS SYSTEM  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.  
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will display when the vehicle’s brakes are  
not functioning properly. Have the brake system  
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.  
The anti-lock brake system warning light will also  
appear on the instrument panel cluster when this  
message appears on the DIC. See Anti-Lock Brake  
System Warning Light on page 3-36.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will only display while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
RIGHT REAR TURN LAMP OUT  
This message will display when the right rear turn signal  
bulb needs to be replaced. See Taillamps, Turn  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will display while the ignition is in RUN.  
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This message will only display while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM  
This message will display when a problem with the  
brake system has been detected. Have your vehicle  
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
The brake system warning light will also appear on the  
instrument panel cluster when this message appears  
on the DIC. See Brake System Warning Light on  
page 3-35.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will only display while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM  
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will  
display if there has been a problem detected with  
StabiliTrak®. See StabiliTrak® System on page 4-9.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off  
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.  
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and  
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back  
on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs  
service. Have the StabiliTrak® System inspected by your  
retailer as soon as possible.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
SERVICE PARK LAMPS  
This message will display when there is a problem with  
the park lamps. Check to see if the park lamp fuse  
is blown and replace the fuse if necessary. See Fuses  
Panel Fuse Block on page 5-98 for more information. If  
changing the fuse does not correct the problem, see  
your retailer.  
This message will display only while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
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This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON  
This message will display when a non-emissions related  
malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle serviced by your  
retailer as soon as possible.  
This message will display only while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM  
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this  
message will display when the system is not functioning  
properly. A warning light will also appear on the  
instrument panel cluster. See Traction Control  
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8 for more information.  
Have the traction control system serviced by your  
retailer as soon as possible.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE  
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will  
display when StabiliTrak® is actively assisting you with  
directional control of the vehicle. Slippery road  
conditions may exist when this message is displayed,  
so adjust your driving accordingly. See StabiliTrak®  
System on page 4-9.  
This message will display only while the ignition is in  
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this  
message and to clear it from the screen.  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
This message will display only while the ignition is in  
RUN. This message stays on until road conditions  
change and StabiliTrak® is not active.  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
This message cannot be acknowledged and cleared  
from the screen.  
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STABILITY CONTROL OFF  
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE  
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will  
display any time the system turns off. When this  
message has been displayed, StabiliTrak® is no longer  
available to assist you with directional control of the  
vehicle. Adjust your driving accordingly. See StabiliTrak®  
System on page 4-9.  
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this  
message will display when the system is on. Slippery  
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,  
so adjust your driving accordingly. See Traction  
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8 for more information.  
This message only displays while the ignition is in  
RUN and will not disappear until driving conditions  
change and the traction control is no longer active.  
This message will display only while the ignition is  
in RUN.  
This message cannot be acknowledged or cleared from  
the screen.  
Any of the following conditions may cause the  
StabiliTrak® system to turn off:  
TRACTION CONTROL OFF  
The battery is low.  
There is a StabiliTrak® system failure. See your  
retailer for service.  
If your vehicle has the traction control system, this  
message will display when the traction control system  
turns off. See Traction Control System (TCS) on  
page 4-8 for more information.  
This message will only display while the ignition is in  
RUN and will disappear after two seconds.  
Any of the following conditions may cause the traction  
control system to turn off:  
The traction control system is turned off by pressing  
the traction control button located on the center of  
the instrument panel. See Traction Control  
System (TCS) on page 4-8.  
STARTING DISABLED  
This message will display if the starting of the engine is  
disabled due to the electronic throttle control system  
or vehicle theft-deterrent system. Have your vehicle  
serviced by your retailer immediately.  
This message will only appear while the ignition is in  
RUN, and will not disappear until the problem is  
resolved.  
The battery is low.  
This message cannot be acknowledged.  
There is a traction control system failure. See your  
retailer for service.  
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TRANSMISSION FLUID HOT  
DIC Vehicle Personalization  
(Uplevel Only)  
This message will display when the transaxle fluid in  
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it to  
idle until it cools down. If the warning message  
continues to display, have the vehicle serviced by your  
retailer as soon as possible.  
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that  
allow you to program certain features to one preferred  
setting. Customization features can only be programmed  
to one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed  
to a preferred setting for two different drivers. The  
customization features include the following:  
This message will display and a chime will sound only  
while the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the DIC  
buttons to acknowledge this message and to clear it  
from the screen.  
Exterior lighting delay  
Interior lighting delay  
Delayed locking  
This message will continue to display for two seconds if  
it has not been acknowledged when the engine is  
turned off. It will also re-display for two seconds if the  
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still  
exists when the engine is turned off.  
Content theft  
Remote keyless entry feedback  
Remote start  
Rear park chime  
If the condition still exists, the message will re-appear  
when the engine is turned on.  
Your vehicle may also have personalization capabilities  
that allow you to program certain features to a  
preferred setting for up to two drivers. The first  
personalized key corresponds to driver 1 and the second  
personalized key corresponds to driver 2. The  
personalization features include the following:  
TURN SIGNAL ON  
This message will display as a reminder to turn off the  
turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than  
about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn signal on. See Turn  
Radio station presets  
This message displays and a chime sounds only when  
the ignition is in RUN. This message will clear from  
the screen if the turn signal is manually turned off, a turn  
is completed, or the message is acknowledged.  
Auto door unlock preferences  
Remote keyless entry unlock preferences  
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All of the customization and personalization options may  
not be available on your vehicle. Only the options  
available will be displayed on your DIC.  
3. Press the set/reset button to begin.  
4. The DIC will then display an instruction screen.  
Press the menu button to display the modes that  
are available to program.  
The default settings for the customization and  
personalization features were set when your vehicle left  
the factory, but may have been changed from their  
default setting since then.  
Press the set/reset button to change the setting of  
each mode.  
Customization Menu Items  
The customization preferences are automatically  
recalled.  
The following are customization features that allow you  
to program settings to the vehicle:  
The driver’s personalization preferences are recalled by  
using the key programmed for driver 1 or 2.  
FACTORY DEFAULTS  
To change customization and personalization  
preferences, use the following procedure.  
This feature allows you to set all of the customization  
and personalization features back to their factory default  
settings.  
Entering the Personal Program Menu  
Press the menu button until FACTORY DEFAULTS  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehicle in  
PARK (P).  
2. Press the menu button until PERSONAL  
PROGRAM displays.  
NO (default): The customization and personalization  
features will not be set to their factory default settings.  
If the vehicle is not in PARK (P), PERSONAL  
PROGRAM ONLY IN PARK will display.  
If the vehicle is not able to enter the personal  
program menu, PERSONAL PROGRAM NOT  
AVAILABLE will display.  
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YES: The customization and personalization features  
will be set to their factory default settings.  
EXT (Exterior) LIGHT DELAY  
This feature allows you to set the amount of time the  
exterior lamps remain on after the key is removed from  
the ignition or the vehicle is unlocked using the  
remote keyless entry transmitter.  
If YES is selected, the keys will need to be personalized  
again to be recognized as key 1 or 2. See  
“PERSONALIZE KEY” later in this section for more  
information.  
Press the menu button until EXT LIGHT DELAY  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
OFF: The exterior lamps will not turn on.  
ALL KEYS RESET  
15 seconds: The exterior lamps will stay on for  
15 seconds.  
This screen will only display if YES was selected on the  
FACTORY DEFAULTS screen.  
30 seconds (default): The exterior lamps will stay on  
for 30 seconds.  
Press the set/reset button to scroll through the following  
choices:  
60 seconds: The exterior lamps will stay on for  
60 seconds.  
CANCEL (default): The features will not be set to their  
factory default settings and the DIC will return to the  
FACTORY DEFAULTS screen.  
90 seconds: The exterior lamps will stay on for  
90 seconds.  
OK: The features will be set to their factory default  
settings, the DIC will exit the personal program menu,  
and PERSONAL OPTIONS SAVED will display.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
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INT (Interior) LIGHTS KEYS REMOVED  
DELAYED LOCKING  
This feature enables the interior lamps in the vehicle to  
turn on for about 25 seconds after the key is removed  
from the ignition.  
This feature allows the locking of the vehicle to be  
delayed until all of the doors have been closed  
for approximately five seconds.  
Press the menu button until INT LIGHTS KEYS  
REMOVED appears on the DIC display. Press the  
set/reset button to scroll through the following choices:  
When the delayed locking feature is enabled, it may be  
activated when the key is out of the ignition by doing  
one of the following:  
Pressing the driver’s door power lock switch  
one time while the driver’s door is open.  
OFF: Removing the key from the ignition will not  
cause the interior lamps to turn on.  
Pressing the passenger’s door power lock switch  
one time while the passenger’s door is open.  
ON (default): Removing the key from the ignition will  
cause the interior lamps to be turned on for about  
25 seconds.  
Pressing the lock button on the remote keyless  
entry transmitter one time while any door is open.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
Two chimes will sound to signal that delayed locking is  
active.  
The doors may be locked immediately by repeating  
one of the above actions more than one time.  
If a door remains open, without any other door being  
opened or closed, the vehicle will lock after  
approximately 45 seconds.  
If a key is in the ignition, this feature will not lock the  
doors. See Delayed Locking on page 2-12 for more  
information.  
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Press the menu button until DELAYED LOCKING  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
ON (default): The content theft-deterrent system will be  
turned on.  
When ON is selected, the content theft-deterrent system  
will be armed when the vehicle is locked by pressing  
the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter  
or by pressing the power door lock switch. See  
Locks on page 2-11 for more information.  
OFF: There will be no delayed locking of the  
vehicle’s doors.  
ON (default): The locking of the vehicle’s doors will be  
delayed by five seconds while a door is open after a  
power door lock switch is pressed, or the lock button on  
the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed while  
a door is open.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
FOB LOCK FEEDBACK  
This feature allows you to select the type of feedback  
you will receive when locking the vehicle with the remote  
keyless entry transmitter.  
CONTENT THEFT  
If your vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system,  
once this feature is turned on, the system will activate if  
someone tries to enter the vehicle without using the  
remote keyless entry transmitter or the correct key. It will  
also activate when an incorrect key is used in the  
ignition.  
Press the menu button until FOB LOCK FEEDBACK  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to  
scroll through the following choices:  
OFF: There will be no feedback when locking the  
vehicle.  
Press the menu button until CONTENT THEFT appears  
on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to  
scroll through the following choices:  
LIGHTS: The exterior lamps will flash when you press  
the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.  
OFF: The content theft-deterrent system will be  
turned off.  
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LIGHTS and HORN (default): The exterior lamps will  
flash when you press the lock button on the remote  
keyless entry transmitter, and the horn will sound when  
the lock button is pressed again within five seconds  
of the previous command.  
REAR PARK CHIME  
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist  
(URPA) system, this feature allows the URPA system’s  
chime to be turned OFF or ON. See Ultrasonic Rear  
Parking Assist (URPA) on page 3-20 for more  
information.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
Press the option button until REAR PARK CHIME  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
REMOTE START  
OFF: The URPA system’s chime will be disabled.  
If your vehicle has remote start, this feature allows the  
remote start to be turned OFF or ON. The remote  
start feature allows you to start the engine from outside  
of the vehicle using the remote keyless entry  
transmitter. See “Remote Vehicle Start” under Remote  
more information.  
ON (default): The URPA system’s chime will be  
enabled.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
Press the menu button until REMOTE START appears  
on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to  
scroll through the following choices:  
Personalization Menu Items  
The following are personalization features that allow you  
to program setting for up to two drivers:  
OFF: The remote start feature will be disabled.  
PERSONALIZE KEY  
ON (default): The remote start feature will be enabled.  
If you are using a key that has already been  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
personalized to be recognized as key 1 or 2, this screen  
will not display. This feature allows you to personalize  
a key to be recognized as key 1 or 2. A personalized key  
allows you to program personalization features to a  
preferred setting to correspond to key 1 or 2.  
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Press the menu button until PERSONALIZE KEY  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
RADIO STATIONS PERSONALIZED  
This screen displays only if YES was selected for the  
PERSONALIZE KEY feature. This feature allows you to  
set the radio station presets to be recognized for the  
key, 1 or 2, that is being used. Once this message  
displays, set the radio station presets. If the presets are  
not set at this time, the presets will not be recognized  
for key 1 or 2, however, the vehicle radio station presets  
will be maintained.  
NO (default): The key will not be personalized.  
YES: The key will be personalized.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
AUTO DOOR UNLOCK  
REPLACE KEY  
This feature allows automatic door unlocking to be  
turned off, used for the driver’s door only, or for all of  
the doors.  
This screen displays only if YES was selected for the  
PERSONALIZE KEY feature, keys 1 and 2 have already  
been personalized, and the current key being used is  
not key 1 or 2. This feature allows you to program a key  
to be recognized as key 1 or 2 in the event that the  
previously programmed key needs to be replaced.  
Press the menu button until AUTO DOOR UNLOCK  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
1: The key will be programmed to be recognized as  
key 1.  
OFF: None of the doors will unlock when the vehicle is  
shifted into PARK (P) or the key is taken out of the  
ignition.  
2: The key will be programmed to be recognized as  
key 2.  
DRIVER: Only the driver’s door will unlock when the  
vehicle is shifted into PARK (P) or the key is taken out of  
the ignition.  
CANCEL (default): The key will not be programmed.  
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ALL (default): All of the doors will unlock when the  
vehicle is shifted into PARK (P) or the key is taken out  
of the ignition.  
FOB UNLOCK ON 1ST PRESS  
This feature allows the selection of which doors will  
unlock on the first press of the unlock button on  
the remote keyless entry transmitter. See Remote  
Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5 for more  
information.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
Press the menu button until FOB UNLOCK ON 1ST  
PRESS appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset  
button to scroll through the following choices:  
AUTO UNLOCK ON  
This feature displays only if DRIVER or ALL was  
selected for the AUTO DOOR UNLOCK feature. This  
feature allows the selection of when the vehicle’s doors  
will unlock.  
DRIVER (default): The driver’s door will unlock on the  
first press of the unlock button on the remote keyless  
entry transmitter.  
Press the menu button until AUTO UNLOCK ON  
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button  
to scroll through the following choices:  
ALL: All of the doors will unlock on the first press of  
the unlock button on the remote keyless entry  
transmitter.  
KEY-OUT: The door(s) will unlock when the key is  
taken out of the ignition.  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it.  
The DIC will then display PRESS UNLOCK SWITCH  
ON KEY FOB. Press the unlock button on the remote  
keyless entry transmitter and your setting will be  
saved for that remote keyless entry transmitter.  
PARK (default): The door(s) will unlock when the  
vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).  
Choose one of the available settings and press the  
menu button while it is displayed on the DIC to select it  
and move on to the next feature.  
After programming the last option, the message KEY  
FOB NOW PERSONALIZED will appear on the  
DIC display for a few seconds if you personalized the  
key. Next, the message PERSONAL OPTIONS SAVED  
will appear briefly on the DIC display, then the display  
will return to the PERSONAL PROGRAM main screen.  
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Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, find  
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate  
all of its controls.  
Exiting the Personal Program Menu  
The personal program menu will be exited when any of  
the following occurs:  
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory  
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be  
played even after the ignition is turned off. See Retained  
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-31 for more  
information.  
The vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P).  
The vehicle is no longer in RUN.  
The end of the personal program menu is reached.  
Audio System(s)  
Setting the Time  
Press the H or the M button to enter clock mode. Press  
and hold H until the correct hour appears on the  
display. Press and hold M until the correct minute  
appears on the display.  
Notice: Before adding any sound equipment to  
your vehicle, like a tape player, CB radio, mobile  
telephone, or two-way radio, make sure that it can  
be added by checking with your retailer. Also,  
check federal rules covering mobile radio and  
telephone units. If sound equipment can be added,  
it is very important to do it properly. Added  
sound equipment may interfere with the operation  
of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,  
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may  
interfere with the operation of sound equipment  
that has been added improperly.  
To change the time default setting from 12 hour to  
24 hour, press either the H or the M button to enter the  
clock mode, then press the tune knob to select  
between the 12 or 24 hour display format. The clock  
mode will automatically time out with the changed  
display format set as the current default setting.  
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Radio Data System (RDS)  
Radio with CD  
The audio system has a Radio Data System (RDS).  
RDS features are available for use only on FM stations  
that broadcast RDS information.  
With RDS, the radio can do the following:  
Seek to stations broadcasting the selected type of  
programming  
Receive announcements concerning local and  
national emergencies  
Display messages from radio stations  
Seek to stations with traffic announcements  
This system relies upon receiving specific information  
from these stations and will only work when the  
information is available. In rare cases, a radio station  
may broadcast incorrect information that will cause  
the radio features to work improperly. If this happens,  
contact the radio station.  
Radio with CD shown, Radio with Six-Disc  
CD similar  
Your vehicle has seven Bose® amplified speakers.  
See your retailer for details.  
While the radio is tuned to an RDS station, the station  
name or call letters will appear on the display. RDS  
stations may also provide the time of day, a program  
type (PTY) for current programming, and the name  
of the program being broadcast.  
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To change the default on the display, press the  
information button until you see the display you want,  
then hold the button for two seconds. The radio will  
produce one beep and the selected display will now be  
the default.  
XM™ Satellite Radio Service  
If your vehicle has XM™, XM™ is a satellite radio  
service that is based in the 48 contiguous United States.  
XM™ offers 100 coast-to-coast channels including  
music, news, sports, talk, and children’s programming.  
XM™ provides digital quality audio and text information  
that includes song title and artist name. A service  
fee is required in order to receive the XM™ service. For  
more information, contact XM™ at www.xmradio.com  
or call 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).  
AUTO n (Automatic Volume): With automatic  
volume, the audio system will adjust automatically to  
make up for road and wind noise as you drive, by  
increasing the volume as vehicle speed increases.  
Set the volume at the desired level. Press this button to  
select AUTO VOLUME MIN, AUTO VOLUME MED,  
or AUTO VOLUME MAX. Each higher setting will  
provide more volume compensation at faster vehicle  
speeds. To turn automatic volume off, press this button  
until AUTO VOLUME OFF appears on the display.  
Playing the Radio  
Top Knob (Power/Volume): Press this knob to turn  
the system on and off. Turn this knob to increase or to  
decrease the volume.  
If your vehicle has the Bose® audio system, it includes  
Bose® AudioPilot® noise compensation technology.  
When turned on, AudioPilot® continuously adjusts the  
audio system to compensate for background noise,  
so that your music always sounds the same at the set  
volume level. This feature is most effective at lower radio  
volume settings where background noise can affect  
how well you hear the music being played through your  
vehicle’s audio system. At higher volume settings,  
where the music is much louder than the background  
noise, there may be little or no adjustments by  
AudioPilot®.  
4 (Information): For RDS, press this button to change  
what appears on the display while using RDS. The  
display options are station name, RDS station frequency,  
PTY, and the name of the program (if available).  
For XM™ (if equipped), press the information  
button while in XM™ mode to retrieve four different  
categories of information related to the current song or  
channel: Artist, Song Title, Category or PTY, Channel  
Number/Channel Name.  
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To use AudioPilot®, set the radio volume to your  
desired level. Turn AudioPilot® on by pressing the  
automatic volume button until AVOL ON appears on the  
display. As you increase vehicle speed, the background  
noise in your vehicle will increase. AudioPilot® will  
adjust your audio system’s output for the background  
noise it hears. To turn AudioPilot® off, press the  
automatic volume button until AVOL OFF appears on  
the display. For additional information on AudioPilot®,  
please visit www.bose.com.  
t SCAN u: Press and hold either arrow for  
two seconds until FREQUENCY SCAN appears on the  
display. The radio will go to a station, play for a  
few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press  
either arrow again to stop scanning.  
To scan preset stations, press and hold either arrow for  
four seconds until PRESET SCAN appears on the  
display. The radio will go to the next preset station, play  
for a few seconds, then go on to the next preset  
station. Press either scan arrow again or one of the  
pushbuttons to stop scanning presets.  
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press  
this button again to turn the sound on.  
The radio will only scan stations with a strong signal  
that are in the selected band.  
This button is not available on the Radio with  
Six-Disc CD.  
Setting Preset Stations  
Finding a Station  
Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM,  
six XM1 and six XM2 (if equipped)), can be programmed  
on the six numbered pushbuttons, by performing the  
following steps:  
BAND: Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,  
AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped). The display will  
show the selection.  
1. Turn the radio on.  
O / e (Tune): Turn this knob to select radio  
stations.  
2. Press BAND to select FM1, FM2, AM, or  
XM1 or XM2.  
t SEEK u: Press the right or the left arrow to go to  
the next or to the previous station and stay there.  
3. Tune in the desired station.  
4. Press AUTO EQ to select the equalization.  
The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal  
that are in the selected band.  
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5. Press and hold one of the six numbered  
pushbuttons until you hear a beep. Whenever that  
numbered pushbutton is pressed, the station  
that was set will return and the equalization that  
was selected will be stored for that pushbutton.  
The radio will save separate AUTO EQ settings for each  
preset and source.  
If the radio is equipped with the Bose® audio system,  
the equalization settings are EQ1 through EQ7 and  
CUSTOM.  
6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.  
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)  
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)  
e (Balance/Fade): To adjust the balance between  
the right and the left speakers, press this knob until  
BALANCE appears on the display. Turn the knob  
to move the sound toward the right or the left speakers.  
e (Bass/Treble/Midrange): Press this knob to select  
BASS, MIDRANGE, or TREBLE. Turn the knob to  
increase or to decrease. If a station is weak or noisy,  
decrease the treble.  
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear  
speakers, press this knob until FADE appears on the  
display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward  
the front or the rear speakers.  
To adjust the bass, midrange, and treble to the middle  
position, press and hold this knob when the tone  
control is on the display. The level will change to the  
middle position.  
To adjust the balance and fade to the middle position,  
press and hold this knob when the speaker control is on  
the display. The level will change to the middle position.  
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle  
position, press and hold this knob when no tone  
or speaker control is displayed. AUDIO SETTINGS  
CENTERED will appear on the display.  
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle  
position, press and hold this knob when no tone or  
speaker control is displayed. AUDIO SETTINGS  
CENTERED will appear on the display.  
AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalization): Press this button  
to select customized equalization settings designed  
for country/western, jazz, talk, pop, rock, and classical.  
Selecting CUSTOM or changing bass or treble,  
returns the EQ to the manual bass and treble settings.  
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SCAN: Scan the stations within a category by  
performing the following:  
Finding a Category Station  
(RDS and XM™)  
1. Press the CAT button. The last selected category  
will appear on the display.  
To select and find a desired category perform the  
following:  
2. Turn the tune knob to select the category.  
1. Press the CAT button. The last selected category  
will appear on the display.  
3. Once the desired category is displayed, press and  
hold either SCAN arrow until you hear a beep and  
SCAN CATEGORY appears on the display.  
The radio will begin scanning the stations in the  
category.  
2. Turn the tune knob to select the category.  
3. Once the desired category is displayed, press either  
SEEK arrow to take you to a category’s station.  
SEEKING CATEGORY will appear on the display.  
4. Press either SCAN arrow to stop scanning.  
4. To go to another station within that category, press  
the CAT button to display the category, then press  
either SEEK arrow to go to another station.  
If both category and TRAF are on, the radio will scan  
for stations with the selected category and traffic  
announcements.  
If both category and traffic are on, the radio will search  
for stations with the selected category and traffic  
announcements.  
BAND (Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequency  
allows the radio to switch to a stronger station with the  
same category. To turn alternate frequency on,  
press and hold BAND for two seconds. AF ON will  
appear on the display. The radio may switch to stations  
with a stronger frequency.  
If the radio cannot find the desired category, NONE will  
appear on the display and the radio will return to the  
last station you were listening to.  
To turn alternate frequency off, press and hold BAND  
again for two seconds. AF OFF will appear on the  
display. The radio will not switch to other stations.  
This function does not apply for XM™ Satellite Radio  
Service.  
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You can view the last message until a new message is  
received or a different station is tuned to.  
RDS Messages  
ALERT!: Alert warns of local or national emergencies.  
When an alert announcement comes on the current  
radio station, ALERT! will appear on the display. You will  
hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or  
a CD is playing. If a CD is playing, play will stop during  
the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be  
turned off.  
When a message is not available from a station,  
NO INFO will appear on the display.  
TRAF (Traffic): If TA appears on the display, the tuned  
station broadcasts traffic announcements and when a  
traffic announcement comes on the tuned radio  
station you will hear it.  
ALERT! will not be affected by tests of the emergency  
broadcast system. This feature is not supported by  
all RDS stations.  
If the station does not broadcast traffic announcements,  
press the TRAF button and the radio will seek to a  
station that does. When a station that broadcasts traffic  
announcements is found, the radio will stop seeking  
and TA will appear on the display. If no station is found  
that broadcasts traffic announcements, NO TRAFFIC  
will appear on the display.  
4 (Information): If the current station has a message,  
INFO will appear on the display. Press this button to  
see the message. The message may display the artist,  
song title, call in phone numbers, etc.  
If TA is on the display, press the TRAF button to turn off  
the traffic announcements.  
If the entire message is not displayed, parts of the  
message will appear every three seconds. To scroll  
through the message, press and release this button. A  
new group of words will appear on the display after  
every press of the button. Once the complete message  
has been displayed, INFO will disappear from the  
display until another new message is received. The last  
message can be displayed by pressing this button.  
The radio will play the traffic announcement even if the  
volume is low. The radio will interrupt the play of a  
CD if the last tuned station broadcasts traffic  
announcements.  
This function does not apply to XM™ Satellite Radio  
Service.  
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LOCKED: This message is displayed when the  
THEFTLOCK® system has locked up. Take the vehicle  
to your retailer for service.  
Radio Messages  
CAL ERR (Calibration Error): The audio system has  
been calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If  
CAL ERR appears on the display, it means that the radio  
has not been configured properly for your vehicle and  
must be returned to your retailer for service.  
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be  
corrected, contact your retailer. If the radio displays  
an error message, write it down and provide it to your  
retailer when reporting the problem.  
