Saturn 2009 VUE Owner's Manual

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Page 1

Seats and Restraint System

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

Head Restraints

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

Front Seats

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

Rear Seats

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

Safety Belts

.................. 1-10

Child Restraints

............. 1-23

Airbag System

.............. 1-42

Restraint System

Check

...................... 1-58

Features and Controls

...... 2-1

Keys

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

Doors and Locks

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

Windows

...................... 2-10

Theft-Deterrent

Systems

................... 2-12

Starting and Operating

Your Vehicle

............. 2-15

Mirrors

......................... 2-29

Object Detection

Systems

................... 2-31

OnStar

System

............ 2-33

Universal Home Remote

System

..................... 2-37

Storage Areas

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

Sunroof

........................ 2-45

Instrument Panel

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

Instrument Panel

Overview

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

Climate Controls

............ 3-17

Warning Lights, Gages,

and Indicators

............ 3-26

Driver Information

Center (DIC)

............. 3-42

Audio System(s)

............ 3-64

Driving Your Vehicle

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

Your Driving, the Road,

and the Vehicle

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

Towing

........................ 4-32

Service and Appearance Care

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

Service

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

Fuel

.............................. 5-5

Checking Things Under

the Hood

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

All-Wheel Drive

............. 5-35

Headlamp Aiming

.......... 5-36

Bulb Replacement

......... 5-39

Windshield Wiper Blade

Replacement

............. 5-42

Tires

........................... 5-43

Appearance Care

.......... 5-72

Vehicle Identiﬁcation

...... 5-79

Electrical System

........... 5-79

Capacities and

Speciﬁcations

............ 5-86

Maintenance Schedule

...... 6-1

Maintenance Schedule

..... 6-1

Customer Assistance Information

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

Customer Assistance and

Information

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

Reporting Safety

Defects

..................... 7-14

Vehicle Data Recording

and Privacy

................. 16

Index

....................................i-1

2009 Saturn VUE Owner Manual M

Page 2

SATURN, the SATURN Emblem, and the name VUE 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. Saturn reserves the right to make changes after that time without further notice.

This manual describes features that may or may not be on your speciﬁc vehicle.

Read this manual from beginning to end to learn about the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures, symbols, and words work together to explain vehicle operation.

Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.

Canadian Owners

A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer/retailer or from:

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

1-800-551-4123 www.helminc.com

Propriétaires Canadiens

On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:

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

1-800-551-4123 www.helminc.com

About Driving Your Vehicle

As with othervehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read the “on-pavement” and “off-road” driving guidelines which follow in this manual in the section called “Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle”, and speciﬁcally Off-Road Driving on page 4-13.

ii Preface

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 25812262 B Second Printing

Page 3

Index

To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found.

Safety Warnings and Symbols

A circle with a slash through it is a safety symbol which means “Do Not,” “Do not do this” or “Do not let this happen.”

A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore the warning.

{ CAUTION

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

Cautions tell what the hazard is and what to do to avoid or reduce the hazard. Read these cautions.

A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle.

Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.

Many times, this damage would not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. The notice tells what to do to help avoid the damage.

There are also warning labels on the vehicle which 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.

M : This symbol is shown when

you need to see your owner manual for additional instructions or information.

* : This symbol is shown when

you need to see a service manual for additional instructions or information.

Preface iii

Page 4

Vehicle Symbol Chart

Here are some additional symbols that may be found on the vehicle and what they mean. For more information on the symbol, refer to the index.

9 : Airbag Readiness Light # : Air Conditioning ! : Antilock Brake System (ABS) g : Audio Steering Wheel

Controls or OnStar

$ : Brake System Warning Light " : Charging System

I : Cruise Control

B : Engine Coolant Temperature

O : Exterior Lamps

# : Fog Lamps

. : Fuel Gage

+ : Fuses

i : Headlamp High/Low-Beam

Changer

j : LATCH System Child Restraints

* : Malfunction Indicator Lamp : : Oil Pressure

} : Power

/ : Remote Vehicle Start

> : Safety Belt Reminders

7 : Tire Pressure Monitor F : Traction Control M : Windshield Washer Fluid

iv Preface

Page 5

Seats and Restraint System

Head Restraints

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

Front Seats

Manual Seats

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

Seat Height Adjuster

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

Power Seat

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

Manual Lumbar

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

Heated Seats

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

Reclining Seatbacks

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

Passenger Folding Seatback

....1-8

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

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

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are

for Everyone

.....................1-10

How to Wear Safety

Belts Properly

....................1-14

Lap-Shoulder Belt

................1-19

Safety Belt Use During

Pregnancy

........................1-23

Safety Belt Extender

............1-23

Child Restraints

Older Children

.....................1-23

Infants and Young Children

....1-26

Child Restraint Systems

........1-29

Where to Put the Restraint

.....1-30

Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH)

..........1-31

Securing a Child Restraint

in a Rear Seat Position

......1-37

Securing a Child Restraint

in the Right Front Seat Position

............................1-39

Airbag System

....................1-42

Where Are the Airbags?

.......1-45

When Should an Airbag

Inﬂate?

.............................1-47

What Makes an Airbag

Inﬂate?

.............................1-49

How Does an Airbag

Restrain?

..........................1-49

What Will You See After

an Airbag Inﬂates?

.............1-50

Passenger Sensing System

....1-51

Servicing Your

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

.....1-56

Adding Equipment to Your

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

.....1-57

Restraint System Check

Checking the Restraint

Systems

...........................1-58

Replacing Restraint System

Parts After a Crash

............1-59

Seats and Restraint System 1-1

Page 6

Head Restraints

The front and rear seats have adjustable head restraints in the outboard seating positions.

{ CAUTION

With head restraints that are not installed and adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that occupants will suffer a neck/spinal injury in a crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants are installed and adjusted properly.

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.

1-2 Seats and Restraint System

Page 7

Push down on the head restraint after the button is released to make sure that it is locked in place.

The head restraints are not designed to be removed.

Active Head Restraint System

The vehicle has an active head restraint system in the front outboard seating positions. The active head restraints automatically tilt forward to reduce the risk of neck injury if the vehicle is hit from behind.

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.

To move a manual seat forward or rearward:

1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat.

2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.

Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place.

Seats and Restraint System 1-3

Page 8

Seat Height Adjuster

If the vehicle has a manual driver seat height adjuster, it is located on the outboard side of the seat near the front of the seat cushion.

