Hummer H2 User Manual

Page 1
2006 HUMMER H3 Owner Manual M
Seats and Restraint Systems
Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Airbag System Restraint System Check
Features and Controls
Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Vehicle Mirrors
®
OnStar Universal Home Remote System Storage Areas Sunroof
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s)
............................................... 1-2
............................................... 1-8
............................................. 1-11
......................................... 1-53
........................................................ 2-2
....................................... 2-7
................................................. 2-10
.................................................... 2-33
System
.................................................. 2-47
...................................... 2-36
......................................... 2-43
............................................. 3-1
...................................... 3-21
........................... 1-1
............................ 1-69
..................................... 2-1
............................ 2-12
.......................... 3-4
........... 2-14
................ 2-38
........ 3-24
.................. 3-41
Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing
Service and Appearance Care
Service Fuel Checking Things Under the Hood Rear Axle Four-Wheel Drive Front Axle Headlamp Aiming Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires Appearance Care Vehicle Identification Electrical System Capacities and Specifications
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule
Customer Assistance and Information
Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects
Index
................................................... 4-56
..................................................... 5-3
......................................................... 5-5
...................................................... 5-51
................................................................ 1
....................................... 4-1
.......................... 5-1
............... 5-10
............................................... 5-44
..................................... 5-44
............................................... 5-44
..................................... 5-45
.................................... 5-47
..................................... 5-83
................................. 5-92
...................................... 5-93
................... 5-100
..................................... 6-1
................................ 6-2
........................... 7-14
..... 4-2
......... 5-50
.............. 7-1
........... 7-2
Page 2
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, and HUMMER are registered trademarks; and H3 is a trademark 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 HUMMER whenever it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if it is needed while on the road. If the vehicle is sold, leave this manual in the vehicle.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from:
Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207
How to Use This Manual
Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If this is done, it can help you learn about the features and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work together in the owner manual to explain things.
Index
A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found.
Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 06H3 B Second Printing
ii
©
2005 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Page 3
Safety Warnings and Symbols
There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not, you or others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety symbol means “Do Not,” “Do Not do this” or “Do Not let this happen.”
iii
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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Vehicle Symbols
Also, in this manual you will find these notices:
Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
iv
The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gage, or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a component, gage, or indicator, reference the following topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
Page 5
These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:
v
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NOTES
vi
Page 7

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats ......................................................1-2
Manual Seats ................................................1-2
Six-Way Power Seats .....................................1-3
Power Lumbar ...............................................1-3
Heated Seats .................................................1-4
Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-4
Head Restraints .............................................1-7
Rear Seats .......................................................1-8
60/40 Split Bench Seat ...................................1-8
Safety Belts ...................................................1-11
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-11
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-16
Driver Position ..............................................1-16
Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment .....................1-23
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-24
Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-24
Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-24
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ....................1-27
Safety Belt Pretensioners ...............................1-29
Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-29
Child Restraints .............................................1-30
Older Children ..............................................1-30
Infants and Young Children ............................1-32
Child Restraint Systems .................................1-36
Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-40
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) ..................................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position ...................................................1-47
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position ............................................1-49
Airbag System ...............................................1-53
Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-56
When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-59
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-61
How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-61
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .....1-62
Passenger Sensing System ............................1-63
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-68
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ....................................................1-68
Restraint System Check ..................................1-69
Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash ............................................1-70
1-1
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Front Seats

Manual Seats

{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
Lift the bar located under the front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place.
1-2
Page 9

Six-Way Power Seats

Power Lumbar

Your vehicle may have this feature. If it does, the six-way power seat control is located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat. Your vehicle may also have a passenger’s six-way power seat.
Move the front of the control up or down to adjust
the front portion of the cushion up or down.
Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust
the rear portion of the cushion up or down.
To move the whole seat forward or rearward, slide
the control forward or rearward.
If your vehicle has this feature, the control is located on the outboard side of the seat(s).
Press and hold the front of the control until you have the desired lumbar support. To decrease lumbar support, press and hold the rear of the control.
1-3
Page 10

Heated Seats

If your vehicle has this feature, the controls are located on the outboard side of the front seats.
This feature will heat the cushion and back of the seats.
Press the top of the switch to turn the heat to the high setting. Press the bottom of the switch to turn the heat to the low setting. Put the switch in the center position to turn the heat off.
The ignition must be on for the heated seat feature to work. The seat will heat to the last setting if the ignition has been turned off and then turned back on.
The passenger’s safety belt must be engaged for the heated seat feature to work on the passenger’s seat.

