Saturn 2006 Ion Owner's Manual

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Seats and Restraint Systems

........................... 1-1

Front Seats

............................................... 1-2

Rear Seats

............................................... 1-9

Safety Belts

............................................. 1-11

Child Restraints

....................................... 1-32

Airbag System

......................................... 1-54

Restraint System Check

............................ 1-68

Features and Controls

..................................... 2-1

Keys

........................................................ 2-2

Doors and Locks

....................................... 2-7

Windows

................................................. 2-13

Theft-Deterrent Systems

............................ 2-16

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

........... 2-17

Mirrors

.................................................... 2-32

OnStar

System

...................................... 2-38

Storage Areas

......................................... 2-40

Sunroof

.................................................. 2-41

Instrument Panel

............................................. 3-1

Instrument Panel Overview

.......................... 3-4

Climate Controls

...................................... 3-18

Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators

........ 3-25

Message Center

....................................... 3-43

Audio System(s)

....................................... 3-48

Driving Your Vehicle

....................................... 4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle

..... 4-2

Towing

................................................... 4-36

Service and Appearance Care

.......................... 5-1

Service

..................................................... 5-3

Fuel

......................................................... 5-4

Checking Things Under the Hood

............... 5-10

Headlamp Aiming

..................................... 5-48

Bulb Replacement

.................................... 5-48

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

......... 5-56

Tires

...................................................... 5-57

Appearance Care

..................................... 5-90

Vehicle Identiﬁcation

................................. 5-99

Electrical System

...................................... 5-99

Capacities and Speciﬁcations

................... 5-109

Maintenance Schedule

..................................... 6-1

Maintenance Schedule

................................ 6-2

Customer Assistance and Information

.............. 7-1

Customer Assistance and Information

........... 7-2

Reporting Safety Defects

........................... 7-11

Index

................................................................ 1

2006 Saturn ION Owner Manual M

SATURN, the SATURN Emblem, and the name ION are registered trademarks of Saturn Corporation. GENERAL MOTORS and GM are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice.

Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if it is needed while you are 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. 06ION B Second Printing

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

Vehicle Damage Warnings

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.

Vehicle Symbols

The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message, 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

These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:

✍ NOTES

Front Seats ......................................................1-2

Manual Seats ................................................1-2

Driver Seat Height Adjuster ..............................1-3

Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-3

Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-4

Head Restraints .............................................1-6

Passenger Folding Seatback ............................1-7

Rear Seats .......................................................1-9

Split Folding Rear Seat ...................................1-9

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 (Sedan) .........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 ....................1-28

Safety Belt Pretensioners ...............................1-31

Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-31

Child Restraints .............................................1-32

Older Children ..............................................1-32

Infants and Young Children ............................1-34

Child Restraint Systems .................................1-38

Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-42

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

(LATCH) ..................................................1-43

Securing a Child Restraint in a

Rear Seat Position ....................................1-49

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front

Seat Position ............................................1-51

Airbag System ...............................................1-54

Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-56

When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .....................1-59

What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? .......................1-60

How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-60

What Will You See After an

Airbag Inﬂates? .........................................1-61

Passenger Sensing System ............................1-62

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-66

Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle ....................................................1-67

Restraint System Check ..................................1-68

Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-68

Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash ............................................1-69

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

1-1

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

Driver Seat Height Adjuster

The driver’s seat height adjuster is located on the outboard side of the seat.

To raise the seat, move the lever upward repeatedly until the seat is at the desired height. To lower the seat, move the lever downward repeatedly until the seat is at the desired height.

Manual Lumbar

If your vehicle has this feature, the knob is located on the front of the driver seat lower cushion on the inboard side.

Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the lumbar support.

1-3

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.

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.

2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.

1-4

{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.

1-5

Head Restraints

Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint is at the same height as the top of the occupant’s head. This position reduces the 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 restraint down.

1-6

Passenger Folding Seatback

Your vehicle may have a passenger seat that folds ﬂat. To fold the seatback, do the following:

{CAUTION:

If you fold the seatback forward to carry longer objects, such as skis, be sure any such cargo is not near an airbag. In a crash, an inﬂating airbag might force that object toward a person. This could cause severe injury or even death. Secure objects away from the area in which an airbag would inﬂate. For more information, see Where Are the Airbags? on page 1-56 and Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.

{CAUTION:

Things you put on this seatback can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. Remove or secure all items before driving.