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.

Power Seat

: To adjust the seat:

Move the seat forward or rearward.

Raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion.

1-4 Seats and Restraint System

Page 9

Manual Lumbar

If the vehicle has this feature, the knob is located on the inboard side of the driver seatback.

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

Heated Seats

On vehicles with heated front seats the controls are located on the center console. The engine must be running to operate the heated seats.

M (Heated Seat): Press this button

to turn on the heated seat. The indicator light on the button

shows that the feature is on and the level of heat, three being the highest. Press the button to choose the level of heat.

The passenger seat may take longer to heat up.

Seats and Restraint System 1-5

Page 10

Reclining Seatbacks

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

{ CAUTION

If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

On seats with manual reclining seatbacks, the lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seat.

To recline the seatback:

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:

1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback and the seatback returns to the upright position.

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

1-6 Seats and Restraint System

Page 11

Power Reclining Seatbacks

If the seats have power reclining seatbacks, the control used to recline them is located on the outboard side of the seat.

• To recline the seatback, tilt the

top of the control rearward.

• To bring the seatback forward, tilt

the top of the control forward.

{ 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. 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 the vehicle is moving.

Seats and Restraint System 1-7

Page 12

Passenger Folding Seatback

The front passenger seatback may fold ﬂat.

{ 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 1-45 and Loading the Vehicle on page 4-28.

{ 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:

1. Lower the head restraint all the way.

2. Lift the bar under the front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat as far back as it will go and release the bar. Try to move the seat back and forth to make sure it is locked into place.

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

4. Continue to fold the seat forward into the folded position.

5. Pull up on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

1-8 Seats and Restraint System

Page 13

To raise the seatback:

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

2. Continue raising the seatback until the seatback re-engages.

{ CAUTION

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

The recliner lever is also used to recline the seatback while a passenger is seated. See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-6.

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

The rear split bench seatbacks can be folded forward, upright, or partially reclined, independent of the other seatback position.

{ 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 fold the seatback down:

Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat.

1. Unbuckle all three safety belts and put the front seatback in an upright position.

Seats and Restraint System 1-9

Page 14

2. Lift the lever located on the top of the seatback to release the seatback and fold the seatback forward.

To recline the seatback:

1. Lift and hold the lever located on top of the seatback.

2. Tilt the seatback rearward, then release the lever.

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

This section of the manual describes how to use safety belts properly. It also describes some things not to do with safety belts.

{ CAUTION

Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, the injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the vehicle. You and your passenger(s) 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 passenger(s) are restrained 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.

This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-28 for additional information.

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts. Here is why:

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 serious one.

1-10 Seats and Restraint System

Page 15

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 safety belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.

After more than 40 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.

Put someone on it.

Seats and Restraint System 1-11

Page 16

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop.

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

or the instrument panel...

1-12 Seats and Restraint System

Page 17

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

Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are

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

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why

should I have to wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental

systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

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 a crash — even one that is not your fault — you and your passenger(s) 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.

Seats and Restraint System 1-13

Page 18

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

This section 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 infants. If a child will be riding in the vehicle, see Older Children on

page 1-23 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-26. Follow those

rules for everyone’s protection. It is very important for all occupants

to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.

Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety belt, there is important information you should know.

Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the ﬂoor in front of you. 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 on 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 shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

1-14 Seats and Restraint System

Page 19

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose.

It will not give 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 snugly against your body.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The lap belt is too loose. It will

not give nearly as much protection this way.

{ CAUTION

You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is too loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs.

Seats and Restraint System 1-15

Page 20

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong

buckle.

{ 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 on the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

1-16 Seats and Restraint System

Page 21

{ CAUTION

You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied on the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

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. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.

Seats and Restraint System 1-17

Page 22

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is behind the body.

{ CAUTION

You can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, you would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. Your body could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. You might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across

the body.

{ CAUTION

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

1-18 Seats and Restraint System

Page 23

Lap-Shoulder Belt

All seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt.

The following instructions explain how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.

1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted.

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

If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled out all the way, the child restraint locking feature may be engaged. If this happens, let the belt go back all the way and start again.

Engaging the child restraint locking feature in the right front seating position may affect the passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-51 for more information.

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

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-23.

Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

Seats and Restraint System 1-19

Page 24

4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you. See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later in this section for instructions on use and important safety information.

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

It may be necessary to pull the stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants.

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should return to its stowed position. Slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing when the safety belt is not in use. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall.

Before a door is closed, be sure the safety belt is out of the way. If a door is slammed against a safety belt, damage can occur to both the safety belt and the vehicle.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

The vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for the driver and right front passenger seating positions.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on the shoulder. The belt should be away from the face and neck, but not falling off of the shoulder. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.

1-20 Seats and Restraint System

Page 25

Squeeze the release buttons (A) together and move the height adjuster up or down to the desired position.

After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try to move it up or down without squeezing the release buttons to make sure it has locked into position.

Safety Belt Pretensioners

This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the front outboard occupants. Although the safety belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they

are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. And, for vehicles with side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash or a rollover event.

Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners activate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, and probably other new parts for the vehicle’s safety belt system. See

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-59.

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 shoulder belt away from the neck and head.

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

1. Remove the guide from its storage location, which is a pocket on the side of the seat.

2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

Seats and Restraint System 1-21

Page 26

3. 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.

4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described previously in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the belt edges together so that the safety belt can be removed from the guide. Store the comfort guide in its storage location, which is a pocket on the side of the seat.

1-22 Seats and Restraint System

Page 27

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

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

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

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

Safety Belt Extender

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

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

Child Restraints

Older Children

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

Seats and Restraint System 1-23

Page 28

The manufacturer’s instructions that come with the booster seat, state the weight and height limitations for that booster. Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt until the child passes the below ﬁt test:

• Sit all the way back on the

seat. Do the knees bend at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

• Buckle the lap-shoulder belt.

Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, try using the rear safety belt comfort guide. See “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under

Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-19

for more information. If the shoulder belt still does not rest on the shoulder, then return to the booster seat.

• Does the lap belt ﬁt low and snug

on the hips, touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

• Can proper safety belt ﬁt be

maintained for the length of the trip? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

Q: What is the proper way to

wear safety belts?

A: An older child should wear a

lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.

Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-19.

According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position.

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

1-24 Seats and Restraint System

Page 29

{ CAUTION

Never do this. Never allow two children to wear

the same safety belt. The safety belt can not properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A safety belt must be used by only one person at a time.