Reclining Seatbacks

{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.
Your seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seats.
1-4
Page 11
To recline the seatback, do the following:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright position, do the following:
1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback and the seatback will return to the upright position.
{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
1-5
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{CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you are reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash, the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries.
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.
Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.
1-6
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Head Restraints

Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint is at the same height as the occupant’s head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Pull the head restraint up to raise it. To lower the head restraint, press the button, located on the top of the seatback, and push the head restraint down.
1-7
Page 14

Rear Seats

60/40 Split Bench Seat

The 60/40 split bench seats can be folded to give you more cargo space.
Folding the Seatbacks
To fold the rear seatback(s), do the following:
1. Make sure that nothing is on, under, or in front of the seat.
2. Place your hand under the front of the seat cushion and lift the cushion up while moving it forward. There is a label below the seat cushion with instructions to aid in seat operation.
3. Pull the cushion forward until it rests in the footwell.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat.
1-8
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4. Lift the latch on top of the seatback and pull the seatback forward. Fold the seatback down until it is nearly flat.
5. If the seatback will not fold nearly flat, try moving the front seat forward and/or moving the front seatback more upright.
6. Repeat the steps for the other half of the 60/40 split bench seat.
1-9
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Returning the Seatbacks to an Upright Position
{CAUTION:
{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.
1-10
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.
To return the seatback(s) to the upright position, do the following:
1. Lift the seatback up and push it rearward all the way.
2. Place your hand under the front of the seat cushion and lift the cushion while moving it rearward until it latches into position.
3. Pull forward on the seatback and push down on the seat cushion to make sure the seat is securely in place.
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Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are 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.
{CAUTION:
Do not let anyone ride where he or she cannot wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts are fastened properly too.
{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 indicators to remind you and your passengers to buckle your safety belts. See Safety Belt
Reminder Light on page 3-27 and Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-27.
1-11
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In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work.
You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter...a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on wheels.
1-12
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Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
does not stop.
1-13
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The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...
1-14
or the instrument panel...
Page 21

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident
if I am wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety
belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to
wear safety belts?
or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense.
A: Airbags 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 airbag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.
1-15
Page 22
Q: If I am 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 are in an
accident — even one that is not your fault — you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers.
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

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 Older Children on page 1-30 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-32. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you will want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has.
We will start with the driver position.

Driver Position

Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is 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.
1-16
Page 23
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29.
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.
5. Move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment on page 1-23.
1-17
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6. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt.
1-18
The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.
Page 25
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not 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.
1-19
Page 26
Q: What is 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.
1-20
Page 27
Q: What is 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 are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen.
1-21
Page 28
Q: What is 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 would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to fix it.
1-22
Page 29
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. When the safety belt is not in use, slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall.
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.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment

Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you.
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder. Incorrect positioning of the shoulder belt can reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt.
To move it up or down, press the square button (A) in the center of the height adjuster knob and move the height adjuster to the desired position.
After you move the height adjuster to where you want it, try to move it up and down without touching the square button to make sure it has locked into position.
1-23
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Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Right Front Passenger Position

Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly.
1-24
To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-16.
The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt — except for one thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.

Rear Seat Passengers

It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Page 31
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All rear seat positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way,
it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.
If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-29.
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 up on the shoulder part.
1-25
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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or 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, push the button on the buckle.
1-26
Page 33

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides

Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are provided for each outboard passenger position in the second row. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:
1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip.
2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.
1-27
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3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The guide must be on top of the belt.
1-28
{CAUTION:
A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
Page 35
4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-24. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.
To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Slide the guide onto its storage clip between the edge of the seatback and the trim panel. Make sure you remove the comfort guide from the belt before you fold a rear seat down.

Safety Belt Pretensioners

Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger. Although you cannot see them, they are located on the retractor part of the safety belts. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash.
Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-70.

Safety Belt Extender

If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. It is free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender.
1-29
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Child Restraints

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. 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.
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{CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can not properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time.
Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window,
move the child toward the center of the vehicle. Also see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides on page 1-27. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint the belts provide.
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{CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.