To fold the seatback ﬂat, do the following:

1. Lift the bar under the seat to unlock it.

2. Slide the seat as far back as it will go and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to make sure it is locked into place.

1-7

3. Lift the recliner lever, located on the outboard side of the seat, fully and fold the seat forward until the seatback disengages.

4. Continue to fold the seat forward until it locks in the folded position. Pull up on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

1-8

To raise the seatback to an upright position, do the following:

1. Lift the recliner lever, located on the outboard side of the seat, fully and lift the seatback.

2. Push the seatback until it re-engages.

{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.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

You can fold either side of the rear seatback down for more cargo space.

To lower the rear seatback, follow these steps:

1. Open the trunk and pull one or both of the small handles located in the center of the trunk.

1-9

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.

2. Once the handle is pulled, the seatback can be pushed open through the trunk, or pulled open from the inside of the vehicle.

{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 pull forward on the top of the seatback at the area of the latch to be sure it is locked.

{CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

To raise the rear seatback, lift it up and rearward until you hear a click. Push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked into place.

1-10

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 3-29 and Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-29.

1-11

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

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

does not stop.

1-13

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

or the instrument panel...

1-14

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.

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident

if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety

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

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to

wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in

most of them in the future. But they are 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

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 1-32 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-34. 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

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. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, let it go back all the way and start again.

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 1-31.

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. If your vehicle is a sedan, 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 (Sedan) on page 1-23.

1-17

6. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt.

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

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

1-18

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

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

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

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 retailer to ﬁx it.

1-22

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

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

Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment (Sedan)

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

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.

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

Right Front Passenger Position

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.

1-24

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. If your vehicle has a center passenger position, be sure to use the correct buckle when buckling your lap-shoulder belt. If you ﬁnd that the latch plate will not go fully into the buckle, see if you are using the buckle for the center passenger position.

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.

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

1-25

3. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder part.

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

1-26

{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.

1-27

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.

There is one guide available for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:

1. Fold down the rear seatback of the desired seating position. See Split Folding Rear Seat on page 1-9 for instructions about how to fold the rear seatback.

2. Remove the guide located on the trim behind the seatback from its storage clip. Pull the guide around the rear seatback.

1-28

{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.

3. Return the rear seatback to its upright position and make sure it is latched into place.

4. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

1-29

5. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top.

{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.

1-30

6. 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. Fold down the rear seatbacks. Store the guides on their storage clips. Lift the rear seatbacks to their original seating positions.

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 1-69.

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 retailer will order you an extender. It is free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender.

1-31

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.

1-32

{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 1-28. 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.

1-33

{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.

1-34

{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.

1-35

{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.

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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.

{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.

{CAUTION:

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

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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 1-43 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 air bag.

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.

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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.

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 — Sedan

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i (Top Tether Anchor):

Seating positions with top tether anchors.

j (Lower Anchor):

Seating positions with two lower anchors.

For sedan models, each rear seating position has exposed metal lower anchors in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion. For coupe models, each rear outboard seating position has exposed metal lower anchors in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.

To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the trim cover.

For sedan models, the top tether anchors are located under the trim covers on the rear window trim panel. 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.

For coupe models, the top tether anchors are located under trim covers on the ﬁller panel. 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.

Rear Seat — Coupe

Sedan

Coupe

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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 1-42 for additional information.

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

{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.

{CAUTION:

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 or if your child restraint does not have lower anchor attachments, see Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position on page 1-49 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. Pull open the top tether anchor trim cover to expose the anchor.

5.3. 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 does not have a head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.

If the position you are using has a ﬁxed headrest and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the head restraint.

If the position you are using has a ﬁxed headrest and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint.

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 1-43.

If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

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. Be sure the latch plate clicks when you put it into the buckle. This means you are using the correct buckle. Also, 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.

5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. 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 to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43.

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

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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 1-42.

In addition, your vehicle may have the 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 1-62 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-31 for more information on

this including important safety information.

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:

If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat position, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. See Manual Seats on page 1-2.

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43.

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There is no top tether anchor at the right front seating 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 1-43 if your child restraint has a top tether.

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 1-62. 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 Manual Seats on page 1-2.

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 RUN or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-31.

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.

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.

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

8. If your vehicle has a passenger sensing system and the airbag is off, the off indicator on the instrument panel will be lit and stay lit when the key is turned to RUN or START.

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.