{ CAUTION

Never do this. Never allow a child to wear the

safety belt with the shoulder belt behind their back. A child can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, the child would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. The child could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. The child might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.

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Infants and Young Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle.

{ 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.

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. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate child restraints.

Children who are not restrained properly can strike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.

{ CAUTION

Never do this. Never hold an infant or a child

while riding in a vehicle. Due to crash forces, an infant or a child will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it during a crash. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) infant will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. An infant should be secured in an appropriate restraint.

1-26 Seats and Restraint System

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{ CAUTION

Never do this. Children who are up against, or

very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat. Secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. It is also better to secure a forward-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If you must secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go.

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Q: What are the different types of

add-on child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which

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

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

The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and

height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs.

{ CAUTION

To reduce the risk of neck and head injury during a crash, infants need complete support. This is because an infant’s neck is not fully developed and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing child restraint 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 should always be secured in rear-facing child restraints.

{ CAUTION

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

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Child Restraint Systems

A rear-facing infant seat (A) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant.

The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

A forward-facing child seat (B) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness.

A booster seat (C) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

(A) Rear-Facing Infant Seat

(B) Forward-Facing Child Seat (C) Booster Seats

Seats and Restraint System 1-29

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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. Secure the child restraint properly in the vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that child restraint and the instructions in this manual.

To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31 for more

information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle.

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

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in the vehicle — even when no child is in it.

Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint

{ CAUTION

A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Secure the child properly following the instructions that came with that child restraint.

Where to Put the Restraint

According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position.

We recommend that children and child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who are large enough, using safety belts.

A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

1-30 Seats and Restraint System

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{ CAUTION

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inﬂates and the passenger seat is in a forward position.

Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off.

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you 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.

See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-51 for additional information.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle, even if the airbag is off.

When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with your child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.

Wherever a child restraint is installed, be sure to secure the child restraint properly.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

(LATCH)

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.

Seats and Restraint System 1-31

Page 36

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 that has 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.

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).

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.

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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 child restraints that have top tethers are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint.

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.

To assist you in locating the lower anchors, each seating position with lower anchors has two labels, near the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.

To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is located near the top tether anchors.

The top tether anchors are located on the back of the rear seatback. 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

Seats and Restraint System 1-33

Page 38

Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached.

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 1-30 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 child restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Install a LATCH-type child restraint properly using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with the child restraint and the instructions in this manual.

{ CAUTION

Do not attach more than one child restraint to a single anchor. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash, attach only one child restraint per anchor.

1-34 Seats and Restraint System

Page 39

{ CAUTION

Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle any unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if your vehicle has one, after the child restraint has been installed.

Notice: Do not let the LATCH attachments rub against the vehicle’s safety belts. This may damage these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety belts to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments.

Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt buckled. This could damage the safety belt or the seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its stowed position, before folding the seat.

1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual.

1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position.

1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors.

2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:

2.1. Find the top tether anchor.

2.2. Route, attach, and tighten

the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:

If the position you are using does not have a headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback.

Seats and Restraint System 1-35

Page 40

If the position you are using does not have a headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.

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

If the position you are using has an adjustable headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, raise the headrest or head restraint and route the tether under the headrest or head restraint and in between the headrest or head restraint posts.

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

1-36 Seats and Restraint System

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat

Position

When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with the child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.

If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31 for how and where

to install the child restraint using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured in the vehicle using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31

for top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in

a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions

that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached.

If the child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the safety 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.

If more than one child restraint needs to be installed in the rear seat, be sure to read Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-30.

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

Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

Seats and Restraint System 1-37

Page 42

4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock.

5. Totighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. When installing a forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. If the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31 for more

information.

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

To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position. If the top tether is attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it.

1-38 Seats and Restraint System

Page 43

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right

Front Seat Position

The vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-30.

In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system which is designed to turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. See Passenger

Sensing System on page 1-51 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30 for more

information, including important safety information.

A label on the 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

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-51 for additional information.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle, even if the airbag is off.

Seats and Restraint System 1-39

Page 44

If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and

Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31 for how and where

to install the child restraint using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31 for top tether

anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in a

position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached.

You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint.

1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint.

When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator on the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when the vehicle is started. See

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.

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

Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

1-40 Seats and Restraint System

Page 45

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. When installing a forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

7. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat and the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-31 for

more information.

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

If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator will come on and stay on when the vehicle is started.

If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, see “If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint ” under Passenger Sensing System on page 1-51 for more information.

To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position.

Seats and Restraint System 1-41

Page 46

Airbag System

The vehicle has the following airbags:

• A frontal airbag for the driver.

• A frontal airbag for the right front

passenger.

• A seat-mounted side impact

airbag for the driver.

• A seat-mounted side impact

airbag for the right front passenger.

• A roof-rail airbag for the driver

and the passenger seated directly behind the driver.

• A roof-rail airbag for the right

front passenger and the passenger seated directly behind the right front passenger.

All of the airbags in the vehicle will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening.

For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and on the instrument panel for the right front passenger.

With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback closest to the door.

With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear along the headliner or trim.

Even if you do not have a right front passenger seat in the vehicle there is still an active frontal airbag in the right side of the instrument panel. Do not place cargo in front of this airbag.

{ CAUTION

Be sure that 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 1-45 and Loading the Vehicle on page 4-28.

Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating bag, all airbags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job.

1-42 Seats and Restraint System

Page 47

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. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to deploy in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are your only restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 1-47.

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.

{ CAUTION

Airbags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily close to the airbag, as you would

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

be if you were sitting on the edge of your seat or leaning forward. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with 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 or side windows in seating positions with seat-mounted side impact airbags and/or roof-rail airbags.

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Page 48

{ 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

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

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 1-23 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-26.

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 3-29 for more information.

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Where Are the Airbags?

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

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

The seat-mounted side impact airbags for the driver and right front passenger are in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door.

Driver Side shown, Passenger

Side similar

Seats and Restraint System 1-45

Page 50

The roof-rail airbags for the driver, right front passenger, and second row outboard passengers are in the ceiling above the side windows.

{ CAUTION

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

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

Do not use seat accessories that block the inﬂation path of a seat-mounted side impact airbag.

Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inﬂating roof-rail airbag will be blocked.