Infants and Young Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle.
1-32
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{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Never leave children unattended in a vehicle and never allow children to play with the safety belts.
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint.
{CAUTION:
People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. 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.
1-33
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{CAUTION:
Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide.
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.
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{CAUTION:
{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 restraints.
The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints.
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Child Restraint Systems

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.
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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.
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Q: How Should I Use a Child Restraint? 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. To help reduce injuries, an add-on child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. With built-in or add-on child restraints, the child has to be secured within the child restraint.
When choosing an add-on 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.
Securing an Add-on Child Restraint in the Vehicle
{CAUTION:
A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Make sure the child restraint is properly installed in the vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.
To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-41 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle.
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When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it.
Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint
There are several systems for securing the child within the child 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.
{CAUTION:
A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Make sure the child is properly secured, following the instructions that came with that restraint.
Because there are different systems, it is important to refer to the instructions that come with the restraint. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.
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Where to Put the Restraint

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We recommend that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
Wherever you install a child restraint, 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.
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Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)

Your vehicle has the LATCH system. The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system
Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor.
In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle.
Your vehicle has lower anchors and top tether anchors. Your child restraint may have lower attachments and a top tether.
Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments.
Lower Anchors
Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B).
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Top Tether Anchor
A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash.
Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor.
Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint.
If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.
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Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations
i (Top Tether Anchor):
Seating positions with top tether anchors.
j (Lower Anchor):
Seating positions with two lower anchors.
Rear Seat
Each outboard seating position in the rear seat has exposed metal lower anchors in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.
The top tether anchors are located on the back of the rear seatbacks. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.
Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-40 for additional information.
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Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System
{CAUTION:
{CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.
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Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the vehicle is designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per anchor.
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{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Secure any unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if your vehicle has one, after the child restraint has been installed. Be sure to follow the instructions of the child restraint manufacturer.
Notice: Contact between the child restraint or the LATCH attachment parts and the vehicle’s safety belt assembly may cause damage to these parts. Make sure when securing unused safety belts behind the child restraint that there is no contact between the child restraint or the LATCH attachment parts and the vehicle’s safety belt assembly.
Folding an empty rear seat with the safety belts secured, may cause damage to the safety belt or the seat. When removing the child restraint, always remember to return the safety belts to their normal position before folding the rear seat.
1. Find the lower anchors, if equipped, for the desired seating position.
2. If the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, see Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position on page 1-47 for instructions on installing the child restraint using the safety belts.
3. Put the child restraint on the seat.
4. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors, if equipped, in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how.
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5. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:
5.1. Find the top tether anchor.
5.2. Route and tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:
If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback.
If the position you are using has a fixed head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the head restraint.
If the position you are using has a fixed head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint.
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If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.
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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-41.
If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.
1. Put the child 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.
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.
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4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock.
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5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
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6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends using a top tether, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-41.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. 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.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-40.
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small child in a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat is detected. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-63 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-29 for more information on this including important safety information.
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A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat position, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. See Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-3.
If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-41.
There is no top tether anchor in the right front passenger’s position. Do not secure a child restraint in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-41 if the child restraint has a top tether.
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You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.
1. Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s frontal airbag. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-63. General Motors recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If your child restraint is forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the child restraint in this seat. See Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-3.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you turn the ignition to ON or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-29.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.
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.
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5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock.
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6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. You should not be able to pull more of the belt from the retractor once the lock has been set.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.
8. If the airbag is off, the off indicator on the instrument panel will be lit and stay lit when the key is turned to ON or START.
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If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint.
If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer.
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. When the safety belt is not in use, slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall.

Airbag System

Your vehicle has a frontal airbag for the driver and a frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have roof-mounted side impact airbags designed for either side impact or rollover deployment. Roof-mounted side impact airbags are available for the driver and the passenger seated directly behind the driver and for the right front passenger and the passenger seated directly behind that passenger.
If your vehicle has roof-mounted side impact airbags, the words AIR BAG will appear on the airbag covering on the sidewall trim near the driver’s and right front passenger’s window.
Frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal airbag. But these airbags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations.
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Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system:
CAUTION: (Continued)
{CAUTION:
You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. All airbags are designed to work with safety belts but do not replace them.
Frontal airbags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inflate in rollover, rear crashes, or in many side crashes.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past.
Roof-mounted side impact airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They are not designed to inflate in frontal or in rear crashes. If the vehicle is equipped with rollover capable airbags, it has been designed to deploy the roof-mounted side impact airbags in the event of a vehicle rollover. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.
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{CAUTION:
{CAUTION:
Both frontal and roof-mounted side impact airbags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you are too close to an inflating airbag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for airbag inflation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt even with frontal airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door.
Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see Older Children on page 1-30 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-32.
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There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-28 for more information.

Where Are the Airbags?

The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
If your vehicle has a roof-mounted airbag for the driver and the person seated directly behind the driver, it is located in the ceiling above the side windows.
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If your vehicle has a roof-mounted airbag for the right front passenger and the person directly behind that passenger, it is located in the ceiling above the side windows.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an airbag, 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 airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. And, if your vehicle has roof-mounted side impact airbags, never secure anything to the roof of your vehicle by routing the rope or tiedown through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inflating side impact airbag will be blocked. The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear.
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When Should an Airbag Inflate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a variety of desired deployment and non-deployment events and are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and help restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags, which adjust the restraint according to crash severity. Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.
If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 11 to 18 mph (17.5 to 28.9 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 23 mph (28.9 to 37 km/h). (The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.)
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could inflate at a different crash speed than if the object were moving.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the object does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
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The frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
Your vehicle has seat position sensors which enable the sensing system to monitor the position of the driver’s seat and the right front passenger’s seat. Seat position sensors provide information that is used to determine if the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or at full deployment.
Your vehicle may or may not have a roof-mounted side impact airbag and rollover sensor. See Airbag System on page 1-53. These “rollover capable” airbags are intended to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes or during a rollover. A roof-mounted side impact airbag will inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Roof-mounted side impact airbags are not intended to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, or rear impacts.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inflation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. For roof-mounted side impact airbags, inflation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See Off-Road Driving on page 4-17 for tips on off-road driving.
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What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. In the case of a “rollover capable” roof-mounted side impact airbag, the sensing system detects that the vehicle is about to roll over. The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger. For vehicles with roof-mounted side impact airbags, the airbag modules are located in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows.
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag. Roof-mounted side impact airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including many frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions or rollovers for the roof-mounted side impact airbags.
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What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?
{CAUTION:
After an airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag module — the steering wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag or the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows — 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 the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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When an airbag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock the doors (if equipped), turn the interior lamps on, and flash the hazard warning flashers when the airbags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock the doors again, and turn the interior lamps and hazard warning flashers off by using the door lock, and the interior lamp and the hazard warning flasher controls.
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In many crashes severe enough to inflate an airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inflate only once.
After an airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for your airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 7-9.
Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag
system. Improper service can mean that your airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service.

Passenger Sensing System

Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger’s position. A passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to ON or START. The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible on the instrument panel during the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-29.
Passenger
Airbag Status
Indicator – United
States
The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver’s airbag and the side airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system.
Passenger
Airbag Status
Indicator – Canada
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The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors recommends that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
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The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
the right front passenger seat is unoccupied
the system determines that an infant is present in a
rear-facing infant seat
the system determines that a small child is present
in a forward-facing child restraint
the system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat
a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time
the right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints
or if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator on the instrument panel will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-49.
If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer.
The passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the right front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is active.
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For some children who have outgrown child restraints and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the fully upright position, then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and then enable the passenger’s airbag.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in the right front passenger’s seat may not have the protection of the frontal airbag. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-28 for more on this, including important safety information.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. You may want to consider not using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-68 for more information about modifications that can affect how the system operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat or between the passenger’s seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system.
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Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in several places around your vehicle. You do not 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 airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid yellow wires, wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.

Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

Q: Is there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet metal or height, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Also, the airbag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If you have any questions about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 7-2
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Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modified. How can I find out whether this will affect my airbag system?
A: Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic module, or the instrument panel can affect the operation of the airbag system. If you have questions, call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.

Restraint System Check

Checking the 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 airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice: If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side impact airbag covering (if equipped) on the ceiling near the side windows, the airbag may not work properly. You may have to replace the airbag module in the steering wheel, both the airbag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s airbag, or side impact airbag module and ceiling covering for roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped.) Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
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Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system was not being used at the time of the collision.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section.
If the frontal airbags inflate you will also need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new retractor assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-28.
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Section 2 Features and Controls