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. 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 word AIRBAG will appear on the airbag covering on the garnish trim near the ceiling and the side windows.

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:

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. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past.

CAUTION: (Continued)

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, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.

{CAUTION:

Both frontal and side impact airbags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you are too close to an inﬂating airbag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for airbag inﬂation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt even with frontal airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door.

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{CAUTION:

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but 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 1-32 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-34.

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 3-30 for more information.

Where Are the Airbags?

The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

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The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.

If your vehicle has a roof-mounted side impact airbag for the driver and the person seated directly behind the driver, it is in the ceiling above the side windows.

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If your vehicle has a roof-mounted side impact airbag for the right front passenger and the person seated directly behind that passenger, it is 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 has an electronic frontal sensor which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, the 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 16 to 20 mph (26 to 32 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is 25 to 30 mph (40 to 48 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 vehicle hits a moving object.

• If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the

airbags could inﬂate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that 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.

Frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are not intended to inﬂate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.

Your vehicle may or may not have roof-mounted side impact airbags. See Airbag System on page 1-54. Roof-mounted side impact airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes. 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, rollovers or rear impacts. A roof-mounted side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

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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.

What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. 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, there are also airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows.

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag. Side impact airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including many frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for side impact airbags.

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What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates?

After a frontal airbag inﬂates, it quickly deﬂates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inﬂated. Roof-mounted side impact airbags deﬂate more slowly and may still be at least partially inﬂated minutes after the vehicle comes to rest. 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 garnish trim and ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows for roof-mounted side airbags — may 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 out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

{CAUTION:

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 may automatically unlock the doors, turn the interior lamps on, and turn the hazard warning ﬂashers on, when the airbags inﬂate. You can lock the doors, turn the interior lamps off, and turn the hazard warning ﬂashers off by using the controls for those features.

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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 has a crash sensing and diagnostic

module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 7-7.

• Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on your airbag

system. Improper service can mean that your airbag system will not work properly. See your retailer for service.

Passenger Sensing System

If your vehicle has one of the indicators pictured in the following illustrations, then your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to RUN or START. The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible during the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-31.

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 (if equipped) are not part of the passenger sensing system.

Passenger

Airbag Status

Indicator – United States

Passenger

Airbag Status

Indicator – Canada

1-62

The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat. 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.

{CAUTION:

1-63

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 right front 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 1-51.

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.

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.

1-64

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.

{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 3-30 for more on this, including important safety information.

A thick layer of additional material such as a blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers, can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. Remove any additional material from the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the child restraint and before a small occupant, including a small adult, sits in the right front passenger position. 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 1-67 for more information about modiﬁcations that can affect how the system operates.

1-65

The passenger sensing system may suppress the airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into the seat. If this happens, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator and the airbag readiness light on the instrument panel will be lit. The system should resume normal operation after the seat is allowed to dry. If the system operates incorrectly after the seat has dried, have your dealer check the system.

{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.

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 retailer 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 7-12.

{CAUTION:

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

The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.

1-66

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, height, front end or side sheet metal, 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.

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, steering wheel, instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag modules, or airbag wiring 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.

1-67

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. See Care of Safety Belts on page 5-93 for more information.

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.

1-68

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 your seat adjuster will not work after a crash, the special part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the adjuster may need to be replaced.

If an airbag inﬂates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part about the airbag system earlier in this manual.

If the frontal airbags inﬂate you will need to replace the driver’s and right front passengers 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 3-30.

1-69

✍ NOTES

1-70

Keys ...............................................................2-2

Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-3

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-4

Doors and Locks .............................................2-7

Door Locks ....................................................2-7

Power Door Locks ..........................................2-8

Delayed Locking .............................................2-8

Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................2-8

Rear Door Security Locks ................................2-9

Lockout Protection ........................................2-10

Rear Doors (Coupe) ......................................2-10

Trunk ..........................................................2-11

Windows ........................................................2-13

Manual Windows ..........................................2-13

Power Windows ............................................2-14

Sun Visors ...................................................2-15

Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-16

Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-16

Passlock

....................................................2-17

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-17

New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-17

Ignition Positions ..........................................2-18

Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-20

Starting the Engine .......................................2-20

Automatic Transaxle Operation .......................2-22

Manual Transaxle Operation ...........................2-25

Parking Brake ..............................................2-27

Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) ......2-28

Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-29

Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle) .........2-29

Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-30

Engine Exhaust ............................................2-30

Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-31

Mirrors ...........................................................2-32

Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-32

Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar

..............2-32

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with

OnStar

, Compass and Temperature

Display ....................................................2-32

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with

Compass and Temperature Display ..............2-35

Outside Remote Control Mirror .......................2-37

Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-37

Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-38

OnStar

System .............................................2-38

Storage Areas ................................................2-40

Glove Box ...................................................2-40

Cupholder(s) ................................................2-40

Center Console Storage Area .........................2-40

Roof Rack System ........................................2-40

Convenience Net ..........................................2-41

Sunroof .........................................................2-41

Section 2 Features and Controls

2-1

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.