Driver Side shown, Passenger

Side similar

1-46 Seats and Restraint System

Page 51

When Should an Airbag Inﬂate?

Frontal airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver’s or right front passenger’s head and chest. However, they are only designed to inﬂate if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inﬂate and help restrain the occupants.

Whether the 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.

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.

Thresholds can also vary with speciﬁc vehicle design.

Frontal airbags are not intended to inﬂate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.

In addition, the vehicle has dual-stage frontal airbags. Dual-stage airbags adjust the restraint according to crash severity. The vehicle has electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags inﬂate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.

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Page 52

The vehicle has seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags. See Airbag System on page 1-42. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes. In addition, these roof-rail airbags are intended to inﬂate during a rollover or in a severe frontal impact. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed threshold level. The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design.

Seat-mounted side impact airbags are not intended to inﬂate in frontal impacts, near-frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts. Roof-rail airbags are not intended to inﬂate in rear impacts. A seat-mounted side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Both roof-rail airbags will deploy when either side of the vehicle is struck, or if the sensing system predicts that the vehicle is about to roll over, or in a severe frontal impact.

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 seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags, deployment is determined by the location and severity of the side impact. In a rollover event, roof-rail airbag deployment is determined by the direction of the roll.

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Page 53

What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate?

In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inﬂator. Gas from the inﬂator ﬁlls the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inﬂator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module.

Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with seat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbag modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows that have occupant seating positions.

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle.

Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body.

Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help contain the head and chest of occupants in the outboard seating positions in the ﬁrst and second rows. The rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of full or partial ejection in rollover events, although no system can prevent all such ejections.

But airbags would not help in many types of collisions, primarily because the occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 1-47 for more information.

Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts.

Seats and Restraint System 1-49

Page 54

What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates?

After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact airbags inﬂate, they quickly deﬂate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inﬂated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inﬂated for some time after they deploy. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For location of the airbag modules, see What

Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 1-49.

The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deﬂated airbags. Airbag inﬂation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle.

{ CAUTION

When an airbag inﬂates, there may be dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention.

The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn 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. You must ﬁrst, however, turn the ignition key to the following ignition switch positions:

1. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.

2. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.

1-50 Seats and Restraint System

Page 55

In many crashes severe enough to inﬂate the 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 the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

• The vehicle has a crash sensing

and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Recording and

Privacy on page 7-16 and Event Data Recorders on page 7-16.

• Let only qualiﬁed technicians work

on the airbag systems. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer/retailer for service.

Passenger Sensing System

The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position. The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started.

The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, are visible during the system check. If you are using remote start, if equipped, to start the vehicle from a distance, you may not see the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible. See Passenger

Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.

United States

Canada

Seats and Restraint System 1-51

Page 56

The passenger sensing system turns off the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag under certain conditions. The driver airbags and the roof-rail airbags are not affected by the passenger sensing system.

The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag should be enabled (may inﬂate) or not.

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in a correct child restraint for their weight and size.

We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who are large enough, using safety belts.

A label on the 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

(Continued)

1-52 Seats and Restraint System

Page 57

CAUTION (Continued)

Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped), no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though the airbag(s) are off.

Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag(s) are off. If you 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.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle, even if the airbag is off.

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger airbag and seat-mounted side impact 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 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 frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag, the off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbags are off. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on (may inﬂate) the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger seat.

When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbags are active.

Seats and Restraint System 1-53

Page 58

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 frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone in the vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.

{ CAUTION

If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-29 for more information, including important safety information.

If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint

If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit:

1. Turn the vehicle off.

2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.

3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers.

4. Reinstallthe child restraint following the directions provided by the child restraint manufacturer and refer to Securing a Child

Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-39.

5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, turn the vehicle off. Then slightly recline the vehicle seatback and adjust the seat cushion, if adjustable, to make sure that the vehicle seatback is not pushing the child restraint into the seat cushion.

Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. See Head Restraints on page 1-2.

6. Restart the vehicle.

If the on indicator is still lit with an infant present in a child restraint, secure the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and see your dealer/retailer.

1-54 Seats and Restraint System

Page 59

If the Off Indicator is Lit for an Adult-Size Occupant

If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat.

If this happens, use the following steps to allow the system to detect that person and enable the right front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag:

1. Turn the vehicle off.

2. Remove any additional material from the seat, such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers.

3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.

4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended.

5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for two to three minutes after the on indicator is lit.

Additional Factors Affecting System Operation

Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints” in the Index for additional information about the importance of proper restraint use.

Seats and Restraint System 1-55

Page 60

A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. We recommend that you not use seat covers or other aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM for your speciﬁc vehicle. See Adding Equipment to Your

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-57 for more information

about modiﬁcations that can affect how the system operates.

{ CAUTION

Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or between the passenger seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system.

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in several places around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service manual have information about servicing the vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.

{ CAUTION

For up to 10 seconds after the ignition 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.

1-56 Seats and Restraint System

Page 61

Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle

Q: Is there anything I might add

to or change about the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly?

A: Yes. If you add things that

change the vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height, front end or side sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Changing or moving any parts of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument panel, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner or pillar garnish trim, front sensors, side impact sensors, rollover sensor module, or airbag wiring can affect the operation of the airbag system.

In addition, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position, which includes sensors that are part of the passenger seat. The passenger sensing system may not operate properly if the original seat trim is replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or with GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a different vehicle. Any object, such as an aftermarket seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device, installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing system. This could either prevent proper deployment of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system from properly turning off the passenger airbag(s). See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-51.

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 7-1.

If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see Different

Size Tires and Wheels on page 5-59 for additional

important information.

Seats and Restraint System 1-57

Page 62

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: 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 7-1.

In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manual have information about the location of the airbag sensors, sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring.

Restraint System Check

Checking the Restraint Systems

Safety Belts

Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly.

Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job. See your dealer/retailer to have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.

Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-28 for more information.

Keep safety belts clean and dry. See Care of Safety Belts on page 5-74.

Airbags

The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag readiness light is working. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-29 for more information.

Notice: If an airbag covering is damaged, opened, or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there are any opened or broken airbag covers, have the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced. For the location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? on page 1-49. See your dealer/retailer for service.

1-58 Seats and Restraint System

Page 63

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 the vehicle has been in a crash, do you need new safety belts or LATCH system (if equipped) parts?

After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary. But the safety belt assemblies that were used during any crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your dealer/retailer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced.

