Cadillac 2002 Eldorado User Manual

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2002 Cadillac Eldorado

Owner’s Manual

Litho in U.S.A.

E

Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/11/01

Part Number 25729636 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
CADILLAC, the CADILLAC Crest & Wreath and
the name ELDORADO are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after
that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in
Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada
Limited” for Cadillac Motor Car Division whenever it
appears in this manual.

Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will
be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road.
If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new owner can use it.

We support voluntary
technician certification.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:

Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous

procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:

Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

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How to Use this Manual

Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.

Safety Warnings and Symbols

You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.

CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t,
you or others could be hurt.

You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

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Vehicle Damage Warnings

Also, in this book you will find these notices:

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.

In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty , and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.

You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

Vehicle Symbols

Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.

If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

D

“Engine Compartment Overview”

D

“Instrument Panel”

D

“Comfort Controls”

D

“Audio Systems”

Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

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1-1

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly . You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.

1

-2 Seats and Seat Controls

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-9 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

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-13 Here Are Questions Many People Ask

About Safety Belts

-- and the Answers

1

-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

1

-14 Driver Position

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-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

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-22 Right Front Passenger Position

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-22 Supplemental Inflatable

Restraint (SIR) System

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-28 Rear Seat Passengers

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-31 Center Passenger Position

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-32 Children

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-36 Restraint Systems for Children

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-48 Older Children

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-51 Safety Belt Extender

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-51 Checking Your Restraint Systems

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-51 Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash

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Seats and Seat Controls

This section tells you about the power seats -- how to
adjust them, and also about the reclining front seatbacks,
lumbar adjustments, head restraints, heated seats and
seatback latches.

Power Seats

The power seat controls are located on the outboard side
of the front seat cushions.

The power seat controls can be adjusted the following ways:

D

Move the front of the control up or down to adjust
the front portion of the cushion up or down.

D

Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust the
rear portion of the cushion up or down.

D

Lift up or push down the whole control to move the
entire seat up or down.

D

To move the whole seat forward or rearward, slide
the control forward or rearward.

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Power Lumbar Control (Option)

If your vehicle has this
option, the driver’s and
passenger’s controls are
located on the outboard
sides of the seat cushions.

The power lumbar support control can be adjusted the
following ways:

D

To increase or decrease support, hold the control
forward or rearward.

D

To move the lumbar up and down, hold the control
up or down.

Keep in mind that as your seating position changes,
as it may during long trips, so should the position of
your lumbar support. Adjust the seat as needed.

If you have the optional personalization package, the
power lumbar control can be programmed for memory
recall. For more information, see “Memory and
Personalization Features” and “Memory Seat and
Mirrors” in the Index.

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Memory Seat and Mirrors (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has this
feature, the controls are
located on the driver’s
door armrest.

These buttons are used to program and recall memory
settings for the driver’s seating and outside rearview mirror
positions. Use the following steps to program each button:

1. Adjust the driver’ s seat (including lumbar adjustments)
and both outside mirrors to a comfortable position.

2. Press the SET button.

3. Within five seconds, press button 1. A single beep
will sound through the driver’s side front speaker to
let you know that the position has been stored.

A second mirror and seating position may be
programmed by repeating the above steps and pressing
button 2 instead of button 1. Each time button 1 or 2 is
pressed and released while the vehicle is in PARK (P),
the memory position will be recalled. Each time a
memory button is pressed, a single beep will sound.

You can also recall a seat and mirror position if your
vehicle is not in PARK (P). Press and hold either
the 1 or 2 button until seat and mirror movement is
complete. Releasing the buttons will stop adjustment.

If you use the button with the unlock symbol on the
remote keyless entry transmitter to enter the vehicle, the
preset driver’s seat and mirror positions will be recalled.
The numbers on the back of the transmitters, 1 or 2,
correspond to the numbers on the driver’s armrest.

If the remote keyless entry transmitter was not used to
enter the vehicle, the last used seat and mirror positions
will be recalled when a key is inserted in the ignition
and is turned to RUN. The vehicle must be previously
programmed to turn this feature on. See “Memory and
Personalization Features” in the Index.

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To stop recall movement of the memory feature at
any time, press one of the power seat controls or
memory buttons.

The EXIT button can be programmed to allow easy exit
for up to two drivers. Adjust the seat to a comfortable
“exit” position and then press the SET button followed
by the EXIT button. While your vehicle is in PARK (P),
briefly press the EXIT button to recall your programmed
exit position.

Further programming for automatic seat and mirror
movement can be done using the Driver Information
Center (DIC). You can select or not select the following:

D

Automatic seat and mirror movement when the
vehicle is unlocked with the remote keyless entry
transmitter, or

D

automatic seat and mirror movement when a key
is placed in the ignition.

For programming information, see “Memory and
Personalization Features” in the Index.

Heated Front Seat (Option)

The switch for the heated
front seat is located in the
center console.

Move the switch to LO or HI to turn on the heating
elements in the seat. The LO setting warms the
seatback and cushion until the seat approximates body
temperature. The HI setting heats the seat to a slightly
higher temperature.

A light in the switch is on when the system is in use.
The heated seats can only be used when the ignition
is turned on.

To turn the heated front seat off, move the switch to
the center position.

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Reclining Front Seatbacks

The reclining front
seatback control is
located on the outboard
side of each front seat.

Press the control forward or rearward to adjust the seatback.

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.

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CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job when
you’re reclined like this.

The shoulder belt can’t do its job. In a crash you
could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries.

The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.

For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety
belt properly.

Head Restraints

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

The head restraints tilt forward and rearward also.