2-2

This key operates the ignition and all of the lock cylinders on the vehicle.

You may be able to obtain a VALET key from your retailer. The VALET key only operates the driver’s door and the ignition. This a theft-deterrent feature. The VALET key should always be used when valet parking your vehicle.

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.

Remote Keyless Entry System

If equipped, the 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.

2-3

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:

• Check the distance. You may be too far from your

vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather.

• 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 2-4.

• If you are still having trouble, see your retailer

or a qualiﬁed technician for service.

Remote Keyless Entry System Operation

With this feature, you can lock and unlock the doors or the trunk from about 26 feet (8 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.

Q(Lock): Press this

symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter to lock the doors. This also arms the theft-deterrent system. See Content

Theft-Deterrent on page 2-16.

Your vehicle can be programmed so that the parking lamps will ﬂash and/or the horn will sound when you lock the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter. See your retailer for more information on programming this feature.

2-4

W(Unlock): Press this symbol on the remote keyless

entry transmitter to unlock the driver’s door. This also disarms the theft-deterrent system. See Manual Rearview Mirror on page 2-32. Press the button again to unlock the rest of the doors.

Your vehicle can be programmed so that the parking lamps will ﬂash and/or the horn will sound when you unlock the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter. See your retailer for more information on programming this feature.

L(Panic Alarm): The remote keyless entry

transmitter comes equipped with an instant panic alarm. Press the horn symbol when the ignition is turned off. The horn will sound and the parking lamps and dome lamp will ﬂash for up to two minutes. To stop the instant panic alarm, press the symbol again.

V(Trunk): Press and hold this button for

approximately one second to open the trunk. If the vehicle’s speed is faster than 2 mph (3 km/h), the trunk will not open when this button is pressed.

The remote keyless entry transmitter is used to arm/disarm the theft-deterrent system. The system will arm when the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter pressed. The system will disarm when the unlock button is pressed.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your retailer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your retailer. When the retailer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your 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.

2-5

Battery Replacement

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

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

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

1. Use a ﬂat thin object to pry open the transmitter.

2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a toothpick, pen cap or similar object to remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.

3. Insert the new battery as the instructions under the cover indicate.

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

5. Check the operation of the transmitter.

2-6

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 your vehicle.

To lock a door from the outside, turn the key toward the front of the vehicle or use the remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped.

From the inside, move the manual lock knob above the door handle or use the power door lock switch.

2-7

Power Door Locks

Press the top of the switch to unlock the doors. Press the bottom of the switch to lock the doors.

Delayed Locking

This feature will delay the actual locking of the doors for up to ﬁve seconds when the power door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter is used to lock the vehicle.

If any door is open when locking the vehicle, three chimes will be heard signaling that the delayed locking feature is active. Five seconds after the last door is closed, all of the doors will lock and the parking lamps will ﬂash. To cancel the delay and lock the doors immediately, press the lock button a second time.

If the key is in the ignition this feature will not lock the doors.

Programmable Automatic Door Locks

With this feature, the doors will automatically lock when the vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P) for vehicles with an automatic transaxle, or the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) for vehicles with a manual transaxle. The doors will automatically unlock when the ignition is turned off.

To turn the automatic door locking feature on or off, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off and all of the doors closed.

2. Press and hold the power door lock button in the lock position until the horn chirps twice.

To turn the automatic door unlocking feature on or off, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off and all of the doors closed.

2. Press and hold the power door lock button in the unlock position until the horn chirps twice.

2-8

Rear Door Security Locks

Your vehicle has rear door security locks. These prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside.

The rear door security locks are located on the inside edge of each rear door. You must open the rear doors to access them. The label depicting lock and unlock positions is located near the lock.

To set the locks, do the following:

1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it so the slot is in the horizontal position.