If the vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being used during a crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.

New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was not being used at the time of the crash.

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

Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, if the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is started, or while you are driving. See

Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-29.

Seats and Restraint System 1-59

Page 64

✍ NOTES

1-60 Seats and Restraint System

Page 65

Features and Controls

Keys

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

Remote Keyless

Entry (RKE) System

.............2-3

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

System Operation

................2-4

Remote Vehicle Start

.............2-5

Doors and Locks

Door Locks

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

Power Door Locks

.................2-8

Delayed Locking

...................2-8

Automatic Door Lock

.............2-8

Automatic Door Unlock

...........2-8

Rear Door Security Locks

.......2-8

Lockout Protection

.................2-8

Liftgate

................................2-9

Windows

............................2-10

Power Windows

..................2-10

Sun Visors

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

Theft-Deterrent Systems

.......2-12

Content Theft-Deterrent

........2-12

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic

Immobilizer

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

PASS-Key

III+ Electronic

Immobilizer Operation

.........2-14

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

New Vehicle Break-In

...........2-15

Ignition Positions

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

Retained Accessory

Power (RAP)

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

Starting the Engine

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

Engine Coolant Heater

.........2-18

Automatic Transmission

Operation (Uplevel)

............2-19

Automatic Transmission

Operation (Base)

...............2-22

Parking Brake

.....................2-24

Shifting Into Park (Automatic

Transmission)

....................2-25

Shifting Out of Park

.............2-27

Parking Over Things

That Burn

.........................2-27

Engine Exhaust

...................2-28

Running the Vehicle

While Parked

....................2-28

Mirrors

Manual Rearview Mirror

........2-29

Automatic Dimming

Rearview Mirror

.................2-29

Outside Power Mirrors

..........2-29

Outside Convex Mirror

..........2-30

Outside Heated Mirrors

.........2-30

Object Detection Systems

Rear Vision

Camera (RVC)

...................2-31

OnStar®System

..................2-33

Universal Home Remote System

Universal Home Remote

System

.............................2-37

Universal Home Remote

System Operation

..............2-37

Storage Areas

Glove Box

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

Cupholders

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

Instrument Panel Storage

......2-42

Sunglasses Storage

Compartment

.....................2-42

Front Storage Area

..............2-42

Center Console Storage

.......2-42

Features and Controls 2-1

Page 66

Luggage Carrier

..................2-43

Rear Seat Armrest

...............2-44

Convenience Net

.................2-44

Cargo Cover

.......................2-44

Cargo Tie Downs

................2-44

Cargo Management

System

.............................2-44

Sunroof

..............................2-45

Keys

{ CAUTION

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons, children or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The windows will function with the keys in the ignition and children could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the path of a closing window. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

The two keys can be used for the ignition and all locks.

The key code is stamped on the key number plate and can be used to make new keys at any dealer/ retailer. Store this information in a safe place outside the vehicle.

Notice: If you ever lock your keys in the vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys.

If you are locked out of the vehicle, contact Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6 for more information.

2-2 Features and Controls

Page 67

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System

If this vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system, it 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.

If there is a decrease in the RKE operating range, try this:

• Check the distance. The

transmitter may be too far from the vehicle. 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 the transmitter’s battery.

See “Battery Replacement” later in this section.

• If the transmitter is still not

working correctly, see your dealer/retailer or a qualiﬁed technician for service.

Features and Controls 2-3

Page 68

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation

The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions work up to 195 feet (60 m) away from the vehicle.

There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System on page 2-3.

/ (Remote Vehicle Start):

For vehicles with this feature, this button is used to operate the remote start feature. See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2-5 for additional information.

Q (Lock): Press to lock all the

doors, including the liftgate.

K (Unlock): Press once to unlock

the driver door. If

K is pressed again

within ﬁve seconds, all remaining doors unlock. The interior lamps come on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on.

L (Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):

Press and release to locate the vehicle. The turn signal lamps ﬂash and the horn sounds three times.

Press and hold

L to activate the

panic alarm. The turn signal lamps ﬂash and the horn sounds repeatedly for 30 seconds. The alarm turns

off when the ignition is turned to ON/RUN or when

L is pressed

again. The ignition must be in LOCK/OFF for the panic alarm to work.

Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle

Only RKE transmitters programmed to the vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased and programmed through your dealer/retailer. When the replacement transmitter is programmed to the vehicle, all remaining transmitters must also be programmed. Any lost or stolen transmitters no longer work once the new transmitter is programmed. Each vehicle can have up to eight transmitters programmed to it. See “Relearn Remote Key” under

DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-42.

Without Remote Start Shown

(With Remote Start Similar)

2-4 Features and Controls

Page 69

Battery Replacement

Replace the battery if the REPLACE REMOTE KEY FOB BATTERY message displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See “REPLACE REMOTE KEY FOB BATTERY” under DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-49.

Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from your body could damage the transmitter.

To replace the battery:

1. Separate the transmitter with a ﬂat, thin object inserted into the notch on the side.

2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.

3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.

4. Reassemble the transmitter.

Remote Vehicle Start

This vehicle may have a remote starting feature that starts the engine from outside of the vehicle.

It may also start the vehicle’s heating or air conditioning systems and rear window defogger. Normal operation of the climate control system returns after the key is turned to the ON/RUN position.

The climate control system turns on at the setting the vehicle was set to when the vehicle was last turned off.

Laws in some communities may restrict the use of remote starters. For example, some laws may require a person using the remote start to have the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles.

If the vehicle is low on fuel, only one 10 minute remote start is allowed to help avoid running out of fuel.

Features and Controls 2-5

Page 70

If the vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE transmitter functions have an increased range of operation. However, the range may be less while the vehicle is running.

There are other conditions which can affect the performance of the transmitter, see Remote Keyless

Entry (RKE) System on page 2-3

for additional information.

/ (Remote Start): This button is

located on the RKE transmitter if the vehicle has remote start.

To start the vehicle:

1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.

2. Press and release

Q, then

immediately press and hold

until the turn signal lamps ﬂash. If the vehicle’s lamps cannot be

seen, press and hold

/ for at

least two seconds. The vehicle’s doors lock. Pressing

/ again,

after the vehicle has started, shuts the vehicle off.

When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps turn on and remain on while the vehicle is running.

3. After entering the vehicle during a remote start, and the engine is still running, turn the key to the ON/RUN position to drive the vehicle.

If the vehicle is left running it automatically shuts off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has been done.

If it is the vehicle’s ﬁrst remote start since it was last driven, repeat these steps while the engine is still running to give a 10 minute time extension. Remote start can be extended one time.

To manually shut off a remote start:

• Aim the RKE transmitter at the

vehicle and press

/ until the

parking lamps turn off.

• Turn on the hazard warning

ﬂashers.

• Turn the ignition switch on and

then off.

The vehicle can be remote started two separate times between driving sequences. The engine runs for 10 minutes after each remote start. Or, the engine run time can be extended another 10 minutes within the ﬁrst 10 minute remote start time frame, and before the engine stops.

For example, if

Q and then / are

pressed again after the vehicle has been running for ﬁve minutes, 10 minutes are added, allowing the engine to run for 15 minutes.

The additional 10 minutes are considered a second remote vehicle start.

2-6 Features and Controls

Page 71

The vehicle must be started with the key once two remote starts, or a single remote start with one time extension has been done.

The vehicle can be started using the remote start feature again after the key is removed from the ignition.

The vehicle cannot be started using the remote start feature if the key is in the ignition, the hood is open, or if there is an emission control system malfunction.

The engine turns off during a remote start if the coolant temperature gets too high or if the oil pressure gets low.

Remote Start Ready

If the vehicle does not have the remote vehicle start feature, it may have the remote start ready feature. This feature allows your dealer/ retailer to add the manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature.

To add the manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature to the vehicle, see your dealer/retailer.

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. The chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash is increased if the doors are not locked. So, all passengers should wear safety belts properly and the doors should be locked whenever the vehicle is driven.

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

• 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 the vehicle whenever leaving 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.

To lock or unlock a door, use the key from the outside or the door lock from the inside.

Features and Controls 2-7

Page 72

Power Door Locks

: The power door lock switches

are located on the driver door.

• Press the right side of the switch

to unlock the doors.

• Remove the ignition key and

press the left side of the switch to lock all of the doors.

Delayed Locking

A chime will sound to indicate a door or liftgate is open when you try to lock the doors with the power door lock switch. The doors will not lock, and the theft-deterrent system will not arm until all the doors are closed and ﬁve seconds have passed.

Automatic Door Lock

The doors are programmed to automatically lock when the shift lever is moved into a forward gear.

The automatic door lock feature cannot be disabled.

Automatic Door Unlock

The doors will automatically unlock when the shift lever is moved into (P) Park.

Rear Door Security Locks

The vehicle has rear door security locks to prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside.

Open the rear doors to access the security locks on the inside edge of each door.

To set the locks, insert a key into the slot and turn it to the horizontal position. The door can only be opened from the outside with the door unlocked. To return the door to normal operation, turn the slot to the vertical position.

Lockout Protection

When the power door lock switch is pressed with the key in the ignition, and any door is open, all the doors lock and the driver door unlocks. When doors are closed with the key in the ignition, the horn will sound as a reminder.

If the doors are locked with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, and the key is in the ignition, a chime sounds and all except the driver door lock.

The lockout protection feature can be overridden by holding the power door lock switch for three seconds.

2-8 Features and Controls

Page 73

Liftgate

{ CAUTION

Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any objects that pass through the seal between the body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.

If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate, or trunk/hatch open:

• Close all of the windows.

• Fully open the air outlets on or

under the instrument panel.

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

• Adjust the Climate Control

system to a setting that brings in only outside air and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index.

• If the vehicle is equipped with

a power liftgate, disable the power liftgate function.

For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 2-28.

To lock or unlock the liftgate, press the button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter twice or the power door lock switch.

To open the liftgate, press the touchpad on the underside of the liftgate handle and pull up.

To close the liftgate, pull down using the handle and close until it latches.

Liftgate Operation with Loss of Power

To open the liftgate if the vehicle’s battery is disconnected or the voltage is low, access the release lever. Remove the interior trim cover on the inside of the liftgate. Use a tool to push the lever on the latch until the liftgate releases.

Features and Controls 2-9

Page 74

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.

Power Windows

{ CAUTION

Leaving children in a vehicle with the keys is dangerous for many reasons, children or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The windows will function and they could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the path of a closing window. Do not leave keys in a vehicle with children.

When there are children in the rear seat use the window lockout button to prevent unintentional operation of the windows.

2-10 Features and Controls

Page 75

The window switches for all doors are located on the driver door. Each door also has a switch.

To open or close a window, press or pull up on the switch.

The power windows operate when the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or while in Retained Accessory Power (RAP). See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-17.

Express-Down Window

The driver window switch has an express-down feature that lowers the window without holding the switch. Press the switch part way and the window will open a small amount. Press the switch down all the way and release it and the window lowers all the way.

To stop the window while it is lowering, press and release the switch.

Window Lockout

o (Window Lockout): The vehicle

has a lockout feature to prevent rear seat passengers from operating the windows. Press the lockout button, located with the power window switches, to turn the feature on and off.

Sun Visors

To block out glare, swing the sun visor down, or detach the driver sun visor from the center mount and slide it along the rod from side-to-side.

On a visor with a mirror, lift the cover to use it.

Features and Controls 2-11

Page 76

Theft-Deterrent Systems

Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however, they do not make it impossible to steal.

Content Theft-Deterrent

Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent alarm system.

The security light is located near the center of the instrument panel.

To arm the theft-deterrent system, press

Q on the RKE transmitter

when all doors and the hood (vehicles started with the remote start feature only) are closed. The security light will come on solid for approximately 30 seconds and

then ﬂashes slowly. If

Q on the RKE

transmitter is pressed a second time, the theft-deterrent system will activate immediately, bypassing the 30 second delay. The content theft deterrent alarm is not armed until the security light ﬂashes slowly.

If any door, liftgate or the hood (vehicles started with the remote start feature only) are opened

without using the key or pressing

on the RKE transmitter, the exterior lamps ﬂash and the horn will sound

for about 30 seconds. If

Q or K on

the RKE transmitter is not pressed, the alarm sounds and periodically repeats. If the system does not operate as described above, see your dealer/retailer for service.

The theft-deterrent system also activates if you lock the doors with a key.

To avoid setting off the alarm by accident, always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter or a key. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm if the system has been armed.

If you set off the alarm by accident, turn off the alarm by pressing

Q or K

on the RKE transmitter or by placing the key in the ignition and turning it to START.

United States shown,

Canada similar

2-12 Features and Controls

Page 77

Testing the Alarm

To test the alarm:

1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver window and open the driver door.

2. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and activate the system by locking the doors with the RKE transmitter.

3. Wait for the security light to ﬂash slowly.

4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm.

If the alarm does not sound when it should, but the vehicle’s headlamps ﬂash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-80.

If the alarm does not sound or the vehicle’s headlamps do not ﬂash, see your dealer/retailer for service.

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer

The PASS-Key III+ system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference.

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.

PASS-Key III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in the key that matches a decoder in the vehicle.

Features and Controls 2-13

Page 78

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operation

This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key

III+ is a passive

theft-deterrent system. The system is automatically armed

when the key is removed from the ignition.

You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.

The security light comes on if there is a problem with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.

When the PASS-Key

III+ system senses that someone is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high number of electrical key codes.

When trying to start the vehicle if the engine does not start and the security light on the instrument panel cluster comes on, there may be a problem with your theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off and try again.

If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be not damaged, wait about ﬁve minutes and try another ignition key and check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-80. If the engine still does not start with the other key, the vehicle needs service. If the vehicle does start, the ﬁrst key may be faulty. See your dealer/retailer who can service the PASS-Key

III+ to have a new key made. In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.

It is possible for the PASS-Key

III+ decoder to “learn” the transponder value of a new or replacement key. Up to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle. The following procedure is for programming additional keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key

III+ to have keys made and programmed to the system.

See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key

III+ to get a new key blank that is cut exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.

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To program the new key:

1. Verify that the new key has a

1 stamped on it.

2. Insert the already programmed key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine does not start, see your dealer/retailer for service.

3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.

4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to the ON/RUN position within ﬁve seconds of the original key being turned to the LOCK/OFF position.

The security light turns off once the key has been programmed.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be programmed.

If the PASS-Key

III+ key is lost or damaged, see your dealer/retailer or a locksmith to have a new key made.

Do not leave the key or device that disarms or deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.

Starting and Operating Your

Vehicle

New Vehicle Break-In

Notice: The 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. Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.

• Avoid making hard stops for

the ﬁrst 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time the new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings.

• Do not tow a trailer during

break-in. See Towing a Trailer on page 4-35 for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle and more information.

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

Features and Controls 2-15

Page 80

Ignition Positions

The ignition switch has four different positions.

To shift out of P (Park), turn the ignition to ON/RUN and apply the regular brake pedal.

Notice: Using a tool to force the key to turn in the ignition could cause damage to the switch or break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all the way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your dealer/retailer.

LOCK/OFF: This position locks the

ignition. It also locks the steering wheel and the transmission. The key can only be removed in LOCK/OFF. The shift lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.

The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center. If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this doesn’t work, the vehicle needs service.

ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY): This is the position in which you can operate the electrical accessories or items plugged into the accessory power outlets.

Use this position if the vehicle must be pushed or towed.

ON/RUN: This position can be used to operate the electrical accessories and to display some instrument panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch stays in this position when the engine is running. The transmission is also unlocked in this position. If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN positions with the engine off, the battery could be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.

START: This is the position that starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.

A warning tone will sound when the driver door is opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.

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Retained Accessory Power (RAP)

These vehicle accessories may be used for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to the LOCK position:

• Outside Mirror

• Power Windows

• Sunroof (if equipped)

• Radio

The outside mirror, power windows and sunroof will function until a door is opened.

The radio will function until the driver door is opened.

Starting the Engine

Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.

Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the vehicle is stopped.

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 slow down as the engine warms. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.

The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects components. If the ignition key is turned to the START position, and then released when the engine begins

cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and the key is held in START, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running. Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to the ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF position.

Notice: Cranking the engine for long periods of time, by returning the key to the START position immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat and damage the cranking motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to let the cranking motor cool down.

Features and Controls 2-17

Page 82

2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds, especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or

−18°C), it could be ﬂooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the ﬂoor and holding it there as you hold the key in START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts brieﬂy but then stops again, repeat these steps. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.

Notice: The engine is designed to work with the electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the engine might not perform properly. Any resulting damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

Engine Coolant Heater

The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles with an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting. Some models may have an internal thermostat in the cord which will prevent engine coolant heater operation at temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater

1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The engine coolant heater cord is located near the air cleaner box on the passenger side of the engine compartment. See Engine

Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for more information

on location.

3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

2-18 Features and Controls

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{ CAUTION

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a ﬁre. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.

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

The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/ retailer in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice on this.

Automatic Transmission Operation (Uplevel)

The shift lever is located on the console between the seats.

There are several different positions for the automatic transmission.

P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when starting the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.

{ CAUTION

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

Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-25.If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system.

Features and Controls 2-19

Page 84

The regular brakes must be applied ﬁrst and then the shift lever button pressed before you can shift from P (Park) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park on page 2-27.

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

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

To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see If

Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-27.

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

{ CAUTION

Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your foot is ﬁrmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear while the engine is running at high speed.

Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with the engine running at high speed may damage the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.

D (Drive): This position is for

normal driving with the automatic transmission. It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more power for passing, and you are:

• Going less than about 35 mph

(55 km/h), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down.

• Going about 35 mph (55 km/h),

push the accelerator all the way down.

Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding” under Loss of Control on page 4-12.

Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.

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Manual Shift Mode (MSM) (Automatic Transmission)

To use this feature, do the following:

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) to the left into the manual gate.

While driving in manual shift mode, the transmission will remain in the driver gear selected. When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will automatically shift to 1 (First) gear.

2. Push the shift lever forward toward the plus (+) to upshift or rearward toward the minus (−)to downshift. The instrument panel will display the actual gear selected.

In manual shift mode all six forward gears can be selected.

While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have operation similar to a manual transmission. You can use this for sport driving or when driving hilly roads to stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears appropriate for the vehicle speed:

• The transmission will not

automatically shift to the next higher gear without moving the shift lever.

• The transmission will not allow

shifting to the next lower gear if the vehicle speed is too high.

If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or detects a problem with the transmission, the range of gears may be reduced and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will come on. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-35.

2 (Second) and 3 (Third) Gear Start Feature

When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and icy conditions, you may want to select 2 (Second) and 3 (Third) gear. A higher gear, and light application of the gas pedal, may allow you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.

With the Manual Shift Mode, the vehicle can accelerate from a stop in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third).