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Seatback Latches

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward
in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury
to the person sitting there. Always press rearward
on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

The front seatback folds forward to let people get into
the rear seat. The seatback will move back and forth
freely unless you come to a sudden stop, then it will lock
into place.

The seatback latches are located on the back side of
the front seats near the bottom of the outboard side
of the seat.

To fold the seatback
forward when it’s in the
locked position, lift the
latch and fold the seatback
at the same time.

The seatback may not fold without some help from you
if your vehicle is parked facing down a fairly steep hill.
In this case, push the seatback toward the rear as you lift
the latch. Then the seatback will fold forward. The latch
must be down for the seat to work properly .

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Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.

And it explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR),
or air bag system.

CAUTION:

Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.

CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to
be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow
people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.

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In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have
a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.

After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!

Why Safety Belts Work

When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.

T ake the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.

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Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider

doesn’t stop.

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The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

or the instrument panel ...

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or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.

You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.

Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts

-- and the Answers

Q:

W on’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety

belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,
even if you’re upside down. And your chance of
being conscious during and after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you are belted.

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have

to wear safety belts?

A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will

be in most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only; so they work with
safety belts

-- not instead of them. Every air bag

system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially in side and other collisions.

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Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in

an accident

-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you

and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km)
of home. And the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).

Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Adults

This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about

safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, see the part of this manual called
“Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.

First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to
wear it properly .

1. Close and lock the door.

2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight.
To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

1-15

3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts
of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or crash.

1-16

Shoulder Belt Tightness Adjustment

Your car has a shoulder belt tightness adjustment
feature. If the shoulder belt seems too tight, adjust it
before you begin to drive.

1. Sit well back in the seat.

2. Start pulling the shoulder belt out.

3. Just before it reaches the end, give it a quick pull.

4. Let the belt go back all the way. You should hear a
slight clicking sound. If you don’t, the adjustment
feature won’t set, and you’ll have to start again.

5. Now you can add a small amount of slack. Lean
forward slightly , then sit back. If you’ve added more
than 1 inch (25 mm) of slack, pull the shoulder belt
out as you did before and start again.

If you move around in the vehicle enough, pull out the
shoulder belt, or open your door, the belt will become
tight again. If this happens, you can reset it.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way .

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too
much, which could increase injury. The shoulder
belt should fit against your body. Don’t allow more
than 1 inch (25 mm) of slack.

1-18

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled
in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt
would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces
would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could
cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your
belt into the buckle nearest you.

1-19

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear the
shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your
body would move too far forward, which would
increase the chance of head and neck injury.
Also, the belt would apply too much force to the
ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones.
You could also severely injure internal organs
like your liver or spleen.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body .

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt.
In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width
of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is
twisted, make it straight so it can work properly,
or ask your dealer to fix it.

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To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
The belt should go back out of the way .

Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the
belt and your vehicle.

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 don’t 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 .

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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect
the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly,
it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash.
For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Right Front Passenger Position

T o learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt
properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.

The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt

-- except for one thing.

If you ever pull the lap portion of the belt out all the
way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature.
If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and
start again.

Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(SIR) System

This part explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(SIR) system or air bag system.

Your vehicle has air bags

-- one air bag for the driver

and another air bag for the right front passenger.
Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of

injury from the force of an inflating air bag. But these
air bags must inflate very quickly to do their job and
comply with federal regulations.

Here are the most important things to know about the
air bag system:

CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash
if you aren’t wearing your safety belt

-- even if

you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt
during a crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected
from it. Air bags are designed to work with
safety belts, but don’t replace them. Air bags
are designed to work only in moderate to severe
crashes where the front of your vehicle hits
something. They aren’t designed to inflate at
all in rollover, rear or low

-speed frontal

crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for
some unrestrained occupants, air bags may
provide less protection in frontal crashes than
more forceful air bags have provided in the past.
Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety
belt properly

-- whether or not there’s an air bag

for that person.

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CAUTION:

Air bags inflate with great force, faster than
the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an
inflating air bag, as you would be if you were
leaning forward, it could seriously injure you.
Safety belts help keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear your safety belt,
even with air bags. The driver should sit as far
back as possible while still maintaining control of
the vehicle.

CAUTION:

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Air bags plus lap

-shoulder belts offer

the best protection for adults, but not for young

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

children and infants. Neither the vehicle’ s safety
belt system nor its air bag system is designed
for them. Young children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint system can
provide. Always secure children pr operly in
your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this
manual called “Children.”

There is an air bag
readiness light on
the instrument panel,
which shows AIR BAG.

The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.

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How the Air Bag System Works

Where are the air bags?

The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.

1-25

CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put
anything between an occupant and an air bag, and
don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other air bag covering.

When should an air bag inflate?

An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near

-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate

only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about 9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold
level can vary , however, with specific vehicle design,
so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.

If your vehicle strikes something that will move or
deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be
higher . The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers,
rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation
would not help the occupant.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact
and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near

-frontal impacts.

What makes an air bag inflate?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of
the right front passenger.

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How does an air bag restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near

-frontal collisions,

even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts, primarily
because an occupant’s motion is not toward those air
bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only
in moderate to severe frontal or near

-frontal collisions.

What will you see after an air bag inflates?

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates,
so quickly that some people may not even realize
the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag
module

-- the steering wheel hub for the driver’s

air bag, or the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s bag

-- will be hot for a short time.

The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will
be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the
deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent
the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

CAUTION:

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.

Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using
the door lock and interior lamp controls.

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger air bag.

1-27

D

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

D

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the system
commands air bag inflation and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment. The module also records speed,
engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

D

Let only qualified technicians work on your
air bag system. Improper service can mean that
your air bag system won’t work properly. See your
dealer for service.