2. Close the door.

When you want to open a rear door when the security lock is on, do the following:

1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless entry transmitter, if the vehicle has one, the power door lock switch, or by lifting the rear door manual lock.

2. Open the door from the outside.

To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:

1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.

2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it so the slot is in the vertical position.

Security Lock Label

shown

2-9

Lockout Protection

If you press the power door lock switch when the key is in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will lock and the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle.

The lockout protection can be overridden by pressing and holding the power door lock in the lock position for three seconds.

Rear Doors (Coupe)

Your vehicle has a driver’s and passenger’s side rear access door. To open the rear access doors, ﬁrst you must open the driver’s or passenger’s door.

Then use the handle located on the front edge of the rear door to open it.

When closing the doors, the rear door must be closed and latched before you can close the driver’s or passenger’s door.

2-10

Trunk

To unlock the trunk from the outside, use the vehicle key or press the trunk button on the remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped.

{CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk lid:

• Make sure all other windows are shut.

• Turn the fan on your heating or cooling

system to its highest speed and select the control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See Climate Control System.

• If you have air outlets on or under the

instrument panel, open them all the way.

See Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.

Remote Trunk Release

Press the remote trunk release button, located on the lower left side of the instrument panel, to release the trunk lid.

Make sure the remote trunk release lockout feature is not on. The remote trunk release will work when the ignition is either in LOCK or ACC, the parking brake is engaged, or the vehicle speed is less than 2 mph (3 km/h).

2-11

Remote Trunk Release Lockout

Your remote trunk release is equipped with a lockout feature. The switch is located on the inside of the trunk lid, mounted to the trunk lid latch.

To turn the lockout on, slide the switch to the lock symbol. To turn the lockout off, slide the switch to the unlock symbol.

When the lockout is on, the remote trunk release button will not release the trunk lid. However, the trunk lid can still be opened with the key, but not with the keyless entry transmitter.

Emergency Trunk Release Handle

Notice: Do not use the emergency trunk release handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing items in the trunk as it could damage the handle. The emergency trunk release handle is only intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk, enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.

There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release handle located on the inside of the trunk lid. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle and push the trunk lid open from the inside to open the trunk.

2-12

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.

Manual Windows

If your vehicle has manual windows, use the window crank to open and close each window.

2-13

Power Windows

If your vehicle has power windows, switches located on the driver’s door armrest control each of the windows. This switch panel is illuminated for easier night time operation.

In addition, each passenger door has a window switch that controls that door’s window. To operate each window, press the switch forward to close the window and rearward to open it.

Express-Down Window

The driver’s window has an express-down feature which allows the window to lower all the way without continuously pressing the switch. The switch is labeled AUTO. Press the rear of the switch all the way down and release.

To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front of the switch.

Window Lockout

(Window Lockout): The window lockout button

is located near the driver’s power window switches. Press the right side of the button to prevent rear passengers from using their windows. Press the left side of the button to return to normal window operation.

2-14

Sun Visors

To block out glare, swing down the sun visors. You can also swing them to the side.

Visor Vanity Mirrors

Your sun visors may have vanity mirrors. If so, the driver’s mirror is covered. Lift the cover to expose the mirror.

Passenger Visor Safety Belt Clip (Coupe)

If you have a coupe, the sun visor on the passenger’s side of the vehicle has a clip. This clip is designed to hold the safety belt out of the way when entering and exiting the rear seats. Be sure to remove the safety belt from the clip when you are done.

Notice: Using the safety belt clip to enter or exit the vehicle, or in any way other than as it was intended, can damage your vehicle. Do not use the safety belt clip in any way other than as it was intended.

2-15

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.

Content Theft-Deterrent

The remote keyless entry transmitter is used to arm/disarm the theft-deterrent system. Your vehicle’s theft-deterrent system can be programmed to three different modes.

Active Arming: The system will arm when the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed. The system will disarm when the unlock button is pressed.

Passive Arming: The system will arm itself one minute after the ignition is turned off and the driver’s door has been opened and closed. If the lock button on the transmitter is pressed before the minute has passed, the system will arm immediately. The system will disarm when the unlock button is pressed.

Security System Disable: The system will not arm.

To change the mode that your vehicle is programmed to, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC.

2. Press the panic alarm button on the transmitter slowly four times within ﬁve seconds.

3. You must complete one of the following within three seconds to change the mode.

• To select the active arming mode, press the

lock button on the transmitter.