Keys ...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5
Doors and Locks .............................................2-7
Door Locks ....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks ..........................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................2-8
Lockout Protection ..........................................2-8
Swing-gate ....................................................2-9
Windows ........................................................2-10
Power Windows ............................................2-11
Sun Visors ...................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-12
Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-12
Passlock
®
....................................................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-14
New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-14
Ignition Positions ..........................................2-15
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-16
Starting the Engine .......................................2-16
Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-17
Automatic Transmission Operation ...................2-18
Manual Transmission Operation ......................2-21
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive ............................2-22
Parking Brake ..............................................2-27
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) ...2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) ...........................................2-30
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission) .......2-30
Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-31
Engine Exhaust ............................................2-31
Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-32
Mirrors ...........................................................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display ..............2-33
Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-35
Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-36
OnStar
®
System .............................................2-36
Universal Home Remote System ......................2-38
Universal Home Remote System Operation ......2-39
Storage Areas ................................................2-43
Glove Box ...................................................2-43
Cupholder(s) ................................................2-43
Front Seat Storage Net .................................2-43
Front Armrest Storage Area ...........................2-43
Luggage Carrier ...........................................2-43
Rear Storage Area ........................................2-46
Convenience Net ..........................................2-46
Cargo Cover ................................................2-46
Cargo Tie Downs ..........................................2-46
Sunroof .........................................................2-47
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Keys

{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
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There is one double-sided key for the ignition, and driver’s door lock.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the owner with a pair of identical keys and a key code number.
The key code number tells your dealer or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep this number in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you will be able to have new ones made easily using this number. Your dealer should also have this number.
Notice: If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle call the GM Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar an active subscription and you lock your keys inside the vehicle, OnStar
®
may be able to send a command to
®
system with
unlock your vehicle. See OnStar®System on page 2-36 for more information.
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Remote Keyless Entry System

Your 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 interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.
At times you may notice a decrease in operating range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather.
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.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
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Remote Keyless Entry System Operation

You can lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors and disarm or arm the theft-deterrent system from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-12 for additional information.
UNLOCK: Press this button to unlock the driver’s door and turn on the interior lamps. The parking lamps may also flash, and the horn may chirp, when this button is pressed.
Press the unlock button again within three seconds and all of the doors will unlock.
LOCK: Press this button to lock all the doors. The parking lamps may also flash and the horn may chirp when this button is pressed.
If a door is open or ajar when the lock button is pressed, the doors will lock, but the theft-deterrent system will not arm until the open door is closed.
You can program different feedback modes through the Driver Information Center (DIC). To program the feedback modes, see “Remote Keyless Entry Feedback” under DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-41.
L(Panic): Press this button to make the horn
sound and the headlamps and taillamps flash for up to 30 seconds. To turn them off, do one of these three things: wait for 30 seconds; press the panic button again; or start the vehicle.
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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 the remote keyless entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it is probably time to change the battery.
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.
To replace the battery, do the following:
1. Insert a coin, or similar object, in the slot between the covers of the transmitter housing. Gently pry the transmitter apart.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt CR2032 or equivalent battery.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Check the operation of the transmitter.
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Doors and Locks

Door Locks

{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use the key in the driver’s door or use the remote keyless entry transmitter.
From the inside, use the manual lock levers or power door lock switch.
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Power Door Locks

The power door lock switches are located on the driver’s and the front passenger’s armrests.
Driver’s side shown
Press L (lock) to lock all the doors at once. To unlock all the doors, press U (unlock).

Programmable Automatic Door Locks

If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it is programmed from the factory to lock the doors automatically when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P). All the doors will unlock when the shift lever is moved back into PARK (P).
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, it is programmed from the factory to lock the doors automatically when the vehicle speed is greater than 15 mph (24 km/h). The doors will unlock when the key is removed from the ignition.
To personalize the automatic door locks, see “Automatic Door Locks” under DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-41.

Lockout Protection

This feature protects you from locking your key in the vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door is open.
If the power door lock switch is pressed when a door is open and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock. A chime will sound to indicate that the key has been left in the ignition.
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Swing-gate

To lock or unlock the swing-gate, use the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter.
{CAUTION:
Make sure the swing-gate is completely closed. Driving with the swing-gate open could injure pedestrians or damage the vehicle.
To open the swing-gate, pull the door handle. Pull the swing-gate rearward slightly and it will automatically open.
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Windows

{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
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Power Windows