NOTICE:

If you damage the covering for the driver’s air
bag, it may not work properly. You may have to
replace the air bag module. Do not open or break
the air bag covering.

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.

CAUTION:

For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an air bag can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to an
air bag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the air bag system.
Be sure to follow proper service procedures,
and make sure the person performing work for
you is qualified to do so.

The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

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Rear Seat Passengers

It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.

Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The positions next to the windows have lap

-shoulder

belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across
you very quickly . If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly .

1-29

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the
latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt

Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the
release button on the buckle is positioned so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

1-30

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go
over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the
body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash,
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too
much, which could increase injury. The shoulder
belt should fit against your body.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

1-31

Center Passenger Position

Lap Belt

When you sit in the center seating position, you have a
lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt
longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

1-32

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until
the belt is snug.

Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap

-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough,

see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned

so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

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.

Infants and Young Children

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by the
appropriate restraint. Young children should not use
the vehicle’s safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

1-33

CAUTION:

People should never hold a baby in their arms
while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh
much

-- until a crash. During a crash a baby

will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h),
a 12

-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a

240

-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby

should be secured in an appropriate restraint.

1-34

CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to,
any air bag when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Air bags plus lap

-shoulder belts

offer outstanding protection for adults and older
children, but not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air
bag system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide.

Q: What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased

by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic
types. Selection of a particular restraint should
take into consideration not only the child’s weight,
height and age but also whether or not the restraint
will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which
it will be used.

For most basic types of child restraints, there are
many different models available. When purchasing
a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used
in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have
a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle
safety standards.

The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that
come with the restraint state the weight and
height limitations for a particular child restraint.
In addition, there are many kinds of restraints
available for children with special needs.

1-35

CAUTION:

Newborn infants need complete support,
including support for the head and neck.
This is necessary because a newborn infant’s
neck is weak and its head weighs so much
compared with the rest of its body. In a crash,
an infant in a rear

-facing seat settles into the

restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed
across the strongest part of an infant’s body ,
the back and shoulders. Infants always should
be secured in appropriate infant r estraints.

CAUTION:

The body structure of a young child is quite
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom
the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip
bones are still so small that the vehicle’ s regular
safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones,
as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the
child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply
force on a body area that’s unprotected by any
bony structure. This alone could cause serious or
fatal injuries. Young children always should be
secured in appropriate child r estraints.

1-36

Restraint Systems for Children

An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a
motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to
restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface.
Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center
of the vehicle.

A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with
the seating surface against the back of the infant.
The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a
crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

1-37

A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for
the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes
with surfaces such as T

-shaped or shelf-like shields.

A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system.
Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner,
and some high

-back booster seats have a five-point

harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out
the window .

1-38

Q: How do child restraints work?

A: A child restraint system is any device designed for

use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built

-in child restraint system is a

permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add

-on

child restraint system is a portable one, which is
purchased by the vehicle’s owner.

For many years, add

-on child restraints have

used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help
reduce the chance of injury , the child also has to
be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt
system secures the add

-on child restraint in the

vehicle, and the add

-on child restraint’s harness

system holds the child in place within the restraint.
One system, the three

-point harness, has straps

that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders
and buckle together at the crotch. The five

-point

harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip
straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the
place of hip straps.

A T

-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are

attached to a flat pad which rests low against the
child’ s body. A shelf

- or armrest-type shield has

straps that are attached to a wide, shelf

-like shield

that swings up or to the side.

When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is,
it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.

Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may
find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury .
When securing an add

-on child restraint, refer to the

instructions that come with the restraint which may be
on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this
manual. The child restraint instructions are important,
so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy
from the manufacturer.

1-39

Where to Put the Restraint

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, recommends that child
restraints be secured in the rear seat including an infant
riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward

-facing child seat and an older child riding in a

booster seat. Never put a rear

-facing child restraint in

the front passenger seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear

-facing child restraint would be

very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure
a rear

-facing child restraint in a rear seat.

You may secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front seat, but before you do, always
move the front passenger seat as far back as it
will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.

Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint 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 your vehicle

-- even when no child is in it.

Top Strap

Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.”
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to
the vehicle. Some top strap

-equipped child restraints

are designed for use with or without the top strap
being anchored. Others require the top strap always to
be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top
strap be anchored, don’t use the restraint unless it is
anchored properly .

If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can
be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not
a kit is available.

1-40

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing
child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also
have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap,
it should be anchored.

Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor
points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the
same side of the vehicle as the seating position where
the child restraint will be placed.

Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions say .

Your vehicle has top strap anchors already installed for
the rear seating positions. You’ll find them behind the
rear seat on the filler panel.

In order to get to a bracket, you’ll have to open the
trim cover.

1-41

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say .

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

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 .

Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face

or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

1-42

3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while
you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using
a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it
helpful to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way . The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger .

1-43

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Rear Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap belt. Be sure to follow the
instructions that came with the child restraint.
Secure the child in the child restraint when and as
the instructions say .

See the earlier part about the top strap if the child
restraint has one.

1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how .

1-44

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you
push down on the child restraint. If you’re using
a forward

-facing child restraint, you may find it

helpful to use your knee to push down on the
child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger
child passenger.

1-45

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position

Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never
put a rear

-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear

-facing child restraint would be

very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure
a rear

-facing child restraint in the rear seat.

Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward

-facing child restraint in the right front seat.

You’ll be using the lap

-shoulder belt. See the earlier

part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say .

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a forward

-facing child restraint.

See “Seats” in the Index.

2. Put the 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 .

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face
or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

1-46

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock.

1-47

6. To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
You may find it helpful to use your knee to push
down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way . The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger .

1-48

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.

If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap

-shoulder belt and

get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts?

A: If possible, an older child should wear a

lap

-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint

a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt
should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt
should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the
top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the
abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal
internal injuries in a crash.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.

In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly .

1-49

CAUTION:

Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.

The belt can’t properly spread the impact for ces.
In a crash, the two children can be crushed
together and seriously injured. A belt must be
used by only one person at a time.

Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,

but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?

A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle,

but be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the
child’ s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper
body would have the restraint that belts provide.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child’s face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.

1-50

CAUTION:

Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a

lap

-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind

the child. If the child wears the belt in this way,
in a crash the child might slide under the belt.
The belt’s force would then be applied right on
the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.

Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should
be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the
child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic
bones in a crash.

1-51

Safety Belt Extender

If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.

But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.

Checking Your Restraint Systems

Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.

Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you
in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary .

But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.

If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.

2-

2-1

Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly

-- and what to do if you have a problem.

2

-2 Windows

2

-4 Keys

2

-6 Door Locks

2

-8 Remote Keyless Entry System

2

-12 Trunk

2

-15 Theft

2

-16 Theft-Deterrent System

2

-18 PASS-Key

R

II

2

-19 New Vehicle “Break-In”

2

-19 Ignition Positions

2

-21 Starting Your Engine

2

-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

2

-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation

2

-27 Parking Brake

2

-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)

2

-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)

2

-31 Parking Over Things That Burn

2

-32 Engine Exhaust

2

-32 Running Your Engine While You’re Parked

2

-33 Tilt Wheel

2

-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

2

-42 Exterior Lamps

2

-46 Interior Lamps

2

-48 Mirrors

2

-51 Storage Compartments

2

-53 Sun V isors

2

-54 OnStar

R

System (If Equipped)

2

-57 Sunroof (Option)

2

-58 HomeLink

R

Transmitter (Option)

2

-62 The Instrument Panel -- Your

Information System

2-66 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2

-78 Driver Information Center (DIC)

2-2

Windows

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome
by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially
with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3

Power Windows

The power window
switches are located
on the armrest near
each window .

Press forward or rearward on the switches to raise or
lower the windows.

Your vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP) that
allows you to use the power windows once the ignition
has been turned off. For more information, see
“Retained Accessory Power” in the Index.

Express

-Down Window

This feature is present on the driver’s power window.
Press the driver’s window switch rearward into the
second position and release to lower the window
completely. If you want to stop the window as it is
lowering, press the switch forward.

The first position on the power window switch operates
the driver’s power window in the non

-express mode.

2-4

Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.

They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. If they
turned the ignition to RUN and moved the shift
lever out of PARK (P), that would release the
parking brake. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.

2-5

Ignition Key Door/Locks Key

The square key is for the ignition only. It has a
resistor pellet which is part of the vehicle’s
PASS

-Key

R

II system.
The oval key is for the doors and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the

plug from the door key. The plug has a code on it that
tells the dealer or a qualified locksmith how to make
extra keys. The ignition key has a bar code tag attached
to it rather than a knock out plug. Your dealer or
qualified locksmith can make extra ignition keys by
reading the bar code tag.

NOTICE:

Your vehicle has a number of new features
that can help prevent theft. You can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside and you may have to
damage your vehicle to get in. Be sure you have
extra keys.

There are 15 alternative ignition PASS-KeyR II blanks
to help discourage theft. Keep the bar code tag and the
door key plugs in a safe place. If you lose your keys,
you will be able to have new ones made using the plug
or bar code tag.

In an emergency, contact Cadillac Roadside Assistance.
See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.

If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStarR system
with an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar may be able to send a command to
unlock your vehicle. See “OnStar” in the Index for
more information.

2-6

Door Locks

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

D

Passengers -- especially children -- can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked,
the handle won’t open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.

D

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.

D

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
Because your vehicle has the theft

-deterrent system,

you must unlock the doors with the key or remote
keyless entry transmitter to avoid setting off the alarm.

From the outside, use either the key or the remote
keyless entry transmitter.

From the inside, use the manual lock levers located on
the door panels.

Slide the manual lock lever down to lock the door from
the inside. To unlock the door, slide the lock lever up.

2-7

Central Door Unlocking System

Your vehicle will have this feature if it is equipped with
the theft

-deterrent system. When unlocking either door,

you can also unlock the other door by holding the key
in the turned position for a few seconds or by quickly
turning the door key twice in the lock cylinder.

Power Door Locks

Press the power door lock switch down to lock or
upward to unlock both doors at once.

Automatic Door Locks

Your vehicle is programmed to lock both doors when
the ignition is on and the shift lever is moved out of
PARK (P). The doors will unlock every time you stop
the vehicle and move the shift lever back into PARK (P).
If someone needs to get out while your vehicle is not in
PARK (P), have that person use the manual or power
door lock. When the door is closed again, it will not
lock automatically. Use the manual or power door lock
to lock the door again. If you need to lock the doors
before shifting out of PARK (P), use the manual or
power door lock.

Programmable Automatic Door Locks
(If Equipped)

With the ignition in RUN, the door locks can be
programmed through prompts displayed by the
Driver Information Center (DIC). These prompts
allow the driver to choose various lock settings.
For programming information, see “Memory and
Personalization Features” in the Index.

2-8

Anti-Lockout Feature

Leaving your key in any ignition position with either
door open will disable the use of the power door lock
switches as well as the lock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. If you close the doors, you can lock
them using the remote keyless entry transmitter. It is
always recommended that you remove your ignition key
when locking your vehicle.

The anti

-lockout feature can be overridden by

holding the driver’s power door lock switch for
three seconds or longer.