• To select the passive arming mode, press the

lock button on the transmitter twice within 3 seconds.

• To select the security system disable mode,

press the unlock button on the transmitter.

A chime will sound once the mode has been selected.

If you accidentally set off the alarm when entering/exiting the vehicle, you can shut it off by pressing any button on the remote keyless entry transmitter other than the panic alarm button.

If you hear three horn chirps when you press the unlock button on the transmitter, that means the vehicle’s alarm was triggered while you were away.

2-16

Passlock

Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock®theft-deterrent system.

Passlock

is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.

During normal operation, the security light will go off approximately three seconds after the key is turned to the RUN ignition position.

If the engine stalls and the security light ﬂashes, wait 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 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

system is not working properly and must be serviced by your retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock

at this time. You may also want to check the fuses, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-100. See your retailer for service.

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:

• Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast

or slow, for the ﬁrst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make full-throttle starts. Do not exceed 5,000 engine rpm. 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 the ﬁrst 1,000 miles

(1 600 km). See Towing a Trailer on page 4-39 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information.

Following break-in, engine speed and load can be gradually increased.

2-17

Ignition Positions

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

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.

9(LOCK): This position locks your steering column.

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 transaxle, the ignition switch cannot be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in PARK (P).

{CAUTION:

If you have a manual transaxle removing the key from the ignition switch will lock the steering column and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key to ACC.

ACC (ACCESSORY): This position operates some of

your electrical accessories. It unlocks the steering wheel and ignition.

R(RUN): This is the position the switch returns to

after you start your engine and release the switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when the engine is running. But even when the ignition is not running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories and to display some warning and indicator lights.

2-18

/(START): This position starts the engine. When

the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will return to RUN for normal driving.

A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door while in LOCK or ACC, when the key has not been removed from the ignition.

Shift Lock Release

The following procedure allows the ignition to be turned to LOCK and for ignition key removal in case of a dead battery or low voltage battery.

1. Make sure the shift lever is in PARK (P).

2. Using a tool, pry off the cover from the bottom of the steering column.

2-19

3. Place your ﬁnger into the access hole and locate the plunger.

4. Press and hold the plunger toward the driver’s door while turning the ignition key to LOCK. Remove the key.

Have your vehicle serviced at your retailer as soon as possible.

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)

Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio, wipers, power windows, sunroof and the rear power outlet to work after the ignition is turned off.

Your radio will work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACC. Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK, the radio will continue to work for up to 10 minutes or until any door is opened.

Starting the Engine

Automatic Transaxle

Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). The 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: Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.

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Manual Transaxle

The shift lever 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 Procedure

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

Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects the electrical system. If the ignition key is turned to the START position, and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking until the vehicle starts or until it exceeds the maximum cranking time allowed, approximately 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent starter-motor gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running. The engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the ACC or LOCK.

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

2. If it does not start, wait about 15 seconds and try again to start the engine by turning the ignition to START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.

When the engine has run about 10 seconds to warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not run your engine at high speed when it is cold.

If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C), let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.

3. If the 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. 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 retailer. If you do not, your engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.

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Automatic Transaxle Operation

If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, the shift lever is located on the console between the seats.

There are several different positions for the automatic transaxle.

PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It is the best position to use when you start your 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 Transaxle)

on page 2-28. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-39.

Ensure he shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever — push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) and also release the shift lever button as you maintain brake application.

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Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. Press the shift lever button before moving the shift lever. See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-29.

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

Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.

To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-30.

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

{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) while the engine is running at high speed may damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.

Notice: Shifting to a drive gear from NEUTRAL (N) while the vehicle is moving could damage the transaxle. Make sure the vehicle is stopped before shifting from NEUTRAL (N) into a drive gear.

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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving with the automatic transaxle. 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), push your

accelerator all the way down.

INTERMEDIATE (I): This position is also used for normal driving. However, it offers braking from the engine for slight downgrades where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of grade. If repetitive shifts occur between third and fourth gears on steep uphills, this position can be used to prevent repetitive shifting. Fuel economy will be lower than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).

Here are some times you might choose INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

• When driving on hilly, winding roads.

• When towing a trailer, so there is less

shifting between gears.

LOW (L): This position gives you even more power but lower fuel economy than INTERMEDIATE (I). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into LOW (L) 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 transaxle. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the vehicle in place.

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Saturn 2006 Ion Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual