Encore Owner’s Manual
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956106) - 2017 - crc - 6/9/16
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . 2
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . 5
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . 25
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 94
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . . 99
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 145
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . 155
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 274
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . 291
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . 301
OnStar .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 304
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956106) - 2017 - crc - 6/9/16
2 Introduction
Introduction
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names, and
vehicle body designs appearing in
this manual including, but not limited
to, GM, the GM logo, BUICK, the
BUICK Emblem, and ENCORE are
trademarks and/or service marks of
General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Company” for
Buick Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 23389481 A First Printing
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on the vehicle
because of optional equipment that
was not purchased on the vehicle,
model variants, country
specifications, features/applications
that may not be available in your
region, or changes subsequent to
the printing of this owner manual.
Refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm the
features.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be
obtained from your dealer, at
www.helminc.com, or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
©
2016 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956106) - 2017 - crc - 6/9/16
Introduction 3
About Driving the Vehicle
As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle
correctly may result in loss of
control or an accident. Be sure to
read the driving guidelines in this
manual in the section called “Driving
and Operating” and specifically
Driver Behavior 0 156, Driving
Environment 0 156, and Vehicle
Design 0 156.
Danger, Warning, and Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger
{
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
Warning
{
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or “Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
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,
gauge, or indicator.
M : Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
* : Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0 : Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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4 Introduction
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9 : Airbag Readiness Light
# : Air Conditioning
! : Antilock Brake System (ABS)
% : Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar
®
(if equipped)
$ : Brake System Warning Light
" : Charging System
I : Cruise Control
` : Do Not Puncture
^ : Do Not Service
B : Engine Coolant Temperature
O : Exterior Lamps
_ : Flame/Fire Prohibited
# : Fog Lamps
. : Fuel Gauge
+ : Fuses
3 : Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j : LATCH System Child Restraints
* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp
: : Oil Pressure
} : Power
/ : Remote Vehicle Start
> : Safety Belt Reminders
7 : Tire Pressure Monitor
d : Traction Control/StabiliTrak
®
a : Under Pressure
M : Windshield Washer Fluid
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In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . .... 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . 10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated Seats . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Windshield Wiper/Washer .... . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 20
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 20
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 20
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
System . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Universal Remote System . . . . . 21
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 22
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 23
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 23
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 23
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy .... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . 24
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . 24
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6 In Brief
Instrument Panel
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In Brief 7
1. Air Vents 0 152.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change
Signals 0 141.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0 139.
3. Instrument Cluster 0 106.
4. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Display. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Uplevel) 0 121 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0 120.
5. Windshield Wiper/
Washer 0 101.
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 0 102.
6. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0 140.
7. Infotainment 0 145.
8. Climate Control Systems 0 146
or Dual Automatic Climate
Control System 0 149 (If
Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 0 100
(If Equipped).
9. Instrument Panel Storage 0 94.
10. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0 175.
11. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 180.
Hazard Warning
Flashers 0 141.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator. See Passenger
Sensing System 0 69.
12. Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0 192 (If Equipped).
13. Parking Assist 0 187 (If
Equipped).
14. Ignition Positions 0 167.
15. Steering Wheel Controls 0 100.
16. Horn 0 101.
17. Steering Wheel
Adjustment 0 100.
18. Cruise Control 0 182.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0 188 (If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. See
Hood 0 202.
20. Instrument Panel Storage 0 94.
21. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0 113.
22. Exterior Lamp Controls 0 139.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0 142.
Front Fog Lamps 0 142 (If
Equipped).
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8 In Brief
Initial Drive Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter may work up to 30 m
(98 ft) away from the vehicle.
To remove the key, press the button
on the back of the transmitter, and
pull the key out. Never pull the key
out without pressing the button. The
key can be used for all locks.
K : Press to unlock the driver door
or all doors, depending on the
vehicle personalization settings.
Q : Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
7 : Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. Press and
hold for at least three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. Press again
to cancel the panic alarm.
See Keys 0 25 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and release Q on the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
Start the vehicle normally after
entering.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.
Remote start can be extended.
/
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In Brief 9
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.
Press and hold
parking lamps turn off.
.
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.
Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start 0 32.
/ until the
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside. Press
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26.
Use the key in the driver door. See
Door Locks 0 33.
K or Q on the
To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
Q : Press to lock the door.
K : Press to unlock the door.
See Power Door Locks 0 34.
Liftgate
To lock or unlock the liftgate from
inside, press
door locks. See Power Door
Locks 0 34.
Q or K on the power
To lock or unlock the liftgate from
outside, press
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 0 26.
To open the liftgate, press the touch
pad in the pull cup under the license
plate and lift manually.
See Liftgate 0 36.
Q or K on the
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10 In Brief
Windows
Press the switch to lower the
window. Pull up on the front edge of
the switch to raise it. See Power
Windows 0 41.
The switches work when the vehicle
is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0 171.
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Pull the handle at the front of
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
See Seat Adjustment 0 47.
Power Seats
To adjust a power seat:
.
Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.
Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
.
Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the rear of the control up
or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment 0 48.
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In Brief 11
Lumbar Adjustment
If available, press the front or rear of
the switch to increase or decrease
lumbar support. Release the switch
when the desired level of support is
reached.
See Lumbar Adjustment 0 48.
Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Seat Shown, Power Seat
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
If necessary, move the safety
belt out of the way to access
the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback
returns to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks 0 48.
Memory Features
Similar
If available, the MEM, 1, and 2
buttons on the outboard side of the
driver seat are used to manually
store and recall the driver seat and
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12 In Brief
outside mirror positions. These
manually stored positions are
referred to as Button Memory
positions.
The vehicle will also automatically
store driver seat and outside mirror
positions to the current driver
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when the ignition is
placed in OFF. These automatically
stored positions are referred to as
RKE Memory positions.
See Memory Seats 0 49 and
Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
Second Row Seats
The rear seatbacks can be folded
down to increase cargo space.
See Rear Seats 0 53.
Heated Seats
If equipped, the controls are on the
climate control panel. The engine
must be running to operate the
heated seats.
M or L to heat the driver or
Press
passenger seat cushion and
seatback.
Press the control once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the control, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then the off setting. Three lights
indicate the highest setting and one
light the lowest.
See Heated Front Seats 0 51.
Head Restraint Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position.
See Head Restraints 0 46 and Seat
Adjustment 0 47.
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In Brief 13
Safety Belts
Passenger Sensing System
United States
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly:
.
Safety Belts 0 57.
.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly 0 58.
.
Lap-Shoulder Belt 0 59.
.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 0 81.
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. No other airbag is
affected by the passenger sensing
system. See Passenger Sensing
System 0 69 for important
information.
Canada and Mexico
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started. See Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator 0 112.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the selector switch to L
(Left) or R (Right) to choose
the driver or passenger mirror.
2. Move the control to adjust the
mirror.
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14 In Brief
3. Turn the selector switch to 9
to deselect the mirror.
Interior Mirror
Adjustment
Hold the rearview mirror in the
center and move it to view the area
behind the vehicle.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped with a manual rearview
mirror, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it for nighttime
use to avoid glare from the
headlamps from behind. See
Manual Rearview Mirror 0 40.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror
If equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror, the mirror
will automatically reduce the glare
from the headlamps from behind.
The dimming feature comes on
when the vehicle is started.
See Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror 0 41.
Steering Wheel Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel
closer or away from you.
4. Lift the lever up to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Interior Lighting
Front and Rear Dome Lamps
The front dome lamp controls are in
the overhead console.
( : Press to turn the lamps off,
even when a door is open.
H : When the button is returned to
the middle position, the lamps turn
on automatically when a door is
opened.
' : Press to turn on the dome
lamps.
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In Brief 15
Reading Lamps
The rear dome lamp controls are in
the headliner above the rear seats.
9 : Press to turn the lamps off,
even when a door is open.
H : When the button is returned to
the middle position, the lamps turn
on automatically when a door is
opened.
R : Press to turn on the dome lamps.
The front reading lamps are in the
overhead console.
# or $ : Press to turn each lamp
on or off.
For more information about interior
lighting, see Instrument Panel
Illumination Control 0 142 or
Courtesy Lamps 0 142.
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the
steering column.
There are four positions:
O : Turns the exterior lamps off.
AUTO : Turns the exterior lamps on
and off automatically depending on
outside lighting.
; : Turns on the parking lamps
including all lamps, except the
headlamps.
5 : Turns on the headlamps
together with the parking lamps and
instrument panel lights. A warning
chime sounds if the driver door is
opened when the ignition switch is
off and the headlamps are on.
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16 In Brief
# : If equipped with fog lamps,
press to turn the lamps on or off.
See:
.
Exterior Lamp Controls 0 139.
.
Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) 0 140.
.
Front Fog Lamps 0 142.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is on the right side of the steering
column.
Move the lever to one of the
following positions:
HI : Use for fast wipes.
LO : Use for slow wipes.
INT : Use this setting for intermittent
wipes or Rainsense™, if equipped.
For intermittent wipes, move the
windshield wiper lever to INT. Turn
the
x INT band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less
frequent wipes.
If equipped with Rainsense,move
the windshield wiper lever to INT
and turn the
the sensitivity to moisture.
.
Turn the band up for more
sensitivity to moisture.
.
Turn the band down for less
sensitivity to moisture.
.
Move the windshield wiper lever
out of the INT position to
deactivate Rainsense.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
x INT band to adjust
1X : For a single wipe, briefly move
the wiper lever down. For several
wipes, hold the wiper lever down.
b : Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield
washer fluid and activate the wipers.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
The rear wiper/washer controls are
on the end of the windshield wiper
lever.
ON : Press the upper portion of the
button for continuous rear window
wipes.
OFF : The rear wiper turns off when
the button is returned to the middle
position.
INT : Press the lower portion of the
button to set a delay between
wipes.
m= REAR : Push the windshield
wiper lever forward to spray washer
fluid on the rear window. The lever
returns to its starting position when
released.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 101 and Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 0 102, if equipped.
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Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, defrosting, and ventilation for the vehicle can be
controlled with these systems.
Climate Control System
In Brief 17
1. Temperature Control
2. Air Delivery Modes
3. Fan Control
4. Defrost
5. Rear Window Defogger
6. Air Conditioning or Comfort/
Eco Air Conditioning
7. Recirculation
See Climate Control Systems 0 146
(If Equipped).
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18 In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
1. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
2. Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls
3. Air Delivery Modes
4. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
5. Defrost
6. Rear Window Defogger
7. Fan Controls
8. Air Conditioning or Comfort/
Eco Air Conditioning
9. Recirculation
10. Heated Steering Wheel (If
Equipped)
See Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0 149 (If Equipped).
Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
DSC allows you to shift an
automatic transmission similar to a
manual transmission. To use the
DSC feature:
1. Move the shift lever from
D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the + (plus) end of the
button on the top of the shift
lever to upshift, or press the −
(minus) end of the button to
downshift.
See Manual Mode 0 177.
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In Brief 19
Vehicle Features
Cruise Control
Infotainment System
See the infotainment manual for
information on the radio, audio
players, phone, navigation system,
and voice or speech recognition.
It also includes information on
settings.
Steering Wheel Controls
The infotainment system can be
operated by using the steering
wheel controls. See "Steering
Wheel Controls" in the infotainment
manual.
o : Press to turn the cruise control
system on or off. A white indicator
comes in the instrument cluster
when cruise is turned on.
RES/+ : If there is a set speed in
memory, move the thumbwheel up
briefly to resume to that speed or
hold upward to accelerate. If cruise
control is already active, use to
increase vehicle speed.
SET/− : Move the thumbwheel down
briefly to set the speed and activate
cruise control. If cruise control is
already active, use to decrease
speed.
n : Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
See Cruise Control 0 182.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The DIC display is in the instrument
cluster. It shows the status of many
vehicle systems. The controls for
the DIC are on the turn signal lever.
1. SET/CLR: Press to set or clear
the menu item displayed.
w x : Turn the band to scroll
2.
through the menu items.
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20 In Brief
3. MENU: Press to display the
DIC menus. This button is also
used to return to or exit the last
screen displayed on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0 121 or Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level) 0 120.
Forward Collision Alert
to detect the lane markings. The
LDW light,
marking is detected. If the vehicle
departs the lane without using a turn
signal in that direction, the light will
change to amber and flash. In
addition, beeps will sound.
See Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0 192.
@, is green if a lane
(FCA) System
If equipped, FCA may help avoid or
reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes. FCA provides a
green indicator,
is detected ahead. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a visual alert
and rapidly beeps.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0 188.
V, when a vehicle
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, SBZA will detect
moving vehicles in the next lane
over in the vehicle's side blind zone
area. When this happens, the SBZA
display will light up in the
corresponding outside side mirror
and will flash if the turn signal is on.
See Side Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) 0 190.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
unintentional lane departures at
speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or
greater. LDW uses a camera sensor
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
If equipped, RVC displays a view of
the area behind the vehicle, on the
infotainment system display, when
the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse).
See Rear Vision Camera
(RVC) 0 185.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System
If equipped, the RCTA system uses
a triangle with an arrow displayed
on the RVC screen to warn of traffic
behind your vehicle that may cross
your vehicle's path while in
R (Reverse). In addition, beeps will
sound.
See “Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA)” under Rear Vision Camera
(RVC) 0 185.
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In Brief 21
Parking Assist
If available, Front and Rear Parking
Assist (FRPA) uses sensors on the
front and rear bumpers to detect
objects while parking the vehicle.
It operates at speeds less than
8 km/h (5 mph). FRPA uses audio
beeps to provide distance and
system information.
Keep the sensors on the vehicle's
front and rear bumpers clean to
ensure proper operation.
See Parking Assist 0 187.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlet can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There is one accessory power outlet
in the storage in front of the shift
lever. This outlet is powered when
the ignition is on, in ACC/
ACCESSORY, or until the driver
door is opened within 10 minutes of
turning off the vehicle. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0 171.
See Power Outlets 0 104.
Universal Remote System
If equipped, this system provides a
way to replace up to three remote
control transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
Universal Remote system. Because
of the steps involved, it may be
helpful to have another person
available to assist you with
programming the Universal Remote
system.
See Universal Remote
System 0 136.
Sunroof
If equipped, the sunroof only
operates when the ignition is on or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0 171.
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22 In Brief
Slide Switch
Express-Open/Express Close :
Press and release
express-open the sunroof. Press
and release
express-close the sunroof. Press
the switch again to stop the
movement.
Open/Close (Manual Mode) :
Press and hold
sunroof. Press and hold
close the sunroof. Release the
switch to stop the movement.
Tilt Switch
Vent : Press and hold
the sunroof. Press and hold
to close the sunroof vent.
The sunshade opens automatically
with the sunroof, but must be
manually closed.
The sunroof will not operate if the
vehicle has an electrical failure.
The sunroof has an automatic
reversal system feature. See
Sunroof 0 43.
D (1) to
g (1) to
D (1) to open the
g (1) to
E (2) to vent
g (2)
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/ Electronic Stability Control
The traction control system limits
wheel spin. The system is on when
the vehicle is started.
The StabiliTrak system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. The
system is on when the vehicle is
started.
.
To turn off traction control, press
and release
stack.
instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See Ride Control
System Messages 0 128.
.
Press and release
turn traction control back on.
g on the center
i illuminates in the
g again to
.
To turn off both Traction Control
and StabiliTrak, press and
hold
g until g and i illuminate
in the instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message is
displayed. See Ride Control
System Messages 0 128.
.
Press
g again to turn on both
systems.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 180.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
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In Brief 23
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0 163. The
warning light will remain on until the
tire pressure is corrected.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
may be an early indicator that the
tire pressures are getting low and
the tires need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. Maintain
the correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
System 0 242.
Fuel
Regular Fuel
Use only unleaded gasoline rated
87 octane or higher in your vehicle.
Do not use gasoline with an octane
rating lower as it may result in
vehicle damage and lower fuel
economy. See Fuel 0 193.
E85 or FlexFuel
No E85 or FlexFuel
Gasoline-ethanol fuel blends greater
than E15 (15% ethanol by volume),
such as E85, cannot be used in this
vehicle.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON DIC message when it is
necessary to change the engine oil
and filter.
Remember, the oil life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the oil life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press the MENU button to
show Remaining Oil Life on the
display. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining
useful life. If 99% is displayed,
that means that 99% of the
current oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil life
system, press the SET/CLR
button while the oil life display
is active. After a few seconds,
there will be a single chime and
the oil life will be reset
to 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is changed.
It cannot be reset accurately.
See Engine Oil Life System 0 209.
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24 In Brief
.
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.
Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.
Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.
Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.
Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance Program
U.S.: 1-800-252-1112
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
New Buick owners are automatically
enrolled in the Roadside Assistance
Program.
See Roadside Assistance
Program 0 295.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Keys, Doors, and Windows
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 40
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . 40
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Interior Mirrors
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 32
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Delayed Locking . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 34
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 34
Lockout Protection . . . . . .. . . . . . . 35
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 35
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 40
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 40
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 41
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . 41
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . 43
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 43
Doors
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . .... . . . . . 37
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 37
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 38
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 39
Keys and Locks
Keys
Warning
{
Leaving children in a vehicle with
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the RKE transmitter
in the vehicle, and children or
others could be caught in the path
of a closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with an RKE
transmitter.
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26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To remove the key, press the button
on the back of the transmitter, and
pull the key out. Never pull the key
out without pressing the button.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance
Program 0 295.
With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for all locks.
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar
Overview 0 304.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
See Radio Frequency
Statement 0 301.
If there is a decrease in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) operating
range:
.
Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.
Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
The Keyless Access system allows
for vehicle entry when the
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft). See
“Keyless Access Operation” later in
this section.
The RKE transmitter may work up to
30 m (98 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions, such as those
previously stated, can impact the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 0 26.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 27
With Remote Start Shown
The following may be available:
Q : Press to lock all doors and,
if equipped, the locking fuel door.
The hazard warning flashers may
flash and/or the horn may sound on
the second press to indicate locking.
See Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
If the driver door is open when
pressed and the feature is enabled
through vehicle personalization, all
doors will lock and then the driver
door will unlock. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
Q is
Pressing
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System 0 37.
Q may also arm the
K : Press to unlock the driver door.
Press unlock again within
five seconds to unlock all doors.
The RKE transmitter can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first button press. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
The hazard warning flashers will
flash to indicate unlocking. See
Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
Pressing
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System 0 37.
If equipped
fuel door.
K will disarm the
K will also unlock the
7 : Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The exterior
lamps flash and the horn chirps
three times.
Press and hold
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
7 for at least
turn signals flash for 30 seconds,
or until
vehicle is started.
7 is pressed again or the
/ : If equipped, press Q and then
press and hold
seconds to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Vehicle
Start 0 32.
Keyless Access Operation
The Keyless access system lets you
lock and unlock the doors and
access the liftgate without removing
the RKE transmitter from your
pocket, purse, briefcase, etc. The
RKE transmitter must be within 1 m
(3 ft) of the door being opened. If the
vehicle has this feature, there will be
a button on each door handle.
Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first lock/unlock press from the
driver door. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
/ for several
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28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the driver door handle, pressing
the lock/unlock button on the driver
door handle will unlock the driver
door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds,
all passenger doors will unlock. Pull
the door handle to unlatch the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause all doors to lock if any of the
following occur:
It has been more than
five seconds since the first lock/
unlock button press.
.
The lock/unlock button presses
were used to unlock all doors.
.
Any vehicle door has opened
and all doors are now closed.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Passenger Doors
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of
the passenger door handle,
pressing the lock/unlock button on
the passenger door handle will
unlock all doors.
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause all doors to lock if any of the
following occur:
.
The lock/unlock button was used
to unlock all doors.
.
Any vehicle door has opened
and all doors are now closed.
Passive Locking
If equipped with Keyless Access,
the vehicle will lock several seconds
after all doors are closed if the
vehicle is off and at least one
transmitter has been removed or
none remain in the vehicle.
If equipped with a locking fuel door,
the fuel door will also lock at
this time.
If other electronic devices interfere
with the RKE transmitter signal, the
vehicle may not detect the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle.
If passive locking is enabled, the
doors may lock with the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle. Do
not leave the RKE transmitter in an
unattended vehicle.
To customize the doors to
automatically lock when exiting the
vehicle, see Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
Temporary Disable of the Passive
Locking Feature
Temporarily disable passive locking
by pressing and holding
interior door switch with a door open
for several seconds, or until three
chimes are heard. Passive locking
K on the
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 29
will then remain disabled until Q on
the interior door is pressed, or until
the vehicle is turned on.
Remote Left In Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and a
remote is left in the vehicle, the horn
will chirp three times after all doors
are closed.
To turn on or off see Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
Keyless Liftgate Opening
When the doors are locked, press
the touch pad to open the liftgate if
the RKE transmitter is within
1 m (3 ft).
Key Access
To access a vehicle with a weak
transmitter battery, see Door
Locks 0 33.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters no
longer work. Any remaining
transmitters will need to be
reprogrammed. Each vehicle can
have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Programming with Recognized
Transmitters
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle when
there are two recognized
transmitters. To program, the vehicle
must be off and all of the
transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be
with you.
1. Place the two recognized
transmitters in the center
console front cupholder.
2. Insert the vehicle key of the
new transmitter into the key
lock cylinder on the outside of
the driver door and turn the key
to the unlock position five times
within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays READY FOR
REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
3. Remove the two recognized
transmitters from the center
console front cupholder.
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30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
4. Place the new transmitter in
the front cupholder
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP.
When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from
the transmitter pocket and
press
K.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
10 seconds to exit
programming mode.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized
transmitters are not available, follow
this procedure to program up to
eight transmitters. This feature is
not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle
must be off and all of the
transmitters to be programmed must
be with you.
1. Insert the vehicle key of the
transmitter into the key lock
cylinder on the outside of the
driver door and turn the key to
the unlock position five times
within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays REMOTE
LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the
DIC displays PRESS ENGINE
START BUTTON TO LEARN
and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC will again show
REMOTE LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional
times. After the third time, all
previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters
can be relearned during the
next steps.
The DIC display should now
show READY FOR REMOTE
# 1.
4. Place the new transmitter in
the front cupholder.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP.
When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from
the cupholder and press
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6.
K.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 31
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
10 seconds to exit
programming mode.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED when trying to start the
vehicle. The REPLACE BATTERY
IN REMOTE KEY message may
also be displayed at this time. See
Key and Lock Messages 0 126.
To start the vehicle:
1. Place the transmitter in the
transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing the front of the
vehicle.
2. With the vehicle in P (Park) or
N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and ENGINE
START/STOP.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC. See
Key and Lock Messages 0 126.
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
The battery is not rechargeable. To
replace the battery:
1. Press the button on the
transmitter and pull the key out.
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32 Keys, Doors, and Windows
2. Separate the two halves of the
transmitter using a flat tool
inserted into the area near the
key slot.
Remote Vehicle Start
The vehicle may have this feature
that allows you to start the engine
from outside the vehicle.
/ : This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
The climate control system will use
the previous settings during a
remote start. The rear window
defogger may come on during a
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. The rear window
defogger indicator light does not
come on during a remote start. If the
3. Remove the battery by pushing
on the battery and sliding it
toward the bottom of the
transmitter.
4. Insert the new battery, positive
side facing the back cover.
Push the battery down until it is
held in place. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on
to the transmitter.
vehicle has heated seats, they may
come on during a remote start. See
Heated Front Seats 0 51.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
require a person using remote start
to have the vehicle in view. Check
local regulations for any
requirements.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 0 26.
Starting the Vehicle
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Press and release
2. Immediately after completing
Step 1, press and hold
least four seconds or until the
turn signal lamps flash. The
turn signal lamps flashing
confirms the request to remote
start the vehicle has been
received.
When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.
The engine will continue to run for
15 minutes. After 30 seconds,
repeat the steps if a 15-minute
extension is desired. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Q.
/ for at
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.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can also be
extended by another 15 minutes,
if during the first 15 minutes
Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the engine is still running. An
extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting. This
provides a total of 30 minutes.
The remote start can only be
extended once.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 15-minute period is
added on to the first 15 minutes for
a total of 30 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts,
or a remote start with an extension,
are allowed between ignition cycles.
The vehicle's ignition must be
changed to ON/RUN and then back
to OFF before the remote start
procedure can be used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.
Press and hold
parking lamps turn off.
/ until the
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.
Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature will
not operate if:
.
A transmitter is in the vehicle.
.
The hood is not closed.
.
The hazard warning flashers
are on.
.
The malfunction indicator lamp
is on.
.
The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
.
The oil pressure is low.
.
Two remote vehicle starts, or a
single remote start with an
extension, have already
been used.
.
The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Keys, Doors, and Windows 33
Door Locks
Warning
{
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.
Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a
door is locked, the handle
will not open it. The chance
of being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are
not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
.
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
(Continued)
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34 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Warning (Continued)
death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle
whenever leaving it.
.
Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the
doors can help prevent this
from happening.
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
.
Press
K or Q on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 0 26.
.
Use the key in the driver door.
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the door being opened.
Press the button on the door handle
to open. See “Keyless Access
Operation” under Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26.
Power Door Locks
K : Press to unlock the doors.
Q : Press to lock the doors.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the locking of
the doors until five seconds after all
doors are closed.
Delayed locking can only be turned
on when the Unlocked Door
Anti-Lockout has been turned off.
Q is pressed on the power
When
door lock switch while the door is
open, a chime will sound three
times indicating delayed locking is
active.
The doors will lock automatically
five seconds after all doors are
closed. If a door is reopened before
that time, the five-second timer will
reset when all doors are closed
again.
Q on the door lock switch
Press
again or press
transmitter to lock the doors
immediately.
This feature can also be
programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
Q on the RKE
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically
when all doors are closed, the
ignition is on, and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park).
To unlock the doors:
.
K on the power door lock
Press
switch.
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.
Shift the transmission into
P (Park).
Automatic door locking cannot be
disabled. Automatic door unlocking
can be programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 130.
Lockout Protection
If the vehicle is in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN and the
power door lock switch is pressed
with the driver door open, all the
doors will lock and only the driver
door will unlock.
If the vehicle is off and locking is
requested while a door is open,
when all doors are closed the
vehicle will check for RKE
transmitters inside. If an RKE
transmitter is detected and the
number of RKE transmitters inside
has not reduced, the driver door will
unlock and the horn will chirp three
times.
Lockout Protection can be manually
overridden with the driver door open
by pressing and holding
power door lock switch.
Q on the
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
If Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout is
turned on and the vehicle is off, the
driver door is open, and locking is
requested, all the doors will lock and
only the driver door will unlock. The
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout feature
can be turned on or off using the
vehicle personalization menus. See
Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from inside the vehicle.
Keys, Doors, and Windows 35
Manual Safety Locks
If equipped, the safety lock is
located on the inside edge of the
rear doors. To use the safety lock:
1. Insert the key into the safety
lock slot and turn it so the slot
is in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same for the other
rear door.
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36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To open a rear door when the safety
lock is on:
1. Unlock the door by activating
the inside handle, by using the
power door lock switch, or by
using the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
2. Open the door from the
outside.
To cancel the safety lock:
1. Unlock the door and open it
from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the safety
lock slot and turn it so the slot
is in the vertical position. Do
the same for the other door.
Doors
Liftgate
Warning
{
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, hatch/trunk open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
hatch/trunk or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or hatch/trunk open:
.
Close all of the windows.
.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.
Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems”
in the Index.
.
If the vehicle is equipped
with a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0 174.
Caution
To avoid damage to the liftgate or
liftgate glass, make sure the area
above and behind the liftgate is
clear before opening it.
To open the liftgate, press
power door lock switch or press
on the RKE transmitter to unlock all
doors. See Power Door Locks 0 34
and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 0 26.
K on the
K
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 37
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
If equipped with an anti-theft alarm
system, the indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the
windshield, shows the status of the
system.
Press the touch pad below the
license plate and lift up.
The liftgate may also be opened
while the vehicle is locked by
pressing the touch pad while the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of
the rear of the vehicle.
To close the liftgate, push from the
center to ensure that it fully latches.
Off : Alarm system is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flast : Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the liftgate, or the hood
is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of
two ways:
.
Use the RKE transmitter.
.
With a door open, press
on the interior of the door.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm
system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the
alarm system is operating.
Pressing
transmitter a second time will
bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with
the key.
Q on the RKE
Q
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38 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If any door or the hood is opened
without first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not
started, or the door is not unlocked
by pressing
transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be
activated.
The alarm will also be activated if
any door or the the hood is opened
without first disarming the system.
When the alarm is activated, the
turn signals flash and the horn
sounds for about 30 seconds. The
alarm system will then re-arm to
monitor for the next unauthorized
event.
K on the RKE
Disarming the Alarm System
To disarm the alarm system or turn
off the alarm if it has been activated:
.
Press
K on the RKE transmitter.
.
Start the vehicle.
Avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.
Lock the vehicle after all
occupants have exited and all
doors are closed.
.
Always unlock the vehicle with
the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking the driver door with the
key will not disarm the system or
turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
If K is pressed and the horn chirps
and the lights flash three times, an
attempted break-in has occurred
while the system was armed.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency
Statement 0 301.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button is
pushed in and a valid transmitter is
found in the vehicle.
The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on when there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more
transmitters matched to an
immobilizer control unit in your
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
transmitter will start the vehicle.
If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 39
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
vehicle off and try again.
If the RKE transmitter appears to be
undamaged, try another transmitter.
Or, you may try placing the
transmitter in the transmitter pocket
in the front cupholder. See “Starting
the Vehicle with a Low Transmitter
Battery” under Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 0 26.
If the engine does not start with the
other transmitter or when the
transmitter is in the pocket in the
front cupholder, your vehicle needs
service. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new transmitter
programmed to the vehicle.
Do not leave the transmitter or
device that disarms or deactivates
the theft-deterrent system in the
vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
Warning
{
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 the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Power Mirrors
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Turn the selector switch to L
(Left) or R (Right) to choose
the driver or passenger mirror.
2. Move the control to adjust the
mirror.
3. Turn the selector switch to
to deselect the mirror.
9
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40 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Folding Mirrors
Manual Folding Mirrors
These mirrors can be folded inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash. To
fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward to
return it to the original position.
Heated Mirrors
This vehicle has heated mirrors:
1 : Press to heat the mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Climate Control Systems 0 146.
Reverse Tilt Mirrors
If equipped with memory seats, the
passenger and/or driver mirror tilts
to a preselected position when the
vehicle is in R (Reverse). This
allows the curb to be seen when
parallel parking.
The mirror(s) return to the original
position when:
.
The vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse), or remains in
R (Reverse) for about
30 seconds.
.
The ignition is turned off.
.
The vehicle is driven in
R (Reverse) above a set speed.
To turn this feature on or off, see
Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear
view of the area behind your
vehicle.
If equipped with OnStar, the vehicle
may have three control buttons at
the bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information about
OnStar and how to subscribe to it.
See OnStar Overview 0 304.
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped with a manual rearview
mirror, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it for nighttime
use to avoid glare from the
headlamps from behind.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 41
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
If equipped, automatic dimming
reduces the glare of headlamps
from behind. The dimming feature
comes on when the vehicle is
started.
Windows
Warning
{
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
Warning
{
Children could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Never
leave keys in a vehicle with
children. When there are children
in the rear seat, use the window
lockout button to prevent
operation of the windows. See
Keys 0 25.
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42 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Window Lockout
The windows work when the vehicle
is in ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY,
or when Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) is active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) 0 171.
Press or pull the switch to open or
close the window.
The windows will be temporarily
disabled if the window switches are
used repeatedly within a short time.
This feature stops the rear door
passenger window switches from
working.
Press
v to engage the rear window
lockout feature. The indicator light is
on when engaged.
v again to disengage.
Press
Window Express Movement
Express-down/up allows the
windows to be opened or closed
without holding the window switch.
Press the window switch fully down
or pull it up, and quickly release it to
engage. Briefly press or pull the
same switch to stop window
movement.
Express Window Obstacle
Detection
The express-up feature will reverse
window movement if it comes in
contact with an object. Extreme cold
or ice could cause the window to
auto-reverse. The window will
operate as normal after the object or
condition is removed.
Obstacle Detection Override
Warning
{
If obstacle detection override is
activated, the window will not
reverse automatically. You or
others could be injured and the
window could be damaged.
Before you use obstacle detection
override, make sure that all
people and obstructions are clear
of the window path.
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Keys, Doors, and Windows 43
The window can be closed by
holding the window switch in the up
position if conditions prevent it from
express closing.
Programming the Power
Windows
Programming may be necessary if
the vehicle's battery has been
disconnected or discharged. If the
window is unable to express-up,
follow these steps to program the
window:
To program the window:
1. Close all doors.
2. Place the ignition in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
3. Partially open the window to be
programmed, then close it and
continue to pull the switch
briefly after the window has
fully closed.
4. Press the power window switch
until the window is fully open
and briefly hold.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. If equipped, detach the sun
visor from the center mount to pivot
to the side window or to extend
along the rod.
If equipped, there is a lighted mirror
on the sun visor. Lift the cover
to open.
Roof
Sunroof
If equipped, the sunroof only
operates when the ignition is on or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0 171.
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44 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Slide Switch
Express-Open/Express Close :
Press and release
express-open the sunroof. Press
and release
express-close the sunroof. Press
the switch again to stop the
movement.
Open/Close (Manual Mode) :
Press and hold
sunroof. Press and hold
close the sunroof. Release the
switch to stop the movement.
Tilt Switch
Vent : Press and hold
the sunroof. Press and hold
to close the sunroof vent.
The sunshade opens automatically
with the sunroof, but must be
manually closed.
The sunroof will not operate if the
vehicle has an electrical failure.
D (1) to
g (1) to
D (1) to open the
g (1) to
E (2) to vent
g (2)
Automatic Reversal System
The sunroof/sunshade is equipped
with an automatic reversal system
that is only active when the sunroof/
sunshade is being operated in
express-close mode. If an object is
in the path of the sunroof/sunshade
while it is express closing, the
reversal system will detect the
object and stop. In the event of
closing difficulties like frost or other
conditions, it is possible to override
the reversal system. To override the
reversal system, close in manual
mode. To stop the movement,
release the switch.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause an issue with sunroof
operation or noise. It could also plug
the water drainage system.
Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose
debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and
roof sealing area using a clean
cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.
If water is seen dripping into the
water drainage system, this is
normal.
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Seats and Restraints 45
Seats and Restraints
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Airbag System
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . 48
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Folding Seatback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . 57
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly .... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . 58
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 62
Airbag System . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 63
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . 65
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 66
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 67
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . 67
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Passenger Sensing System . . . 69
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 73
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . 74
Replacing Airbag System Parts
after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Infants and Young Children . . . . 76
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . 79
Where to Put the Restraint . . .. . 80
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) . . . . 81
Replacing LATCH System Parts
After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 88
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the
Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the
Front Seat) . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
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Head Restraints
Warning
{
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/
spinal injury in a crash. Do not
drive until the head restraints for
all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
Front Seats
The front seats have adjustable
head restraints in the outboard
seating positions.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chances of a neck injury in a crash.
The height of the head restraint can
be adjusted. Pull the head restraint
up to raise it. Try to move the head
restraint to make sure that it is
locked in place.
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the head
restraint down. Try to move the
head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
The front seat outboard head
restraints are not removable.
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Seats and Restraints 47
Rear Seats
The rear seats have head restraints
in the outboard seating positions
that can be lowered for better
visibility when the rear seat is
unoccupied.
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the head
restraint down.
When an occupant is in the seat,
always return the head restraint to
the upright position. Pull the head
restraint up and push it rearward
until it locks into place. Push and
pull on the head restraint to make
sure that it is locked.
If you are installing a child restraint
in the rear seat, see “Securing a
Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System” under Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) 0 81.
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
Warning
{
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a driver
seat while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Pull the handle at the front of
the seat.
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48 Seats and Restraints
.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
Power Seat Adjustment
Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the rear of the control up
or down.
To adjust the seatback, see
Reclining Seatbacks 0 48.
To adjust the lumbar support, see
Lumbar Adjustment 0 48.
Lumbar Adjustment
To adjust a power seat:
.
Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.
Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
If available, press the front or rear of
the switch to increase or decrease
lumbar support. Release the switch
when the desired level of support is
reached.
Reclining Seatbacks
Warning
{
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
Manual Seat Shown, Power Seat
Similar
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Seats and Restraints 49
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
If necessary, move the safety
belt out of the way to access
the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback
returns to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
Warning
{
Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the safety belts cannot do
their job.
The shoulder belt 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 could go up over
your abdomen. The belt forces
would be there, not at your pelvic
bones. This could cause serious
internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
safety belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.
Memory Seats
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50 Seats and Restraints
If equipped, the MEM, 1, and 2
buttons on the outboard side of the
driver seat are used to manually
save and recall the driver seat and
outside mirror positions. These
manually stored positions are
referred to as Button Memory
positions.
The vehicle will also automatically
save driver seat and outside mirror
positions to the current driver
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when the ignition is
placed in OFF. These automatically
stored positions are referred to as
RKE Memory positions. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 0 26.
Storing Button Memory Positions
To save positions into Button
Memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat and
outside mirrors to the desired
driving positions.
2. Press and hold MEM (Memory)
and 1 at the same time until a
beep sounds.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a
second driver using 2.
Recalling Button Memory
Positions
To recall the Button Memory
positions, press and hold 1 or 2. The
driver seat and outside mirrors
move to the positions stored to
those buttons when pressed.
Releasing 1 or 2 before the stored
positions are reached stops the
recall.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by pressing the appropriate memory
button. If the memory position is still
not recalling, see your dealer for
service.
Recalling RKE Memory Positions
The RKE memory feature can recall
the driver seat and outside mirrors
to previously stored RKE Memory
positions when entering the vehicle.
Every time the ignition is placed in
OFF, the positions of the driver seat
and outside mirrors are
automatically stored to the RKE
transmitter that was used to start
the vehicle. These positions and
settings are called RKE Memory
positions and may be different than
the previously mentioned Button
Memory positions saved to the
1 or 2 buttons.
.
On vehicles with RKE, press
on the RKE transmitter and open
the driver door.
.
On vehicles with Keyless
Access, press the lock/unlock
button on the outside driver door
handle and open the door. The
RKE transmitter must be present
for the recall to activate.
.
If the driver door is already
open, press
transmitter to activate the recall.
K on the RKE
K
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This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the memory, power mirror,
or power seat controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling a memory
position, the recall may stop.
Remove the obstruction; then press
and hold the appropriate manual
control for the memory item that is
not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by opening the driver door and
pressing the RKE transmitter
button. If the memory position is still
not recalling, see your dealer for
service.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature moves the seat
rearward allowing the driver more
room to exit the vehicle.
To activate, place the ignition in
OFF and open the driver door. If the
driver door is already open, placing
the ignition in OFF will activate the
recall.
K
This feature is turned on or off using
the vehicle personalization menu.
See Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the memory or power seat
controls.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling the exit position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction; then press and hold the
power seat control rearward for
two seconds. Try recalling the exit
position again. If the exit position is
still not recalling, see your dealer for
service.
Front Seat Armrest
There is an armrest on the inboard
side of the driver seat. To raise or
lower the armrest, push up or pull
down on the armrest.
Heated Front Seats
Warning
{
If you cannot feel temperature
change or pain to the skin, the
seat heater may cause burns. To
reduce the risk of burns, people
(Continued)
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52 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
with such a condition should use
care when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to
overheat. An overheated seat
heater may cause a burn or may
damage the seat.
If equipped, the controls are on the
climate control panel. The engine
must be running to operate the
heated seats.
M or L to heat the driver or
Press
passenger seat cushion and
seatback.
Press the control once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the control, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then the off setting. Three lights
indicate the highest setting and one
light the lowest.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
Remote Start Heated Seats
When it is cold outside, the heated
seats can be turned on
automatically during a remote
vehicle start. The heated seats will
be canceled when the ignition is
turned on. Press the heated seat
controls to use the heated seats
after the vehicle is started.
The heated seat indicator lights on
the control do not turn on during a
remote start.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced.
This is normal.
The heated seats will not turn on
during a remote start unless the
heated seat feature is enabled in
the vehicle personalization menu.
See Remote Vehicle Start 0 32 and
Vehicle Personalization 0 130.
Folding Seatback
The front passenger seatback
folds flat.
Warning
{
If you fold the seatback forward to
carry longer objects, such as skis,
be sure any such cargo is not
near an airbag. In a crash, an
inflating airbag might force that
object toward a person. This
could cause severe injury or even
death. Secure objects away from
the area in which an airbag would
inflate. For more information, see
Where Are the Airbags? 0 65 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0 163.
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Seats and Restraints 53
Warning
{
Things you put on this seatback
can strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
Remove or secure all items
before driving.
To fold the seatback:
1. Lower the head restraint all the
way. See Head
Restraints 0 46.
2. Move the seat as far back as
possible. See Seat
Adjustment 0 47.
3. Lift the lever fully and fold the
seatback forward.
If necessary, move the safety
belt out of the way to access
the lever.
4. Continue lowering the seatback
until it is completely folded and
locks in place.
To raise the seatback:
1. Lift the lever fully to unlock the
seatback. Then, raise the
seatback and push it rearward
until it re-engages.
2. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked in
place.
Warning
{
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
Rear Seats
Folding the Seatback
Either side of the seatback can be
folded down for more cargo space.
Fold a seatback only when the
vehicle is not moving.
Caution
Folding a rear seat with the safety
belts still fastened may cause
damage to the seat or the safety
belts. Always unbuckle the safety
belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before
folding a rear seat.
Caution
Folding the rear seatback prior to
tilting the seat cushion forward
may damage the rear seat.
Always tilt the rear seat cushion
forward before folding the
seatback.
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54 Seats and Restraints
To fold a seatback down:
1. Make sure the floor area in
front of the rear seats is clear.
2. Fully lower the head restraint.
See Head Restraints 0 46.
3. Slide the front seats forward
and place the front seatbacks
in the upright position. See
Seat Adjustment 0 47 and
Reclining Seatbacks 0 48.
4. Pull the strap on the front edge
of the rear seat cushion to
release the cushion. Tilt the
seat cushion forward toward
the front of the vehicle.
The seat cushion must be tilted
forward before the seatback is
folded down. Otherwise, the
seatback will not fold down
properly.
Rear Seat with Retainer Hook on
the Seatback
5. Make sure the safety belt is in
the retainer hook on top of the
seatback, if equipped.
6. Reach under the belt and pull
the lever on top of the seatback
to unlock the seatback.
A tab near the seatback lever
raises when the seatback is
unlocked.
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Seats and Restraints 55
Raising the Seatback
Warning
{
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
7. Fold the seatback forward
and down.
Safety Belt Clip on Side Trim
8. Place the outboard safety belt
in the safety belt clip (if
equipped) on the side trim of
the vehicle.
9. Repeat Steps 1–8 for the other
seatback and seat cushion,
if desired.
Warning
{
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 raising the
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.
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56 Seats and Restraints
To return the rear seatback to the
normal seating position:
Safety Belt Clip on Side Trim
1. Remove the outboard safety
belt from the safety belt clip (if
equipped) on the side trim of
the vehicle.
2. Lift the seatback and push it
rearward to lock it in place.
A tab near the seatback lever
retracts when the seatback is
locked in place.
Make sure the safety belts are
not pinched by the seatback
locking mechanism.
The center rear safety belt may
lock when you raise the
seatback. If this happens, let
the belt go back all the way
and start again. If the safety
belt is still locked, try again
after pulling the seat
cushion out.
3. Push and pull the top of the
seatback to be sure it is locked
into position.
4. Return the seat cushion to its
original position and push
down on the front part of the
seat cushion until it latches.
Make sure the safety belts and
safety belt buckles are not
trapped under the seat cushion
and are properly positioned
for use.
5. Repeat Steps 1–4 for the other
seatback and seat cushion,
if necessary.
If additional cargo space is not
needed, the seatbacks should be
kept in the upright, locked position.
Rear Seat Armrest
The rear seat has an armrest in the
center of the seatback. Lower the
armrest to access the cupholders.
To fold, lift the armrest up and push
it rearward until it is flush with the
seatback.
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Seats and Restraints 57
Safety Belts
This section describes how to use
safety belts properly, and some
things not to do.
Warning
{
Do not let anyone ride where a
safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
safety belts, injuries can be much
worse than if you are wearing
safety belts. You can be seriously
injured or killed by hitting things
inside the vehicle harder or by
being ejected from the vehicle. In
addition, anyone who is not
buckled up can strike other
passengers in the vehicle.
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision,
passengers riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts.
Always wear a safety belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders 0 111.
Why Safety Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel
as fast as the vehicle does. If the
vehicle stops suddenly, you keep
going until something stops you.
It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the safety belts!
When you wear a safety belt, you
and the vehicle slow down together.
There is more time to stop because
you stop over a longer distance and,
when worn properly, your strongest
bones take the forces from the
safety belts. That is why wearing
safety belts makes such good
sense.
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be — whether you are
wearing a safety belt or not.
Your chance of being conscious
during and after a crash, so you
can unbuckle and get out, is
much greater if you are belted.
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Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why
should I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only. They work with
safety belts — not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the
most protection.
Also, in nearly all states and in
all Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing safety belts.
It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
There are important things to know
about wearing a safety belt properly.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This section is only for people of
adult size.
There are special things to know
about safety belts and children, and
there are different rules for smaller
children and infants. If a child will be
riding in the vehicle, see Older
Children 0 75 or Infants and Young
Children 0 76. Follow those rules for
everyone's protection.
.
Sit up straight and always keep
your feet on the floor in front
of you.
.
Always use the correct buckle
for your seating position.
.
Wear the lap part of the belt 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 on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
.
Wear the shoulder belt over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining
forces. The shoulder belt locks if
there is a sudden stop or crash.
Warning
{
You can be seriously injured,
or even killed, by not wearing
your safety belt properly.
.
Never allow the lap or
shoulder belt to become
loose or twisted.
.
Never wear the shoulder
belt under both arms or
behind your back.
.
Never route the lap or
shoulder belt over an
armrest.
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Seats and Restraints 59
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is
adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see
“Seats” in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull
the belt across you. Do not let
it get twisted.
The lap-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.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all
the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be
engaged. If this happens, let
the belt go back all the way
and start again.
The rear center safety belt can
only be withdrawn from the
retractor if the seatback is in
the upright locked position.
3. 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 0 61.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the safety
belt could be quickly unbuckled
if necessary.
4. If equipped with a shoulder belt
height adjuster, move it to the
height that is right for you. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster”
later in this section for
instructions on use and
important safety information.
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To unlatch the belt, push the button
on the buckle. The belt should
return to its stowed position.
Always stow the safety belt slowly.
If the safety belt webbing returns
quickly to the stowed position, the
retractor may lock and cannot be
pulled out. If this happens, pull the
safety belt straight out firmly to
unlock the webbing, and then
release it. If the webbing is still
locked in the retractor, see your
5. To make the lap part tight, pull
up on the shoulder belt.
dealer.
Before a door is closed, be sure the
safety belt is out of the way. If a
door is slammed against a safety
belt, damage can occur to both the
safety belt and the vehicle.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt
height adjuster for the driver and
front outboard passenger seating
positions.
Adjust the height so the shoulder
portion of the belt is on the shoulder
but not falling off of it. The belt
should be close to but not
contacting the neck. Improper
shoulder belt height adjustment
could reduce the effectiveness of
the safety belt in a crash. See How
to Wear Safety Belts Properly 0 58.
To move the shoulder belt height
adjuster down, push down on the
release button and move the height
adjuster to the desired position. You
can move the height adjuster up by
pushing up on the shoulder belt
guide.
After the adjuster is set to the
desired position, try to move it down
without pushing the release button
to make sure it has locked into
position.
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Seats and Restraints 61
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for the front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal, near
frontal, or rear crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner
activation are met. Safety belt
pretensioners can also help tighten
the safety belts in a side crash or a
rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
the pretensioners and probably
other parts of the vehicle's safety
belt system will need to be replaced.
See Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash 0 62.
Do not sit on the outboard safety
belt while entering or exiting the
vehicle or at any time while sitting in
the seat. Sitting on the safety belt
can damage the webbing and
hardware.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort
Guides
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.
Comfort guides are available
through your dealer for the rear
outboard seating positions.
Instructions are included with the
guide.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
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.
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.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.
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But if a safety belt is not long
enough, your dealer will order you
an extender. 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 restraints.
To wear it, attach it to the regular
safety belt. For more information,
see the instruction sheet that comes
with the extender.
Safety System Check
Check that the safety belt reminder,
safety belts, buckles, latch plates,
and retractors, are all working
properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts
that might keep a safety belt system
from performing properly. See your
dealer to 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, have it replaced
immediately.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. See Safety Belt
Reminders 0 111.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care 0 62.
Safety Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
Warning
{
Do not bleach or dye safety belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean and
rinse safety belt webbing only
with mild soap and lukewarm
water. Allow the webbing to dry.
Safety belts should be properly
cared for and maintained.
Safety belt hardware should be kept
dry and free of dust or debris. As
necessary exterior hard surfaces
and safety belt webbing may be
lightly cleaned with mild soap and
water. Ensure there is not excessive
dust or debris in the mechanism.
If dust or debris exists in the system
please see the dealer. Parts may
need to be replaced to ensure
proper functionality of the system.
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash
Warning
{
A crash can damage the safety
belt system in the vehicle.
A damaged safety belt system
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
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After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the safety
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0 111.
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.
A frontal airbag for the driver.
.
A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger.
.
A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver.
.
A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly
behind the front outboard
passenger.
The vehicle may have the following
airbags:
.
A knee airbag for the driver.
.
A knee airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
Seats and Restraints 63
.
Seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the second row
outboard passengers.
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the lower part of the
instrument panel.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seatback closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
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Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
Warning
{
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
See When Should an Airbag
Inflate? 0 66.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to any
airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
sit unnecessarily close to any
airbag, as you would be if sitting
on the edge of the seat or leaning
forward. Safety belts help keep
you in position before and during
a crash. Always wear a safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The safety belts and
the front outboard passenger
airbags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat with both feet
on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{
Warning
Warning
{
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, see Older Children 0 75 or
Infants and Young Children 0 76.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument cluster which
shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag electrical
system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See Airbag Readiness
Light 0 111 for more information.
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Where Are the Airbags?
Seats and Restraints 65
The driver knee airbag (if equipped)
is below the steering column. The
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is in the passenger
side instrument panel.
front outboard passenger knee
airbag (if equipped) is below the
glove box.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
The seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the driver and front
outboard passenger are in the side
of the seatbacks closest to the door.
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and
second row outboard passengers
are in the ceiling above the side
windows.
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66 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
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 use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,
Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second row
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
they are in the side of the seatback
closest to the door.
Warning
{
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
(Continued)
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. See Airbag System 0 63.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
impact exceeds the specific airbag
system's deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to
predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable, narrow
or wide.
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Seats and Restraints 67
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, in
rear impacts, or in many side
impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has
advanced technology frontal
airbags. Advanced technology
frontal airbags adjust the restraint
according to crash severity.
Knee airbags (if equipped) are
designed to inflate in moderate to
severe frontal or near frontal
impacts. Knee airbags are not
designed to inflate during vehicle
rollovers, in rear impacts, or in many
side impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are designed to inflate in moderate
to severe side crashes depending
on the location of the impact.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are not designed to inflate in frontal
impacts, near frontal impacts,
rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is designed to inflate on the side of
the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location
of the impact. In addition, these
roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate during a rollover or in a
severe frontal impact. Roof-rail
airbags are not designed to inflate in
rear impacts. Both roof-rail airbags
will inflate when either side of the
vehicle is struck, if the sensing
system predicts that the vehicle is
about to roll over on its side, or in a
severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, see Where Are
the Airbags? 0 65.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
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.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
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But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 0 66.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal, knee (if equipped),
and seat-mounted side impact
airbags inflate, they quickly deflate,
so quickly that some people may
not even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 0 65.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
Warning
{
When an airbag inflates, there
may be 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.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors,
and turn off the interior lamps and
hazard warning flashers by using
the controls for those features.
Warning
{
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
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Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.
Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the 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 the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
.
The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0 302
and Event Data
Recorders 0 302.
.
Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the instrument panel
when the vehicle is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
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 OFF, or the symbol for
on or off, will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0 112.
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. No other airbag is
affected by the passenger sensing
system.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part of
the front outboard passenger seat.
The sensors are designed to detect
the presence of a properly seated
occupant and determine if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped)
should be allowed to inflate or not.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
Whenever possible, children age
12 and under should be secured in
a rear seating position.
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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 inflates.
Warning
{
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the passenger frontal
airbag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to
the inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
passenger frontal airbag inflates
and the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger airbag(s), no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though the
airbag(s) are off.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat, even if
the airbag is off. If securing a
forward-facing child restraint in
the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure child restraints in the rear
seat. Consider using another
vehicle to transport the child
when a rear seat is not available.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped) if:
.
The front outboard passenger
seat is unoccupied.
.
The system determines that an
infant is present in a rear-facing
infant seat.
.
The system determines that a
small child is present in a child
restraint.
.
The system determines that a
small child is present in a
booster seat.
.
A front outboard passenger
takes his/her weight off of the
seat for a period of time.
.
A front outboard passenger seat
is occupied by a smaller person,
such as a child who has
outgrown child restraints.
.
There is a critical problem with
the airbag system or the
passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped), the
off indicator will light and stay lit as
a reminder that the airbags are off.
See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0 112.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped)
anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting
properly in the front outboard
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passenger seat. When the
passenger sensing system has
allowed the airbags to be enabled,
the on indicator will light and stay lit
as a reminder that the 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 front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag (if
equipped), depending upon the
person's seating posture and body
build. Everyone in the vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints should
wear a safety belt properly —
whether or not there is an airbag for
that person.
Warning
{
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
away. See Airbag Readiness
Light 0 111 for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions
provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the Front
Seat) 0 91 or Securing Child
Restraints (With the Safety Belt
in the Rear Seat) 0 88.
5. If, after reinstalling the child
restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still
lit, turn the vehicle off. Then
slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat
cushion, if adjustable, to make
sure that the vehicle seatback
is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under
the vehicle head restraint.
If this happens, adjust the head
restraint. See Head
Restraints 0 46.
6. Restart the vehicle.
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.
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If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an
Adult-Sized Occupant
If a person of adult size is sitting in
the front outboard passenger seat,
but the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat. Use the
following steps to allow the system
to detect that person and enable the
front outboard passenger frontal
airbag and knee airbag (if
equipped):
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as
blankets, cushions, seat
covers, seat heaters, or seat
massagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fully
upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in
the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have
the person remain in this
position for two to
three minutes after the on
indicator is lit.
Warning
{
If the front outboard passenger
airbag is turned off for an
adult-sized occupant, the airbag
will not be able to inflate and help
protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of
serious injury or even death. An
adult-sized occupant should not
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
ride in the front outboard
passenger seat, if the passenger
airbag off indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the seat
during vehicle maneuvers and
braking, which helps the passenger
sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See
“Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
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vehicle. See Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 0 73
for more information about
modifications that can affect how
the system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired, remove the object from
the seat.
Warning
{
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information 0 300.
{
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle 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.
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal, may keep the airbag system
Warning
from working properly. The
operation of the airbag system can
also be affected by changing any
parts of the front seats, safety belts,
airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, any of the airbag modules,
ceiling or pillar garnish trim,
overhead console, front sensors,
side impact sensors, or airbag
wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
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of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
See Passenger Sensing
System 0 69.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0 249 for additional
important information.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and
you have questions about whether
the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you
have questions about whether the
airbag system will be affected if the
vehicle is modified for any other
reason, call Customer Assistance.
See Customer Assistance
Offices 0 293.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0 111.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 0 65. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash
Warning
{
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death. To
help make sure the airbag
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
your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0 111.
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.
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the
vehicle’s safety belts.
The manufacturer instructions that
come with the booster seat state the
weight and height limitations for that
booster. Use a booster seat with a
lap-shoulder belt until the child
passes the fit test below:
Sit all the way back on the seat.
Do the knees bend at the seat
edge? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.
.
Buckle the lap-shoulder belt.
Does the shoulder belt rest on
the shoulder? If yes, continue.
If no, try using the rear safety
belt comfort guide, if available.
See “Rear Safety Belt Comfort
Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt
0 59. If a comfort guide is not
available, or if the shoulder belt
still does not rest on the
shoulder, then return to the
booster seat.
.
Does the lap belt fit low and
snug on the hips, touching the
thighs? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.
.
Can proper safety belt fit be
maintained for the length of the
trip? If yes, continue. If no,
return to the booster seat.
Q: What is the proper way to
wear safety belts?
A: 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.
This applies belt force to the
child's pelvic bones in a crash.
It should never be worn over the
abdomen, which could cause
severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort
Guides” under Lap-Shoulder
Belt 0 59.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in a rear seating position.
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.
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Warning
{
Never allow more than one child
to wear the same safety belt. The
safety belt cannot properly spread
the impact forces. In a crash, they
can be crushed together and
seriously injured. A safety belt
must be used by only one person
at a time.
Never allow a child to wear the
safety belt with the shoulder belt
behind their back. A child can be
seriously injured by not wearing
the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a
crash, the child would not be
restrained by the shoulder belt.
The child could move too far
forward increasing the chance of
head and neck injury. The child
might also slide under the lap
belt. The belt force would then be
applied right on the abdomen.
That could cause serious or fatal
injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across
the chest.
{
Warning
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.
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Warning
{
Children can be seriously injured
or strangled if a shoulder belt is
wrapped around their neck. The
shoulder belt can tighten but
cannot be loosened if it is locked.
The shoulder belt locks when it is
pulled all the way out of the
retractor. It unlocks when the
shoulder belt is allowed to go all
the way back into the retractor,
but it cannot do this if it is
wrapped around a child’s neck.
If the shoulder belt is locked and
tightened around a child’s neck,
the only way to loosen the belt is
to cut it.
Never leave children unattended
in a vehicle and never allow
children to play with the safety
belts.
Every time infants and young
children ride in vehicles, they should
have the protection provided by
appropriate child restraints. Neither
the vehicle's safety belt system nor
its airbag system is designed
for them.
Children who are not restrained
properly can strike other people,
or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
{
Never hold an infant or a child
while riding in a vehicle. Due to
crash forces, an infant or a child
will become so heavy it is not
possible to hold it during a crash.
For example, in a crash at only
40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb)
infant will suddenly become a
110 kg (240 lb) force on a person's
arms. An infant or child should be
secured in an appropriate
restraint.
Warning
Warning
{
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Never put a rear-facing
child restraint in the front
outboard seat. Secure a
rear-facing child restraint in a rear
seat. It is also better to secure a
forward-facing child restraint in a
rear seat. If you must secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the front outboard seat, always
move the front passenger seat as
far back as it will go.
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Child restraints are devices used to
restrain, seat, or position children in
the vehicle and are sometimes
called child seats or car seats.
There are three basic types of
child restraints:
.
Forward-facing child restraints
.
Rearward-facing child restraints
.
Belt-positioning booster seats
The proper child restraint for your
child depends on their size, weight,
and age, and also on whether the
child restraint is compatible with the
vehicle in which it will be used.
For each type of child restraint,
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.
Warning
{
To reduce the risk of neck and
head injury in a crash, infants and
toddlers should be secured in a
rear-facing child restraint until age
two, or until they reach the
maximum height and weight limits
of their child restraint.
Warning
{
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. To reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries during a
crash, young children should
always be secured in appropriate
child restraints.
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Child Restraint Systems
Seats and Restraints 79
Forward-Facing Child Seat
Rear-Facing Infant Seat
A rear-facing child restraint 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 restraint
provides restraint for the child's
body with the harness.
Booster Seats
A belt-positioning booster seat is
used for children who have
outgrown their forward-facing child
restraint. Boosters are designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle's safety
belt system until the child is large
enough for the vehicle safety belts
to fit properly without a booster seat.
See the safety belt fit test in Older
Children 0 75.
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Securing an Add-On Child
Restraint in the Vehicle
Warning
{
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured in
the vehicle. Secure the child
restraint properly in the vehicle
using the vehicle’s safety belt or
LATCH system, following the
instructions that came with that
child restraint and the instructions
in this manual.
To help reduce the chance of injury,
the child restraint must be secured
in the vehicle. Child restraint
systems must be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by
the LATCH system. See Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) 0 81 for more
information. Children can be
endangered in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured in
the vehicle.
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.
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
the vehicle — even when no child is
in it.
In some areas of the United States
and Canada, Certified Child
Passenger Safety Technicians
(CPSTs) are available to inspect
and demonstrate how to correctly
use and install child restraints. In
the U.S., refer to the National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) website to
locate the nearest child safety seat
inspection station. For CPST
availability in Canada, check with
Transport Canada or the Provincial
Ministry of Transportation office.
Securing the Child Within the
Child Restraint
Warning
{
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child is not
properly secured in the child
restraint. Secure the child
properly following the instructions
that came with that child restraint.
Where to Put the Restraint
According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer when
properly restrained in an appropriate
child restraint secured in a rear
seating position.
Whenever possible, children aged
12 and under should be secured in
a rear seating position.
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front. This is because
the risk to the rear-facing child is so
great if the airbag deploys.
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Warning
{
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the front passenger
airbag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to
the inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
front passenger airbag inflates
and the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
passenger frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the airbag
is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the 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.
See Passenger Sensing System
0 69 for additional information.
When securing a child restraint in a
rear seating position, study the
instructions that came with the child
restraint to make sure it is
compatible with this vehicle.
Child restraints and booster seats
vary considerably in size, and some
may fit in certain seating positions
better than others.
Depending on where you place the
child restraint and the size of the
child restraint, you may not be able
to access adjacent safety belts or
LATCH anchors for additional
passengers or child restraints.
Adjacent seating positions should
not be used if the child restraint
prevents access to or interferes with
the routing of the safety belt.
Wherever a child restraint is
installed, be sure to follow the
instructions that came with the child
restraint system and secure the
child restraint system properly.
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
the vehicle — even when no child is
in it.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
The LATCH system secures a child
restraint during driving or in a crash.
LATCH attachments on the child
restraint are used to attach the child
restraint to the anchors in the
vehicle. The LATCH system is
designed to make installation of a
child restraint easier.
In order to use the LATCH system in
your vehicle, you need a child
restraint that has LATCH
attachments. LATCH-compatible
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82 Seats and Restraints
rear-facing and forward-facing child
seats can be properly installed
using either the LATCH anchors or
the vehicle’s safety belts. Do not
use both the safety belts and the
LATCH anchorage system to secure
a rear-facing or forward-facing
child seat.
Booster seats use the vehicle’s
safety belts to secure the child in
the booster seat. If the manufacturer
recommends that the booster seat
be secured with the LATCH system,
this can be done as long as the
booster seat can be positioned
properly and there is no interference
with the proper positioning of the
lap-shoulder belt on the child.
Make sure to follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint,
and also the instructions in this
manual.
When installing a child restraint with
a top tether, you must also use
either the lower anchors or the
safety belts to properly secure the
child restraint. A child restraint must
never be attached using only the top
tether.
The LATCH anchorage system can
be used until the combined weight
of the child plus the child restraint is
29.5 kg (65 lbs). Use the safety belt
alone instead of the LATCH
anchorage system once the
combined weight is more than
29.5 kg (65 lbs).
See Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the Front Seat)
0 91 or Securing Child Restraints
(With the Safety Belt in the Rear
Seat) 0 88.
Child restraints built after March
2014 will be labeled with the
specific child weight up to which the
LATCH system can be used to
install the restraint.
The following explains how to attach
a child restraint with these
attachments in the vehicle.
Not all vehicle seating positions or
child restraints have lower anchors
and attachments or top tether
anchors and attachments. In this
case, the safety belt must be used
(with top tether where available) to
secure the child restraint. See
Securing Child Restraints (With the
Safety Belt in the Front Seat) 0 91
or Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the Rear
Seat) 0 88.
Lower Anchors
Lower anchors (1) are metal bars
built into the vehicle. There are two
lower anchors for each LATCH
seating position that will
accommodate a child restraint with
lower attachments (2).
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Top Tether Anchor
Some child restraints that have a
top tether are designed for use with
or without the top tether being
attached. Others require the top
tether always to be attached. In
Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for your child
restraint.
Lower Anchor and Top Tether
Anchor Locations
A top tether (3, 4) anchors the top of
the child restraint to the vehicle.
A top tether anchor is built into the
vehicle. The top tether
attachment (2) on the child restraint
connects to the top tether anchor in
the vehicle in order to reduce the
forward movement and rotation of
the child restraint during driving or in
a crash.
The child restraint may have a
single tether (3) or a dual tether (4).
Either will have a single
attachment (2) to secure the top
tether to the anchor.
I : Seating positions with
top tether anchors.
H : Seating positions with two lower
anchors.
To assist in locating the lower
anchors, each seating position with
lower anchors has two labels, near
the crease between the seatback
and the seat cushion.
To assist in locating the top tether
anchors, the top tether anchor
symbol is on the trim near the
anchor.
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system secured in a rear seating
position. See Where to Put the
Restraint 0 80 for additional
information.
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH
System
Warning
{
If a LATCH-type child restraint is
The top tether anchors are on the
back of the rear seatbacks. Be sure
to use an anchor 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 a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be attached, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top tether
must be attached.
According to accident statistics,
children and infants are safer when
properly restrained in a child
restraint system or infant restraint
not attached to anchors, the child
restraint will not be able to protect
the child correctly. In a crash, the
child could be seriously injured or
killed. Install a LATCH-type child
restraint properly using the
anchors, or use the vehicle's
safety belts to secure the
restraint, following the instructions
that came with the child restraint
and the instructions in this
manual.
Warning
{
To reduce the risk of serious or
fatal injuries during a crash, do
not attach more than one child
restraint to a single anchor.
Attaching more than one child
restraint to a single anchor could
cause the anchor or attachment
to come loose or even break
during a crash. A child or others
could be injured.
Warning
{
Children can be seriously injured
or strangled if a shoulder belt is
wrapped around their neck. The
shoulder belt can tighten but
cannot be loosened if it is locked.
The shoulder belt locks when it is
pulled all the way out of the
retractor. It unlocks when the
shoulder belt is allowed to go all
the way back into the retractor,
but it cannot do this if it is
(Continued)
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Warning (Continued)
wrapped around a child’s neck.
If the shoulder belt is locked and
tightened around a child’s neck,
the only way to loosen the belt is
to cut it.
Buckle any unused safety belts
behind the child restraint so
children cannot reach them. Pull
the shoulder belt all the way out
of the retractor to set the lock,
and tighten the belt behind the
child restraint after the child
restraint has been installed.
Caution
Do not let the LATCH
attachments rub against the
vehicle’s safety belts. This may
damage these parts. If necessary,
move buckled safety belts to
avoid rubbing the LATCH
attachments.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Do not fold the rear seatback
when the seat is occupied. Do not
fold the empty rear seat with a
safety belt buckled. This could
damage the safety belt or the
seat. Unbuckle and return the
safety belt to its stowed position,
before folding the seat.
If you need to secure more than one
child restraint in the rear seat, see
Where to Put the Restraint 0 80.
This system is designed to make
installation of child restraints easier.
When using lower anchors, do not
use the vehicle's safety belts.
Instead use the vehicle's anchors
and child restraint attachments to
secure the restraints. Some
restraints also use another vehicle
anchor to secure a top tether.
1. Attach and tighten the lower
attachments to the lower
anchors. If the child restraint
does not have lower
attachments or the desired
seating position does not have
lower anchors, secure the child
restraint with the top tether and
the safety belts. Refer to your
child restraint manufacturer
instructions and the
instructions in this manual.
1.1. Find the lower anchors
for the desired seating
position.
1.2. Put the child restraint on
the seat.
For rear outboard seating
positions, if the head
restraint interferes with
the proper installation of
the child restraint, the
head restraint may be
removed. See “Head
Restraint Removal and
Reinstallation” at the end
of this section.
When installing a
rear-facing child restraint,
it may be necessary to
move the front seat
forward to properly install
the child restraint per the
child restraint
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86 Seats and Restraints
manufacturer instructions.
See Seat
Adjustment 0 47.
1.3. Attach and tighten the
lower attachments on the
child restraint to the lower
anchors.
2. If the child restraint
manufacturer recommends that
the top tether be attached,
attach and tighten the top
tether to the top tether anchor,
if equipped. Refer to the child
restraint instructions and the
following steps:
2.1. Find the top tether
anchor.
2.2. Remove the cargo cover
before installing the top
tether. Place the cargo
cover on the floor of the
cargo area. The cargo
cover should remain off
while the top tether is
in use.
2.3. Route, attach, and tighten
the top tether according
to your child restraint
instructions and the
following instructions:
If the position you are
using does not have a
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
single tether, route the
tether over the seatback.
If the position you are
using does not have a
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a dual
tether, route the tether
over the seatback.
If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
single tether, raise the
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headrest or head restraint
and route the tether
under the headrest or
head restraint and in
between the headrest or
head restraint posts.
If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and your are using a dual
tether, raise the headrest
or head restraint and
route the tether under the
headrest or head restraint
and around the headrest
or head restraint posts.
3. Before placing a child in the
child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To
check, grasp the child restraint
at the LATCH path and attempt
to move it side to side and
back and forth. There should
be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of
movement for proper
installation.
Head Restraint Removal and
Reinstallation
The rear outboard head restraints
can be removed if they interfere with
the proper installation of the child
restraint.
To remove the head restraint:
1. Partially fold the seatback
forward. See Rear Seats 0 53
for additional information.
2. Press both buttons on the head
restraint posts at the same
time, and pull up on the head
restraint.
3. Store the head restraint in a
secure place.
4. When the child restraint is
removed, reinstall the head
restraint before the seating
position is used.
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Warning
{
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/
spinal injury in a crash. Do not
drive until the head restraints for
all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To reinstall the head restraint:
1. Insert the head restraint posts
into the holes in the top of the
seatback. The notches on the
posts must face the driver side
of the vehicle.
2. Push the head restraint down.
If necessary, press the height
adjustment release button to
further lower the head restraint.
See Rear Seats.
3. Try to move the head restraint
to make sure that it is locked in
place.
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash
Warning
{
A crash can damage the LATCH
system in the vehicle. A damaged
LATCH system may not properly
secure the child restraint,
resulting in serious injury or even
death in a crash. To help make
sure the LATCH system is
working properly after a crash,
Warning (Continued)
see your dealer to have the
system inspected and any
necessary replacements made as
soon as possible.
If the vehicle has the LATCH system
and it was being used during a
crash, new LATCH system parts
may be needed.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the LATCH
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Securing Child Restraints (With the Safety Belt in the Rear Seat)
When securing a child restraint in a
rear seating position, study the
instructions that came with the child
restraint to make sure it is
compatible with this vehicle.
(Continued)
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If the child restraint has the LATCH
system, see Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) 0 81 for how and where to
install the child restraint using
LATCH. If a child restraint is
secured in the vehicle using a
safety belt and it uses a top tether,
see Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 0 81 for
top tether anchor locations.
Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top strap
must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
If the child restraint or vehicle seat
position does not have the LATCH
system, you will be using the safety
belt to secure the child restraint. Be
sure to follow the instructions that
came with the child restraint.
If more than one child restraint
needs to be installed in the rear
seat, be sure to read Where to Put
the Restraint 0 80.
1. Put the child restraint on
the seat.
For outboard second row
seating positions, remove the
safety belt from the guide. Do
not secure the child restraint
with the safety belt routed
through the guide.
When installing a rear-facing
child restraint, it may be
necessary to move the front
seat forward to properly install
the child restraint per the child
restraint manufacturer
instructions.
If the head restraint interferes
with the proper installation of
the child restraint, the head
restraint may be removed. See
"Head Restraint Removal and
Reinstallation" under Lower
Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 0 81.
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.
3. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
Position the release button on
the buckle, away from the child
restraint system, so that the
safety belt could be quickly
unbuckled if necessary.
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4. Pull the shoulder belt all the
way out of the retractor to set
the lock. When the retractor
lock is set, the belt can be
tightened but not pulled out of
the retractor.
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. When
installing a forward-facing child
restraint, it may be helpful to
use your knee to push down on
the child restraint as you
tighten the belt.
Try to pull the belt out of the
retractor to make sure the
retractor is locked. If the
retractor is not locked, repeat
Steps 4 and 5.
6. If the child restraint has a top
tether, follow the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions
regarding the use of the top
tether. See Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) 0 81.
7. Before placing a child in the
child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To
check, grasp the child restraint
at the safety belt path and
attempt to move it side to side
and back and forth. When the
child restraint is properly
installed, there should be no
more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of
movement.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and
let it return to the stowed position.
If the top tether is attached to a top
tether anchor, disconnect it.
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Securing Child Restraints (With the Safety Belt in the Front Seat)
This vehicle has airbags. A rear
seat is a safer place to secure a
forward-facing child restraint. See
Where to Put the Restraint 0 80.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system which is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped) under
certain conditions. See Passenger
Sensing System 0 69 and
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
0 112 for more information, including
important safety information.
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.
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag inflates.
This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating
airbag. A child in a forward-facing
child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
inflates and the passenger seat is
in a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal
airbag, no system is fail-safe. No
one can guarantee that an airbag
will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints
in a rear seat, even if the airbag
is off. If you secure a
{
Warning
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
forward-facing child restraint in
the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.
See Passenger Sensing System
0 69 for additional information.
If the child restraint uses a top
tether, see Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) 0 81 for top tether anchor
locations.
Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top strap
must be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
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When using the lap-shoulder belt to
secure the child restraint in this
position, follow the instructions that
came with the child restraint and the
following instructions:
1. Move the seat as far back as it
will go before securing the
forward-facing child restraint.
Move the seat upward or the
seatback to an upright position,
if needed, to get a tight
installation of the child
restraint.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal
airbag and knee airbag (if
equipped), the off indicator on
the passenger airbag status
indicator should light and stay
lit when the vehicle is started.
See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0 112.
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.
5. Pull the shoulder belt all the
way out of the retractor to set
the lock. When the retractor
lock is set, the belt can be
tightened but not pulled out of
the retractor.
4. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
Position the release button on
the buckle, away from the child
restraint system, so that the
safety belt could be quickly
unbuckled if necessary.
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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. When
installing a forward-facing child
restraint, it may be helpful to
use your knee to push down on
the child restraint as you
tighten the belt.
Try to pull the belt out of the
retractor to make sure the
retractor is locked. If the
retractor is not locked, repeat
Steps 5 and 6.
Seats and Restraints 93
7. Before placing a child in the
child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To
check, grasp the child restraint
at the safety belt path and
attempt to move it side to side
and back and forth. When the
child restraint is properly
installed, there should be no
more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of
movement.
If the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag (if
equipped) are off, the off indicator in
the passenger airbag status
indicator will come on and stay on
when the vehicle is started.
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit, see “If the
On Indicator Is Lit for a Child
Restraint” under Passenger Sensing
System 0 69.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and
let it return to the stowed position.
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Storage
Storage Compartments
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 94
Instrument Panel Storage . . . . . . 94
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Sunglasses Storage . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Underseat Storage . . . . . . . . . . ... 95
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . 96
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 96
Cargo Management System . . . 96
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
First Aid Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Roof Rack System
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Storage
Compartments
Warning
{
Do not store heavy or sharp
objects in storage compartments.
In a crash, these objects may
cause the cover to open and
could result in injury.
Instrument Panel Storage
Pull the handle to open.
Pull up on the handle to open.
Glove Box
Lift up on the glove box lever to
open it.
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Cupholders
If equipped, pull the rear seat
armrest down to access.
Sunglasses Storage
If equipped, the sunglasses storage
is over the driver door.
Underseat Storage
If equipped, there is storage under
the front passenger seat. Lift the
end of the tray and pull it forward to
open. Push it in toward the seat to
close.
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Center Console Storage
For vehicles with center console
storage, press the button and slide
rearward to open.
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Cover
Warning
{
An unsecured cargo cover could
strike people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash. Store the
cargo cover securely or remove it
from the vehicle.
Warning
{
Do not place objects on the cargo
cover. Sudden stops or turns can
cause objects to be thrown in the
vehicle. You or others could be
injured.
If equipped, use the cargo cover to
cover items in the rear of the
vehicle.
To install, hang the loops on the
liftgate anchors.
Cargo Management System
This vehicle has a cargo
management system in the rear.
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Convenience Net
Pull the strap to lift.
The vehicle may have a
convenience net.
The net is used to store small loads
and should not be used for heavy
loads.
Fold the load floor. Place the hook
from the load floor inside the hook
on the side trim.
First Aid Kit
If equipped, the first aid kit is
stowed in the side rear storage
compartment.
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Roof Rack System
Warning
{
If something is carried on top of
the vehicle that is longer or wider
than the roof rack — like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress — the
wind can catch it while the vehicle
is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off,
and this could cause a collision
and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider
than the roof rack on top of the
vehicle unless using a GM
certified accessory carrier.
For vehicles with a roof rack, the
rack can be used to load items. For
roof racks that do not have
crossrails included, GM Certified
crossrails can be purchased as an
accessory. See your dealer for
additional information.
Loading cargo on the roof rack
that weighs more than 75 kg
(165 lb) or hangs over the rear or
sides of the vehicle may damage
the vehicle. Load cargo so that it
rests evenly between the
crossrails, making sure to fasten
cargo securely.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo
when driving, check to make sure
crossrails and cargo are securely
fastened. Loading cargo on the roof
rack will make the vehicle’s center
of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden
braking, or abrupt maneuvers;
otherwise it may result in loss of
control. If driving for a long distance,
on rough roads, or at high speeds,
occasionally stop the vehicle to
make sure the cargo remains in its
place. Do not exceed the maximum
vehicle capacity when loading the
vehicle.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0 163.
Caution
Buick Encore Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9956106) - 2017 - crc - 6/9/16
Instruments and Controls 99
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 100
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 100
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 100
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Windshield Wiper/Washer .... 101
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 103
Clock . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . 104
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Trip Odometer .... . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 109
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . 109
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 111
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 111
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 112
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 113
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 113
Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Vehicle Ahead Indicator .... . . . 116
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
StabiliTrak
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 118
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 118
Immobilizer Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 119
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 119
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 119
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 119
®
®
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 121
OFF Light . . . . . . . . 117
Light . . . . . . . . . ... 117
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 124
Brake System Messages . . . . . 125
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 125
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Cooling System
Messages . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 126
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 126
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 126
Object Detection System
Messages . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 127
Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 128
Airbag System Messages . . . . 128
Starting the Vehicle
Messages . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 129
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 129
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 130
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 136
Universal Remote System
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
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