Leaving Your Vehicle

If you are leaving the vehicle, open the door, set the
locks from the inside, get out and close the door.

Remote Keyless Entry System

With this feature, you can lock and unlock the doors,
unlock the trunk, open the fuel door and turn on your
vehicle’ s interior lamps from about 10 feet (3 m) away
using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with
your vehicle.

Your remote keyless entry system operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS

-210 of Industry Canada.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.

2-9

Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.

The average range of this system is about 10 feet (3 m).
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry transmitter.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have to
stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work,
try the following:

D

Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.

D

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

D

Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions that follow .

D

If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.

Operation

(Lock): When you

press the button with the
lock symbol on it to lock
the doors, the parking
lamps will flash once.
You can program your
vehicle so the parking
lamps will not flash.

For more information, see “Lock/Unlock Confirmation”
in the Index. This also arms the theft

-deterrent system.

2-10

(Unlock): When you press the button with

the unlock symbol on it to unlock the driver’s door,
the parking lamps on your vehicle will flash twice.
You can program your vehicle so the parking lamps
will not flash. For more information, see “Lock/Unlock
Confirmation” in the Index.

Pressing the button with the unlock symbol on it again
within five seconds will unlock the other doors. Pressing
this button will also disarm the theft

-deterrent system

and turn on the interior lamps at night.

(Fuel Door): Press the button with the fuel door

symbol on it to open the fuel door. The VALET lockout
button must be off for this feature to work.

(Trunk): Press the button with the trunk symbol

on it to open the trunk. The VALET lockout button
must be off for this feature to work.

The remote keyless entry transmitter can also be
used to recall the memory seats for up to two drivers.
For more information, see “Memory Seat and Mirrors”
in the Index.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer . When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.

Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about four years.

You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.

2-11

NOTICE:

When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any
of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred
to these surfaces may damage the transmitter.

1. Use a thin object like a coin to pry open the transmitter .

2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a pencil
(or similar object) to remove the old battery .
Do not use a metal object.

3. Remove and replace the battery. Insert the new
battery as the instructions under the cover indicate.
Do not use a metal object.

4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure
no moisture can enter.

5. Check the operation of the transmitter.

2-12

Trunk

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.

If you must drive with the trunk lid open or
if electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the trunk lid:

D

Make sure all other windows are shut.

D

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on AUTO and the temperature between
65_F (18_C) and 85_F (29_C). That will
force outside air into your vehicle.
See “Comfort Controls” in the Index.

D

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.

See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

Trunk Lock Release

The button for this feature
is located above the radio
on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).

Press the TRUNK button to open the trunk.
You can also press the button with the trunk symbol
on the remote keyless entry transmitter to access the
trunk compartment.

When the trunk opens, a light will come on inside the
trunk so that you can see what’s inside the trunk.

To use this feature, your vehicle must be in PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and the VALET lockout button
must be off.

2-13

Trunk Lid Automatic Pull-Down Feature

With the automatic pull-down feature, you never have to
slam the trunk lid in order to close the trunk. Instead,
gently lower the trunk lid until it is nearly shut

-- the

automatic pull

-down unit will take over and lock the

trunk firmly.

A. Trunk Lid
B. Lever

If for some reason the trunk lid (A) will not close, it may
be because the trunk pull

-down unit was accidentally

bumped. Even though the trunk lid remains open, the
motor from the pull-down unit has already cycled down.
If this happens, press the lever (B) on the trunk lid.
The pull-down unit motor will reset itself, allowing the
trunk lid to close when lowered.

CAUTION:

Your car may have an automatic pull-down
feature that helps close the trunk electronically.
Your fingers can be trapped under the trunk lid
as it goes down. Your fingers could be injured,
and you would need someone to help you free
them. Keep your fingers away from the trunk lid
as you close it and as it is going down.

2-14

Trunk Release Handle

NOTICE:

The trunk release handle was not designed to
be used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk release handle could damage it.

There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle
located inside the trunk near the latch. This handle will
glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle
up to open the trunk from the inside.

2-15

Theft

Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft

-deterrent

features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.

Key in the Ignition

If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves

-- so

don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,

you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.

Parking at Night

Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.

Parking Lots

Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it’s still best to lock it up
and take your keys. But what if you have to leave
your ignition key?

D

If possible, park in a busy , well

-lit area.

D

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box.

D

Be sure to close and lock the storage area.

D

Close all windows.

D

Press the valet lockout button to ON.

D

Lock the glove box.

D

Lock all the doors except the driver’s.

D

Then take the door key and remote keyless
entry transmitter with you.

2-16

Theft-Deterrent System

The SECURITY light is
located on the instrument
panel cluster.

If the ignition is off and either door is open, the
SECURITY light will flash, reminding you to activate
the system. The light will also flash if the battery has
been disconnected and reconnected.

To activate the theft-deterrent system, do the following:

1. Open the door.

2. Lock the door using the power door lock or the
remote keyless entry transmitter. The SECURITY
light should come on and stay on.

3. Close both doors. The SECURITY light should
go off within about 30 seconds.

The horn will sound and the lamps will flash for about
30 seconds when a door or the trunk is opened without
the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The horn
also sounds if the locks are damaged.

Remember, the theft

-deterrent system won’t activate if

you lock a door with a key or use the manual door lock.
It activates only if you use a power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter.

To avoid activating the alarm by accident,
do the following:

D

Always unlock a door with a key or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. (Pressing the button with
the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter disables the theft

-deterrent system.)

Unlocking a door any other way will activate the
alarm. Cycling the ignition without disarming the
theft

-deterrent system will also activate the alarm.

D

The vehicle should be locked with the door key after
the doors are closed if you don’t want to activate the
theft-deterrent system.

If you activate the alarm by accident, unlock either
door with your key. You can also turn off the alarm
by using the unlock button of the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The alarm won’t stop if you try to unlock
a door any other way .

2-17

Testing the Alarm

1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the window,
then get out of the vehicle, keeping the door open.

2. From outside of the vehicle, with the door open,
lock the vehicle using the power door lock or the
remote keyless entry transmitter and close the door.
Wait 30 seconds until the SECURITY light goes off.

3. Reach in and unlock the door using the manual lock
and open the door. The horn will sound and the
headlamps will flash.

If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown.
To replace the fuse, see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index. If the fuse does not need to be replaced,
you may need to have your vehicle serviced.

To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft

-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.

Valet Lockout Button

The VALET lockout
button is located inside
the glove box.

Press the button to disable the use of the power trunk,
fuel door and garage door openers.

Press the button again to restore normal function to
these features. Locking the glove box with the door key
will also help to secure your vehicle.

The remote keyless entry transmitter can’t be used to
open the trunk or fuel door if the VALET lockout button
is pressed in.

2-18

PASS-KeyR II

Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS

-Key II

theft

-deterrent system.

PASS

-Key II is a passive

system. The system is
armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.

PASS

-Key II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key

that is read by the system in your vehicle. If the key
resistor matches the code stored in the vehicle system,
the vehicle’s fuel and starting systems will be enabled.
If an incorrect key is used, the vehicle’s fuel and
starting systems are disabled for three minutes.
Additional attempts during this lockout period
will not start the car, even with the correct key.

If the engine does not start and the STARTING
DISABLED REMOVE KEY message is displayed
in the Driver Information Center, your key should be
checked for damage. Starting may be attempted with
an undamaged key immediately. See your dealer or a
locksmith for key service.

If the STARTING DISABLE REMOVE KEY and
WAIT 3 MINUTES messages are displayed, the key
should be cleaned. After three minutes, try again.
A START CAR message will appear at this time.
If the engine still does not start, wait three minutes
and try a duplicate key . At this time, fuses should be
checked (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
If the engine does not start with the duplicate key ,
your vehicle needs service. See your dealer for service.

If the THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM, CAR MAY NOT
START message is displayed during vehicle operation,
a fault has been detected in the system. This means the
PASS

-Key II system is disabled and is not protecting

the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts. See your dealer
for service.

If an ignition key is lost or damaged, see your dealer or
a locksmith to have a new key made.

2-19

New Vehicle “Break-In”

NOTICE:

Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break

-in.” But it will perform better in

the long run if you follow these guidelines:

D

Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow

-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).

Don’t make full

-throttle starts.

D

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking

-in guideline every

time you get new brake linings.

D

Don’t tow a trailer during break

-in.

See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.

Ignition Positions

With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the key
to five different positions.

A (ACCESSORY): This position lets you use things
like the radio, windshield wipers, power windows and
sunroof (option) when the engine is off. To get into
ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it toward you.
The steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was
before you inserted the key . Once you turn the key
to ACCESSORY, be sure to then turn it to LOCK.
If you leave your key in ACCESSORY when the engine
is turned off, your battery will discharge prematurely.

2-20

NOTICE:

If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key
or the ignition switch. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.

B (LOCK): Before you put the key in, the ignition

will be in LOCK. This is the only position from
which you can insert or remove the key . This position
locks the ignition, steering wheel and transaxle.
It’s a theft

-deterrent feature.

C (OFF): This position lets you turn off the engine
but still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the
steering wheel like LOCK does. Use OFF if you must
have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off
(for example, if your vehicle is being pushed).

D (RUN): This is the position for driving.
E (START): This position starts the engine.

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)

NOTICE:

When using RAP, always leave your key in
LOCK. If you leave your key in any other
position than LOCK, your battery will
discharge prematurely.

The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned
from RUN to OFF, and then to LOCK:

D

Radio

D

Power Windows

D

Audio Steering Wheel Controls

D

Sunroof (Option)

Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or
if either door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, turn the ignition key to RUN, to OFF and
then to LOCK.

2-21

Starting Your Engine

Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position

-- that’s

a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only .

NOTICE:

Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key . The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.

NOTICE:

Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, hold your
key in START for about 10 seconds at a time
until your engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds
between each try .

2-22

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.

NOTICE:

Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)

A. Engine Oil Dipstick Location
B. Engine Coolant Heater Cord
C. Transaxle Dipstick/Fluid Fill Location

2-23

In very cold weather, 0_F (-18_C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm

-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be

plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting
your vehicle. At temperatures above 32_F (0_C),
use of the coolant heater is not required.

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver’s side of

the engine, behind the transaxle dipstick/fluid fill
location (C) and next to the engine.

3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110

-volt AC outlet.

CAUTION:

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and
cause a fire. You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three

-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord

won’t reach, use a heavy

-duty three-prong

extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged.

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer in the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.

2-24

Automatic Transaxle Operation

There are several different
positions for the shift
lever that is located
between the front seats
on the center console.

PARK (P): This position locks the front wheels.
It’s the best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.

CAUTION:

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.

Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).

See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”

in the Index.

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system.

2-25

You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever

-- press the button on the

front of the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then press the button on the front of the shift lever
again and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in the Index.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
has stopped.

Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow , ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle. See “If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow” in the Index for additional information.

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when
you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only .
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.

CAUTION:

Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

2-26

OVERDRIVE (B): This position is for normal driving.

If you need more power for passing, and you’re:

D

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

D

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.

The transaxle will shift down to the next gear and
have more power.

NOTICE:

If your vehi cle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it doesn’t seem to shift gears as you
accelerate, something may be wrong with a
transaxle system sensor. If you drive very far
that way, your vehicle can be damaged. So if this
happens, have your vehicle serviced right away.
Until then, you can use SECOND (2) when you
are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and
OVERDRIVE (B) for higher speeds.

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal

driving, however, it offers more power and lower
fuel economy than OVERDRIVE (B).

Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead
of OVERDRIVE (B):

D

When driving on hilly , winding roads.

D

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

D

When going down a steep hill.

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power than
THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes
off and on.

NOTICE:

Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you
can damage your engine.

2-27

FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power

than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift into gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)

NOTICE:

If your front wheels can’t turn, don’t try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transaxle.

Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and
damage the transaxle. Use your brakes to
hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

Parking Brake

The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver’s door.

To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.

If the ignition is on, the BRAKE indicator light
should come on. If it doesn’t, you need to have
your vehicle serviced.

2-28

NOTICE:

Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.

If the parking brake has not been fully released and
you try to drive with the parking brake on, the BRAKE
indicator light comes on and stays on. See “Brake System
Warning Light” in the Index for more information.

When you move out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N),
if the engine is running, the parking brake should release.
If it doesn’t, you can manually release the parking brake.

CAUTION:

Always shift to PARK (P) before pulling the
manual release lever. If your hand or arm is in
the way of the pedal you could be hurt. The pedal
springs back quickly. Keep your hand and arm
away when you use the manual release lever.

Be sure to turn off the ignition and put the vehicle
in PARK (P) before manually releasing the brake.

Reach under the driver’s side of the instrument panel
and pull on the manual release lever, which is located
above the parking brake pedal. If the parking brake does
not release, you should either drive to the nearest service
station or have your vehicle towed.

If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. This section
shows what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-29

Shifting Into PARK (P)

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move,
even when you’re on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you’re pulling a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

To move the shift lever into PARK (P), do the following:

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

D

Press and hold the button on the front of the
shift lever as you push the shift lever all the way
toward the front of your vehicle.

D

With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake. See “Parking Brake”
in the Index.

3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.

4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-30

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.

If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pressing
and holding the button on the front of the shift lever.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).

Torque Lock

If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-31

Shifting Out of PARK (P)

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See “Automatic Transaxle” in
the Index.

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), try applying
pressure to the brakes and push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) (pressing and holding the button
on the front of the shift lever) as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear
you want. If you ever hold the brake pedal down but
still can’t shift out of PARK (P), try the following:

1. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Open and close the
driver’s door to turn off the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature.

2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.

3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).

4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.

5. Take your vehicle to an authorized service center
as soon as you can.

Parking Over Things That Burn

CAUTION:

Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-32

Engine Exhaust

CAUTION:

Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.

You might have exhaust coming in if:

D

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

D

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

D

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

D

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

D

Repairs weren’t done correctly.

D

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.

If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

D

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

D

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked

It’s better not to park with the engine running.
But if you ever have to, here are some things to know .

CAUTION:

Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust.”

Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust

-- with

CO

-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a

garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.

See “Blizzard” in the Index.

2-33

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake
after you move the shift lever to PARK (P).

Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.

If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

Horn

The horn can be sounded by pressing on the center
of the steering wheel pad.

Tilt Wheel

A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to
the highest level to give your legs more room when
you enter and exit the vehicle.

The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever.
Then move the wheel to a comfortable position and
release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-34

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

The lever on the left side of your steering column
includes the following:

D

Turn Signal and Lane

-Change Signals

D

Headlamp High/Low

-Beam Changer

D

Flash-to-Pass Feature

D

Windshield Wipers

D

Windshield Washer

D

Cruise Control

For more information on the exterior lamps,
see “Exterior Lamps” later in this section.

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
The lever returns automatically when the turn is complete.

An arrow located on the
instrument panel cluster
will flash in the direction
of the turn or lane change.

Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is complete. The lever returns when it’s released.

If the turn signal is left on, a warning chime will
sound and the Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display TURN SIGNAL ON (after driving about
1 mile (1.6 km/h)) to remind you to turn it off.

Arrows that flash rapidly when signaling for a turn or
lane change may be caused by a burned

-out signal bulb.

Other drivers won’t see the turn signal.
Replace burned

-out bulbs to help avoid possible

accidents. Check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index) and for burned

-out bulbs

if the arrow fails to work when signaling a turn.

2-35

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

This light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will be on when the high
beam headlamps are in use.

Pull the turn signal lever all the way toward you and
then release it to change the headlamps from low beam
to high or from high beam to low.

Flash-To-Pass Feature

This lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.

Pull the turn signal lever toward you to use.
When you do:

D

If the headlamps are either off or in the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high

-beam

headlamps will turn on. They’ll stay on as long as
you hold the lever there. Release the lever to turn
them off.

D

If the headlamps are on low beam, they will shift
to high beam and stay there. Pull the lever toward
you to return to low beam.

D

If the headlamps are on high beam, they will switch
to low beam. To return to high beam, pull the lever
toward you.

2-36

Windshield Wipers

WIPER: Turn the band on the turn signal lever to

control the wipers.
MIST: Turn the band toward you and then release it for

a single wiping cycle. For more cycles, hold the band on
MIST longer.

LO or HI: Turn the band away from you to either
LO (low speed) or to HI (high speed), depending on
the wiper speed you want.

DELAY: You can set the wiper speed for a long or
short delay between wipes with this setting. Turn the
band to the DELAY position. The closer you turn it
to LO, the shorter the delay .

OFF: Turn the band to OFF to turn off the wipers.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades

before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

2-37

Rainsenset Wipers (ETC Only)

The moisture sensor is mounted on the interior side
of the windshield behind the rearview mirror and is used
to automatically operate the wipers by monitoring the
amount of moisture build

-up on the windshield.

Wipes occur as needed to clear the windshield
depending on driving conditions and the sensitivity
setting. In light rain or snow , fewer wipes will occur.

In heavy rain or snow , wipes will occur more frequently.
The Rainsense wipers operate in a delay mode as well as
a continuous low or high speed as needed. If the system
is left on for long periods of time, occasional wipes
may occur without any moisture on the windshield.
This is normal and indicates that the Rainsense system
is activated.

The Rainsense system can be activated by turning the
wiper stalk to one of the five sensitivity levels within the
AUTO DELAY area. The AUTO DELAY position
closest to OFF is the lowest sensitivity setting,
level one. This allows more rain or snow to collect on
the windshield between wipes. Turning the stalk away
from you to the higher levels of other AUTO DELAY
settings increases the sensitivity of the system and
frequency of wipes. The highest sensitivity setting,
level five is closest to LO. A single wipe will occur each
time you turn the wiper stalk to a higher sensitivity level
to indicate that the sensitivity level has been increased.
An initial wipe occurs when you turn the ignition on
as a reminder that Rainsense is active.

2-38

The windshield wipers also remain in a “high park”
position (when the wipers are stopped on the windshield
and are not in the normal park position), even when the
ignition is turned off.

NOTICE:

The wipers must be turned off when going
through a car wash to avoid damage.

The MIST and “wash” cycles operate as normal and are
not affected by the Rainsense function. The Rainsense
system can be overridden at any time by turning the
wiper stalk to LO or HI speed.

NOTICE:

Do not place stickers or other items on the
exterior glass surface directly in front of the
moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.

Windshield Washer

CAUTION:

In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.

At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever there
is a paddle with the word PUSH on it.

To spray washer fluid on the windshield, press and
release this paddle. The wipers will clear the windshield
and either stop or return to your preset speed. For more
washer cycles, press and hold the paddle.

LOW WASHER FLUID will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) when the washer fluid
reaches a low level.

2-39

Cruise Control

The cruise control lever is located on the end of
the windshield wiper stalk on the left side of the
steering wheel.

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can help on long trips. Cruise control
does not work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).

Cruise control shuts off when you apply your brakes.

CAUTION:

D

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can’t drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don’t use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

D

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don’t use cruise control on slippery roads.

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. See “Traction
Control System” in the Index. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.

2-40

Setting Cruise Control

CAUTION:

If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.

To use cruise control, do the following:

1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.

2. Accelerate to the speed you want.

3. Press the SET CRUISE button at the end of the lever
and release it. The CRUISE ENGAGED message
will display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).

4. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.

Resuming a Set Speed

Setting the cruise control at a desired speed and then
applying the brake will end the cruise function.

Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A
(Resume/Accelerate) briefly to reset. This returns you
to your desired preset speed. The Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display the CRUISE ENGAGED
message again.

If you hold the switch at R/A longer, the vehicle will
accelerate until you release the switch or apply the
brake. So unless you want to go faster, don’t hold
the switch at R/A.

2-41

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

D

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the button at the end of the lever and then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.

D

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you reach a desired speed and then
release the switch. (To increase your speed in very
small amounts, briefly move the switch to R/A.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)

The accelerate feature will only work after you
have set the cruise control speed by pushing the
SET CRUISE button.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

D

Push in the button at the end of the lever until
you reach a desired lower speed, then release it.
A CRUISE ENGAGED message will then
display in the Driver Information Center (DIC).

D

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control

Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

2-42

Using Cruise Control on Hills

How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brakes
or downshifting into FIRST (1) takes you out of cruise
control. Many drivers find this to be too much trouble
and don’t use cruise control on steep hills.

Ending Cruise Control

There are two ways to end cruise control:

D

Step lightly on the brake pedal.

D

Move the CRUISE switch to OFF.

Erasing Speed Memory

The cruise control set speed memory is erased when you
turn off the cruise control or the ignition.

Exterior Lamps

The exterior lamp knob is
located to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.

Pull the knob toward you to operate the lamps.
The exterior lamp knob has three positions:
Off: Pushing the knob all the way in turns off all lamps

except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
Parking Lamps: Pulling the knob to the first position

turns on the parking lamps together with the following:

D

Sidemarker Lamps

D

T aillamps

D

License Plate Lamps

D

Instrument Panel Lights

2-43

Headlamps: Pulling the knob to the second position

turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

Wiper-Activated Headlamps

This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately 20 seconds.

In order to operate the wiper

-activated headlamps, the

Twilight Sentinel

R

must be turned on. This feature lights

the way in poor weather and it also makes your vehicle
more visible to other drivers. If the wiper-activated
headlamps are on, and the ignition switch is turned off,
the wiper-activated headlamps will immediately turn off.

The wiper

-activated headlamps will deactivate if you

turn off the Twilight Sentinel or if the windshield wipers
have been turned off for a period of one or two seconds.

Lamps On Reminder

If the exterior lamp knob is activated, you will hear a
warning chime if you open either door while leaving the
lamps on. An exception to this is when you’re using
T wilight Sentinel.

Daytime Running Lamps

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day . DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the short periods after dawn and before sunset.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required
on all vehicles first sold in Canada.

The DRL system will make the high

-beam headlamps

come on at reduced brightness when:

D

The ignition is on,

D

the exterior lamp knob is not in the
headlamp position

D

the transaxle is not in PARK (P).

When DRL are on, only your high

-beam headlamps

(at reduced brightness) will be on. No other exterior
lamps such as the parking lamps, taillamps, etc., will be
on when the DRL are being used. Your instrument panel
won’t be lit up either.