The power window controls are located on the armrest of each door.
The driver’s door has switches for the passenger windows as well. Your power windows will work when the ignition is in ACC (Accessory) or ON, or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-16.
Pull up the front edge of the control to raise the window. Press the front edge of the control down to lower the
window.
Express-Down Window
The driver’s window has an express-down feature that allows you to lower the window without holding the switch. Press the front edge of the switch past the first position to activate the express-down mode. The express-down mode can be canceled at any time by pulling up on the switch. To open the window partway, press the front of the switch to the first position until the window is at the desired level.
Window Lockout
o
(Window Lockout): The window lockout button is located forward of the window switches. This feature disables the passenger’s window switches when the button is pressed. Press the button again to turn the lockout off. A red band on the side of the button can be seen when the windows are not locked out.
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Sun Visors

Content Theft-Deterrent

To block glare, pull the visor down. It can also be detached from the center mount and moved to the side to block glare from that direction. There are extenders that can be pulled out for further coverage.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle has a vanity mirror located on the driver’s and passenger’s visor.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle may have an illuminated vanity mirror on both visors. Lift the cover on the mirror and the lights will automatically come on.

Theft-Deterrent Systems

Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal.
2-12
Your vehicle has a content theft-deterrent alarm system.
To activate the content theft-deterrent system, do the following:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security light, located on the instrument panel cluster, will flash.
If the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, but a door is open, the doors will lock, the lights may flash and the horn may sound. Close the open door and the alarm system will arm.
If a locked door is not opened using the remote keyless entry transmitter, or by OnStar First, a pre-alarm will sound the horn at reduced intensity for 10 seconds. Then, the front turn signal lamps will flash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for two minutes. The alarm will then turn off to save battery power.
®
, the alarm will go off.
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Starting the engine with the correct key will shut off the pre-alarm or alarm at any time.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if you lock the doors with the key, the manual door lock, or power door lock switch. The system can only be activated using the remote keyless entry transmitter, or by OnStar
®
. See OnStar®System on page 2-36 for additional information. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct key if the alarm has been set off.
Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to arm the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the manual door lock lever, the power door lock switch, or the key, after the doors are closed.
If the content theft-deterrent system is armed,
unlock the doors by pressing the unlock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter or by
®
OnStar activate the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn it off by pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter, starting the vehicle with the correct key, or by having OnStar not stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.
. Unlocking a door any other way will
®
unlock the doors. The alarm will
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by locking the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the pre-alarm. Wait 10 seconds for the full alarm to activate.
3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter or start the engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the lights flash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-94.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal lamps do not flash, see your dealer for service.
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Passlock
Your vehicle has the Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock turned with a valid key. If an incorrect key is used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system is disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn off approximately five seconds after the engine is started. See Security Light on page 3-39.
If the engine stalls and the security light flashes, wait about 10 minutes until the light stops flashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock this time. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance Center. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
®
®
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
®
system is
®
at

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

New Vehicle Break-In

Notice: Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the first 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See Towing
a Trailer on page 4-58 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased.
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Ignition Positions

With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn to four different positions.
LOCK (A): This position locks your ignition. It also locks your transmission on automatic transmission vehicles. It will lock your steering wheel on manual transmission vehicles when the key is removed. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition switch cannot be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in PARK (P).
Notice: Using a tool to force the key from the ignition switch could cause damage or break the key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in.
If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): This is the position in
which you can operate your electrical accessories or items plugged into the accessory power outlets. On automatic transmission vehicles, this position unlocks the ignition. On manual transmission vehicles, it unlocks the ignition and steering wheel. Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed.
ON (C): This is the position that the switch returns to after you start your engine and release the switch. The switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But even when the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate your electrical accessories and to display some instrument panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The transmission is also unlocked in this position on automatic transmission vehicles.
START (D): This is the position that starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio or items plugged into the accessory power outlets.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and the key is in the ignition.
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Retained Accessory Power (RAP)

Your vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP) which will allow certain features of your vehicle to continue working for up to 20 minutes after the ignition key is turned to LOCK.
The radio, front wipers, power windows, and a sunroof if your vehicle has one, will work when the ignition key is in ON or ACC. Once the key is turned from ON to LOCK, these features will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.

Starting the Engine

Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position — that is a safety feature. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice: Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the 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 the engine does not start within 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor, while you hold the ignition key in START. When the engine starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
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For both the manual and automatic transmissions, when starting the vehicle after it has been sitting idle and the engine is cold, the engine starter may continue cranking the engine up to approximately four seconds after you release the ignition key. This is normal.
When starting your engine in very cold weather (below 0°F or 18°C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START and hold it there up to 15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key.
2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then stops, it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for about three seconds. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
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 do not, your engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.

Engine Coolant Heater

Your vehicle may have this feature.
In very cold weather, 0°F (–18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is located in the engine compartment behind the underhood fuse block on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
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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 will not 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 do not, 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 will be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area.

Automatic Transmission Operation

The automatic transmission has a shift lever on the console.
It features an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. This display must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is turned off, but not in LOCK, there will be a small current drain on your battery which could discharge your battery over a period of time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition but not in LOCK for an extended period, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent discharging your battery.
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There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks your rear wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because your vehicle cannot 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.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-28. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-58.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you want. See Shifting Out of
Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-30
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand without damaging your transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-50
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NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine does not connect with the wheels. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while your engine is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If
you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer. You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D). You should use THIRD (3) when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills or winding roads or for off-road driving.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission will not shift into FIRST (1) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
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Manual Transmission Operation

This is your shift pattern.
Here is how to operate your manual transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you slowly press down on the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Then press the clutch pedal back down and shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH (3, 4 and 5): Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press the clutch pedal. After the vehicle stops, shift into REVERSE (R). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. If it is hard to shift, let the shift lever return to NEUTRAL and release the clutch pedal. Then press the clutch again and shift into REVERSE (R). Do not attempt to shift into the fifth gear position prior to shifting into REVERSE (R). Your transmission has a lock out feature which prevents a fifth gear to reverse gear shift.
Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.
Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, for parking your vehicle.
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Up-Shift Light
This light will show you when to shift to the next higher gear for best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions permit. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on and off if you quickly change the position of the accelerator. Ignore the shift light when you downshift.
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and has a manual transmission, disregard the shift light when the transfer case is in four-wheel low.
For more information, see Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission) on page 3-31.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at a time when you downshift.

Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive

Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive sends your engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. To get the most out of Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive, you must be familiar with its operation.
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Transfer Case Buttons
The transfer case buttons are located to the right of the instrument panel cluster. Use these switches to shift into and out of the different Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive modes.
You can choose between four modes:
4
m(Four-Wheel High): This setting is used for driving
in most street and highway situations. You can also use this setting for light or variable off-road conditions.
N (NEUTRAL): Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-56 or Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-56 for more information.
Notice: Driving on pavement in Four-Wheel High Lock or Four Wheel Low Lock for extended periods may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain and tires. Do not drive in Four-Wheel High Lock or Four-Wheel Low Lock on pavement for extended periods.
4
mQ (Four-Wheel-High Lock): Use this mode
when you need extra traction in most off-road situations such as sand, mud, snow or level, rocky trails.
Notice: Operating your vehicle in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above 30 mph (48 km/h) for any extended period of time could cause damage to the transfer case. Do not operate your vehicle in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above 30 mph (48 km/h) for extended periods.
4
nQ (Four-Wheel-Low Lock): This mode
delivers extra torque to all four wheels and is used for extreme off-road conditions. You might choose 4-Wheel-Low Lock if you are driving in off-road situations, such as, deep sand, mud, or snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
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When in this mode you can also choose to lock the rear axle, if equipped, for additional traction in extreme off-road situations. See Locking Rear Axle on page 4-10.
Indicator lights in the buttons show which mode you are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition the mode the vehicle is in will stay on. If the lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will flash while shifting the transfer case. It will remain lit when the shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting.
If the SERV 4WD message stays on, you should take your vehicle to your dealer for service. See Service 4WD message under DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-44.
Shifting between Four-Wheel High and Four-Wheel-High Lock
With the vehicle traveling less than 45 mph (73 km/h), press and release the Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-High Lock button. The indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain lit when the shift is complete.
It may be necessary to drive backwards while turning for a distance of 25 feet (7.5 m) to get the lock feature to disengage.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Low Lock
Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before the indicator light stops flashing could cause damage to the transfer case. Always wait until the indicator light stops flashing before putting the transmission back in gear.
To shift into Four-Wheel-Low Lock, the ignition must be in ON and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N). The preferred method for shifting into Four-Wheel Low is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the clutch pedal must be pressed to the floor while you press the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button, or the shift will not be completed. You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Low Lock indicator light to stop flashing and remain lit before shifting your transmission in gear.
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