XM™ Radio Messages  
Radio Display  
Message  
Condition  
Action Required  
XL (Explicit Language  
Channels)  
XL on the radio display,  
after the channel name,  
indicates content with  
explicit language.  
These channels, or any others, can be blocked at a  
customer’s request, by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).  
Updating  
Updating  
encryption code  
The encryption code in the receiver is being updated, and  
no action is required. This process should take no longer  
than 30 seconds.  
No Signal  
Loading XM  
Loss of signal  
The system is functioning correctly, but the vehicle is in a  
location that is blocking the XM™ signal. When you move  
into an open area, the signal should return.  
Acquiring channel audio  
(after 4 second delay)  
The audio system is acquiring and processing audio and  
text data. No action is needed. This message should  
disappear shortly.  
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XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d)  
Radio Display  
Message  
Condition  
Action Required  
CH Off Air  
Channel not in service  
This channel is not currently in service. Tune to another  
channel.  
CH Unavail  
Channel no longer  
available  
This previously assigned channel is no longer assigned.  
Tune to another station. If this station was one of the  
presets, choose another station for that preset button.  
No Info  
Artist Name/Feature not  
available  
No artist information is available at this time on this  
channel. The system is working properly.  
No Info  
Song/Program Title not  
available  
No song title information is available at this time on this  
channel. The system is working properly.  
No Info  
Category Name not  
available  
No category information is available at this time on this  
channel. The system is working properly.  
No Info  
No Text/Informational  
message available  
No text or informational messages are available at this  
time on this channel. The system is working properly.  
Not Found  
XM Locked  
No channel available for  
the chosen category  
There are no channels available for the selected category.  
The system is working properly.  
Theft lock active  
The XM™ receiver in the vehicle may have previously  
been in another vehicle. For security purposes, XM™  
receivers cannot be swapped between vehicles. If this  
message is received after having your vehicle serviced,  
check with your retailer.  
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XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d)  
Radio Display  
Message  
Condition  
Action Required  
Radio ID  
Radio ID label  
(channel 0)  
If tuned to channel 0, this message will alternate with the  
XM™ Radio eight digit radio ID label. This label is needed  
to activate the service.  
Unknown  
Radio ID not known  
(should only be if  
hardware failure)  
If this message is received when tuned to channel 0, there  
may be a receiver fault. Consult with your retailer.  
Chk XMRcvr  
Hardware failure  
If this message does not clear within a short period of time,  
your receiver may have a fault. Consult with your retailer.  
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single  
CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the  
smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.  
Playing a CD (Single CD Player)  
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The  
player will pull it in and the CD should begin playing.  
If playing a CD-R the sound quality may be reduced  
due to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality  
of the music that has been recorded, and the way the  
CD-R has been handled. There may be an increase  
in skipping, difficulty in finding tracks, and/or difficulty in  
loading and ejecting. If these problems occur try a  
known good CD.  
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the  
player, it will stay in the player. When the ignition or  
radio is turned on, the CD will start playing where  
it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.  
When a CD is inserted, CD and the CD symbol  
will appear on the display. As each new track starts to  
play the track number will appear on the display.  
Do not add paper labels to CDs, they could get caught  
in the CD player.  
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Notice: If you add paper labels to a CD, insert more  
than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to  
play scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage  
the CD player. When using the CD player, use  
only CDs in good condition without paper labels,  
load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and  
the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids,  
and debris.  
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press  
this button again to turn the sound on.  
t SEEK u: Press the left arrow to go to the start of  
the current track if more than eight seconds have  
played. Press the right arrow to go to the start of the  
next track. If either arrow is held or pressed more than  
once, the player will continue moving backward or  
forward through the CD.  
If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages”  
later in this section.  
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a  
CD is playing. The inactive CD will remain safely  
inside the radio for future listening.  
O / e (Tune): Turn this knob to go to the next or  
previous track.  
CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a CD  
when listening to the radio. CD will appear on the display  
when a CD is in the player. If the system has a remote  
playback device, pressing this button a second time  
will allow the remote device to play.  
{ (Reverse): Press and hold this button to reverse  
the current track.  
| (Fast Forward): Press and hold this button to fast  
forward through the current track.  
AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalization): Press AUTO EQ  
to select the equalization setting while playing a CD.  
The equalization will be stored whenever a CD is played.  
For more information on AUTO EQ, see “AUTO EQ”  
listed previously in this section.  
RDM (Random): Press this button to hear the tracks in  
random, rather than sequential, order. RANDOM  
DISC will appear on the display. Press this button again  
to turn off random play.  
RPT (Repeat): Press this button to hear a track over  
again. REPEAT will appear on the display. Press  
this button again to turn off repeat play.  
X (Eject): Press this button to eject the CD. EJECT  
may be activated with either the ignition or radio off.  
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If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages”  
later in this section.  
Playing a CD(s) (Six-Disc CD Player)  
If the ignition or radio is turned off, with a CD in  
the player, it will stay in the player. When the ignition or  
radio is turned on, the CD will start playing where it  
stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.  
M (Load): Press this button to load CDs into the CD  
player. This CD player will hold up to six CDs.  
To insert one CD, do the following:  
1. Turn the ignition on.  
When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol will appear on  
the CD. As each new track starts to play, the track  
number will appear on the display.  
2. Press and release the load button.  
3. When INSET CD # appears on the display, load a  
CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot, label side  
up. The player will pull the CD in.  
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single  
CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the  
smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.  
To insert multiple CDs, do the following:  
1. Turn the ignition on.  
If playing a CD-R the sound quality may be reduced  
due to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality  
of the music that has been recorded, and the way the  
CD-R has been handled. There may be an increase  
in skipping, difficulty in finding tracks, and/or difficulty in  
loading and ejecting. If these problems occur try a  
known good CD.  
2. Press and hold the load button for two seconds.  
You will hear a beep and LOAD ALL DISC will  
appear on the display.  
3. When INSERT CD # appears on the display, load a  
CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot, label side  
up. The player will pull the CD in.  
Do not add paper labels to CDs, they could get caught  
in the CD player.  
Once the CD is loaded, wait for INSERT CD # to  
appear on the display, then load the next CD.  
The CD player takes up to six CDs. Do not try to  
load more than six.  
Notice: If you add paper labels to a CD, insert more  
than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to play  
scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage the  
CD player. When using the CD player, use only CDs  
in good condition without paper labels, load one CD  
at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot  
free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris.  
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To load more than one CD but less than six, complete  
Steps 1 through 3. When finished loading CDs,  
press the load button to cancel the loading function.  
The radio will begin to play the last CD loaded.  
2. When REMOVE DISC appears on the display, the  
CD will eject and can be removed.  
To stop ejecting the CDs, press the load or the  
eject button.  
If more than one CD has been loaded, a number for  
each CD will appear on the display.  
If the CD is not removed, after 25 seconds, the CD will  
be automatically pulled back into the player. If CD is  
pushed back into the player, before the 25 second time  
period is complete, the player will sense an error  
and will try to eject the CD several times before  
stopping.  
Playing a Specific Loaded CD  
For every CD loaded, a number will appear on the  
display. To play a specific CD press the numbered  
pushbutton that corresponds to the CD.  
Do not repeatedly press the eject button to eject a CD  
after you have tried to push it in manually. The  
player’s 25-second eject timer will reset at each press of  
eject, causing the player to not eject the CD until the  
25-second time period has elapsed.  
If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages”  
later in this section.  
X (Eject): Press this button to eject CD(s).  
To eject the CD that is currently playing, press and  
release this button.  
O / e (Tune): Turn this knob to go to the next or  
previous track.  
To eject multiple CDs, do the following:  
{ (Reverse): Press and hold this button to reverse  
1. Press and hold the eject button for two seconds.  
within the current track.  
You will hear a beep and EJECT ALL DISCS will  
appear on the display.  
| (Fast Forward): Press and hold this button to fast  
forward through the current track.  
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RDM (Random): Press this button to hear the tracks in  
random, rather than sequential order, on one CD or  
all of the loaded CDs.  
t SEEK u: Press the left arrow to go to the start of  
the current track, if more than ten seconds have  
played. Press the right arrow to go to the next track. If  
either arrow is held or pressed more than once, the  
player will continue moving backward or forward through  
the CD.  
To use random, do one of the following:  
To play the tracks on the CD you are listening to in  
random order, press and release this button until  
RANDOM DISC PLAY appears on the display.  
t SCAN u: To scan one CD, press and hold either  
SCAN arrow for more than two seconds until SCAN  
appears on the display and you hear a beep. The radio  
will go to the next track, play for 10 seconds, then go  
on to the next track. Press either SCAN arrow again, to  
stop scanning.  
To play the tracks on all of the CDs that are loaded  
in random order, press and release this button until  
RANDOM ALL DISCS appears on the display.  
To turn off random play, press and release the RDM  
button until RANDOM OFF appears on the display.  
To scan all loaded CDs, press and hold either SCAN  
arrow for more than four seconds until CD SCAN  
appears on the display and you hear a beep. Use this  
feature to listen to 10 seconds of the first track of  
each loaded CD. Press either SCAN arrow again, to  
stop scanning.  
RPT (Repeat): Press this button to hear a track or an  
entire CD over again.  
To use repeat, do one of the following:  
To repeat a track, press and release this button  
until REPEAT appears on the display.  
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a  
CD is playing. The inactive CD(s) will remain safely  
inside the radio for future listening.  
To repeat an entire CD, press and release this  
button until REPEAT ONE DISC appears on  
the display.  
CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a CD  
when listening to the radio. CD will appear on the display  
when a CD is in the player. If your system is equipped  
with a remote playback device, pressing this button  
a second time will allow the remote device to play.  
To turn off repeated play, press and release the RPT  
button until REPEAT OFF appears on the display.  
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AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalization): Press AUTO EQ  
to select the equalization setting while playing a CD.  
The equalization will be stored whenever a CD is played.  
For more information on AUTO EQ, see “AUTO EQ”  
listed previously in this section.  
that was recorded using no file folders. The system can  
support up to 11 folders in depth, though, keep the  
depth of the folders to a minimum in order to keep down  
the complexity and confusion in trying to locate a  
particular folder during playback. If a CD contains more  
than the maximum of 50 folders, 50 playlists,  
10 sessions, and 255 files the player will let you access  
and navigate up to the maximum, but all items over  
the maximum will be ignored.  
Using an MP3 CD  
MP3 Format  
This MP3 player will accept MP3 files that were recorded  
on an up to 700 MB CD-R CD. The files can be  
recorded with the following fixed bit rates: 32 kbps,  
40 kbps, 56 kbps, 64 kbps, 80 kbps, 96 kbps, 112 kbps,  
128 kbps, 160 kbps, 192 kbps, 224 kbps, 256 kbps,  
and 320 kbps or a variable bit rate. Song title, artist  
name, and album will be available when recorded using  
ID3 tags versions 1 and 2.  
Root Directory  
The root directory will be treated as a folder. If the root  
directory has compressed audio files, the directory  
will be displayed as F1 ROOT. All files contained directly  
under the root directory will be accessed prior to any  
root directory folders. However, playlists (Px) will always  
be accessed before root folders or files.  
The player will be able to read and play a maximum of  
50 folders, 50 playlists, 10 sessions, and 255 files.  
Long file, folder, or playlist names or a combination of a  
large number of files and folders or playlists may  
cause the player to be unable to play up to the  
maximum number of files, folders, playlists, or sessions.  
If you wish to play large numbers of files, folders,  
playlists or sessions minimize the length of the file,  
folder or playlist name. You can also play an MP3 CD  
Empty Directory or Folder  
If a root directory or a folder exists somewhere in the  
file structure that contains only folders/subfolders and no  
compressed files directly beneath them, the player will  
advance to the next folder in the file structure that  
contains compressed audio files and the empty folder  
will not be displayed or numbered.  
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When play enters a new folder, the display will not  
automatically show the new folder name unless  
you have chosen the folder mode as the default display.  
See the information button later in this section for  
more information. The new track name will appear on  
the display.  
No Folder  
When the CD contains only compressed files, the files  
will be located under the root folder. The next and  
previous folder functions will have no function on a CD  
that was recorded without folders or playlists. When  
displaying the name of the folder the radio will  
display ROOT.  
File System and Naming  
When the CD contains only playlists and compressed  
audio files, but no folders, all files will be located under  
the root folder. The folder down and the folder up  
buttons will search playlists (Px) first and then go to the  
root folder. When the radio displays the name of the  
folder the radio will display ROOT.  
The song name that will be displayed will be the  
song name that is contained in the ID3 tag. If the  
song name is not present in the ID3 tag, then the  
radio will display the file name without the extension  
(such as .mp3) as the track name.  
Track names longer than 32 characters or four pages  
will be shortened. The display will not show parts  
of words on the last page of text and the extension of  
the filename will not be displayed.  
Order of Play  
Tracks will be played in the following order:  
Play will begin from the first track in the first playlist  
and will continue sequentially through all tracks in  
each playlist. When the last track of the last playlist  
has been played, play will continue from the first  
track of the first playlist.  
Preprogrammed Playlists  
You can access preprogrammed playlists which were  
created by WinAmp™, MusicMatch™, or Real  
Jukebox™ software, however, you will not have editing  
capability. These playlists will be treated as special  
folders containing compressed audio song files.  
If the CD does not contain any playlists, then play  
will begin from the first track under the root directory.  
When all tracks from the root directory have been  
played, play will continue from files according to their  
numerical listing. After playing the last track from the  
last folder, play will begin again at the first track of  
the first folder or root directory.  
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Notice: If you add paper labels to a CD, insert more  
than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to  
play scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage  
the CD player. When using the CD player, use  
only CDs in good condition without paper labels,  
load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and  
the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids,  
and debris.  
Playing an MP3  
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The  
player will pull it in, and READING will appear on  
the display. The CD should begin playing and the CD  
symbol will appear on the display.  
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the  
player it will stay in the player. When the ignition or radio  
is turned on, the CD will start to play where it stopped,  
if it was the last selected audio source.  
If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages”  
later in this section.  
As each new track starts to play, the track number will  
appear on the display.  
O / e (Tune): Turn this knob to go to the next or  
previous track.  
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single  
CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the  
smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.  
{ (Previous Folder): Press this button to go to the  
first track in the previous folder. Press and hold this  
button to reverse through the current track.  
If playing a CD-R the sound quality may be reduced  
due to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality  
of the music that has been recorded, and the way the  
CD-R has been handled. There may be an increase  
in skipping, difficulty in finding tracks, and/or difficulty in  
loading and ejecting. If these problems occur try a  
known good CD.  
| (Next Folder): Press this pushbutton to go to the  
first track in the next folder. Press and hold this button to  
fast forward the current track.  
Do not add paper labels to CDs, they could get caught  
in the CD player.  
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RDM (Random): Press this button to hear the tracks in  
random, rather than sequential order, on one CD,  
one folder, or all of the loaded CDs.  
To repeat a folder, press and release this button  
until REPEAT FOLDER appears on the display.  
To turn off repeated play, press and release the RPT  
button until REPEAT OFF appears on the display.  
To use random, do one of the following:  
To play the tracks on the CD you are listening to in  
random order, press and release this button until  
RANDOM DISC appears on the display.  
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system.  
Press this button again to turn the sound on.  
This button is not available on the Radio with  
Six-Disc CD.  
To play the tracks in the folder you are listening to  
in random order, press and release this button  
until RANDOM FOLDER appears on the display.  
t SEEK u: Press the left arrow to go to the start of  
the current track, if more than 10 seconds have  
played. Press the right arrow to go to the next track. If  
either arrow is held or pressed more than once, the  
player will continue moving backward or forward through  
the CD.  
To play the tracks on all of the CDs that are loaded  
in random order, press and release this button until  
RANDOM ALL appears on the display.  
To turn off random play, press and release the RDM  
button until RANDOM OFF appears on the display.  
4 (Information): Press this button to display the artist  
name and album contained in the ID3 tag.  
RPT (Repeat): Press this button to hear a track, CD, or  
a folder over again.  
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a  
CD is playing. The inactive CD will remain safely  
inside the radio for future listening.  
To use repeat, do one of the following:  
To repeat a track, press and release this button  
until REPEAT TRACK appears on the display.  
CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a CD  
when listening to the radio. The CD symbol will appear  
on the display when a CD is loaded.  
To repeat a CD, press and release this button until  
REPEAT DISC appears on the display.  
Y (Eject): Press this button to eject a CD. Eject may  
be activated with either the ignition or radio off.  
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Seek through the song list by using the SEEK arrows.  
Seeking past the last saved track will return to the  
first saved track.  
Using R (Song List) Mode (Single CD,  
MP3, and Six-Disc CD)  
This feature is capable of saving 20 track selections.  
To save tracks into the song list feature, perform  
the following steps:  
To delete tracks from the song list, perform the  
following steps:  
1. Turn the CD player on.  
1. Turn the CD player on and load it with at least  
one CD.  
2. Press the song list button to turn song list on.  
S-LIST will appear on the display.  
2. Check to see that the CD player is not in song list  
mode. S-LIST should not appear on the display. If  
S-LIST is present, press the song list button to  
turn it off.  
3. Press either SEEK arrow or turn the tune knob to  
select the desired track to be deleted.  
4. Press and hold the song list button for two seconds.  
Release the button when SONG REMOVED  
appears on the display.  
3. Select the desired CD by pressing the numbered  
pushbutton and then use the SEEK right arrow or  
turn the tune knob to locate the track to be  
saved. The track will begin to play.  
After a track has been deleted, the remaining tracks are  
moved up the list. When another track is added to  
the song list, the track will be added to the end of  
the list.  
4. Press and hold the song list button to save the  
track into memory. When song list is pressed,  
one beep will be heard immediately. ADDED SONG  
will appear on the display.  
To delete the entire song list, perform the  
following steps:  
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for saving other selections.  
1. Turn the CD player on.  
SONGLIST FULL will appear on the display if you try to  
save more than 20 selections.  
2. Press the song list button to turn song list on.  
S-LIST will appear on the display.  
To play the song list, press the song list button. The  
recorded tracks will begin to play in the order they  
were saved.  
3. Press and hold the song list button for more than  
four seconds. One beep will be heard. SONGLIST  
EMPTY will appear on the display indicating the  
song list has been deleted.  
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If a CD is ejected, and the song list contains saved  
tracks from that CD, those tracks are automatically  
deleted from the song list. Any tracks saved to the song  
list again are added to the bottom of the list.  
The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and  
try again.  
There may have been a problem while burning  
the CD.  
To end song list mode, press the song list button.  
One beep will be heard and S-LIST will be removed  
from the display.  
The label may be caught in the CD player.  
If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,  
try a known good CD.  
CD Messages  
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be  
corrected, contact your retailer. If the radio displays  
an error message, write it down and provide it to your  
retailer when reporting the problem.  
CHECK CD: If this message appears on the display  
and/or the CD comes out, it could be for one of the  
following reasons:  
It is very hot. When the temperature returns to  
normal, the CD should play.  
Rear Seat Entertainment System  
You are driving on a very rough road. When the  
road becomes smoother, the CD should play.  
Your vehicle may have a DVD Rear Seat  
Entertainment (RSE) system. The RSE system includes  
a DVD player, a video display screen, auxiliary inputs,  
two sets of wireless headphones, and a remote control.  
The CD is dirty, scratched, wet, or upside down.  
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Turning on the parental control will also disable all other  
button operations from the remote control and the  
DVD player, except for the eject button. Press this  
button again to restore operation of the RSA, DVD  
player, and remote control.  
Parental Control  
This button may also be used to turn the DVD player  
power on and automatically resume play if the vehicle is  
on and a disc is in the player. If no disc is in the  
player, the system will power up in auxiliary mode.  
Before You Drive  
The RSE is designed for rear seat passengers only.  
The driver cannot safely view the video screen  
while driving and should not try to do so. The RSE  
system will play DVD, CD, and MP3 discs. You can also  
connect an auxiliary device to the RSE system to play  
games, watch videos, look at pictures, etc.  
rj (Parental Control): This button is located behind  
the video screen, below the auxiliary jacks. Press this  
button while using RSA, or when a DVD or CD is playing  
to blank the video screen and to mute the audio. The  
power indicator lights on the DVD player will flash.  
Normal operation may be limited under extremely low or  
high temperatures, in order to protect the system  
from damage. Operate the RSE system under normal or  
comfortable cabin temperature ranges.  
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Notice: Do not store the headphones in heat or  
direct sunlight. This could damage the headphones  
and repairs would not be covered by your warranty.  
Keep the headphones stored in a cool, dry place.  
Headphones  
Wireless Headphones  
The RSE system may include two sets of wireless  
headphones (batteries are not included).  
If there is a decreased audio signal during CD, MP3, or  
DVD play, there may be a low hissing noise through  
the speakers and/or headphones. If the hissing sound in  
the wireless headphones seems excessive, make  
sure that the headphone batteries are fully charged.  
Some amount of hissing is normal.  
The wireless headphones have an ON/OFF switch, a  
channel select switch, and a volume control. To use the  
headphones, turn the switch to ON. An indicator light  
on the headphones will illuminate. If the light does  
not illuminate, the batteries may need to be replaced.  
See “Battery Replacement” later in this section for more  
information. Switch the headphones to OFF when not  
in use.  
Battery Replacement  
To change the batteries, do the following:  
The headphones will shut off automatically to save the  
battery power if the RSE system is shut off or if the  
headphones are out of range of the transmitters for more  
than three minutes. The transmitters are located next  
to the DVD faceplate. If you move too far forward or step  
out of the vehicle, the headphones will lose the audio  
signal.  
1. Loosen the screw on the battery compartment door  
located on the left side of the headphone earpiece.  
2. Replace the two AAA batteries in the compartment.  
Make sure that they are installed correctly using the  
diagram on the inside of the battery compartment.  
3. Tighten the screw on the battery compartment door.  
If the headphones are to be stored for a long period  
of time, remove the batteries, and keep them in a cool,  
dry place.  
DVD and auxiliary audio will always be found on  
channel (CHA or CH1) of the wireless headphones.  
RSA audio is dedicated to CHB or CH2 of the wireless  
headphones.  
To adjust the volume on the wireless headphones, use  
the volume control.  
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Wired Headphones  
Stereo RCA Jacks  
There is a right and left wired headphone jack. To  
adjust the volume, do the following:  
1. Plug the headphone into the corresponding jack,  
located behind the video screen, next to the  
auxiliary jacks.  
2. Press the corresponding headphone button on the  
DVD faceplate.  
3. Press the right and left arrow buttons, on the DVD  
faceplate, to increase or to decrease the volume.  
The wired headphones work as follows:  
DVD on / RSA off: The wired headphones will play  
RSE audio.  
DVD off / RSA on: The wired headphones will play  
RSA audio.  
The RCA jacks are located behind the video screen on  
the DVD console. The RCA jacks allow audio and  
video signals to be connected from an auxiliary device  
such as a camcorder or a video game unit to the  
RSE. The yellow RCA jack is used for video inputs, the  
red RCA jack for right audio inputs, and the white  
RCA jack for left audio inputs. The system requires  
standard RCA cables, not included, to connect the  
auxiliary device to the RCA jacks. Refer to the  
manufacturer’s instructions for proper usage.  
DVD on / RSA on: The wired headphones will play  
RSA audio.  
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To use the auxiliary audio and video inputs, connect an  
external auxiliary device such as a camcorder to the  
RCA jacks and turn on both the auxiliary device power  
and the power on the front of the RSE player.  
Vehicle Speakers  
Only one audio source can be heard through the  
vehicle’s speakers at a time.  
The RSE system or an auxiliary device can be heard  
through all of the vehicle’s speakers when the following  
occurs:  
If a disc is present when the RSE power is turned on,  
the player will automatically begin playing the disc  
and the user will need to press the AUX button on the  
remote control or on the DVD player faceplate to switch  
the system between the DVD player and the auxiliary  
device. See “DVD Player” and “Remote Control” later in  
this section for more information.  
A DVD or auxiliary device is playing  
The front audio system is on and the CD AUX  
button is pressed to enable the RSE system  
DVD will appear on the radio display when the RSE  
system is on.  
Audio Output  
Audio from the DVD player or auxiliary devices can be  
heard through the following possible sources:  
To turn the vehicles speakers on and off, press the CD  
AUX button on the radio. The audio from the RSE  
system can be heard through the wireless headphones  
and the vehicles speakers at the same time. The  
volume on the radio may vary when switching between  
the radio, CD, DVD, MP3, or an auxiliary device.  
Vehicle Speakers  
Wireless Headphones  
Wired Headphones (not included)  
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Video Screen  
DVD Player  
The video screen is located in the overhead console.  
To use the video screen, do the following:  
The DVD player is located in the overhead console.  
The DVD player can be controlled by the buttons on the  
DVD player and/or by the buttons on the remote  
control. See “Remote Control” later in this section for  
more information.  
1. Push forward on the release button and the screen  
will fold down.  
2. Adjust its position as desired.  
The RSE system DVD player is only compatible with  
DVDs of the appropriate region code for the country that  
the vehicle was sold. The DVD region code is printed  
on the jacket of most DVDs.  
When the video screen is not in use, push it up into its  
stowed and latched position.  
Notice: Directly touching the video screen may  
damage it. Do not touch the screen. See “Cleaning  
the Video Screen” later in this section for more  
information.  
Standard audio CDs, CD-R, CD-RW, enhanced CDs,  
video CDs, and CD-ROM with MP3 media are supported  
by this DVD player. DVD+R, DVD+RW, and copy  
protected CDs may or may not be supported by the  
DVD player. The DVD player does not support  
DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-R/W, and DVD  
audio media. An error message will appear on the  
display if this type of media is inserted into the DVD  
player.  
If an error message appears on the video screen, see  
“DVD Messages” later in this section.  
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DVD Player Buttons  
O (Power): Press this button to turn the DVD player  
on and off.  
AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to switch the system  
between the DVD player and an auxiliary device.  
s (Play/Pause): Press this button to start play of a  
disc. Press this button while a disc is playing to  
pause it. Press it again to continue play of a disc.  
tr / [ u (Previous and Fast Reverse/Next  
and Fast Forward): These controls can be used  
to move forward or backward through a disc.  
These buttons can also be used to modify RSA, rear  
temperature, rear fan speed, and wired headphone  
volume adjustment. See “Headphones” earlier in this  
section, Rear Seat Audio (RSA) on page 3-106,  
and Rear Climate Control System on page 3-27 for  
more information.  
cY (Stop/Eject): Press and release this button to  
stop playing, rewinding, or fast forwarding.  
When a DVD is playing in the DVD player and the RSA  
system is on, the stop/eject and play/pause buttons  
are the only buttons that will work.  
Press this button twice to eject a disc. If the player is  
already stopped, then only press this button once.  
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Playing a Disc  
Ejecting a Disc  
To play a disc, gently insert the disc, with the label side  
up, into the loading slot. The DVD player will continue  
loading the disc and the player will automatically start if  
the vehicle is in ACCESSORY, ON, or RAP.  
Press the eject button on the DVD player faceplate,  
when the disc is stopped, to eject the disc. There is not  
an eject button on the remote control.  
If a disc is ejected from the player, but not removed,  
the DVD player will reload the disc after a short period  
of time.  
If a disc is already in the player, make sure that the  
DVD player is on, then press the play/pause button on  
the player faceplate or on the remote control. You  
can also, press the CD AUX button on the radio  
faceplate, until RSE appears on the display, to start  
playing a disc.  
Remote Control  
The RSE system will include a remote control (batteries  
not included). To use the remote control, aim it at the  
transmitter window next to the RSE faceplate and press  
the desired button. Direct sunlight or very bright light  
may affect the ability of the transmitter to receive signals  
from the remote control. If the remote control does  
not seem to be working, the batteries may need to be  
replaced. See “Battery Replacement” later in this  
section. Objects blocking the line of sight will affect the  
function of the remote control.  
Some DVDs will not allow fast forwarding or skipping of  
the copyright information or previews. Some DVDs  
will begin playing after the previews have finished. If the  
DVD does not begin playing at the main title, refer to  
the on-screen instructions.  
Stopping and Resuming Playback  
To stop playing a disc, press and release the stop  
button on the DVD player faceplate or the remote  
control.  
Notice: Storing the remote control in a hot area or  
in direct sunlight may damage it, and the repairs  
would not be covered by your warranty. Keep  
the remote control stored in a cool, dry place.  
To resume playback, press the play/pause button on  
the DVD player faceplate or the remote control.  
The movie should resume play from where it was last  
stopped if the disc has not been ejected.  
If the disc has been ejected, the disc will resume play at  
the beginning of the disc.  
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Remote Control Buttons  
n, q, p, o (Directional Arrows): Press these  
buttons to move through DVD menus.  
The up and down arrows will move through MP3  
folders.  
r (Enter): Press this button to select the choice that  
is highlighted in any menu.  
z (Display Control Button): Press this button to  
open the RSE On-Screen Display (OSD) menus  
to adjust the color, tint, brightness, contrast, and  
display modes.  
y (Main Menu): Press this button to view the main  
DVD menu. The menu is different on every disc. Use the  
up, down, right, and left arrow buttons to move the  
cursor around the menu. After making a selection, press  
the enter button.  
O (Power): Press this button to turn the DVD player  
on and off.  
q (Return): Press this button to go back one step in  
the RSE OSD menu and some DVD menus. Press  
this button to exit the current menu and to move to the  
previous menu.  
P (Backlight): Press this button to turn the remote  
control backlighting on. The backlight will automatically  
turn off after eight seconds.  
v (Title): Press this button to display the current title  
number. Each press of this button will move the disc  
to the next available title.  
c (Stop): Press this button to stop playing, rewinding,  
or fast forwarding a disc.  
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s (Play/Pause): Press this button to start play of a  
disc. Press this button while a disc is playing to  
pause it. Press it again to continue playing the disc.  
{ (Subtitles): Press this button to display the current  
subtitles. Each press of this button will move the  
DVD to the next available subtitle option (English,  
Spanish, French, etc., if available). The format  
and content of this function will vary for each disc.  
t (Prior Chapter/Track): Press this button to go to  
the beginning of the current chapter or track. Press  
this button again to return to the previous chapter  
or track. This button may not work when the DVD is  
playing the copyright information or previews.  
AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to switch the system  
between the DVD player and an auxiliary source.  
d (Camera): Press this button to display the current  
camera angle on DVDs that have this feature. Each  
press will move the DVD to the next available camera  
angle. The format and content of this function will  
vary for each disc.  
u (Next Chapter/Track): Press this button to go to  
the beginning of the next chapter or track. This  
button may not work when the DVD is playing the  
copyright information or the previews.  
0 through 9 (Numeric Keypad): The numeric keypad  
provides the capability of direct chapter or track  
number selection.  
r (Fast Reverse): Press this button to fast reverse  
the DVD and CD. To stop reversing, press the play  
or stop button. This button may not work when the DVD  
is playing the copyright information or the previews.  
\ (Clear): Press this button within two seconds after  
inputting a numeric selection, to clear all numeric  
inputs.  
[ (Fast Forward): Press this button to fast forward  
the DVD and CD. To stop fast forwarding, press the play  
or stop button. This button may not work when the  
DVD is playing the copyright information or the previews.  
} 10 (Multiple Digit Entries): Press this button to  
select chapter or track numbers greater than 9. Press  
this button before inputting the number.  
e (Sound): Press this button to display the current  
audio track. Each press will move the DVD to the next  
language or commentary. The format and content of  
this function will vary for each disc.  
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RSE On-Screen Display (OSD) Menu  
Battery Replacement  
To use the RSE OSD menu when using a DVD or an  
auxiliary device, do the following:  
To change the remote control batteries, do the following:  
1. Slide the battery door, located on the back of the  
remote control, down.  
To access this menu, press the display button on the  
remote control. Once the menu is on the screen, use the  
directional arrows and the enter button to navigate the  
screen. This menu will let you select default preferences  
for video format, language preference, brightness,  
color, contrast, and tint. Not all DVDs support all the  
feature defaults in the setup menus. If a feature is not  
supported, the defaults will be provided by the DVD  
media. To exit this menu, press the display or the return  
button on the remote control or wait for the menu to  
time out.  
2. Replace the two AA batteries in the compartment.  
Make sure that they are installed correctly, using  
the diagram on the inside of the battery  
compartment.  
3. Close the battery door.  
If the remote control is to be stored for a long period of  
time, remove the batteries and keep them in a cool,  
dry place.  
The default language selection will apply to all  
future DVDs.  
To use the RSE OSD menu when using a CD or an  
MP3, do the following:  
Make sure that a CD or an MP3 is loaded in the RSE  
system and that the system is not in auxiliary, then press  
the display button on the remote control. Once the  
menu is on the screen, use the directional arrows and  
the enter button to navigate the screen. This menu  
will let you select default preferences for language and  
playback settings. To exit this menu, press the  
display or the return button on the remote control or  
wait for the menu to time out.  
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Tips and Troubleshooting Chart  
Problem  
Recommended Action  
No sound — Vehicle  
Speakers  
If the DVD system is  
Problem  
No power.  
Recommended Action  
being heard through the  
vehicle speakers, adjust  
the volume on the radio.  
Press the CD AUX button  
on the radio to make sure  
that RSE is enabled. The  
rear speakers will mute  
when RSA is on.  
The ignition may not be  
in ACCESSORY, RUN,  
or RAP.  
Disc will not play.  
The system might be off.  
The parental control  
button might have been  
pressed. The power  
indicator lights will flash.  
The system might be in  
auxiliary source mode.  
Press the AUX button to  
switch between the DVD  
player and the auxiliary  
source. The disc is upside  
down or is not compatible.  
The picture is distorted  
during fast forward or  
reverse.  
This is normal for this  
operation.  
The picture does not fill  
the screen. There are  
black borders on the top  
and bottom or on both  
sides or it looks  
Video mode may not be  
correctly set. See “RSE  
OSD” earlier in this  
section.  
No sound — Wireless  
Headphones  
Turn the headphones on.  
Make sure the correct  
channel is selected on the  
wireless headphones.  
Check the batteries. The  
volume on the  
stretched out.  
I ejected the disc and  
tried to take it out, but  
it was pulled back into  
the slot.  
Press the eject  
button once.  
headphones could be too  
low, adjust the volume.  
No sound — Wired  
Headphones  
Make sure the wired  
headphones are plugged  
in. Adjust the volume. If  
RSA is on, DVD audio will  
not be heard.  
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Problem  
Recommended Action  
Problem  
Recommended Action  
The language in the audio Press the main menu  
or on the screen is wrong. button on the remote  
control and change the  
The auxiliary source is  
running but there is no  
picture or sound.  
Press and release the  
AUX button on the remote  
control or the DVD player  
to get to auxiliary input.  
Check to make sure that  
the auxiliary source is  
connected to the inputs  
properly.  
audio or language  
selection on the DVD  
menu. To change the  
language preference,  
press the display button to  
access the RSE OSD  
The audio or video skips  
or jumps.  
The DVD could be dirty or  
scratched. Try cleaning  
the disc.  
menu. See “RSE OSD”  
earlier in this section.  
The remote control does  
not work.  
Point the remote control  
directly at the face of the  
DVD unit. The batteries  
could be weak or put in  
wrong. The parental  
control button might have  
been pressed, the power  
indicator lights will flash.  
The fast forward, fast  
reverse, previous,  
and next functions do  
not work.  
Some commands that do  
one thing for DVDs will  
not always work or  
perform the same function  
for audio, audio discs, or  
games. These functions  
may also be disabled  
when the DVD is playing  
the copyright information  
or the previews. When  
RSA is on, these buttons  
control RSA functions.  
How do I get subtitles on Press the subtitle button  
or off?  
on the remote control to  
select subtitle option or go  
to the DVDs main menu  
and follow the screen  
prompts.  
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Problem  
Recommended Action  
Problem  
Recommended Action  
My disc is stuck in the  
player. The eject button  
does not work.  
Press the eject button on  
the DVD player. Turn the  
ignition off, then on again,  
then press the eject  
DVD System inoperable.  
In severe or extreme  
temperatures the DVD  
system might not be  
operable. Temperatures  
below 4°F (20°C) or  
above 140°F (60°C) could  
damage the DVD system.  
Operate the DVD system  
under normal or  
button on the DVD player.  
Do not attempt to force or  
remove the disc from the  
player. If the problem  
persists, return to your  
retailer for further  
comfortable cabin  
assistance.  
temperature ranges. See  
your retailer if the problem  
persists.  
I lost the remote control  
and/or the headphones.  
Contact your retailer for  
assistance.  
The wireless headphones Verify that the  
have audio distortion.  
Sometimes the wireless  
This could be caused by  
headphones are facing to  
headphone audio cuts out interference from cell  
the front of the vehicle,  
left and right sides are  
indicated on the  
or buzzes for a moment,  
then it comes back.  
towers or by using the  
cellular telephone or other  
radio transmitter devices  
in the vehicle.  
headphones to ensure  
that the signal is received  
properly.  
Verify that there is no  
obstruction between the  
headphone(s) and the  
transmitter.  
Verify that the batteries  
have a full charge.  
In auxiliary mode, the  
picture moves or scrolls.  
Check the signal coming  
from the auxiliary device  
and make sure that the  
connection and the signal  
is good.  
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DVD Messages  
DVD Distortion  
The following errors may be displayed on the video  
screen.  
There may be an experience with video distortion when  
operating cellular phones, scanners, CB radios,  
Global Position Systems (GPS)*, two-way radios, mobile  
fax, or walkie talkies.  
Disc Format Error: This message will be displayed if a  
disc is inserted upside down, if the disc is not readable,  
or if the disc format is not compatible.  
It may be necessary to turn off the DVD player when  
operating one of these devices in or near the vehicle.  
Disc Play Error: This message will be displayed if the  
mechanism cannot play the disc. Scratched or  
damaged discs will cause this error.  
*Excludes the OnStar® System.  
Cleaning the DVD Player  
Region Code Error: This message will be displayed if  
the region code of the DVD is not compatible with  
the region code of the DVD player.  
When cleaning the outside DVD faceplate and buttons,  
use only a clean cloth dampened with clean water.  
Cleaning the Video Screen  
Load/Eject Error: This message will be displayed if the  
disc is not properly loaded or ejected.  
When cleaning the video screen, use only a clean cloth  
dampened with clean water. Use care when directly  
touching or cleaning the screen, as damage may result.  
No Disc: This message will be displayed when you try  
to play or eject a disc that is not in the player.  
X: A white X will be displayed, in the upper left corner  
of the video screen, if the operation that has been  
selected is not currently available.  
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Rear Seat Audio (RSA)  
If your vehicle has rear seat audio (RSA), this feature  
allows rear seat passengers to listen to and control any  
of the following audio sources: AM/FM tuner, front  
CD player, and XM™ Satellite Radio Service  
(if equipped). However, the rear seat passengers can  
only control the sources that the front seat passengers  
are not listening to. For example, rear seat passengers  
may listen to a CD in the front radio and control it  
while the driver listens to the radio through the front  
speakers. The rear seat passengers have control of the  
volume for each set of headphones.  
The front seat audio controls always have priority over  
the RSA controls. If the front seat passengers switch  
the source for the main radio to a remote source,  
the RSA will not be able to control the remote source.  
You can operate the RSA when the main radio is off.  
O (Power): Press this button to turn the RSA system  
on or off. RSA CHB or RSA CH2 will appear on the  
display when the system is on to indicate the channel to  
receive audio for the wireless headphones. Pressing  
this button will also silence the rear speakers.  
The DVD or auxiliary device will always be available on  
channel (CHA or CH1) of the wireless headphones.  
All other RSA sources are available on CHB or CH2 of  
the wireless headphones, as well as the wired  
headphones. If the RSA is off, the wired headphones  
will provide DVD or auxiliary device audio. The rear seat  
passengers will not be able to listen to XM, on CHB  
or CH2, if the front passenger is listening to a DVD or  
auxiliary device.  
BAND: Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,  
AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped). The selected radio  
station will appear on the display. If the front passengers  
are listening to the radio, the RSA will not switch  
between the bands and cannot change the station.  
The remote control will not operate any of the RSA  
features.  
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When a CD is playing in the six-disc CD changer, press  
this button to select the next CD, if multiple CDs are  
loaded. This function is inactive if the front seat  
passengers are listening to a CD.  
tr / [ u (Tune): When listening to the radio,  
press the right or the left arrow to go to the next or  
the previous station and stay there. This function  
is inactive if the front seat passengers are listening to  
the radio.  
SRCE (Source): Press this button to switch between  
playing the AM/FM tuner, front CD player, and XM™  
Satellite Radio Service (if equipped). If one of the  
sources are not loaded, the system will skip over the  
source when this button is pressed.  
When a CD is playing, press the left arrow to go to the  
start of the current track or to the previous track.  
Press the right arrow to go to the next track on the CD.  
This function is inactive if the front seat passengers  
are listening to a CD.  
X (Headphone): Press the right or the left headphone  
button to enable volume control of the wired headphone  
connected to the corresponding jack. Press the right  
and left arrow buttons to change the volume.  
PROG (Program): Press this button to select the next  
preset station stored on the radio. Each press of  
this button will take you to the next preset station. This  
function is inactive if the front seat passengers are  
listening to the radio.  
When a CD is playing in the single CD player, press  
this button to select the next track. This function  
is inactive if the front seat passengers are listening  
to a CD.  
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rj (Parental Control): This button is located behind  
the video screen, below the auxiliary jacks. Press this  
button while using RSA, or when a DVD or CD is playing  
to blank the video screen and to mute the audio. The  
power indicator lights on the DVD player will flash.  
Turning on the parental control will also disable all other  
button operations from the remote control and the  
DVD player, except for the eject button. Press this  
button again to restore operation of the RSA, DVD  
player, and remote control.  
This button may also be used to turn the DVD player  
power on and automatically resume play if the vehicle is  
on and a disc is in the player. If no disc is in the  
player then the system will power up in auxiliary mode.  
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Theft-Deterrent Feature  
Audio Steering Wheel Controls  
THEFTLOCK® is designed to discourage theft of your  
vehicle’s radio. The feature works automatically by  
learning a portion of the Vehicle Identification  
Number (VIN). If the radio is moved to a different  
vehicle, it will not operate and LOCKED will appear on  
the display.  
With THEFTLOCK® activated, the radio will not operate  
if stolen.  
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can  
be adjusted at the steering wheel. They include the  
following:  
wt u x (Seek): Press the up or the down arrow  
to go to the next or previous station and stay there.  
To scan stations, press and hold either arrow for  
two seconds until FREQUENCY SCAN appears on the  
display. The radio will go to a station, play for a few  
seconds, then go to the next station. Press either arrow  
again to stop scanning.  
The sound will mute while seeking or scanning. The  
radio will only seek or scan stations with a strong signal  
that are in the selected band.  
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When a CD is playing, press either arrow to go to the  
previous or next track, if more than eight seconds have  
played. If either arrow is held or pressed more than  
once, the player will continue moving backward  
or forward through the CD.  
Radio Reception  
AM  
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,  
especially at night. The longer range can cause  
station frequencies to interfere with each other. Static  
can occur on AM stations caused by things like  
storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to  
reduce this noise.  
BAND: Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,  
AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped).  
1 - 6: Press this button to scan the stations that are  
programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons. The radio  
will go to the next preset station stored on the  
pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then go on to the  
next preset station. Press this button again to stop  
scanning. The radio will only scan preset stations with a  
strong signal that are in the selected band.  
FM Stereo  
FM stereo will give the best sound, but FM signals will  
reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall  
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing  
the sound to fade in and out.  
$ (Mute): Press this button to silence the system.  
Press this button again, to turn the sound on.  
XM™ Satellite Radio Service  
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio  
reception from coast to coast. Just as with FM, tall  
buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals,  
causing the sound to fade in and out. The radio may  
display NO SIGNAL to indicate interference.  
r (Play): When listening to the radio, press this  
button to play a cassette tape or CD.  
wu x (Volume): Press the up or down arrow to  
increase or decrease the volume.  
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Care of Your CDs and DVDs  
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna  
System  
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases  
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight  
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen  
a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution  
and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.  
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof  
of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and  
ice build up for clear radio reception.  
Loading items onto the roof of your vehicle can interfere  
with the performance of the XM™ system. Make sure  
that the XM™ satellite antenna is not obstructed.  
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when  
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer  
edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.  
Chime Level Adjustment  
Care of the CD and DVD Player  
The radio is the vehicle chime producer. To change the  
volume level, press and hold pushbutton 6 with the  
ignition on and the radio power off. The chime volume  
level will change from the normal level to loud, and  
LOUD will appear on the radio display. To change back  
to the default or normal setting, press and hold  
pushbutton 6 again. The chime level will change from  
the loud level to normal, and NORMAL will appear  
on the radio display. Removing the radio and not  
replacing it with a factory radio or chime module will  
disable vehicle chimes.  
The use of CD lens cleaners for CDs is not advised,  
due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics  
with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.  
Fixed Mast Antenna  
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes  
without being damaged. If the mast should ever  
become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the  
mast is badly bent, replace it.  
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still  
tightened to the antenna base located on the hood of  
the vehicle. If tightening is required, tighten by hand.  
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NOTES  
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Section 4  
Driving Your Vehicle  
StabiliTrak® System ........................................4-9  
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proper defensive driving more difficult and can even  
cause a collision, with resulting injury. Ask a passenger to  
help do things like this, or pull off the road in a safe place  
to do them yourself. These simple defensive driving  
techniques could save your life.  
Your Driving, the Road, and  
Your Vehicle  
Defensive Driving  
Drunken Driving  
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive  
defensively.  
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is  
a national tragedy. It is the number one contributor  
to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims  
every year.  
Please start with a very important safety device in your  
vehicle: Buckle up. See Safety Belts: They Are for  
Everyone on page 1-22.  
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”  
On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means  
“always expect the unexpected.”  
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a  
vehicle:  
Judgment  
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to  
be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what  
they might do. Be ready for their mistakes.  
Muscular Coordination  
Vision  
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of  
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following  
distance. It is the best defensive driving maneuver, in  
both city and rural driving. You never know when  
the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn  
suddenly.  
Attentiveness  
Police records show that almost half of all motor  
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,  
these deaths are the result of someone who was  
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than  
16,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been  
associated with the use of alcohol, with more than  
300,000 people injured.  
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on  
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the driving  
task — such as concentrating on a cellular telephone call,  
reading, or reaching for something on the floor — makes  
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Many adults — by some estimates, nearly half the adult  
population — choose never to drink alcohol, so they  
never drive after drinking. For persons under 21,  
it is against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol.  
There are good medical, psychological and  
same BAC by drinking three 4 ounce (120 ml) glasses  
of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces  
(45 ml) of liquors like whiskey, gin, or vodka.  
developmental reasons for these laws.  
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway  
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and  
then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too  
much” if someone plans to drive? It is a lot less  
than many might think. Although it depends on each  
person and situation, here is some general information  
on the problem.  
The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone  
who is drinking depends upon four things:  
The amount of alcohol consumed  
The drinker’s body weight  
The amount of food that is consumed before and  
during drinking  
It is the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if  
the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces  
or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s  
BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person  
who consumes food just before or during drinking will  
have a somewhat lower BAC level.  
The length of time it has taken the drinker to  
consume the alcohol  
According to the American Medical Association, a 180 lb  
(82 kg) person who drinks three 12 ounce (355 ml)  
bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC  
of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the  
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There is a gender difference, too. Women generally  
have a lower relative percentage of body water  
than men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this  
means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC  
level than a man of her same body weight will when  
each has the same number of drinks.  
Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision  
increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of  
0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of  
0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a  
collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance  
of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a  
level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!  
The law in most U.S. states, and throughout Canada,  
sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent. In some other  
countries, the limit is even lower. For example, it is  
0.05 percent in both France and Germany. The  
BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United States  
is 0.04 percent.  
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol  
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold  
showers will speed that up. “I will be careful” is not the  
right answer. What if there is an emergency, a need  
to take sudden action, as when a child darts into  
the street? A person with even a moderate BAC might  
not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the  
collision.  
The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to  
six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we have seen, it  
depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and  
how quickly the person drinks them.  
There is something else about drinking and driving that  
many people do not know. Medical research shows  
that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash  
injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal  
cord, or heart. This means that when anyone who has  
been drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash,  
that person’s chance of being killed or permanently  
disabled is higher than if the person had not been  
drinking.  
But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of  
0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills  
of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching  
0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All  
drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent.  
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Braking  
{CAUTION:  
Braking action involves perception time and  
reaction time.  
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.  
Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness,  
and judgment can be affected by even a  
small amount of alcohol. You can have a  
serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive  
after drinking. Please do not drink and drive or  
ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride  
home in a cab; or if you are with a group,  
designate a driver who will not drink.  
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.  
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your  
foot and do it. That is reaction time.  
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a  
second. But that is only an average. It might be less  
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or  
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,  
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,  
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a  
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels  
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an  
emergency, so keeping enough space between  
your vehicle and others is important.  
Control of a Vehicle  
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly  
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement  
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is  
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;  
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake  
force applied.  
You have three systems that make your vehicle go  
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the  
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems have to  
do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.  
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it  
is easy to ask more of those control systems than  
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose  
control of your vehicle. See Traction Control  
System (TCS) on page 4-8 and StabiliTrak® System  
on page 4-9.  
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in  
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy  
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is  
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool  
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much  
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace  
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,  
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.  
That means better braking and longer brake life.  
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)  
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced  
electronic braking system that will help prevent a  
braking skid.  
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,  
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You  
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while  
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your  
brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.  
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake  
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,  
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine  
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.  
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power  
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and  
the brake pedal will be harder to push.  
If there is a problem with  
the anti-lock brake system,  
this warning light will  
stay on. See Anti-Lock  
Light on page 3-36.  
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conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle  
while braking hard.  
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:  
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on  
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.  
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.  
Remember: Anti-lock 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  
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.  
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even  
though you have anti-lock brakes.  
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure  
faster than any driver could. The computer is  
programmed to make the most of available tire and road  
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If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction  
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise  
control will automatically disengage. When road  
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may  
re-engage the cruise control.  
Using Anti-Lock  
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal  
down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel  
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,  
but this is normal.  
This warning light will  
come on to let you know  
if there is a problem  
with your traction control  
system.  
Braking in Emergencies  
With anti-lock brakes, 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)  
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit  
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.  
Your vehicle may have a traction control system that  
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery  
road conditions. The system operates if it senses that  
one or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning  
to lose traction. When this happens, the system  
brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces engine  
power to limit wheel spin.  
If the SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message in the  
DIC comes on and stays on or comes on while you are  
driving, there’s a problem with your traction control  
system. Have the traction control system serviced by  
your GM dealer as soon as possible.  
When this warning message is on, the TRACTION  
CONTROL OFF message in the DIC will come on to  
remind you that the system will not limit wheel spin.  
Adjust your driving accordingly.  
The TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message will come  
on in the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the  
traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may  
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.  
4-8  
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StabiliTrak® System  
Your vehicle may be equipped with StabiliTrak® which  
combines anti-lock brake, traction and stability  
control systems and helps the driver maintain directional  
control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.  
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 or snow and rocking the vehicle is  
or Snow on page 4-30.  
When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive  
away, the system performs several diagnostic checks to  
insure there are no problems. You may hear or feel  
the system working. This is normal and does not mean  
there is a problem with your vehicle.  
To turn the system off,  
press the traction control  
button located on the  
center of the instrument  
panel.  
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the SERVICE  
STABILITY SYSTEM message will be displayed on  
the Driver information Center (DIC). If the vehicle has  
gone through heavy acceleration or braking or multiple  
turns during the first two miles of driving after starting  
your vehicle, the STABILITY CONTROL OFF message  
may appear on the DIC. If this is the case, your  
vehicle does not need servicing. You will need to turn  
the vehicle off and then restart it to initialize StabiliTrak®.  
If either message appears on the DIC, and your  
vehicle has not gone through hard acceleration, braking  
or multiple turns in the first two miles of driving, your  
vehicle should be taken in for service.  
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press the  
button, the TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message  
will go off, but the system will not turn off until there is no  
longer a current need to limit wheel spin. The  
TRACTION CONTROL OFF message will come on to  
remind you the system is off. You can turn the  
system back on at any time by pressing the button  
again. The traction control system warning message  
should go off.  
The STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE message will  
appear on the DIC only when the system is both on and  
activated. It means that an advanced computer-controlled  
system has come on to help your vehicle continue to go  
in the direction in which you are steering.  
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StabiliTrak® activates when the computer senses that  
your vehicle is just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a  
patch of ice or other slippery spot on the road. When the  
system activates, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration  
in the brake pedal. This is normal. When the STABILITY  
CONTROL ACTIVE message is on, you should continue  
to steer in the direction you want to go. The system is  
designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult  
driving situations by making the most of whatever road  
conditions will permit. For more information on the  
stability messages, see Driver Information Center (DIC)  
on page 3-43.  
If the StabiliTrak® system turns off, the traction control  
system warning light will illuminate, and the STABILITY  
CONTROL OFF message will appear on the DIC to  
warn the driver that StabiliTrak® is no longer available  
to assist you with directional control of the vehicle.  
Adjust your driving accordingly.  
Traction Control Operation  
The traction control system is part of the StabiliTrak®  
system. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing  
engine power to the wheels (engine speed  
management) and by applying brakes to each individual  
wheel (brake-traction control) as necessary.  
The traction control system is enabled automatically  
when you start your vehicle. It will activate and display  
the TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message in the  
DIC if it senses that any of the wheels are spinning or  
beginning to lose traction while driving an all-wheel-drive  
vehicle, or if one or both of the front wheels are  
spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving a  
front-wheel-drive vehicle.  
If the brake traction-control system activates constantly  
or if the brakes have heated up due to high-speed  
braking, brake traction-control will be disabled and the  
TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE message will be  
displayed. In the limited mode, the traction control  
system will only use engine traction-control and is limited  
in its ability to provide optimal performance since the  
system will not utilize brake traction-control to control  
slip on the drive wheels. The system will return to normal  
operation after the brakes have cooled. This can take  
up to two minutes or longer depending on brake usage.  
To limit wheel spin and realize the full benefits of the  
stability enhancement system, you should normally  
leave traction control on, but it may be necessary to turn  
the system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud,  
ice or snow, and you want to “rock” your vehicle  
to attempt to free it. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It  
Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30.  
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The traction control system may activate on dry or  
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy  
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts  
of the transmission. When this happens you may  
notice a reduction in acceleration, or may hear a noise  
or vibration. This is normal.  
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System  
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD  
system operates automatically without any action  
required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to  
slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive  
the vehicle as required. There may be a slight  
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the system  
activates, the STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE message  
will appear on the DIC and the cruise control will  
automatically disengage. When road conditions allow  
you to use cruise again, you may re-engage the cruise  
control. See Cruise Control on page 3-10.  
StabiliTrak® may also turn off automatically if it  
determines that a problem exists with the system. If the  
problem does not clear itself after restarting the  
vehicle, you should see your retailer for service.  
engagement noise during hard use but this is normal.  
During heavy AWD applications, the engine torque may  
be reduced to protect AWD system components. If  
the vehicle is exposed to extended heavy AWD usage,  
the AWD system will shut itself off to protect the  
system from overheating. When the system cools down,  
the AWD system will activate itself again automatically;  
this cool-down can take up to 20 minutes depending  
on outside temperature and vehicle use.  
4-11  
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Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.  
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control  
systems — steering and braking — have to do their work  
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have  
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can  
demand too much of those places. You can lose  
control.  
Steering  
Power Steering  
If you lose power steering assist because the engine  
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but  
it will take much more effort.  
The same thing can happen if you are steering through  
a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those  
two control systems — steering and acceleration — can  
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the  
road and make you lose control. See Traction Control  
System (TCS) on page 4-8 and StabiliTrak® System  
on page 4-9.  
Steering Tips  
Driving on Curves  
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.  
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.  
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.  
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.  
4-12  
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Steering in Emergencies  
There are times when steering can be more effective  
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find  
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls  
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between  
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You  
can avoid these problems by braking — if you can stop  
in time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.  
That is the time for evasive action — steering around the  
problem.  
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like  
these. First apply your brakes.  
See Braking on page 4-5. It is better to remove as much  
speed as you can from a possible collision. Then  
steer around the problem, to the left or right depending  
on the space available.  
An emergency like this requires close attention and a  
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at  
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you  
can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without  
removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer  
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel  
once you have avoided the object.  
The fact that such emergency situations are always  
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving  
at all times and wear safety belts properly.  
4-13  
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Off-Road Recovery  
Passing  
You may find that your right wheels have dropped off  
the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re  
driving.  
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a  
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,  
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then  
goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?  
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane  
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the  
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming  
traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in  
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger  
can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the  
worst of all traffic accidents — the head-on collision.  
So here are some tips for passing:  
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the sides  
and to crossroads for situations that might affect  
your passing patterns. If you have any doubt  
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait  
for a better time.  
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and  
lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might  
indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass.  
A broken center line usually indicates it is all  
right to pass, providing the road ahead is clear.  
Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or  
a double solid line, even if the road seems empty  
of approaching traffic.  
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the  
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the  
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,  
steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of  
the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to  
one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts  
the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go  
straight down the roadway.  
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in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change  
signal and move back into the right lane. Remember  
that your right outside mirror is convex. The  
vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther  
away from you than it really is.  
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to  
pass while you are awaiting an opportunity. For  
one thing, following too closely reduces your area  
of vision, especially if you are following a larger  
vehicle. Also, you will not have adequate space if  
the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops.  
Keep back a reasonable distance.  
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on  
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the  
next vehicle.  
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,  
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and  
do not get too close. Time your move so you will be  
increasing speed as the time comes to move into  
the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you  
will have a running start that more than makes up  
for the distance you would lose by dropping  
back. And if something happens to cause you to  
cancel your pass, you need only slow down  
and drop back again and wait for another  
opportunity.  
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.  
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it  
may be slowing down or starting to turn.  
If you are being passed, make it easy for the  
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps  
you can ease a little to the right.  
Loss of Control  
Let us review what driving experts say about what  
happens when the three control systems — brakes,  
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough  
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver  
has asked.  
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow vehicle,  
wait your turn. But take care that someone is not  
trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow  
vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder  
and check the blind spot.  
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to  
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of  
less danger.  
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and  
start your left lane change signal before moving out  
of the right lane to pass. When you are far  
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front  
4-15  
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Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,  
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you  
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to  
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery  
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and  
vehicle control more limited.  
Skidding  
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.  
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable  
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving  
those conditions. But skids are always possible.  
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s  
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels  
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too  
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip  
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration  
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels  
to spin.  
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try  
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,  
or braking, including engine braking by shifting to a  
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires  
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery  
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning  
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow  
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and  
slow down when you have any doubt.  
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off  
the accelerator pedal.  
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps  
avoid only the braking skid.  
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only  
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is  
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled  
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.  
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the  
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want  
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,  
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready  
for a second skid if it occurs.  
4-16  
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Here are some tips on night driving.  
Drive defensively.  
Driving at Night  
Do not drink and drive.  
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the  
glare from headlamps behind you.  
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to  
slow down and keep more space between you  
and other vehicles.  
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your  
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.  
In remote areas, watch for animals.  
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place  
and rest.  
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But  
as we get older these differences increase. A  
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much  
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.  
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.  
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be  
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision  
problems, or by fatigue.  
What you do in the daytime can also affect your  
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright  
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your  
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you  
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They  
may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also  
make a lot of things invisible.  
4-17  
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You can be temporarily blinded by approaching  
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several  
seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust to the dark. When  
you are faced with severe glare, as from a driver  
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with  
misaimed headlamps, slow down a little. Avoid  
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.  
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads  
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle  
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much  
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass  
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes  
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,  
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.  
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a  
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep  
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly  
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be  
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes  
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from  
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and  
are not even aware of it.  
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet  
road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as well  
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on  
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread  
left, you will get even less traction. It is always wise to  
go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while  
you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when  
your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.  
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The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your  
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy  
rain can make it harder to see road signs and  
traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road,  
and even people walking.  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
After driving through a large puddle of water  
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly  
until your brakes work normally.  
It is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape  
and keep your windshield washer tank filled with  
washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts  
when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on  
the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to  
separate from the inserts.  
Hydroplaning  
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up  
under your tires that they can actually ride on the  
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and  
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is  
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.  
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even  
going through some car washes can cause problems,  
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid  
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow down before you  
hit them.  
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your  
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in  
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is  
standing on the road. If you can see reflections  
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and  
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could be  
hydroplaning.  
{CAUTION:  
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not  
work as well in a quick stop and may cause  
pulling to one side. You could lose control of  
the vehicle.  
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There  
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.  
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
4-19  
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Driving Through Deep Standing Water  
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips  
Turn on your low-beam headlamps — not just your  
parking lamps — to help make you more visible  
to others.  
Notice: If you drive too quickly through deep  
puddles or standing water, water can come in  
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage  
your engine. Never drive through water that is  
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If  
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,  
drive through them very slowly.  
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following  
distance. And be especially careful when you  
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear  
room ahead, and be prepared to have your  
view restricted by road spray.  
Driving Through Flowing Water  
Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires  
on page 5-52.  
{CAUTION:  
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.  
If you try to drive through flowing water, as you  
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can  
be carried away. As little as six inches of  
flowing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.  
If this happens, you and other vehicle  
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police  
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious  
about trying to drive through flowing water.  
4-20  
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Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:  
City Driving  
Know the best way to get to where you are  
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into  
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a  
cross-country trip.  
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross  
most large cities. You will save time and energy.  
See Freeway Driving on page 4-22.  
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic  
light is there because the corner is busy enough  
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before  
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles  
that have not cleared the intersection or may  
be running the red light.  
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the  
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for  
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to  
traffic signals.  
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At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the  
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you  
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check  
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with  
the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the  
Freeway Driving  
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your  
mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as  
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.  
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the  
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.  
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.  
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use  
your turn signal.  
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your  
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in  
your blind spot.  
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you  
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to  
move slightly slower at night.  
Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways,  
parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or  
superhighways — are the safest of all roads.  
But they have their own special rules.  
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the  
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do  
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive  
on to the next exit.  
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep  
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the  
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.  
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow.  
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.  
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.  
The exit speed is usually posted.  
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Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not  
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance  
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are  
going slower than you actually are.  
Here are some things you can check before a trip:  
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?  
Are all windows clean inside and outside?  
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?  
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked  
Before Leaving on a Long Trip  
all levels?  
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you  
must start when you are not fresh — such as after  
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that  
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing  
and shoes you can easily drive in.  
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?  
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,  
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for  
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the  
recommended pressure?  
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it  
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs  
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you  
will find experienced and able service experts at  
Saturn retailers all across North America. They will be  
ready and willing to help if you need it.  
Weather Forecasts: What is the weather outlook  
along your route? Should you delay your trip a  
short time to avoid a major storm system?  
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?  
4-23  
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Highway Hypnosis  
Hill and Mountain Roads  
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?  
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it  
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.  
There is something about an easy stretch of road with  
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the  
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the  
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do  
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can  
leave the road in less than a second, and you could  
crash and be injured.  
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be  
aware that it can happen.  
Then here are some tips:  
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a  
comfortably cool interior.  
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and  
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your  
instruments frequently.  
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from  
driving in flat or rolling terrain.  
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,  
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some  
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness  
on the highway as an emergency.  
4-24  
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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are  
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make  
your trips safer and more enjoyable.  
{CAUTION:  
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid  
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system,  
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on  
mountain roads.  
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the  
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have  
to do all the work of slowing down. They could  
get so hot that they would not work well. You  
would then have poor braking or even none  
going down a hill. You could crash. Always  
have your engine running and your vehicle in  
gear when you go downhill.  
Know how to go down hills. The most important  
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of  
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go  
down a steep or long hill.  
{CAUTION:  
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to  
a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine  
and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better.  
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane  
roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide or cut  
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let  
you stay in your own lane.  
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could  
be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an  
accident.  
If you do not shift down, your brakes could get  
so hot that they would not work well. You  
would then have poor braking or even none  
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down  
to let your engine assist your brakes on a  
steep downhill slope.  
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn  
of special problems. Examples are long grades,  
passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area,  
or winding roads. Be alert to these and take  
appropriate action.  
4-25  
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Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a  
supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter  
outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red  
cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And,  
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include  
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of  
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you  
properly secure these items in your vehicle.  
Winter Driving  
Driving on Snow or Ice  
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet  
the road probably have good traction.  
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and  
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You  
will have a lot less traction, or grip, and will need to be  
very careful.  
Here are some tips for winter driving:  
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.  
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in  
your vehicle.  
Also see Tires on page 5-52.  
4-26  
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Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,  
or loose snow — drive with caution.  
If you have a traction system, it will improve your ability  
to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. But  
you can turn the traction system off if you ever need to.  
You should turn the traction system off if your vehicle  
ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If Your  
page 4-30. Even if your vehicle has a traction system,  
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to the  
road conditions. Under certain conditions, you may  
want to turn the traction system off, such as when  
driving through deep snow and loose gravel, to help  
maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. See Traction  
System on page 4-9.  
If you do not have a traction system, accelerate gently.  
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate  
too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface  
under the tires even more.  
What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow  
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice  
can be even more trouble because it may offer the least  
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about  
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall. Try  
to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews  
can get there.  
Your anti-lock braking system (ABS) improves your  
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on  
a slippery road.  
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Even though you have ABS, you will want to begin  
stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See  
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.  
If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, make  
body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,  
rags, floor mats — anything you can wrap around  
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.  
Allow greater following distance on any  
slippery road.  
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine  
until you hit a spot that is covered with ice. On  
an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in  
shaded areas where the sun cannot reach, such  
as around clumps of trees, behind buildings,  
or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve  
or an overpass may remain icy when the  
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of  
ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not  
to brake while you are actually on the ice, and  
avoid sudden steering maneuvers.  
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard  
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a  
serious situation. You should probably stay with  
your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near  
help and you can hike through the snow. Here are  
some things to do to summon help and keep yourself  
and your passengers safe:  
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.  
Turn on your hazard flashers.  
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that  
you have been stopped by the snow.  
4-28  
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves  
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little  
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator  
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and  
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a  
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly  
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the  
heater run for a while.  
{CAUTION:  
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your  
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon  
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could  
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it  
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your  
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the  
base of your vehicle, especially any that is  
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around  
again from time to time to be sure snow does  
not collect there.  
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost  
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine  
again and repeat this only when you feel really  
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as  
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help  
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do  
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until  
help comes.  
Open a window just a little on the side of the  
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will  
help keep CO out.  
4-29  
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Notice: Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of  
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the  
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back  
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. See  
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,  
Mud, Ice or Snow  
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will  
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to  
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking  
can help you get out when you are stuck, but you  
must use caution.  
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,  
see Tire Chains on page 5-65.  
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out  
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That  
will clear the area around your front wheels. If your  
vehicle has traction control, you should turn your traction  
control system off. See Traction Control System (TCS)  
on page 4-8 and StabiliTrak® System on page 4-9.  
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a  
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.  
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press  
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is  
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward  
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking  
motion that may free your vehicle. If that does not get  
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.  
If you do need to be towed out, see Towing Your  
Vehicle on page 4-36.  
{CAUTION:  
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they  
can explode, and you or others could be  
injured. And, the transaxle or other parts of the  
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an  
engine compartment fire or other damage.  
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little  
as possible. Do not spin the wheels above  
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the  
speedometer.  
4-30  
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Tire and Loading Information Label  
Loading Your Vehicle  
It is very important to know how much weight your  
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle  
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,  
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels  
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly  
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the  
Certification/Tire label.  
{CAUTION:  
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the  
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either  
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your  
vehicle can break, and it can change the way  
your vehicle handles. These could cause you  
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading  
can shorten the life of your vehicle.  
Example Label  
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label is  
attached to the center pillar (B-pillar) of your vehicle.  
With the driver’s door open, you will find the label  
attached below the door lock post (striker). The tire and  
loading information label shows the number of  
occupant seating positions (A), and the maximum  
vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds.  
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The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the  
size of the original equipment tires (C) and the  
recommended cold tire inflation pressures (D). For more  
information on tires and inflation see Tires on page 5-52  
and Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.  
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of  
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if  
the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be  
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount  
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is  
650 lbs (1400 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).  
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and  
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight  
may not safely exceed the available cargo  
There is also important loading information on the  
vehicle Certification/Tire label. It tells you the Gross  
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross  
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.  
See “Certification/Tire Label” later in this section.  
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.  
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from  
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.  
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces  
the available cargo and luggage load capacity  
for your vehicle.  
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit  
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of  
occupants and cargo should never exceed  
XXX kg or XXX pounds” on your vehicle’s placard.  
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and  
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.  
See Towing a Trailer on page 4-38 for important  
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and  
trailering tips.  
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and  
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.  
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Example 1  
Description  
Example 2  
Description  
Item  
Total  
Item  
Total  
Vehicle Capacity Weight  
for Example 1 =  
Vehicle Capacity Weight  
for Example 2 =  
A
1,000 lbs (453 kg)  
A
1,000 lbs (453 kg)  
Subtract Occupant  
Weight 150 lbs  
(68 kg) × 2 =  
Available Occupant and  
Cargo Weight =  
Subtract Occupant  
Weight 150 lbs  
(68 kg) × 5 =  
Available Cargo  
Weight =  
B
C
300 lbs (136 kg)  
700 lbs (317 kg)  
B
C
750 lbs (340 kg)  
250 lbs (113 kg)  
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Certification/Tire Label  
Example 3  
Description  
Item  
Total  
Vehicle Capacity Weight  
for Example 3 =  
A
1,000 lbs (453 kg)  
Subtract Occupant  
Weight 200 lbs  
(91 kg) × 5 =  
Available Cargo  
Weight =  
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is attached to  
the rear edge of the driver’s door.  
B
C
1,000 lbs (453 kg)  
0 lbs (0 kg)  
The label shows the gross weight capacity of your  
vehicle. This is called the Gross Vehicle Weight  
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the  
vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.  
Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label  
for specific information about your vehicle’s capacity  
weight and seating positions. The combined weight of  
the driver, passengers, and cargo should never  
exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight.  
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The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum  
weights for the front and rear axles, called the Gross  
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads  
on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a  
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your retailer can  
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load  
equally on both sides of the centerline.  
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:  
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Rating  
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.  
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 cargo 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.  
Do not leave a seat folded down unless  
you need to.  
{CAUTION:  
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the  
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either  
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your  
vehicle can break, and it can change the way  
your vehicle handles. These could cause you  
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading  
can shorten the life of your vehicle.  
Notice: Overloading your vehicle may cause  
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your  
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.  
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With the proper preparation and equipment, many  
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy  
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.  
Towing  
Towing Your Vehicle  
Here are some important things to consider before you  
do recreational vehicle towing:  
Consult your retailer or a professional towing service if  
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See  
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?  
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s  
recommendations.  
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle  
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),  
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.  
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have  
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.  
Do you have the proper towing equipment?  
See your retailer or trailering professional for  
additional advice and equipment recommendations.  
Recreational Vehicle Towing  
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle  
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.  
The two most common types of recreational vehicle  
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your  
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly  
towing” (towing your vehicle with two wheels on  
the ground and two wheels up on a device know as  
a “dolly”).  
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you  
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll  
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be  
page 4-23.  
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If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be  
towed with any of its wheels on the ground. It can be  
towed with car carrier equipment.  
Dinghy Towing  
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its  
wheels on the ground. If you have a two-wheel-drive  
vehicle, it can be towed with the two rear wheels on the  
ground. See “Dolly Towing” following. If you have an  
all-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be towed with any of its  
wheels on the ground. It can be towed with car carrier  
equipment.  
Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all  
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of  
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain  
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if  
any of its wheels will be on the ground.  
Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all  
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of  
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain  
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle if  
any of its wheels will be on the ground.  
Level Control  
On vehicles equipped with automatic level control, the  
rear of the vehicle is automatically kept level as you load  
or unload your vehicle. However, you should still not  
exceed the GVWR or the GAWR. See Loading  
Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
Dolly Towing  
If you have a two-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be towed  
with its two rear wheels on the ground. To dolly tow your  
vehicle, do the following:  
You may hear the compressor operating when you load  
or unload your vehicle, and periodically as the system  
self-adjusts. This is normal. The compressor should  
operate for brief periods of time. If the sound continues  
for an extended period of time, your vehicle needs  
service.  
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.  
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).  
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.  
Using heavier suspension components to get added  
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask your  
retailer to help you load your vehicle the right way.  
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead  
position with a clamping device designed for towing.  
5. Release the parking brake.  
4-37  
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Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the  
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should  
read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that  
appears later in this section. But 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.  
Towing a Trailer  
{CAUTION:  
If you do not use the correct equipment and  
drive properly, you can lose control when you  
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too  
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even  
at all. You and your passengers could be  
seriously injured. Pull a trailer only if you have  
followed all the steps in this section. Ask your  
retailer for advice and information about  
towing a trailer with your vehicle.  
That is the reason for this section. 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,  
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. The  
trailer also adds considerably to wind resistance,  
increasing the pulling requirements.  
Notice: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage  
your vehicle and result in costly repairs that would  
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow  
the instructions in this section and check with your  
retailer for more information about towing a  
trailer with your vehicle.  
4-38  
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You can use THIRD (3) or, as you need to, a lower  
gear when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle  
in THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat  
buildup and extend the life of your transaxle.  
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  
Three important considerations have to do with weight:  
Weight of the trailer  
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for  
this information can be state or provincial police.  
Weight of the trailer tongue  
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later  
in this section.  
Weight on your vehicle’s tires  
Weight of the Trailer  
Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles  
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,  
axle, or other parts could be damaged.  
How heavy can a trailer safely be?  
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For  
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside  
temperature, and how much your vehicle is used to pull  
a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on  
any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.  
During the first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a  
trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do  
not make starts at full throttle. This helps your  
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at  
the heavier loads.  
Look in the following chart to find the maximum  
trailer weight for your vehicle.  
4-39  
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Maximum Trailer  
Weight  
Vehicle  
Axle Ratio  
*GCWR  
Two-Wheel-Drive (Short Wheel Base)  
Two-Wheel-Drive (Long Wheel Base)  
All-Wheel Drive  
3.29  
3.29  
3.29  
2,000 lbs (907 kg)  
3,500 lbs (1 588 kg)  
3,500 lbs (1 588 kg)  
7,000 lbs (3 175 kg)  
8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)  
8,500 lbs (3 856 kg)  
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and  
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversion. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be  
exceeded.  
You can ask your retailer for our trailering information or  
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in  
your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information  
Booklet.  
In Canada, write to:  
General Motors of Canada Limited  
Customer Communication Center, 163-005  
1908 Colonel Sam Drive  
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7  
4-40  
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Weight of the Trailer Tongue  
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight  
to measure because it affects the total or gross weight  
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)  
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you  
may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in  
the vehicle. If you have a lot of options, equipment,  
passengers, or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the  
tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will also  
reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. And if you  
will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the  
GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight,  
too. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31 for  
more information about your vehicle’s maximum load  
capacity.  
If you are using a weight-carrying or a weight-distributing  
hitch, the trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent  
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).  
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight  
(350 lbs (159 kg)), for your vehicle.  
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and  
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are  
proper. If they are not, you may be able to get them right  
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.  
4-41  
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If you do, remember to seal the holes later when  
you remove the hitch. If you do not seal them,  
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust  
can get into your vehicle. See Engine Exhaust  
on page 2-40. Dirt and water can, too.  
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires  
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limit  
for cold tires. You will find these numbers on the  
Certification/Tire label at the rear edge of the driver’s  
door or see Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
Then be sure you do not go over the GVW limit for your  
vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.  
Safety Chains  
You should always attach chains between your vehicle  
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the  
tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from  
contacting the road if it becomes separated from  
the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be  
provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer  
manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s  
Hitches  
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.  
Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are  
a few reasons why you will need the right hitch. Here  
are some rules to follow:  
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not  
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough  
slack so you can turn with your rig. Never allow  
safety chains to drag on the ground.  
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for  
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other  
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a  
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the  
bumper.  
Trailer Brakes  
If you will be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will  
weigh more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg), be sure to use  
a properly mounted weight-carrying hitch and  
sway control of the proper size. This equipment is  
very important for proper vehicle loading and  
good handling when you are driving.  
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg)  
loaded, then it needs its own brakes – and they must be  
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions  
for the trailer brakes so you will be able to install, adjust,  
and maintain them properly.  
Because your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes, do not  
try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do,  
both brake systems will not work well, or at all.  
Will you have to make any holes in the body of  
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?  
4-42  
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Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.  
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to  
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of  
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.  
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are  
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as  
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.  
Driving with a Trailer  
{CAUTION:  
If you have a rear-most window open and you  
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon  
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.  
You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause  
unconsciousness or death. See Engine  
Exhaust on page 2-40. To maximize your safety  
when towing a trailer:  
Have your exhaust system inspected for  
leaks, and make necessary repairs before  
starting on your trip.  
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and  
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,  
tires, and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric  
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and  
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure  
the brakes are working. This lets you check your  
electrical connection at the same time.  
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the  
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer  
brakes are still working.  
Keep the rear-most windows closed.  
If exhaust does come into your vehicle  
through a window in the rear or another  
opening, drive with your front, main  
heating or cooling system on and with the  
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,  
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use  
the climate control setting for maximum air  
because it only recirculates the air inside  
your vehicle. See Climate Control System  
on page 3-24.  
4-43  
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Following Distance  
Making Turns  
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as  
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.  
This can help you avoid situations that require  
heavy braking and sudden turns.  
Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering  
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the  
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid  
making very sharp turns while trailering.  
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns  
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike  
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects.  
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in  
advance.  
Passing  
You will need more passing distance up ahead when  
you are towing a trailer. And, because you are a  
good deal longer, you will need to go much farther  
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to  
your lane.  
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer  
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have  
extra wiring.  
Backing Up  
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.  
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand  
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your  
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,  
have someone guide you.  
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever  
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,  
the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other drivers  
you are about to turn, change lanes, or stop.  
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument  
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer  
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind  
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It  
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer  
bulbs are still working.  
4-44  
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Driving on Grades  
Parking on Hills  
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start  
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shift  
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that  
they would get hot and no longer work well.  
{CAUTION:  
You really should not park your vehicle, with a  
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes  
wrong, your rig could start to move. People  
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the  
trailer can be damaged.  
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than  
1,000 lbs (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in THIRD (3)  
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or, as you  
need to, a lower gear. This will minimize heat build-up  
and extend the life of your transaxle.  
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, do the  
following:  
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into  
PARK (P).  
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer  
wheels.  
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the  
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.  
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your  
parking brake, and shift into PARK (P).  
5. Release the regular brakes.  
4-45  
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When You Are Ready to Leave After  
Parking on a Hill  
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down  
while you do the following:  
Maintenance When Trailer Towing  
Your vehicle will need service more often when you are  
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for  
more on this. Things that are especially important in  
trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid, engine oil,  
belts, cooling system, and brake system. Each of  
these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help  
you find them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a  
good idea to review these sections before you start  
your trip.  
Start your engine.  
Shift into a gear.  
Release the parking brake.  
2. Let up on the brake pedal.  
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.  
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts  
are tight.  
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the  
chocks.  
Trailer Wiring Harness  
Your vehicle has a trailer wiring harness located at the  
rear of your vehicle. To use the trailer wiring harness,  
you need a converter kit. Contact your retailer for more  
information.  
4-46  
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Section 5  
Service and Appearance Care  
5-1  
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Section 5  
Service and Appearance Care  
5-2  
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California Proposition 65 Warning  
Service  
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or  
emit chemicals known to the State of California to  
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive  
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems  
(including some inside the vehicle), many fluids, and  
some component wear by-products contain and/or emit  
these chemicals.  
Your Saturn retailer knows your vehicle best and wants  
you to be happy with it. We hope you will go to your  
retailer for all your service needs. You will get genuine  
Saturn parts and Saturn-trained and supported  
service people.  
We hope you will want to keep your Saturn vehicle  
all Saturn.  
Genuine Saturn parts have one of these marks.  
5-3  
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Doing Your Own Service Work  
{CAUTION:  
If you want to do some of your own service work, you  
will want to use the proper service manual. It tells  
you much more about how to service your vehicle than  
this manual can. To order the proper service manual,  
page 7-9.  
You can be injured and your vehicle could be  
damaged if you try to do service work on a  
vehicle without knowing enough about it.  
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,  
experience, the proper replacement parts,  
and tools before you attempt any vehicle  
maintenance task.  
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to  
do your own service work, see Servicing Your  
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-78.  
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and  
other fasteners. English and metric  
fasteners can be easily confused. If you  
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later  
break or fall off. You could be hurt.  
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list  
the mileage and the date of any service work you  
perform. See Maintenance Record on page 6-15.  
5-4  
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Adding Equipment to the Outside of Gasoline Octane  
Your Vehicle  
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane  
of 87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may  
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this  
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as  
soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage  
your engine. A little pinging noise when you accelerate  
or drive uphill is considered normal. This does not  
indicate a problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel is  
necessary. If you are using 87 octane or higher-octane  
fuel and hear heavy knocking, your engine needs  
service.  
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can  
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind  
noise and affect windshield washer performance. Check  
with your retailer before adding equipment to the  
outside of your vehicle.  
Fuel  
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the  
proper maintenance of your vehicle.  
Gasoline Specifications  
It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications  
which were developed by automobile manufacturers  
around the world and contained in the World-Wide Fuel  
Charter which is available from the Alliance of Automobile  
Manufacturers at www.autoalliance.org/fuel_charter.htm.  
Gasoline meeting these specifications could provide  
improved driveability and emission control system  
performance compared to other gasoline.  
5-5  
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California Fuel  
Additives  
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission  
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that  
meet California specifications. See the underhood  
emission control label. If this fuel is not available  
in states adopting California emissions standards, your  
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting  
federal specifications, but emission control system  
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator  
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a  
smog-check test. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on  
page 3-38. If this occurs, return to your authorized  
Saturn retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the  
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs  
may not be covered by your warranty.  
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States  
are now required to contain additives that will help  
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,  
allowing your emission control system to work  
properly. In most cases, you should not have to add  
anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain  
only the minimum amount of additive required to  
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.  
General Motors recommends that you buy gasolines  
that are advertised to help keep fuel injectors and intake  
valves clean. If your vehicle experiences problems  
due to dirty injectors or valves, try a different brand of  
gasoline. Also, your retailer has additives that will  
help correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.  
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and  
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in  
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors  
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if  
they comply with the specifications described earlier.  
5-6  
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Notice: Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that  
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing  
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel  
system and also damage the plastic and rubber  
parts. That damage would not be covered under  
your warranty.  
Fuels in Foreign Countries  
If you plan on driving in another country outside the  
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard  
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel  
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly  
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not  
be covered by your warranty.  
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low  
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive  
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese  
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or  
contact a major oil company that does business in the  
country where you will be driving.  
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy  
gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors  
does not recommend the use of such gasolines.  
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs  
and the performance of the emission control system  
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp  
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized  
Saturn retailer for service.  
5-7  
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Filling the Tank  
{CAUTION:  
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can  
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to  
you and others, read and follow all the  
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your  
engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke  
if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.  
Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials  
away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump  
unattended when refueling your vehicle — this  
is against the law in some places. Keep  
children away from the fuel pump; never let  
children pump fuel.  
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel  
door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.  
When the fuel door is opened on a vehicle with dual  
sliding doors, the driver’s side sliding door will only  
open partway.  
While refueling, let the fuel cap hang by the tether.  
5-8  
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The CHECK GAS CAP message will be displayed in the  
Driver Information Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not  
properly installed. See DIC Warnings and Messages on  
page 3-49 for more information.  
{CAUTION:  
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,  
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out  
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.  
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly  
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open  
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise  
to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.  
{CAUTION:  
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not  
remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by  
shutting off the pump or by notifying the  
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.  
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill the  
tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished  
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel  
from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See  
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-91.  
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get  
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.  
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit properly.  
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to  
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions  
page 3-38.  
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it  
clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The  
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has  
been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel  
to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction  
Indicator Lamp on page 3-38.  
5-9  
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Filling a Portable Fuel Container  
Checking Things Under  
the Hood  
{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in  
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from  
the container can ignite the gasoline vapor.  
You can be badly burned and your vehicle  
damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to  
you and others:  
An electric fan under the hood can start up  
and injure you even when the engine is not  
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away  
from any underhood electric fan.  
Dispense gasoline only into approved  
containers.  
Do not fill a container while it is inside a  
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or  
on any surface other than the ground.  
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the  
inside of the fill opening before operating  
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained  
until the filling is complete.  
{CAUTION:  
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts  
and start a fire. These include liquids like fuel,  
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and  
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or  
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop  
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.  
Do not smoke while pumping gasoline.  
5-10  
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3. Lift the hood.  
Hood Release  
4. Pull up on the hood prop to release it from its  
storage clip.  
To open the hood, do the following:  
1. Pull the hood release  
The hood prop may be hot due to increased engine  
temperatures under the hood, so be careful when  
handling it. Use your hood prop sleeve when  
handling the hood prop.  
handle with this  
symbol on it. It is  
located under  
the instrument panel  
on the driver’s side.  
5. Put the end of the hood prop into the slot in the  
underside of the hood, on the driver’s side of the  
vehicle. It is marked by an arrow.  
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are  
on properly. Lift the hood to relieve pressure on the hood  
prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood  
and return the prop to its retainer. Then let the hood  
down and close it firmly.  
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and push the  
underhood release to the right. It is located near the  
center of the hood, above the grille.  
5-11  
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Engine Compartment Overview  
When you open the hood, here is what you will see:  
5-12  
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A. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block  
Engine Oil  
on page 5-100.  
B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on  
Checking Engine Oil  
page 5-40.  
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you  
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil  
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.  
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding  
Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid  
on page 5-35.  
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See  
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for  
the location of the engine oil dipstick.  
D. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Radiator Pressure Cap  
on page 5-25.  
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering  
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes  
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,  
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.  
Fluid on page 5-34.  
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”  
under Engine Oil on page 5-13.  
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel  
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it  
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.  
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”  
under Engine Oil on page 5-13.  
H. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking  
the Fluid Level” under Automatic Transaxle Fluid  
on page 5-19.  
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”  
under Brakes on page 5-36.  
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air  
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.  
K. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling System  
on page 5-28.  
5-13  
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Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has  
so much oil that the oil level gets above the  
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating  
range, the engine could be damaged.  
When to Add Engine Oil  
Overview on page 5-12 for  
the location of the  
engine oil fill cap.  
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of  
the dipstick, you will need to add at least one quart/liter  
of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section  
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase  
page 5-103.  
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in  
the proper operating range in the cross-hatched area.  
Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are  
through.  
5-14  
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Look for two things:  
GM6094M  
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use  
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM  
Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use  
only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.  
SAE 5W-30  
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best  
for your vehicle.  
These numbers on an oil container show its  
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity  
oils such as SAE 20W-50.  
Oils meeting these  
requirements should also  
have the starburst  
symbol on the container.  
This symbol indicates  
that the oil has been  
certified by the American  
Petroleum Institute (API).  
You should look for this information on the oil container,  
and use only those oils that are identified as meeting  
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol  
on the front of the oil container.  
5-15  
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Notice: Use only engine oil identified as meeting  
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American  
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines  
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended  
oil can result in engine damage not covered by  
your warranty.  
Engine Oil Life System  
When to Change Engine Oil  
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know  
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on  
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on  
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at  
which an oil change will be indicated can vary  
GM Goodwrench® oil meets all the requirements for  
your vehicle.  
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the  
temperature falls below 20°F (29°C), it is  
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30  
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide  
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine  
at extremely low temperatures.  
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you  
must reset the system every time the oil is changed.  
When the system has calculated that oil life has been  
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is  
necessary. A CHANGE OIL SOON message will come  
on. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49.  
Change your oil as soon as possible within the  
next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are  
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system  
may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over  
a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be  
changed at least once a year and at this time the system  
must be reset. Your retailer has trained people who  
will perform this work using genuine Saturn parts and  
reset the system. It is also important to check your  
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.  
Engine Oil Additives  
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils  
with the starburst symbol meet GM Standard GM6094M  
are all you will need for good performance and engine  
protection.  
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must  
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your  
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system  
whenever the oil is changed.  
5-16  
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life  
System  
What to Do with Used Oil  
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be  
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.  
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean  
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good  
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or  
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s  
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.  
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change  
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use.  
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can  
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a  
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a  
CHANGE OIL SOON message being turned on,  
reset the system.  
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you  
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the  
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it  
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into  
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by  
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a  
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask  
your retailer, a service station, or a local recycling center  
for help.  
1. With the ignition key in RUN but the engine off,  
repeatedly push the set/reset button until OIL is  
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).  
2. Once OIL is displayed, push and hold the set/reset  
button for five seconds. The number will disappear  
and be replaced by 100 (indicating 100% oil life  
remaining).  
3. Turn the key to LOCK.  
If the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes back on  
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system  
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.  
5-17  
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How to Inspect the Engine Air  
Cleaner/Filter  
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter  
To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove the filter from  
the vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release  
loose dust and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt, a  
new filter is required.  
To inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter, do the  
following:  
1. Remove the two clamps on the duct.  
2. Remove the duct.  
3. Unlatch the two hooks on top of the engine air  
cleaner/filter housing.  
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.  
5. Align the tabs located on the bottom of the panel  
with the slots at the bottom of the housing.  
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for  
the location of the engine air cleaner/filter.  
6. Latch the hooks to secure the panel in place. If the  
panel moves easily, check that the tabs are seated  
correctly in the slots.  
When to Inspect the Engine Air  
Cleaner/Filter  
7. Put the duct back on and reinstall the clamps.  
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the Maintenance II  
intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each  
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See Scheduled  
Maintenance on page 6-4 for more information. If you  
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter  
at each engine oil change.  
5-18  
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid  
{CAUTION:  
When to Check and Change Automatic  
Transaxle Fluid  
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter  
off can cause you or others to be burned.  
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps  
to stop flame if the engine backfires. If it is  
not there and the engine backfires, you could  
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be  
careful working on the engine with the air  
cleaner/filter off.  
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid  
level is when the engine oil is changed.  
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in  
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure  
to use the transaxle fluid listed in Recommended  
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.  
Notice: If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can  
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can  
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.  
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when you  
are driving.  
5-19  
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Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle  
fluid level if you have been driving:  
How to Check Automatic Transaxle  
Fluid  
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).  
At high speed for quite a while.  
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may  
choose to have this done at your retailer’s service  
department.  
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.  
While pulling a trailer.  
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions  
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.  
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal  
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F  
(82°C to 93°C).  
Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage the  
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the  
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine or  
exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Too little fluid  
could cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure  
to get an accurate reading if you check the  
transaxle fluid.  
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles  
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F  
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to  
drive longer.  
5-20  
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2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and  
then pull it back out again.  
Checking the Fluid Level  
Prepare your vehicle as follows:  
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine  
running.  
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever  
in PARK (P).  
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift  
lever through each gear range, pausing for about  
three seconds in each range. Then, position  
the shift lever in PARK (P).  
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the  
lower level. The fluid level must be in the  
cross-hatched area.  
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.  
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:  
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the  
dipstick back in all the way.  
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or  
paper towel.  
The automatic transaxle dipstick is located toward  
the back of the engine compartment, next to  
the brake master cylinder reservoir. The dipstick  
handle is a red loop. See Engine Compartment  
Overview on page 5-12 for more information  
on location.  
5-21  
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How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid  
Engine Coolant  
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine  
what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See Recommended  
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.  
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with  
DEX-COOL® engine coolant. This coolant is designed  
to remain in your vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles  
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only  
DEX-COOL® extended life coolant.  
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper  
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on  
the dipstick.  
The following explains your cooling system and how to  
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem  
with engine overheating, see Engine Overheating on  
page 5-25.  
1. Pull out the dipstick.  
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the  
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.  
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and  
DEX-COOL® coolant will:  
It does not take much fluid, generally less than  
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.  
Give freezing protection down to 34°F (37°C).  
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).  
Protect against rust and corrosion.  
Notice: Use of the incorrect automatic transaxle  
fluid may damage your vehicle, and the damages  
may not be covered by your warranty. Always  
use the automatic transaxle fluid listed in  
Help keep the proper engine temperature.  
Let the warning messages and gages work as they  
should.  
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as  
described under “How to Check Automatic  
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.  
Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL® may  
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator  
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may  
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)  
or 24 months, whichever occurs first. Any repairs  
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use  
DEX-COOL® (silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.  
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the  
dipstick back in all the way.  
5-22  
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Notice: If you use an improper coolant mixture,  
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.  
The repair cost would not be covered by your  
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze  
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and  
other parts.  
What Engine Coolant to Use  
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and  
one-half DEX-COOL® coolant which will not damage  
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do  
not need to add anything else.  
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,  
have your retailer check your cooling system.  
{CAUTION:  
Notice: If you use the proper coolant, you do not  
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim  
to improve the system. These can be harmful.  
Adding only plain water to your cooling  
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or  
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil  
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your  
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the  
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the  
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot  
but you would not get the overheat warning.  
Your engine could catch fire and you or others  
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,  
drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant.  
5-23  
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Adding Coolant  
Checking Coolant  
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®  
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be  
careful not to spill it.  
The coolant recovery tank  
is located on the driver’s  
side of the vehicle,  
above the engine air  
cleaner/filter. See Engine  
on page 5-12 for more  
information on location.  
{CAUTION:  
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the  
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam  
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you  
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will  
almost never have to add coolant at the  
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure  
cap — even a little — when the engine and  
radiator are hot.  
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your  
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the full cold  
mark, or a little higher. When your engine is warm,  
the level should be above the full cold mark or a little  
higher. The full cold mark is a line with an arrow  
pointing down at it, located on the front of the coolant  
recovery tank.  
5-24  
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Radiator Pressure Cap  
{CAUTION:  
Notice: The radiator cap on your vehicle is a  
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to  
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage  
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap  
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator  
filler neck.  
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot  
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,  
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot  
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.  
See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for  
more information on location.  
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For  
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,  
see Cooling System on page 5-28.  
Engine Overheating  
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on  
your vehicle’s instrument panel. See Engine Coolant  
Temperature Gage on page 3-37.  
Your vehicle may also have an ENGINE COOLANT  
HOT message displayed in the Driver Information  
Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and Messages on  
page 3-49.  
5-25  
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Notice: If your engine catches fire because you  
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can  
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be  
covered by your warranty. See Overheated Engine  
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-27 for  
information on driving to a safe place in an  
emergency.  
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine  
{CAUTION:  
Steam from an overheated engine can burn  
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay  
away from the engine if you see or hear steam  
coming from it. Just turn it off and get  
If No Steam Is Coming From Your  
Engine  
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools  
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or  
coolant before you open the hood.  
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear  
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.  
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:  
Climb a long hill on a hot day.  
Stop after high-speed driving.  
Idle for long periods in traffic.  
Tow a trailer.  
If you keep driving when your engine is  
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You  
or others could be badly burned. Stop your  
engine if it overheats, and get out of the  
vehicle until the engine is cool.  
Mode on page 5-27 for information on driving  
to a safe place in an emergency.  
5-26  
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If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,  
try this for a minute or so:  
Overheated Engine Protection  
Operating Mode  
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.  
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to  
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.  
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat  
protection mode which alternates firing groups of  
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,  
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine  
performance. The temperature gage will indicate  
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended  
miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat  
protection mode should be avoided.  
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan  
speed and open the windows as necessary.  
3. If you are in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);  
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while  
driving — AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or  
THIRD (3).  
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can  
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.  
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive  
normally.  
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine  
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,  
allow the engine to cool before attempting any  
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.  
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and  
reset the oil life system. See Engine Oil on  
page 5-13.  
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your  
vehicle right away.  
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for three  
minutes while you are parked. If you still have the  
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the  
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated  
Engine Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.  
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service  
help right away.  
5-27  
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Cooling System  
{CAUTION:  
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what  
you will see:  
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood  
can start up even when the engine is not  
running and can injure you. Keep hands,  
clothing and tools away from any underhood  
electric fan.  
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,  
do not do anything else until it cools down. The  
vehicle should be parked on a level surface.  
The coolant level should be at or above the full cold  
mark. If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure  
cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,  
water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.  
A. Radiator Pressure Cap  
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans  
C. Coolant Recovery Tank  
5-28  
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Notice: Engine damage from running your engine  
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See  
page 5-27 for information on driving to a safe place  
in an emergency.  
Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL® may  
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator  
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may  
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)  
or 24 months, whichever occurs first. Any repairs  
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use  
DEX-COOL® (silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.  
{CAUTION:  
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine  
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If  
you do, you can be burned.  
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you  
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That  
could cause an engine fire, and you could be  
burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the  
vehicle.  
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check  
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.  
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be  
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.  
5-29  
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Notice: In cold weather, water can freeze and crack  
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.  
Use the recommended coolant and the proper  
coolant mixture.  
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant  
Recovery Tank  
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant  
level is not at or above the full cold mark, add a  
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL®  
engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See  
Engine Coolant on page 5-22 for more information.  
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or  
above the full cold mark, start your vehicle.  
{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot  
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol  
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot  
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.  
Adding only plain water to your cooling  
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or  
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil  
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your  
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the  
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the  
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot  
but you would not get the overheat warning.  
Your engine could catch fire and you or others  
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,  
drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant.  
5-30  
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If the overheat warning continues, there is one more  
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant  
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling  
system is cool before you do it.  
{CAUTION:  
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling  
system can blow out and burn you badly. They  
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator  
pressure cap — even a little — they can come  
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the  
cooling system, including the radiator pressure  
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and  
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have  
to turn the pressure cap.  
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when  
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure  
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.  
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until  
it first stops. Do not press down while turning the  
pressure cap.  
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator  
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss  
means there is still some pressure left.  
Notice: Your engine has a specific radiator  
fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could  
cause your engine to overheat and be severely  
damaged.  
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push  
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.  
5-31  
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{CAUTION:  
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot  
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol  
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot  
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.  
4. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL®  
coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler  
neck. See Engine Coolant on page 5-22 for more  
information about the proper coolant mixture.  
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air  
bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close  
the valves after the radiator is filled.  
Housing  
Bypass Tube  
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine  
and the compartment.  
3. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed  
valves.  
There are two bleed valves. One is located on the  
thermostat housing. The other is located on the  
thermostat bypass tube.  
5-32  
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6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the  
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the  
engine cooling fans.  
9. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the full  
cold mark.  
10. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank.  
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator  
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add  
more of the proper DEX-COOL® coolant mixture  
through the filler neck until the level reaches  
the base of the filler neck.  
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during  
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the filler  
neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the arrows  
on the pressure cap line up with the vent tube.  
5-33  
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid  
Power Steering Fluid  
To check the power steering fluid, do the following:  
Overview on page 5-12 for  
reservoir location.  
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment  
cool down.  
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.  
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a  
clean rag.  
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.  
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on  
the dipstick.  
When the engine compartment is hot, the level should  
be at the H (Hot) mark. When it is cold, the level should  
be at the C (Cold) mark. If the fluid is at the ADD  
mark, you should add fluid.  
When to Check Power Steering Fluid  
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid  
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or  
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system  
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected  
and repaired.  
What Power Steering Fluid to Use  
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see  
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper  
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.  
5-34  
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Notice:  
Windshield Washer Fluid  
What Washer Fluid to Use  
When using concentrated washer fluid,  
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for  
adding water.  
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read  
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will  
be operating your vehicle in an area where the  
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has  
sufficient protection against freezing.  
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.  
Water can cause the solution to freeze and  
damage your washer fluid tank and other parts  
of the washer system. Also, water does not  
clean as well as washer fluid.  
Adding Washer Fluid  
Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters  
full when it is very cold. This allows for  
expansion if freezing occurs, which could  
damage the tank if it is completely full.  
Open the cap with the  
washer symbol on it. Add  
washer fluid until the  
tank is full. See Engine  
page 5-12 for reservoir  
location.  
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your  
windshield washer. It can damage your washer  
system and paint.  
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So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake fluid.  
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you add fluid  
when your linings are worn, then you will have too  
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should  
add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when  
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.  
Brakes  
Brake Fluid  
Your brake master cylinder  
reservoir is filled with  
DOT-3 brake fluid. See  
Overview on page 5-12 for  
the location of the  
{CAUTION:  
reservoir.  
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on  
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is  
hot enough. You or others could be burned,  
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake  
fluid only when work is done on the brake  
hydraulic system.  
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in  
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the  
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during  
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,  
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is  
that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you  
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak  
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work  
well, or will not work at all.  
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake  
warning light will come on. See Brake System Warning  
Light on page 3-35.  
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Notice:  
What to Add  
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake  
system parts. For example, just a few drops of  
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your  
brake system can damage brake system  
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.  
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of  
fluid.  
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake  
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container  
page 6-12.  
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area  
around the cap before removing it. This will help  
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.  
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s painted  
surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be  
careful not to spill brake fluid on your vehicle. If  
you do, wash it off immediately. See Appearance  
Care on page 5-87.  
{CAUTION:  
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake  
system, your brakes may not work well, or  
they may not even work at all. This could  
cause a crash. Always use the proper  
brake fluid.  
5-37  
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Notice: Continuing to drive with worn-out brake  
pads could result in costly brake repair.  
Brake Wear  
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.  
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake  
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly  
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with  
your brakes.  
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make  
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads  
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound  
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle  
is moving, except when you are pushing on the  
brake pedal firmly.  
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help  
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect  
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in  
the proper sequence to Saturn torque specifications.  
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete  
axle sets.  
{CAUTION:  
Brake Pedal Travel  
The brake wear warning sound means that  
soon your brakes will not work well. That  
could lead to an accident. When you hear the  
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle  
serviced.  
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return to  
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal  
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.  
Brake Adjustment  
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the  
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.  
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Replacing Brake System Parts  
Vehicle Storage  
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many  
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if  
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your  
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality Saturn  
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking  
system — for example, when your brake linings  
wear down and you need new ones put in — be sure  
you get new approved Saturn replacement parts. If you  
do not, your brakes may no longer work properly.  
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are  
wrong for your vehicle, the balance between your  
front and rear brakes can change — for the worse. The  
braking performance you have come to expect can  
change in many other ways if someone puts in  
the wrong replacement brake parts.  
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or  
more, remove the black, negative () cable from the  
battery. This will help keep your battery from  
running down.  
{CAUTION:  
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas  
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you  
are not careful. See Jump Starting on  
page 5-40 for tips on working around a battery  
without getting hurt.  
Battery  
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is  
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement  
number shown on the original battery’s label. We  
recommend an ACDelco® replacement battery.  
Warning: Battery posts, terminals, and related  
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,  
chemicals known to the State of California to cause  
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after  
handling.  
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Notice: Ignoring these steps could result in costly  
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered  
by your warranty.  
Jump Starting  
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may want to  
use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start  
your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it  
safely.  
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it  
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.  
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt  
battery with a negative ground system.  
On vehicles equipped with the optional power sliding  
door, a low-voltage battery or replacing a battery  
may cause the system to become inoperative. See  
Power Sliding Door (PSD) on page 2-16 for more  
information.  
Notice: If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt  
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can  
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems  
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.  
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables  
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching  
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground  
connection you do not want. You would not be able  
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding  
could damage the electrical systems.  
{CAUTION:  
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous  
because:  
They contain acid that can burn you.  
They contain gas that can explode  
or ignite.  
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set  
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in  
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic  
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in  
NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.  
They contain enough electricity to  
burn you.  
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some  
or all of these things can hurt you.  
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Notice: If you leave your radio or other accessories  
on during the jump starting procedure, they could  
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered  
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and  
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.  
The terminal is located  
under a tethered cap at  
the front of the underhood  
fuse block. See Engine  
page 5-12 for more  
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug  
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette  
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off  
the radio and all lamps that are not needed. This  
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And  
it could save the radio!  
information on location.  
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the  
positive (+) and negative () terminal locations on  
each vehicle.  
Squeeze the tabs and swing the cap out of the way  
to access the remote positive (+) terminal. You  
should always use the remote positive (+) terminal  
instead of the positive (+) terminal on your  
battery.  
You will not need to access your battery for jump  
starting. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump  
starting terminal for that purpose.  
{CAUTION:  
An electric fan can start up even when the  
engine is not running and can injure you. Keep  
hands, clothing and tools away from any  
underhood electric fan.  
5-41  
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{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
Using a match near a battery can cause battery  
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing  
this, and some have been blinded. Use a  
flashlight if you need more light.  
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure  
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving  
parts once the engine is running.  
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do  
not need to add water to the battery installed  
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has filler  
caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is there.  
If it is low, add water to take care of that first.  
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.  
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or  
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a  
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.  
Before you connect the cables, here are some  
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to  
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if  
the vehicle has one. Negative () will go to a heavy,  
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote  
negative () terminal if the vehicle has one. Do not  
connect positive (+) to negative () or you will  
get a short that would damage the battery and  
maybe other parts too. And do not connect  
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.  
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it  
in your eyes or on your skin, flush the place  
with water and get medical help immediately.  
the negative () cable to the negative () terminal  
on the dead battery because this can cause sparks.  
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)  
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote  
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.  
5-42  
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7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it  
to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.  
Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle  
has one.  
9. Connect the other end of the negative () cable at  
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,  
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical  
connection is just as good there, and the chance  
of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.  
8. Now connect the black negative () cable to the  
negative () terminal of the good battery. Use a  
remote negative () terminal if the vehicle has one.  
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run  
the engine for a while.  
Do not let the other end touch anything until the  
next step. The other end of the negative () cable  
does not go to the dead battery. It goes to a  
heavy, unpainted metal engine part, or to a remote  
negative () terminal on the vehicle with the  
dead battery.  
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If  
it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs  
service.  
5-43  
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Notice: If the jumper cables are connected or  
removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may  
occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would  
not be covered by your warranty. Always connect  
and remove the jumper cables in the correct  
order, making sure that the cables do not touch  
each other or other metal.  
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do  
the following:  
1. Disconnect the black negative () cable from the  
vehicle that had the dead battery.  
2. Disconnect the black negative () cable from the  
vehicle with the good battery.  
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the  
vehicle with the good battery.  
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other  
vehicle.  
5. Return the remote positive (+) terminal cover to its  
original position.  
Jumper Cable Removal  
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote  
Negative () Terminal  
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal and  
Remote Negative () Terminals  
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal  
5-44  
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How to Check Lubricant  
All-Wheel Drive  
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to  
perform the lubricant checks described in this section.  
All-wheel-drive vehicles have two additional systems that  
need lubrication.  
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)  
When to Check Lubricant  
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how  
often to check the lubricant. See Scheduled  
Maintenance on page 6-4.  
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a  
level surface.  
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,  
located on the transfer case, you will need to add some  
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level to  
the bottom of the filler plug hole.  
What to Use  
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what  
kind of lubricant to use. See Recommended Fluids  
and Lubricants on page 6-12.  
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If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,  
located on the differential, you will need to add  
some lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level  
to the bottom of the filler plug hole. A fluid loss could  
indicate a problem; check and have it repaired, if  
needed.  
Carrier Assembly-Differential  
(Rear Drive Module)  
When to Check and Change Lubricant  
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how  
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See  
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.  
What to Use  
How to Check Lubricant  
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what  
kind of lubricant to use. See Recommended Fluids  
and Lubricants on page 6-12.  
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a  
level surface.  
5-46  
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Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps  
Bulb Replacement  
For the type of bulb to use, see Replacement Bulbs on  
page 5-50.  
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this  
section, contact your retailer.  
Halogen Bulbs  
{CAUTION:  
A. High-beam Headlamp  
B. Low-beam Headlamp  
C. Sidemarker Lamp  
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside  
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.  
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read  
and follow the instructions on the bulb  
package.  
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To replace one of these bulbs, do the following:  
3. Remove the screw (B) from the top of the headlamp  
assembly.  
1. Open the hood. See Hood Release on page 5-11  
for more information.  
4. Pull the assembly away from the vehicle.  
5. Disconnect the socket wiring harness connector  
from the headlamp assembly.  
6. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove  
from the assembly.  
7. To replace a headlamp bulb, disconnect the bulb  
socket wiring harness and connect to the new bulb  
socket.  
To replace a sidemarker bulb, pull the old bulb out  
and push a new bulb in.  
8. Reinstall the bulb socket by inserting into the bulb  
assembly and turning it clockwise to secure.  
9. Reverse the steps to reinstall the headlamp  
assembly.  
2. Remove the headlamp retainer pin (A) by turning it  
towards the headlamp assembly and pulling it  
straight out.  
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Front Turn Signal, Parking and  
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)  
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps  
and Back-up Lamps  
To change a stoplamp/taillamp, turn signal or back-up  
lamp bulb, do the following:  
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate on page 2-21 for  
more information.  
2. Remove the two  
screws from the  
taillamp housing on the  
inboard side.  
To replace one of these bulbs (A), do the following:  
1. Follow the Steps 1 through 4 to remove the  
headlamp assembly. See Headlamps and  
Sidemarker Lamps on page 5-47 for more  
information.  
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove  
from the assembly.  
3. Pull the old bulb out from the bulb socket.  
4. Replace with a new bulb  
5. Reinstall the bulb socket by inserting into the bulb  
assembly and turning it clockwise to secure.  
3. Pull out the taillamp housing.  
4. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the  
taillamp assembly.  
6. Reverse the steps to reinstall the headlamp  
assembly.  
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5. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove.  
6. Replace the bulb by pulling the old bulb out of  
the socket and gently pushing in a new bulb.  
7. Replace the bulb socket by inserting and turning  
clockwise to secure.  
8. Reinstall the taillamp assembly by inserting the  
outboard locating/retaining pins until the lamp is  
seated.  
9. Secure with the inboard screws.  
Replacement Bulbs  
Exterior Lamp  
Bulb Number  
Back-up  
3057K  
Front Turn Signal, DRL and  
Parking  
5702KA  
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp  
B. Turn Signal Lamp  
C. Back-up Lamp Bulb  
High-Beam and Low-Beam  
Headlamps  
Sidemarker  
Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn  
Signal  
H11  
194  
3057K  
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your  
retailer.  
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Windshield Wiper Blade  
Replacement  
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear  
and cracking. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4  
for more information.  
Replacement blades come in different types and are  
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,  
page 6-14.  
To replace the windshield wiper blade assembly do the  
following:  
1. Lift the wiper arm and turn the blade until it is  
facing away from the windshield.  
2. Squeeze the tabs (B) on each side of the wiper  
blade assembly to remove the wiper arm (A)  
from the blade (C).  
Allowing the wiper blade arm to touch the windshield  
when no wiper blade is installed could damage  
the windshield. Any damage that occurs would not  
be covered by your warranty. Do not allow the  
wiper blade arm to touch the windshield.  
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper  
arm until you hear the tabs on each side of the  
wiper blade assembly click into place.  
To replace the rear wiper blade, follow the steps  
listed above.  
5-51  
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Tires  
{CAUTION:  
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by  
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions  
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,  
see your Saturn Warranty booklet for details. For  
additional information refer to the tire manufacturer’s  
booklet included with your vehicle’s Owner Manual.  
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires  
are dangerous.  
Overloading your tires can cause  
overheating as a result of too much  
friction. You could have an air-out and a  
serious accident. See Loading Your  
Vehicle on page 4-31.  
Underinflated tires pose the same danger  
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident  
could cause serious injury. Check all  
tires frequently to maintain the  
recommended pressure. Tire pressure  
should be checked when your tires are  
page 5-58.  
Overinflated tires are more likely to be  
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden  
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.  
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.  
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If  
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires  
have been damaged, replace them.  
5-52  
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(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria  
Specification): Original equipment tires designed to  
GM’s specific tire performance criteria have a TPC  
specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC  
specifications meet or exceed all federal safety  
guidelines.  
Tire Sidewall Labelling  
Useful information about a tire is molded into its  
sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger  
vehicle tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.  
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation): The  
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that  
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of  
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  
(D) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The letters and  
numbers following DOT (Department of Transportation)  
code is the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The  
TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size,  
and date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded  
onto both sides of the tire, although only one side  
may have the date of manufacture.  
(E) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of  
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.  
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Tire  
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on three  
performance factors: treadwear, traction and  
temperature resistance. For more information see  
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example  
(A) Tire Size: The tire size is a combination of letters  
and numbers used to define a particular tire’s width,  
height, aspect ratio, construction type and service  
description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later in this  
section for more detail.  
(G) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Maximum  
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure  
needed to support that load.  
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(B) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of  
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.  
(C) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The letters and  
numbers following the DOT (Department of  
Transportation) code is the Tire Identification  
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and  
plant code, tire size, and date the tire was manufactured.  
The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire, although  
only one side may have the date of manufacture.  
(D) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Maximum  
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure  
needed to support that load.  
(E) Tire Inflation: The temporary use tire or compact  
spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi (420 kPa).  
For more information on tire pressure and inflation see  
Compact Spare Tire Example  
(F) Tire Size: A combination of letters and numbers  
define a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction  
type and service description. The letter T as the  
first character in the tire size means the tire is for  
temporary use only.  
(A) Temporary Use Only: The compact spare tire or  
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately  
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven  
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare  
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire  
has lost air and gone flat. If your vehicle has a compact  
spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire on page 5-87  
and If a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-68.  
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria  
Specification): Original equipment tires designed to  
GM’s specific tire performance criteria have a TPC  
specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC  
specifications meet or exceed all federal safety  
guidelines.  
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(D) Construction Code: A letter code is used to  
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter  
R means radial ply construction; the letter D means  
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means  
belted-bias ply construction.  
Tire Size  
The following illustration shows an example of a typical  
passenger vehicle tire size.  
(E) Rim Diameter: Diameter of the wheel in inches.  
(F) Service Description: These characters represent  
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load  
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certified  
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The  
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certified  
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.  
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: The United States  
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the  
first character in the tire size means a passenger  
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire  
and Rim Association.  
Tire Terminology and Definitions  
Air Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressing  
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure  
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or  
kilopascal (kPa).  
(B) Tire Width: The three-digit number indicates the  
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.  
(C) Aspect Ratio: A two-digit number that indicates  
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if  
the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the  
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is  
60 percent as high as it is wide.  
Accessory Weight: This means the combined weight  
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional  
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,  
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air  
conditioning.  
Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a tire’s height to  
its width.  
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Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that is located  
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made  
from steel or other reinforcing materials.  
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front  
axle, see Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,  
Bead: The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by  
see Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.  
Intended Outboard Sidewall: The side of an  
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when  
mounted on a vehicle.  
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the plies are  
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the  
centerline of the tread.  
Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for air pressure.  
Cold Inflation Pressure: The amount of air pressure in  
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or  
kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat  
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire: A tire used on light duty  
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.  
from driving. See Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.  
Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279  
that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire.  
Curb Weight: This means the weight of a motor  
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including  
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but  
without passengers and cargo.  
Maximum Inflation Pressure: The maximum air  
pressure to which a cold tire may be inflated. The  
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.  
DOT Markings: A code molded into the sidewall of a  
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the  
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) motor vehicle  
safety standards. The DOT code includes the Tire  
Identification Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator  
which can also identify the tire manufacturer, production  
plant, brand and date of production.  
Maximum Load Rating: The load rating for a tire at the  
maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.  
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The sum of curb  
weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;  
and production options weight.  
Normal Occupant Weight: The number of occupants a  
vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg).  
See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, see Loading  
Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
5-56  
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Occupant Distribution: Designated seating positions.  
Traction: The friction between the tire and the road  
surface. The amount of grip provided.  
Outward Facing Sidewall: The side of an  
Tread: The portion of a tire that comes into contact  
with the road.  
asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that faces  
outward when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire  
that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or  
bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding  
that is higher or deeper than the same moldings on  
the other sidewall of the tire.  
Treadwear Indicators: Narrow bands, sometimes  
called “wear bars,” that show across the tread of a tire  
when only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread remains. See  
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on passenger  
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose  
vehicles.  
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards): A  
tire information system that provides consumers with  
ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature, and treadwear.  
Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using  
government testing procedures. The ratings are molded  
into the sidewall of the tire. See Uniform Tire Quality  
Grading on page 5-62.  
Recommended Inflation Pressure: Vehicle  
manufacturer’s recommended tire inflation pressure and  
shown on the tire placard. See Inflation - Tire Pressure  
on page 5-58 and Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
Vehicle Capacity Weight: The number of designated  
seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus  
the rated cargo load. See Loading Your Vehicle  
on page 4-31.  
Radial Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords  
that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the  
centerline of the tread.  
Rim: A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire  
beads are seated.  
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire: Load on an  
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight,  
occupant weight, and cargo weight.  
Sidewall: The portion of a tire between the tread and  
Vehicle Placard: A label permanently attached to a  
vehicle showing the vehicle’s capacity weight and  
the original equipment tire size and recommended  
inflation pressure. See “Tire and Loading Information  
Label” under Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.  
the bead.  
Speed Rating: An alphanumeric code assigned to a  
tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire  
can operate.  
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A Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the  
vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar), below the driver’s  
door latch. This label shows your vehicle’s original  
equipment tires and the correct inflation pressures for  
your tires when they are cold. The recommended  
cold tire inflation pressure, shown on the label, is the  
minimum amount of air pressure needed to support your  
vehicle’s maximum load carrying capacity.  
Inflation - Tire Pressure  
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate  
effectively.  
Notice: Do not let anyone tell you that  
under-inflation or over-inflation is all right. It is not.  
If your tires do not have enough air (under-inflation),  
you can get the following:  
For additional information regarding how much weight  
your vehicle can carry, and an example of the tire  
and loading information label, see Loading Your Vehicle  
on page 4-31. How you load your vehicle affects  
vehicle handling and ride comfort, never load your  
vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry.  
Too much flexing  
Too much heat  
Tire overloading  
Premature or irregular wear  
Poor handling  
When to Check  
Reduced fuel economy  
Check your tires once a month or more. Do not forget to  
check the compact spare tire, it should be at 60 psi  
(420 kPa). For additional information regarding  
the compact spare tire, see Compact Spare Tire on  
page 5-87.  
If your tires have too much air (over-inflation), you  
can get the following:  
Unusual wear  
Poor handling  
Rough ride  
Needless damage from road hazards  
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How to Check  
Tire Inspection and Rotation  
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire  
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly  
inflated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look  
properly inflated even when they are under-inflated.  
Check the tire’s inflation pressure when the tires  
are cold. Cold means your vehicle has been sitting  
for at least three hours or driven no more than  
1 mile (1.6 km).  
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles  
(8 000 to 13 000 km).  
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as  
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also  
check for damaged tires or wheels. See When It Is Time  
on page 5-64 for more information.  
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more  
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first rotation  
is the most important. See Scheduled Maintenance  
on page 6-4.  
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press  
the tire gage firmly onto the valve to get a pressure  
measurement. If the cold tire inflation pressure matches  
the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading  
Information label, no further adjustment is necessary.  
If the inflation pressure is low, add air until you reach the  
recommended amount.  
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the  
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Re-check the  
tire pressure with the tire gage.  
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.  
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and  
moisture.  
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation  
pattern shown here.  
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Do not include the compact spare tire in your tire  
rotation.  
When It Is Time for New Tires  
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and  
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire and  
Loading Information label.  
One way to tell when it is  
time for new tires is to  
check the treadwear  
indicators, which will  
appear when your tires  
have only 1/16 inch  
(1.6 mm) or less of tread  
remaining.  
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.  
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under Capacities and  
Specifications on page 5-103.  
{CAUTION:  
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to  
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts  
become loose after a time. The wheel could  
come off and cause an accident. When you  
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from  
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.  
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a  
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a  
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all  
the rust or dirt off. See Changing a Flat Tire on  
page 5-69.  
You need a new tire if any of the following statements  
are true:  
You can see the indicators at three or more places  
around the tire.  
You can see cord or fabric showing through the  
tire’s rubber.  
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged  
deep enough to show cord or fabric.  
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.  
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that  
cannot be repaired well because of the size or  
location of the damage.  
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Buying New Tires  
{CAUTION:  
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at  
the Certification/Tire label or the Tire and Loading  
Information label. See Loading Your Vehicle on  
page 4-31, for examples of the labels and where they  
can be found on your vehicle.  
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control  
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes  
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the  
vehicle may not handle properly, and you  
could have a crash. Using tires of different  
sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle.  
Be sure to use the same size and type tires on  
all wheels. It’s all right to drive with your  
compact spare temporarily, it was developed  
for use on your vehicle. See Compact Spare  
Tire on page 5-87.  
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had  
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)  
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,  
GM recommends that you get tires with that same  
TPC Spec number. That way your vehicle will continue  
to have tires that are designed to give proper  
endurance, handling, speed rating, traction, ride and  
other things during normal service on your vehicle.  
If your tires have an all-season tread design, the TPC  
number will be followed by an “MS” (for mud and snow).  
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a  
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same  
size, load range, speed rating and construction type  
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.  
{CAUTION:  
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the  
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after  
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel  
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only  
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.  
5-61  
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Treadwear  
Uniform Tire Quality Grading  
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on  
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled  
conditions on a specified government test course.  
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and  
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as  
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires  
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,  
however, and may depart significantly from the norm  
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and  
differences in road characteristics and climate.  
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the  
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum  
section width. For example:  
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A  
The following information relates to the system  
developed by the United States National Highway  
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by  
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.  
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)  
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most  
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading  
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type  
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,  
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches  
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.  
Traction – AA, A, B, C  
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,  
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability  
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled  
conditions on specified government test surfaces of  
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor  
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade  
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking  
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,  
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.  
While the tires available on General Motors passenger  
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these  
grades, they must also conform to federal safety  
requirements and additional General Motors Tire  
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.  
5-62  
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Temperature – A, B, C  
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance  
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,  
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation  
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested  
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor  
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can  
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and  
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to  
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a  
level of performance which all passenger car tires must  
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard  
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of  
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the  
minimum required by law.  
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned  
and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the  
longest tire life and best overall performance.  
Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing will  
not be necessary on a regular basis. However, if  
you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling to  
one side or the other, the alignment may need to  
be checked. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when  
driving on a smooth road, your tires and wheels  
may need to be rebalanced. See your retailer for proper  
diagnosis.  
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is  
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not  
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or  
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,  
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.  
5-63  
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Wheel Replacement  
{CAUTION:  
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted  
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the  
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.  
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some  
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).  
See your retailer if any of these conditions exist.  
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel  
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be  
dangerous. It could affect the braking and  
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose  
air and make you lose control. You could have  
a collision in which you or others could be  
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel  
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.  
Your retailer will know the kind of wheel you need.  
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying  
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted  
the same way as the one it replaces.  
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts  
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new Saturn  
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to  
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts  
for your vehicle.  
Notice: The wrong wheel can also cause problems  
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or  
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,  
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain  
clearance to the body and chassis.  
See Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-69 for more  
information.  
5-64  
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Used Replacement Wheels  
Tire Chains  
{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is  
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been  
used or how far it has been driven. It could fail  
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to  
replace a wheel, use a new Saturn original  
equipment wheel.  
Do not use tire chains. There is not enough  
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle  
without the proper amount of clearance can  
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or  
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the  
tire chains could cause you to lose control of  
your vehicle and you or others may be injured  
in a crash.  
Use another type of traction device only if its  
manufacturer recommends it for use on your  
vehicle and tire size combination and road  
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s  
instructions. To help avoid damage to your  
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the  
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do  
not spin your vehicle’s wheels. If you do find  
traction devices that will fit, install them on the  
front tires.  
5-65  
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This symbol is on the  
accessory inflator switch.  
Accessory Inflator  
Your vehicle may have an accessory inflator. With it,  
you can inflate things like air mattresses and  
basketballs, and you can also use it to bring your tires  
up to the proper pressure.  
The accessory inflator is located in the rear  
compartment on the driver’s side. To access the  
accessory inflator, do the following:  
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate on page 2-21 for  
more information.  
2. Lift the lever to move the third row rear seatback  
forward. See Third Row Seat on page 1-18 for  
more information.  
There may be an accessory inflator kit stored in the rear  
compartment on the passenger’s side. It includes a  
20-foot (6 m) hose with an air pressure gage and nozzle  
adapters.  
3. Remove the cover by pulling the lever up.  
{CAUTION:  
Inflating something too much can make it  
explode, and you or others could be injured.  
Be sure to read the inflator instructions, and  
inflate any object only to its recommended  
pressure.  
5-66  
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To use your accessory inflator system, do the following:  
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.  
Notice: If you run the accessory inflator longer  
than 30 minutes at a time, you could damage  
the inflator. The repairs would not be covered by  
your warranty. Run the inflator for short periods of  
time only.  
2. Attach the appropriate nozzle adapter, if required,  
to the end of the hose that has the pressure gage.  
After running the accessory inflator for 30 minutes, wait  
at least 10 minutes before restarting the accessory  
inflator.  
3. Attach that end of the hose to the object you wish  
to inflate.  
4. Remove the protective cap covering the outlet.  
5. Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.  
To turn off the inflator, do the following:  
1. Press the switch and detach the hose, first from the  
inflated object, then from the outlet.  
6. Press the accessory inflator switch. The light in the  
switch will come on to show the system is working.  
2. Put the protective cap back on.  
If the accessory inflator system does not turn on or the  
light does not come on, the fuse may be blown or  
installed incorrectly. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on  
page 5-98 or see your retailer for service.  
3. Place the inflator kit tools in the pouch, and store in  
the rear compartment on the passenger’s side.  
To put the cover back on, line up the tabs at the bottom  
of the cover and put it in place. Push down the tab to  
secure the cover.  
Your accessory inflator will automatically shut off after  
about 10 minutes. The light in the switch will blink. After  
about one minute you can use the system again.  
Press the switch and the indicator light will come on.  
5-67  
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If a Tire Goes Flat  
{CAUTION:  
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,  
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air  
goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out  
slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here are  
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:  
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do  
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without  
the appropriate safety equipment and training.  
The jack provided with your vehicle is  
designed only for changing a flat tire. If it is  
used for anything else, you or others could be  
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off  
the jack. Use the jack provided with your  
vehicle only for changing a flat tire.  
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that  
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the  
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.  
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to  
a stop well out of the traffic lane.  
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a  
skid and may require the same correction you would  
use in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot from  
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control  
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may  
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently  
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.  
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your  
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.  
5-68  
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Changing a Flat Tire  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage  
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s  
hazard warning flashers. See Hazard Warning Flashers  
on page 3-6 for more information.  
To be even more certain the vehicle will not  
move, you should put blocks at the front and  
rear of the tire farthest away from the one  
being changed. That would be the tire, on the  
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.  
{CAUTION:  
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle  
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you  
or other people. You and they could be badly  
injured or even killed. Find a level place to  
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle  
from moving:  
When your vehicle has a flat tire, use the following  
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of  
wheel blocks.  
1. Set the parking brake firmly.  
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).  
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart  
while the vehicle is raised.  
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the  
vehicle.  
CAUTION: (Continued)  
The following information will tell you next how to use  
the jack and change a tire.  
5-69  
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To remove the tools, do the following:  
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools  
1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate on page 2-21 for  
more information.  
2. Remove the convenience net, if equipped.  
3. Open the jack storage compartment by lifting the  
tab and pulling the cover off.  
The tools you will need are located in the storage  
compartment at the rear of the vehicle, on the  
passenger’s side.  
A. Jack  
B. Strap  
C. Bracket  
D. Wing Nut  
E. Bag and Tools  
F. Tire Bag and Cable  
Storage for  
All-Wheel-Drive  
Vehicles  
5-70  
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4. Remove the jack (A) and jacking tools (E) by  
loosening and then removing the wing nut (D)  
and bracket (C).  
To remove the compact spare tire, do the following:  
5. Separate the plastic pouch from the jack and  
remove the jacking tools, including the folding  
wrench and extension, from the pouch.  
A. Hoist Shaft  
B. Hoist Assembly  
C. Retainer  
E. Extension  
(Chisel End)  
F. Folding Wrench  
D. Compact  
Spare Tire  
1. Attach the folding wrench (F) to the extension (E)  
and insert the chisel end on an angle through the  
hole in the rear bumper and into the hoist shaft (A).  
The tools you will be using include the jack (A),  
extension (B), and folding wrench (C).  
The compact spare tire is located under the rear of the  
vehicle. See Compact Spare Tire on page 5-87 for  
more information about the compact spare.  
2. Turn the folding wrench counterclockwise to lower  
the compact spare tire (D) to the ground. Continue  
to turn the wrench so the compact spare tire  
can be pulled out from under the vehicle.  
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If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the hoist is  
used to store a full-size or a flat road tire under  
the vehicle. See “Storing the Flat Tire on an  
Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicle” under Storing a Flat or  
Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-82 for more  
information.  
4. Remove the compact spare tire from the cable.  
If the compact spare tire will not lower, check under the  
vehicle to see if the tire is hanging loose and the  
cable end and spring under the wheel plate are missing.  
If so, the secondary latch system is engaged. See  
Secondary Latch System on page 5-80.  
To continue changing the flat tire, see Removing the  
3. Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable to remove  
the compact spare tire, so it can be pulled up  
through the wheel opening.  
If your vehicle is an AWD vehicle, after removing  
the compact spare tire, turn the wrench clockwise to  
raise the cable back up. On an AWD vehicle, you  
can not store a full-size tire under the vehicle.  
It should be stowed inside the vehicle by the cable  
provided. See “Storing the Flat Tire on an  
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle” under Storing a Flat or  
Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-82 for more  
information.  
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Once the center cap and/or wheel cover are removed,  
use the following steps to remove the flat tire and install  
the spare tire.  
Removing the Flat Tire and  
Installing the Spare Tire  
1. Loosen the wheel nuts  
using the folding  
If the wheel has a center cap, use the handle of the  
folding wrench to pry it off. Then, with the other end of  
the folding wrench, loosen the nuts.  
wrench, but do not  
remove them.  
Turn the handle  
counterclockwise about  
180 degrees, then  
flip the handle back to  
the starting position.  
This avoids taking  
the wrench off the lug  
nut for each turn.  
If your vehicle has the plastic bolt-on wheel covers,  
loosen the bolts completely using the folding wrench,  
and remove the wheel cover.  
5-73  
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Notice: If your vehicle has wheel locks and you  
use an impact wrench to remove the wheel nuts, you  
could damage the lock nut or wheel lock key. Do  
not use an impact wrench to remove the wheel nuts  
if your vehicle has wheel locks.  
Notice: If you use a jack to raise the vehicle  
without positioning it correctly, you could damage  
your vehicle. When raising your vehicle on a  
jack, avoid contact with the rear axle control arms.  
Notice: If you position the jack under the rocker  
molding and attempt to raise the vehicle, you could  
break the molding and/or cause other damage to  
your vehicle. Always position the jack so that when  
the jack head is raised, it will fit firmly in the  
notch located inboard from the rocker molding.  
A. Front Location  
B. Rear Location  
2. Near each wheel, there is a notch (A and B) in the  
vehicle’s frame, inboard of the rocker molding.  
Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits  
firmly into the notch in the vehicle’s frame nearest  
the flat tire.  
3. Do not raise the vehicle yet.  
4. Put the compact spare tire near you.  
5-74  
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{CAUTION:  
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is  
dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack you  
could be badly injured or killed. Never get  
under a vehicle when it is supported only by  
a jack.  
{CAUTION:  
5. Attach the folding wrench (A) to the jack (B), and  
turn the wrench clockwise to raise the jack head  
approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm).  
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly  
positioned can damage the vehicle and even  
make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal  
injury and vehicle damage, be sure to fit the  
jack lift head into the proper location before  
raising the vehicle.  
5-75  
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{CAUTION:  
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to  
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts  
become loose after a time. The wheel could  
come off and cause an accident. When you  
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from  
the places where the wheel attaches to the  
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth  
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use  
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to  
get all the rust or dirt off.  
6. Raise the vehicle by turning the folding wrench  
clockwise in the jack. Raise the vehicle far  
enough off the ground so there is enough room  
for the compact spare tire to fit under the  
wheel well.  
7. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.  
5-76  
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8. Remove any rust or dirt  
from the wheel bolts,  
mounting surfaces  
and spare wheel.  
{CAUTION:  
9. Install the compact spare tire and put the wheel  
nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts  
toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand until  
the wheel is held against the hub.  
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If  
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel  
could fall off, causing a serious accident.  
5-77  
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{CAUTION:  
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened  
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come loose  
and even come off. This could lead to an  
accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel  
nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to  
get new GM original equipment wheel nuts.  
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have  
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the  
proper torque specification. See Capacities  
and Specifications on page 5-103 for wheel nut  
torque specification.  
10. Lower the vehicle by attaching the folding wheel  
wrench to the jack and turning the wrench  
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.  
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Notice: Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead  
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid  
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel  
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper  
torque specification. See Capacities and  
Specifications on page 5-103 for the wheel nut  
torque specification.  
Notice: Wheel covers will not fit on your compact  
spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on the compact  
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.  
12. Do not try to put a wheel cover on the compact  
spare tire. It will not fit. Store the wheel cover  
securely in the rear of the vehicle until you have the  
flat tire repaired or replaced.  
11. Tighten the wheel nuts  
firmly in a crisscross  
sequence, as shown.  
5-79  
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Secondary Latch System  
{CAUTION:  
Your vehicle may have an underbody-mounted tire hoist  
assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It  
is designed to stop a tire from suddenly falling off your  
vehicle if the cable holding the spare tire is damaged.  
For the secondary latch to work, the tire must be stowed  
with the valve stem pointing down.  
Before beginning this procedure read all the  
instructions. Failure to read and follow the  
instructions could damage the hoist assembly  
and you and others could get hurt. Read and  
follow the instructions listed below.  
Your vehicle uses the underbody tire hoist assembly to  
store either the compact spare or a flat road tire.  
for instructions on storing the spare or flat tire correctly.  
{CAUTION:  
Someone standing too close during the  
procedure could be injured by the jack. If the  
spare tire does not slide off the jack  
completely, make sure no one is behind you or  
on either side of you as you pull the jack out  
from the spare.  
5-80  
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To release the spare tire from the secondary latch, do  
the following:  
4. Lower the jack by turning the folding wrench  
counterclockwise. Keep lowering the jack until  
the compact spare tire is resting on the folding  
wrench.  
1. Place the jack under the vehicle, ahead of the rear  
bumper. Position the center lift point of the jack  
under the center of the compact spare tire.  
5. Grasp the compact spare tire with both hands and  
pull it out from under the vehicle.  
2. Turn the folding wrench clockwise to raise the jack  
until it lifts the secondary latch device under the  
wheel plate.  
6. Reach under the vehicle and remove the folding  
wrench and jack.  
3. Keep raising the jack until the compact spare tire  
stops moving upward and is held firmly in place.  
This lets you know that the secondary latch  
has released.  
Have the hoist assembly inspected as soon as you can.  
You will not be able to store a spare or flat tire using  
the hoist assembly until it has been repaired or replaced.  
5-81  
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Storing the Spare Tire  
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire  
and Tools  
{CAUTION:  
{CAUTION:  
The underbody-mounted spare tire needs to be  
stored with the valve stem pointing down. If  
the spare tire is stored with the valve stem  
pointing upwards, its secondary latch won’t  
work properly and the spare tire could loosen  
and suddenly fall from your vehicle. If this  
happened when your vehicle was being  
driven, the tire might contact a person or  
another vehicle, causing injury and, of course,  
damage to itself as well. Be sure the  
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the  
passenger compartment of the vehicle could  
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,  
loose equipment could strike someone. Store  
all these in the proper place.  
underbody-mounted spare tire is stored with  
its valve stem pointing down.  
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To store the spare tire, do the following:  
1. Lay the tire near the rear of the vehicle with the  
valve stem down.  
2. Remove the small center cap by tapping the back  
of the cap with the extension of the shaft, if the  
vehicle has aluminum wheels.  
3. Slide the cable retainer through the center of the  
wheel and start to raise the tire.  
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across the  
underside of the wheel.  
4. When the tire is almost in the stored position, turn  
the tire so the valve is towards the rear of the  
vehicle.  
This will help when you check and maintain tire  
pressure in the spare.  
5. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the  
vehicle. Continue turning the folding wrench until  
you feel more than two clicks. This indicates that the  
compact spare tire is secure and the cable is  
tight. The spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened.  
6. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull (A),  
and then try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire moves,  
use the folding wrench to tighten the cable.  
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Storing the Flat Tire on a  
Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicle  
The flat tire is stored the same as the spare tire for  
front-wheel-drive vehicles. Refer to “Storing the Spare  
Tire” listed previously.  
Storing the Flat Tire on an  
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle  
1. Remove the tire storage bag and cable package  
from the jack storage area.  
2. Remove the small center cap by tapping the back  
of the cap with the extension of the shaft, if the  
vehicle has aluminum wheels.  
A. Cable  
3. Put the flat tire in the tire storage bag and place it  
in the rear storage area with the valve stem  
pointing toward the front of the vehicle.  
B. Liftgate Hinges  
C. Door Striker  
4. Pull the cable through the door striker and the  
center of the wheel.  
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5. Hook the cable onto  
the outside portion of  
the liftgate hinges.  
7. Make sure the metal  
tube is centered at the  
striker. Push the  
tube towards the front  
of the vehicle.  
6. Pull on the cable to make sure it is secure.  
8. Close the liftgate and make sure it is latched  
properly.  
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Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack  
storage compartment and put the compartment cover  
back on.  
Storing the Tools  
To put the cover back on, line up the tabs on the right  
of the cover with the slots in the cover opening. Push the  
cover in place and push down the tab so that it rests  
in the groove. This secures the cover in place.  
Store the center cap or the plastic bolt-on wheel covers  
until a full size tire is put back on the vehicle. When  
you replace the compact spare with a full-size tire,  
reinstall the bolt-on wheel covers or the center cap.  
Hand-tighten them over the wheel nuts, using the folding  
wrench.  
A. Strap  
B. Bag and Tools  
C. Jack  
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Compact Spare Tire  
Appearance Care  
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when  
the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.  
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be  
60 psi (420 kPa).  
Cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic.  
Other cleaning products can burst into flames if a match  
is struck near them or if they get on a hot part of the  
vehicle. Some are dangerous if their fumes are inhaled  
in an enclosed space. When anything from a container  
is used to clean the vehicle, be sure to follow the  
manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. Always open  
the doors or windows of the vehicle when cleaning  
the inside.  
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle, stop  
as soon as possible and make sure the spare tire  
is correctly inflated. The compact spare is made to  
perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)  
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can  
finish your trip and have the full-size tire repaired or  
replaced at your convenience. Of course, it is best  
to replace the spare with a full-size tire as soon as  
possible. The spare tire will last longer and be in good  
shape in case it is needed again.  
Never use these to clean the vehicle:  
Benzene  
Naphtha  
Carbon Tetrachloride  
Acetone  
Notice: When the compact spare is installed, do  
not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash  
with guide rails. The compact spare can get  
caught on the rails. That can damage the tire and  
wheel, and maybe other parts of your vehicle.  
Paint Thinner  
Turpentine  
Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles.  
Lacquer Thinner  
Nail Polish Remover  
And do not mix the compact spare tire or wheel with  
other wheels or tires. They will not fit. Keep the  
spare tire and its wheel together.  
They can all be hazardous — some more than  
others — and they can all damage the vehicle, too.  
Notice: Tire chains will not fit your compact spare.  
Using them can damage your vehicle and can  
damage the chains too. Do not use tire chains on  
your compact spare.  
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Do not use any of these products unless this manual  
says you can. In many uses, these will damage  
the vehicle:  
When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use cleaners  
specifically designed for the surfaces being cleaned.  
Permanent damage may result from using cleaners on  
surfaces for which they were not intended. Use glass  
cleaner only on glass. Remove any accidental over-spray  
from other surfaces immediately. To prevent over-spray,  
apply cleaner directly to the cleaning cloth.  
Alcohol  
Laundry Soap  
Bleach  
Notice: If you use abrasive cleaners when cleaning  
glass surfaces on your vehicle, you could scratch  
the glass and/or cause damage to the rear window  
defogger. When cleaning the glass on your  
Reducing Agents  
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle  
vehicle, use only a soft cloth and glass cleaner.  
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if  
it is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust and  
dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can  
damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.  
Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles  
from your upholstery. It is important to keep your  
upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.  
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible. Your  
vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of heat  
that could cause stains to set rapidly.  
Many cleaners contain solvents that may become  
concentrated in your vehicle’s breathing space. Before  
using cleaners, read and adhere to all safety  
instructions on the label. While cleaning your vehicle’s  
interior, maintain adequate ventilation by opening  
your vehicle’s doors and windows.  
Dust may be removed from small buttons and knobs  
using a small brush with soft bristles.  
Your GM dealer has a product for cleaning your  
vehicle’s glass. Should it become necessary, you can  
also obtain a product from your GM dealer to remove  
odors from your vehicle’s upholstery.  
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent  
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and garments  
that transfer color to your home furnishings may also  
transfer color to your vehicle’s interior.  
5-88  
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Do not clean your vehicle using the following cleaners  
or techniques:  
Fabric/Carpet  
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment  
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister  
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be used  
on floor carpet and carpeted floor mats. For soils, always  
try to remove them first with plain water or club soda.  
Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as  
possible using one of the following techniques:  
Never use a knife or any other sharp object to  
remove a soil from any interior surface.  
Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage to  
your vehicle’s interior surfaces.  
Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively  
with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure  
can damage your interior and does not improve the  
effectiveness of soil removal.  
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a paper  
towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel  
until no more can be removed.  
Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid laundry  
detergents or dishwashing soaps with degreasers.  
Using too much soap will leave a residue that  
leaves streaks and attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners,  
about 20 drops per gallon (3.78 L) of water is a  
good guide.  
For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible and  
then vacuum.  
To clean, use the following instructions:  
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or  
club soda.  
Do not heavily saturate your upholstery while  
cleaning.  
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.  
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub  
toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean  
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.  
Damage to your vehicle’s interior may result from  
the use of many organic solvents such as naptha,  
alcohol, etc.  
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the  
cleaning cloth remains clean.  
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild  
soap solution and repeat the cleaning process  
that was used with plain water.  
5-89  
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If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or  
spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial  
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a  
small hidden area for colorfastness first. If the locally  
cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation  
may result, clean the entire surface.  
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other  
Plastic Surfaces  
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to  
remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary,  
a clean soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution  
can be used to gently remove dust and dirt. Never use  
spot lifters or removers on plastic surfaces. Many  
commercial cleaners and coatings that are sold to  
preserve and protect soft plastic surfaces may  
permanently change the appearance and feel of your  
interior and are not recommended. Do not use silicone  
or wax-based products, or those containing organic  
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because  
they can alter the appearance by increasing the gloss in  
a non-uniform manner.  
After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper  
towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the  
fabric or carpet.  
Leather  
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to  
remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary,  
a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can  
be used. Allow the leather to dry naturally. Do not use  
heat to dry. Never use steam to clean leather. Never  
use spot lifters or spot removers on leather. Many  
commercial leather cleaners and coatings that are sold  
to preserve and protect leather may permanently  
change the appearance and feel of your leather and are  
not recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based  
products, or those containing organic solvents to clean  
your vehicle’s interior because they can alter the  
appearance by increasing the gloss in a non-uniform  
manner. Never use shoe polish on your leather.  
Some commercial products may increase gloss on your  
instrument panel. The increase in gloss may cause  
annoying reflections in the windshield and even make it  
difficult to see through the windshield under certain  
conditions.  
5-90  
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Care of Safety Belts  
Washing Your Vehicle  
Keep belts clean and dry.  
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty,  
depth of color, gloss retention and durability.  
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is  
to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or  
cold water.  
{CAUTION:  
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it  
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they  
might not be able to provide adequate  
protection. Clean safety belts only with mild  
soap and lukewarm water.  
Do not wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.  
Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong soaps  
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,  
removing all soap residue completely. You can get  
approved cleaning products from your retailer.  
Do not use cleaning agents that are petroleum  
based, or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning  
agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed  
to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish  
with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to  
avoid surface scratches and water spotting.  
Weatherstrips  
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last  
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply  
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,  
damp weather frequent application may be required. See  
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter  
your vehicle.  
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses  
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car  
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.  
Follow instructions under Washing Your Vehicle on  
page 5-91.  
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Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather  
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a  
period of years. You can help to keep the paint finish  
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered  
whenever possible.  
Finish Care  
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by  
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the  
paint finish. You can get approved cleaning products  
from your Saturn retailer. See Vehicle Care/Appearance  
Materials on page 5-95.  
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper  
Blades  
Your vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. The  
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored  
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are  
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat  
paint finish.  
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield  
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,  
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or  
windshield.  
Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive  
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may  
damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and  
polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat  
paint finish on your vehicle.  
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength  
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do  
not form when you rinse it with water.  
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades  
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by  
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength  
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade  
with water.  
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other  
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird  
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,  
can damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain  
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as  
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that  
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove  
foreign matter.  
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;  
replace blades that look worn.  
5-92  
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Notice: If you drive your vehicle through an  
automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire  
cleaning brushes, you could damage the aluminum  
or chrome-plated wheels. The repairs would not  
be covered by your warranty. Never drive a vehicle  
equipped with aluminum or chrome-plated wheels  
through an automatic car wash that uses silicone  
carbide tire cleaning brushes.  
Aluminum Wheels  
Notice: If you use strong soaps, chemicals,  
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners  
that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated  
wheels, you could damage the surface of the  
wheel(s). The repairs would not be covered by your  
warranty. Use only GM-approved cleaners on  
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.  
Do not take the vehicle through an automatic car wash  
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These  
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.  
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild  
soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing  
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then  
be applied.  
Tires  
Notice: Using chrome polish on aluminum wheels  
could damage the wheels. The repairs would not  
be covered by your warranty. Use chrome polish on  
chrome wheels only.  
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.  
Notice: Using petroleum-based tire dressing  
products on your vehicle may damage the paint  
finish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing,  
always wipe off any overspray from all painted  
surfaces on your vehicle.  
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted  
surface of the vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,  
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,  
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on  
them because the surface could be damaged. Do not  
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.  
5-93  
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Sheet Metal Damage  
Underbody Maintenance  
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal  
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop  
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or  
replaced to restore corrosion protection.  
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust  
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not  
removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the  
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and  
exhaust system even though they have corrosion  
protection.  
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the  
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.  
At least every spring, flush these materials from the  
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud  
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of  
the frame should be loosened before being flushed.  
Your Saturn retailer or an underbody car washing  
system can do this for you.  
Finish Damage  
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the  
finish should be repaired right away. Bare metal  
will corrode quickly and may develop into major repair  
expense.  
Chemical Paint Spotting  
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up  
materials available from your Saturn retailer. Larger  
areas of finish damage can be corrected in your Saturn  
retailer’s body and paint shop.  
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a  
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and  
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage  
can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,  
and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint  
surface.  
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Saturn  
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces  
of new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within  
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,  
whichever occurs first.  
5-94  
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Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials  
Description  
Usage  
Removes swirl marks, fine  
scratches and other light  
surface contamination.  
Removes light scratches  
and protects finish.  
Cleans, shines, and  
protects in one easy step,  
no wiping necessary.  
Description  
Usage  
Swirl Remover Polish  
Polishing Cloth  
Wax-Treated  
Interior and exterior  
polishing cloth.  
Cleaner Wax  
Tar and Road Oil  
Remover  
Removes tar, road oil and  
asphalt.  
Foaming Tire Shine  
Low Gloss  
Chrome Cleaner and  
Polish  
Use on chrome or  
stainless steel.  
Medium foaming  
shampoo. Cleans and  
lightly waxes.  
White Sidewall Tire  
Cleaner  
Vinyl Cleaner  
Removes soil and black  
marks from whitewalls.  
Cleans vinyl.  
Removes dirt, grime,  
smoke and fingerprints.  
Removes dirt and grime  
from chrome wheels and  
wire wheel covers.  
Wash Wax Concentrate  
Biodegradable and  
phosphate free.  
Glass Cleaner  
Quickly and easily  
removes spots and stains  
from carpets, vinyl, and  
cloth upholstery.  
Chrome and Wire Wheel  
Cleaner  
Spot Lifter  
Removes dust,  
Odorless spray odor  
eliminator used on fabrics,  
vinyl, leather, and carpet.  
fingerprints, and surface  
contaminants. Spray on  
wipe off.  
Odor Eliminator  
Finish Enhancer  
5-95  
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Engine Identification  
Vehicle Identification  
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.  
This code will help you identify your engine,  
specifications and replacement parts.  
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)  
Service Parts Identification Label  
You will find this label on the inside of the glove box. It  
is very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On  
this label, you will find the following:  
VIN  
Model designation  
Paint information  
Production options and special equipment  
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.  
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on  
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on  
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the  
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also  
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts  
labels and the certificates of title and registration.  
5-96  
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Windshield Wiper Fuses  
Electrical System  
The windshield wiper motor is protected by an internal  
fuse in the underhood fuse block. If the motor overheats  
due to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the  
motor cools. If the overload is caused by some electrical  
problem, be sure to get it fixed.  
Add-On Electrical Equipment  
Notice: Don’t add anything electrical to your  
vehicle unless you check with your dealer first.  
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle  
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your  
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can  
keep other components from working as they  
should.  
The rear washer pump is controlled by a relay located  
in the engine compartment, behind the windshield  
washer fluid reservoir. The rear wiper motor is protected  
by a fuse located in the instrument panel fuse block.  
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to  
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see Servicing  
Power Windows and Other  
Power Options  
Circuit breakers in the instrument panel fuse panel  
protect the power windows and other power accessories.  
When the current load is too heavy, the circuit breaker  
opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the  
problem is fixed.  
Headlamp Wiring  
The headlamp wiring is protected by four internal fuses  
in the underhood fuse block. An electrical overload  
will cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases  
to remain off. If this happens, have your headlamp  
wiring checked right away.  
5-97  
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Fuses and Circuit Breakers  
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from  
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,  
and fusible thermal links.  
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the  
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you  
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical  
size and rating.  
If you ever have a problem on the road and do not have  
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same  
amperage or use one of the spare fuses in the  
underhood fuse block. Just pick some feature of your  
vehicle that you can get along without – like the radio or  
cigarette lighter – and use its fuse, if it is the right  
amperage. Replace it as soon as you can.  
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle, the instrument  
panel fuse block and the underhood fuse block.  
Instrument Panel Fuse Block  
The instrument panel fuse block is located under the  
instrument panel on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.  
Your vehicle may not have all of the fuses listed.  
5-98  
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Fuses  
Usage  
Trunk, Door Locks  
Fuses  
19  
Usage  
Canister Ventilation  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Electronic Level Control  
Rear Wiper  
20  
Park Lamps  
21  
Power Sliding Door  
Blank  
Radio Amplifier  
Interior Lamps  
OnStar®  
22  
23  
Blank  
24  
Left Power Sliding Door  
Right Power Sliding Door  
Keyless Entry Module  
25  
Cluster, Heating, Ventilation,  
Air Conditioning  
8
Relays  
26  
Usage  
Blank  
9
Cruise Switch  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
Steering Wheel Illumination  
Power Mirror  
27  
28  
29  
30  
Blank  
Park Lamps  
Retained Accessory Power  
Rear Defog  
Fuse Puller  
Stoplamp, Turn Lamps  
Heated Seats  
PLR  
Blank  
Electronic Level Control  
Heated Mirror  
Circuit  
Breakers  
Usage  
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp,  
Back-up Lamps  
31  
32  
Power Seats  
Power Window  
17  
18  
Blank  
5-99  
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Underhood Fuse Block  
The underhood fuse block is located in the engine compartment. For more information on location see Engine  
Compartment Overview on page 5-12.  
Your vehicle may not have all the fuses listed.  
5-100  
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Fuses  
Usage  
Right High Beam  
Fuses  
13  
Usage  
Anti-lock Brake System  
Powertrain Control Module Ignition  
Electronic Ignition  
1
2
Fuel Pump  
Diode  
14  
3
15  
SPARE  
Spare  
16  
Fuel Injector  
SPARE  
Spare  
Climate Control, RPA, Cruise  
Control  
17  
4
Left High Beam  
Spare  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
23  
24  
25  
26  
27  
28  
Electronic Throttle Control  
Engine Sensor, Evaporator  
Airbag  
SPARE  
SPARE  
Spare  
SPARE  
Spare  
Not Used  
5
6
7
8
Not Used  
Air Conditioning Clutch  
Horn  
Emission, All-Wheel Drive  
Auxiliary Power  
Front Windshield Washer  
AC/DC Inverter  
Left Low Beam  
Powertrain Control Module,  
Electronic Throttle Control  
9
Rear Blower  
10  
11  
12  
Not Used  
Front Blower  
Transmission Solenoid  
Right Low Beam  
Front Windshield Wiper  
5-101  
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J-Case Fuses  
Usage  
Relays  
Usage  
PLR  
29  
30  
31  
32  
33  
34  
35  
36  
37  
38  
Fuse Puller  
Fan 1  
RUN RLY  
LO BEAM  
Starter  
Low Beam  
Starter Solenoid  
Anti-lock Brake System Motor  
Blank  
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump  
HORN  
AC/CLTCH  
HI BEAM  
PWR/TRN  
WPR2  
Horn  
Air Conditioning Clutch  
High Beam  
Powertrain  
Wiper 2  
Fan 2  
Front Blower High  
Battery Main 3  
Rear Defogger  
Battery Main 2  
Battery Main 1  
WPR1  
Wiper 1  
FAN 1  
Fan 1  
CRNK  
Crank  
IGN MAIN  
FAN2  
Ignition Main  
Fan 2  
FAN3  
Fan 3  
BLANK  
Not Used  
5-102  
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Capacities and Specifications  
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric measurements. See Recommended Fluids and  
Lubricants on page 6-12 for more information.  
Capacities  
Application  
English  
Metric  
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Systems  
Front A/C  
1.7 lbs  
2.2 lbs  
0.8 kg  
1.0 kg  
7.0 L  
Front and Rear A/C  
Automatic Transaxle — Pan Removal and Replacement  
7.4 quarts  
AWD Automatic Transaxle — Pan Removal and  
Replacement  
8.7 quarts  
8.3 L  
Cooling System  
Front A/C  
11.3 quarts  
12.8 quarts  
4.0 quarts  
10.7 L  
12.2 L  
3.8 L  
Front and Rear A/C  
Engine Oil with Filter  
Fuel Capacity  
Regular  
20.0 gallons  
25.1 gallons  
100 ft lb  
75.7 L  
95.0 L  
Extended  
Wheel Nut Torque  
140 Y  
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this  
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.  
5-103  
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Engine Specifications  
Engine  
VIN Code  
Transaxle  
Spark Plug Gap  
3.5L V6  
8
Automatic  
0.060 inches (1.52 mm)  
5-104  
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Using the Maintenance Schedule  
Maintenance Schedule  
We at Saturn want to help you keep your vehicle in good  
working condition. But we do not know exactly how  
you will drive it. You may drive very short distances only  
a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances  
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may  
use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive  
it to work, to do errands, or in many other ways.  
Introduction  
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and  
change as recommended.  
Maintenance Requirements  
Because of all the different ways people use their  
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more  
frequent checks and replacements. So please read  
the following and note how you drive. If you have any  
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,  
see your Saturn retailer.  
Notice: Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,  
replacement parts, and recommended fluids and  
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are  
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working  
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow  
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by  
warranty.  
This schedule is for vehicles that:  
carry passengers and cargo within recommended  
limits. You will find these limits on the tire and  
loading information label. See Loading Your Vehicle  
on page 4-31.  
Your Vehicle and the Environment  
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your  
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the  
environment. All recommended maintenance is  
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even  
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid  
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of  
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our  
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,  
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.  
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal  
driving limits.  
use the recommended fuel. See Gasoline Octane  
on page 5-5.  
6-2  
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The services in Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4  
should be performed when indicated. See Additional  
Footnotes on page 6-7 for further information.  
When you go to your Saturn retailer for your service  
needs, you will know that Saturn-trained and supported  
service technicians will perform the work using  
genuine Saturn parts.  
If you want to purchase service information, see Service  
{CAUTION:  
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8 tells you what  
should be checked, when to check it and what you  
can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good  
condition.  
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can  
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you  
can be seriously injured. Do your own  
maintenance work only if you have the  
required know-how and the proper tools and  
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,  
see your retailer to have a qualified technician  
do the work. See Doing Your Own Service  
Work on page 5-4.  
The proper replacement parts, fluids and lubricants to  
Parts on page 6-14. When your vehicle is serviced,  
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced  
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone  
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of  
genuine Saturn parts.  
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,  
unless you are technically qualified and have the  
necessary equipment, you should have your Saturn  
retailer do these jobs.  
6-3  
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When the CHANGE OIL SOON message appears,  
certain services, checks, and inspections are required.  
Required services are described in the following for  
“Maintenance I” and “Maintenance II.” Generally,  
it is recommended that your first service be  
Maintenance I, your second service be Maintenance II,  
and that you alternate Maintenance I and Maintenance II  
thereafter. However, in some cases, Maintenance II  
may be required more often.  
Scheduled Maintenance  
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message comes on, it  
means that service is required for your vehicle. Have  
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next  
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are  
driving under the best conditions, the engine oil  
life system may not indicate that vehicle service is  
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and  
filter must be changed at least once a year and at  
this time the system must be reset. Your Saturn retailer  
has Saturn-trained service technicians who will  
perform this work using genuine Saturn parts and reset  
the system.  
Maintenance I — Use Maintenance I if the CHANGE  
OIL SOON message comes on within 10 months  
since the vehicle was purchased or Maintenance II was  
performed.  
Maintenance II — Use Maintenance II if the previous  
service performed was Maintenance I. Always use  
Maintenance II whenever the message comes on  
10 months or more since the last service or if the  
message has not come on at all for one year.  
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,  
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles  
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset  
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See  
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16 for information on  
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.  
6-4  
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Scheduled Maintenance  
Service  
Maintenance I Maintenance II  
Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life  
system. See Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16. An Emission Control  
Service.  
Lubricate chassis components. See footnote #.  
Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (k).  
Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace filter. See Engine Air  
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18. See footnote (g).  
Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. See Tire Inspection and  
Rotation on page 5-59 and “Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month on  
page 6-9.  
Inspect brake system. See footnote (a).  
Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels and add fluid as  
needed.  
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in  
this section.  
Inspect suspension and steering components. See footnote (b).  
Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c).  
Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d).  
Inspect restraint system components. See footnote (e).  
Lubricate body components. See footnote (f).  
Check transaxle fluid level and add fluid as needed.  
Inspect throttle system. See footnote (j).  
6-5  
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Additional Required Services  
The following services should be performed at the first maintenance service (I or II) after the indicated miles  
(kilometers) shown for each item.  
Additional Required Services  
25,000  
(41 500)  
50,000  
75,000  
100,000  
125,000  
150,000  
Service and Miles (Kilometers)  
(83 000) (125 000) (166 000) (207 500) (240 000)  
Inspect fuel system for damage  
or leaks.  
Inspect exhaust system for loose or  
damaged components.  
Replace engine air cleaner filter. See  
Change automatic transaxle fluid and  
filter (severe service). See footnote (h).  
Change automatic transaxle fluid and  
filter (normal service).  
Replace spark plugs and inspect spark  
plug wires. An Emission Control  
Service.  
Engine cooling system service (or every  
five years, whichever occurs first).  
An Emission Control Service.  
See footnote (i).  
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.  
An Emission Control Service.  
See footnote (m).  
6-6  
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(d) Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.  
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged  
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.  
Maintenance Footnotes  
# Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage, transaxle  
shift linkage, and the underbody contact points and  
linkage.  
(e) Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your  
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages  
are working properly. Look for any other loose or  
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything  
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its  
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts  
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag  
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.  
(a) Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper  
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect  
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface  
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,  
parking brake, etc. Check parking brake adjustment.  
(b) Visually inspect front and rear suspension and  
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts,  
signs of wear, or lack of lubrication. Inspect power  
steering lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding,  
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.  
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.  
(f) Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch  
assemblies, secondary latches, pivots, spring anchor  
and release pawl, hood and door hinges, rear folding  
seats, liftgate hinges, fuel door hinge, power sliding door  
cable, and sliding door track(s). More frequent  
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive  
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips  
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal  
better, and not stick or squeak.  
(c) Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if  
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect  
all pipes, fittings, and clamps; replace with genuine  
Saturn parts as needed. To help ensure proper  
operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and  
pressure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator  
and air conditioning condenser is recommended at least  
once a year.  
(g) If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect  
the filter at each engine oil change.  
6-7  
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(h) Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the  
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these  
conditions:  
Owner Checks and Services  
These owner checks and services should be performed  
at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety,  
dependability and emission control performance of your  
vehicle. Your Saturn retailer can assist you with these  
checks and services.  
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature  
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.  
In hilly or mountainous terrain.  
When doing frequent trailer towing.  
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.  
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your  
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown  
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery  
service.  
(i) Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. See Engine  
Coolant on page 5-22 for what to use. Inspect hoses.  
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and filler neck.  
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.  
At Each Fuel Fill  
It is important to perform these underhood checks at  
each fuel fill.  
(j) Check system for interference or binding and  
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.  
Replace any components that have high effort or  
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise  
control cables.  
Engine Oil Level Check  
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if  
necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-13 for further  
details.  
(k) A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a  
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired  
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.  
Notice: It is important to check your oil regularly  
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your  
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage  
to your engine not covered by your warranty.  
(m) Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or  
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.  
6-8  
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Engine Coolant Level Check  
At Least Once a Year  
Check the engine coolant level and add  
DEX-COOL® coolant mixture if necessary. See Engine  
Coolant on page 5-22 for further details.  
Starter Switch Check  
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check  
{CAUTION:  
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield  
washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary.  
When you are doing this inspection, the  
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle  
moves, you or others could be injured.  
At Least Once a Month  
Tire Inflation Check  
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room  
around the vehicle.  
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they  
are inflated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to  
check the spare tire. See Tires on page 5-52 for further  
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored  
securely. See Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-69.  
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular  
brake. See Parking Brake on page 2-37.  
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to  
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.  
Tire Wear Inspection  
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle  
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If  
the vehicle starts in any other position, contact your  
Saturn retailer for service.  
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway  
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service  
notification. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,  
rotate the tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on  
page 5-59.  
6-9  
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Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control  
System Check  
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check  
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn  
the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever position.  
The ignition should turn to LOCK only when the  
shift lever is in PARK (P).  
{CAUTION:  
The key should come out only in LOCK.  
When you are doing this inspection, the  
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle  
moves, you or others could be injured.  
Contact your Saturn retailer if service is required.  
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room  
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level  
surface.  
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake  
on page 2-37.  
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if  
the vehicle begins to move.  
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to RUN, but do  
not start the engine. Without applying the regular  
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)  
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out  
of PARK (P), contact your Saturn retailer for service.  
6-10  
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Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing  
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the  
parking brake.  
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle  
Park (P) Mechanism Check  
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With  
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),  
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular  
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the  
parking brake only.  
{CAUTION:  
When you are doing this check, your vehicle  
could begin to move. You or others could be  
injured and property could be damaged. Make  
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in  
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the  
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin  
to move.  
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding  
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).  
Then release the parking brake followed by the  
regular brake.  
Contact your Saturn retailer if service is required.  
Underbody Flushing Service  
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any  
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to  
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris  
can collect.  
6-11  
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Recommended Fluids and  
Lubricants  
Usage  
Fluid/Lubricant  
Hydraulic Brake Delco® Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or  
System  
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.  
GM Optikleen® Washer Solvent.  
Power Steering Fluid  
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part  
number, or specification may be obtained from  
your retailer.  
Windshield  
Washer  
Usage  
Fluid/Lubricant  
Power Steering (Saturn Part No. 21007583 or  
System  
GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in  
Canada 89021186).  
DEXRON®-III Automatic  
Transmission Fluid. Look for  
“Approved for the H-Specification”  
on the label.  
Engine oil which meets GM  
Standard GM6094M and displays  
the American Petroleum Institute  
Certified for Gasoline Engines  
starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench®  
oil meets all the requirements for  
your vehicle. To determine the  
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s  
engine, see Engine Oil on  
Automatic  
Transaxle  
Engine Oil  
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube  
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in  
Canada 10953474.  
Key Lock  
Cylinders  
page 5-13.  
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable  
water and use only DEX-COOL®  
Coolant. See Engine Coolant on  
page 5-22.  
Chassis Lubricant  
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in  
Canada 88901242) or lubricant  
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,  
Category LB or GC-LB.  
Engine Coolant  
Chassis  
Lubrication  
6-12  
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Usage  
Fluid/Lubricant  
Usage  
Fluid/Lubricant  
Carrier  
Hood and Door  
Hinges, Rear  
Folding Seat,  
Fuel Door  
Assembly —  
Differential  
(Rear Drive  
Module) and  
Transfer  
VERSATRAK® Fluid  
(GM Part No. U.S. 12378514,  
in Canada 88901045).  
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube  
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in  
Canada 10953474).  
Hinge, Liftgate  
Hinges and  
Case (Power  
Transfer Unit)  
Power Sliding  
Door Cable  
Hood Latch  
Assembly,  
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (Saturn  
Part No. 21038869 or GM Part No.  
U.S. 12346293, in Canada 992723)  
or lubricant meeting requirements of  
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.  
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol  
(Saturn Part No. 21038869 or  
GM Part No. U.S. 12346293, in  
Canada 992723) or lubricant  
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,  
Category LB or GC-LB.  
Sliding Door  
Track  
Secondary  
Latch,  
Pivots, Spring  
Anchor, and  
Release Pawl  
Dielectric Silicone Grease  
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,  
in Canada 992887).  
Weatherstrip  
Conditioning  
6-13  
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Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts  
Replacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your Saturn retailer.  
Part  
Part Number  
12565752  
25010792  
12568387  
ACDelco® Part Number  
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter  
Engine Oil Filter  
Spark Plugs  
A-2946C  
PF47  
41-101  
Wiper Blades (Hook Type)  
Driver’s Side — 22.0 inches (55.0 cm)  
Passenger’s Side — 24.0 inches (60.0 cm)  
Rear — 16.0 inches (40.0 cm)  
15192143  
15192144  
15192147  
6-14  
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Maintenance Record  
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service and the  
type of services performed in the boxes provided. See Maintenance Requirements on page 6-2. Any additional  
information from Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8 can be added on the following record pages. You should  
retain all maintenance receipts.  
Maintenance Record  
Odometer  
Reading  
Maintenance I or  
Maintenance II  
Date  
Serviced By  
Services Performed  
6-15  
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Maintenance Record (cont’d)  
Odometer  
Reading  
Maintenance I or  
Maintenance II  
Date  
Serviced By  
Services Performed  
6-16  
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Maintenance Record (cont’d)  
Odometer  
Reading  
Maintenance I or  
Maintenance II  
Date  
Serviced By  
Services Performed  
6-17  
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Maintenance Record (cont’d)  
Odometer  
Reading  
Maintenance I or  
Maintenance II  
Date  
Serviced By  
Services Performed  
6-18  
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roadside assistance, brochures, literature and discuss  
any concerns you may have.  
Customer Assistance and  
Information  
We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order  
to give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have  
the following information available to give the Customer  
Assistance Representative:  
Customer Satisfaction Procedure  
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to  
your retailer and to Saturn. Together we are committed  
to providing our customers with unparalleled service,  
before, during and after the purchase of a Saturn  
vehicle, for total customer satisfaction. We call this the  
Saturn Difference. Normally, any concerns with the  
sales transaction or the operation of your vehicle will be  
resolved by your retailer’s sales or service departments.  
If, for any reason, your ownership experience falls  
below your expectations, we suggest you take  
the following action:  
Vehicle Identification Number. This 17-digit number  
can be found on the vehicle registration or title, on  
the upper driver’s side corner of the dash, or on  
your roadside assistance key card.  
The name of your selling and servicing retail facility.  
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage.  
Your daytime and evening phone numbers.  
If you wish to write to the Saturn Customer Assistance  
Center, our address is:  
STEP ONE: Contact the Retail Customer Assistance  
Liaison. Any member of the retail management team has  
the authority and the desire to resolve your concerns.  
Normally, concerns can be quickly resolved at this level.  
Saturn Customer Assistance Center  
100 Saturn Parkway  
Mail Code 371-999-S24 Spring Hill, TN 37174-1500  
In Canada, write to:  
STEP TWO: Should you need additional assistance,  
contact the Saturn Customer Assistance Center by  
calling 1-800-553-6000. In Canada, contact the Saturn  
Customer Communication Centre at 1-800-263-1999.  
A Saturn Customer Assistance Center team member will  
handle your call and assist in providing product and  
warranty information, the nearest retailer location,  
Saturn Customer Communication Centre  
General Motors of Canada Ltd.  
1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7  
When contacting Saturn, please remember that  
your concern will likely be resolved at a retailer’s facility.  
That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if  
you have a concern.  
7-2  
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STEP THREE: Both Saturn and its retailers are  
committed to making sure you are completely satisfied  
with your Saturn vehicle. However, if you continue  
to remain unsatisfied after following the procedure  
outlined in Steps One and Two, Saturn and its retailers  
offer the additional assistance of a neutral party  
through our voluntary participation in a  
Although you may be required to resort to this informal  
dispute resolution program prior to filing a court  
action, use of the program is free of charge and your  
case will generally be heard within 40 days. If you do not  
agree with the decision given in your case, you may  
reject it and proceed with any other venue for relief  
available to you.  
mediation/arbitration program called BBB Auto Line.  
Canadian owners refer to your Warranty and Owner  
Assistance Information booklet, located in the front cover  
pocket of your owner’s handbook, for information on  
the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).  
You may contact the BBB Auto Line Program by using  
the toll-free telephone number or by writing them at  
the following address:  
BBB Auto Line Program  
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.  
4200 Wilson Boulevard  
Suite 800  
The BBB Auto Line Program is an out-of-court program  
administered by the Council of Better Business  
Bureaus to settle automotive disputes regarding vehicle  
repairs or the interpretation of the New Vehicle  
Limited Warranty. This program is available at no cost  
to you, our customer.  
Arlington, VA 22203-1838  
This program is available in all 50 states and the District  
of Columbia. Eligibility is limited by vehicle age,  
mileage and other factors. Saturn Corporation reserves  
the right to change eligibility limitations and/or  
discontinue its participation in this program.  
We ask that you not resort to BBB Auto Line until after  
Saturn and its retailers have been given the opportunity  
to satisfy your vehicle concerns. However, U.S.  
residents may file a claim at any time by contacting your  
local Better Business Bureau at 1-800-955-5100.  
7-3  
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Online Owner Center  
Customer Assistance for Text  
Telephone (TTY) Users  
The Owner Center is a resource for your ownership  
needs. Specific vehicle information can be found in  
one place.  
To assist owners who have hearing difficulties, Saturn  
has installed special TDD (Telecommunication Devices  
for the Deaf) equipment in its Saturn Customer  
Assistance Center.  
The Online Owner Center allows you to:  
Get e-mail service reminders.  
Any hearing- or speech-impaired customer who has  
access to a TDD or to a conventional Text  
Telephone (TTY) can communicate with Saturn by  
dialing 1-800-TDD-6000. TTY users in Canada may  
dial 1-800-263-3830.  
Access information about your specific vehicle,  
including tips and videos and an electronic  
version of this owner manual (United States only).  
Keep track of your vehicle’s service history  
and maintenance schedule.  
Find Saturn retailers for service nationwide.  
GM Mobility Reimbursement  
Program  
Receive special promotions and privileges only  
available to members (United States only).  
This program, available to qualified applicants, can  
reimburse you up to $1,000 toward eligible aftermarket  
driver or passenger adaptive equipment you may  
require for your vehicle such as hand controls,  
wheelchair/scooter lifts, etc.  
Refer to the web for updated information.  
To register your vehicle, visit My Saturn within  
www.saturn.com (United States) or My GM Canada  
within www.gmcanada.com (Canada).  
The offer is available for a limited period of time from  
the date of vehicle purchase/lease.  
7-4  
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For more details, or to determine your vehicle’s  
eligibility, visit your Saturn retailer or call the Saturn  
Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-553-6000. Text  
telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-6000.  
We will provide the following services during the  
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period at no expense  
to you:  
Fuel Delivery: Delivery of enough fuel  
($5 maximum) for the customer to get to the  
nearest service station.  
In Canada, customers may call the Saturn Customer  
Communication Centre at 1-800-263-1999. TTY users in  
Canada may call 1-800-263-3830.  
Lock-out Service (identification required):  
Replacement keys or locksmith service will  
be covered at no charge if you are unable to gain  
entry into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement  
key will be covered within 10 miles (16 km).  
Roadside Assistance Program  
For vehicles purchased in the U.S. call 1-800-553-6000  
(TTY: 1-800-833-6000).  
Emergency Tow: Tow to the nearest Saturn  
retailer for warranty service or in the event of  
a vehicle-disabling accident. Assistance provided  
when the vehicle is mired in sand, mud, or snow.  
For vehicles purchased in Canada call 1-800-268-6800.  
As the proud owner of a new Saturn vehicle, you are  
automatically enrolled in the Saturn Roadside  
Assistance Program. This value-added service is  
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive  
in the city or travel the open road. Saturn’s Roadside  
Assistance toll-free number is staffed by courteous and  
capable Roadside Assistance Representatives who  
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  
Flat Tire Change: Installation of a spare tire will be  
covered at no charge. (The customer is responsible  
for the repair or replacement of the tire if not  
covered by a warrantable failure.)  
Jump Start: No-start occurrences which require a  
battery jump start will be covered at no charge.  
Saturn Retailer Locator Service  
7-5  
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In many instances, mechanical failures are covered  
under Saturn’s Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. However,  
when other services are utilized, our Roadside  
Assistance Representatives will explain any payment  
obligations you might incur.  
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the  
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.  
Saturn reserves the right to make any changes or  
discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at any  
time without notification.  
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please  
provide the following to the Roadside Assistance  
Representatives:  
Canadian Roadside Assistance  
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Saturn  
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere  
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the  
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information book.  
Your name, home address, and home telephone  
number  
Telephone number of your location  
Location of the vehicle  
Vehicle Data Collection and Event  
Data Recorders  
Model, year, color, and license plate number  
Mileage, Vehicle Identification Number and delivery  
date of the vehicle  
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a  
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor  
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.  
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor  
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,  
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so  
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the  
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.  
Some information may be stored during regular  
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;  
other information is stored only in a crash event by  
computer systems, such as those commonly called event  
data recorders (EDR).  
Description of the problem  
While we hope you never have the occasion to use our  
service, it is added security while traveling for you  
and your family. Remember we are only a phone call  
away. Saturn Roadside Assistance: 1-800-553-6000;  
text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-6000.  
Saturn reserves the right to limit services or  
reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in Saturn’s  
judgment, the claims become excessive in frequency  
or type of occurrence.  
7-6  
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In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag  
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle  
may record information about the condition of the vehicle  
and how it was operated, such as data related to  
engine speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle  
speed, safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag  
performance, and the severity of a collision. This  
information has been used to improve vehicle crash  
performance and may be used to improve crash  
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike  
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board  
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of  
vehicle occupants.  
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may:  
use the data for GM research needs,  
make it available for research where appropriate  
confidentiality is to be maintained and need is  
shown, or  
share summary data which is not tied to a specific  
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research  
purposes.  
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to  
the special equipment that can read the information  
if they have access to the vehicle or the device  
that stores the data.  
If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar®, please check  
the OnStar® subscription service agreement or  
manual for information on its operations and data  
collection.  
To read this information, special equipment is needed  
and access to the vehicle or the device that stores  
the data is required. GM will not access information  
about a crash event or share it with others other than:  
with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the  
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,  
in response to an official request of police or similar  
government office,  
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the  
discovery process, or  
as required by law.  
7-7  
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Reporting Safety Defects to the  
Canadian Government  
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle  
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify  
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General  
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at  
1-800-333-0510 or write to:  
Reporting Safety Defects  
Reporting Safety Defects to the  
United States Government  
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could  
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you  
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic  
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying  
Saturn Corporation.  
Transport Canada  
Place de Ville Tower C  
330 Sparks Street  
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5  
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an  
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in  
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy  
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in  
individual problems between you, your retailer or  
Saturn Corporation.  
Reporting Safety Defects to Saturn  
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in  
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.  
U.S. customers can call the Saturn Customer Assistance  
Center at 1-800-553-6000, or write:  
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety  
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in  
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:  
Saturn Corporation  
100 Saturn Parkway  
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation  
Washington, D.C. 20590  
Mail Drop 371-999-S24  
Spring Hill, TN 37174-1500  
You can also obtain other information about motor  
vehicle safety from the hotline.  
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263–1999.  
Or, write to:  
Saturn Customer Communication Centre  
General Motors of Canada Limited  
1908 Colonel Sam Drive  
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7  
7-8  
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In Canada, information relating to product service  
bulletins can be obtained by contacting your Saturn  
retailer.  
Service Publications Ordering  
Information  
Service Bulletins  
Service Manuals  
Saturn regularly sends its retailers useful service  
bulletins about Saturn products. Saturn monitors product  
performance in the field. We then prepare bulletins for  
servicing our products better. You can get these  
bulletins, too.  
A variety of publications are available to you. Saturn  
service manuals are written for trained technicians, and  
in some cases, specialized tools and equipment are  
necessary to complete certain repairs. However,  
the manuals are available to owners who either have  
the training, or wish to gain a greater understanding of  
the technical aspect of their Saturn.  
Bulletins cover various subjects. Some pertain to the  
proper use and care of your vehicle. Some describe  
costly repairs. Others describe inexpensive repairs  
which, if done on time with the latest parts, may avoid  
future costly repairs.  
For additional publications information or to order  
publications, call toll free 1-800-2-SATURN or visit  
win.wallace.com/saturn to order on-line.  
Some bulletins tell a technician how to repair a new or  
unexpected condition. Others describe a quicker  
way to fix your vehicle. They can help a technician  
service your vehicle better.  
In Canada, Saturn service manuals are available by  
calling toll free 1-800-551-4123.  
Owner Publications  
Most bulletins apply to conditions affecting a small  
number of vehicles. Your Saturn retailer or a qualified  
technician may have to determine if a specific  
bulletin applies to your vehicle. To order Saturn bulletins,  
call Saturn Publications at 1-800-2-SATURN or visit  
win.wallace.com/saturn to order online.  
Information on how to obtain product bulletins and as  
described below is applicable only in the fifty U.S. states  
and the District of Columbia, and only for cars and  
light trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)  
less than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kg). Copies of  
individual bulletins are also at your participating Saturn  
retailer. You can ask to see them.  
7-9  
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NOTES  
7-10  
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1
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2
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3
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Driving (cont.)  
D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic  
4
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Engine (cont.)  
5
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Headlamps (cont.)  
G
HomeLink® Wireless Control System  
6
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I
7
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Light (cont.)  
8
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N
PASS-Key® III ................................................ 2-28  
PASS-Key® III Operation .................................. 2-28  
OnStar® System, see OnStar® Manual ............... 2-43  
9
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Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......... 1-26  
10  
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Seats (cont.)  
S
11  
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StabiliTrak® System .......................................... 4-9  
PASS-Key® III ............................................. 2-28  
12  
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Tires (cont.)  
StabiliTrak® System ....................................... 4-9  
13  
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W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-29  
14  
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