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the manual gate.

2. With the vehicle stopped, move the shift lever forward to select 2 (Second) or 3 (Third). The vehicle will start from a stop position in 2 (Second) or 3 (Third).

3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired drive gear or move the shift lever to the D (Drive) position.

Features and Controls 2-21

Page 86

Automatic Transmission Operation (Base)

The shift lever is located on the console between the seats.

There are several different positions for the automatic transmission.

P (Park): This position locks the front wheels. It is the best position to use when you start the engine because the vehicle cannot move easily.

{ CAUTION

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

Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-25. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully apply the

regular brakes ﬁrst and then press the shift lever button before you can shift from P (Park) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into another gear. See Shifting Out of Park on page 2-27.

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

To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-27.

2-22 Features and Controls

Page 87

{ CAUTION

D (Drive): This position is for

normal driving with the automatic transmission. It provides the best fuel economy. If you need more power for passing, and you are:

• Going less than about 35 mph

(55 km/h), push the accelerator pedal about halfway down.

• Going about 35 mph (55 km/h),

push the accelerator all the way down.

Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding” under Loss of Control on page 4-12.

M (Manual): This position allows you to change gears similar to a manual transmission. If the vehicle has this feature, see Manual Shift Mode.

Features and Controls 2-23

Page 88

Manual Shift Mode (MSM) (Automatic Transmission)

To use this feature, do the following:

1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to M (Manual).

The six-speed transmission will downshift to a lower gear and the instrument panel will display the gear range selected. If equipped with a 4-speed transmission it will display a 3 for third gear range.

When coming to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will automatically shift to 1 (First) gear.

2. Press the plus (+) button to upshift or the minus (−) button to downshift.

While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have sportier performance. You can use this when driving hilly roads to stay in gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.

The transmission will only allow you to shift into a gear range appropriate for the vehicle speed.

• The transmission will not

automatically shift to the next higher gear range without pressing the button on the shifter handle.

• The transmission will not allow

shifting to the next lower gear if the vehicle speed is too high.

Parking Brake

The parking brake lever is located in the center console between the front seats.

To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is in ON/RUN, the brake system warning light will come on.

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Page 89

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the release button. Hold the release button in as you move the brake lever all the way down.

Release the parking brake before driving the vehicle.

Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the brake system and cause premature wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving.

Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)

{ CAUTION

It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.

To shift into P (Park):

1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 2-24 for more information.

2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.

3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.

Features and Controls 2-25

Page 90

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine Running

(Automatic Transmission)

{ CAUTION

It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch ﬁre. You or others could be injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running.

If you have to leave an automatic transmission vehicle with the engine running, be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is ﬁrmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into P (Park), hold the brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without ﬁrst pushing the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into P (Park).

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)

If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may ﬁnd it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”

To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat. To ﬁnd out how, see Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-25.

Move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.

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

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Page 91

Shifting Out of Park

The vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system. The shift lock release is designed to:

• Prevent ignition key removal

unless the shift lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully released.

• Prevent movement of the shift

lever out of P (Park), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN and the regular brake pedal is applied.

The shift lock release is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt) battery.

If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery. See Jump Starting on page 5-31 for more information.

To shift out of P (Park):

1. Apply the brake pedal.

2. Press the shift lever button.

3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.

If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):

1. Fully release the shift lever button.

2. Hold the brake pedal down and press the shift lever button again.

3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.

If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park), consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing service.

Parking Over Things That Burn

{ CAUTION

Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can burn.

Features and Controls 2-27

Page 92

Engine Exhaust

{ CAUTION

Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO can cause unconsciousness and even death.

Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:

• The vehicle idles in areas

with poor ventilation (parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that may block underbody airﬂow or tail pipes).

• The exhaust smells or

sounds strange or different.

• The exhaust system leaks

due to corrosion or damage.

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

• The vehicle’s exhaust system

has been modiﬁed, damaged or improperly repaired.

• There are holes or openings

in the vehicle body from damage or after-market modiﬁcations that are not completely sealed.

If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:

• Drive it only with the windows

completely down.

• Have the vehicle repaired

immediately.

Never park the vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed area such as a garage or a building that has no fresh air ventilation.

Running the Vehicle While Parked

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

{ CAUTION

Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see Engine Exhaust on page 2-28.

2-28 Features and Controls

Page 93

{ CAUTION

It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake ﬁrmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).

Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not move. See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-25.

If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.

Mirrors

Manual Rearview Mirror

If the vehicle has the manual rearview mirror, it can be adjusted by holding the mirror in the center to move it for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Reduce the glare of headlamps from behind by pushing the lever forward or pulling it back for daytime/nighttime use.

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror

The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside rearview mirror.

Vehicles with OnStar

have three additional control buttons for the OnStar

system. See your dealer/ retailer for more information about OnStar

and how to subscribe to it. See OnStar®System on page 2-33 for more information about the services OnStar

provides.

O (On/Off): Press to turn the

dimming feature on or off.

Your vehicle may also have a Rear Vision Camera. See Rear Vision

Camera (RVC) on page 2-31

for more information.

Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation

The automatic dimming mirror reduces the glare from the headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dimming feature comes on and the indicator light illuminates each time the ignition is turned to start.

Outside Power Mirrors

Controls for the outside power mirrors are located on the driver door.

Features and Controls 2-29

Page 94

To adjust the power mirrors:

1. Turn the knob to choose the left (L) or the (R) right mirror.

2. Adjust each mirror so that you can see the side of your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.

3. Return the control to the center position so the mirror cannot be moved.

The mirrors can be manually folded inward toward the vehicle. Return to the original position to use correctly.

Outside Convex Mirror

{ CAUTION

A convex mirror can make things (like other vehicles) look farther away than they really are. If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the driver seat.

Outside Heated Mirrors

For vehicles with outside heated mirrors:

= (Rear Window Defogger):

Press to heat the outside rearview mirrors. See “Rear Window Defogger” under Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-20 for more information.

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Page 95

Object Detection Systems

Rear Vision Camera (RVC)

The vehicle may have a Rear Vision Camera system. Read this entire section before using it.

{ CAUTION

The Rear Vision Camera (RVC) system does not replace driver vision. RVC does not:

• Detect objects that are

outside the camera’s ﬁeld of view, below the bumper, or underneath the vehicle.

• Detect children, pedestrians,

bicyclists, or pets.

(Continued)

CAUTION (Continued)

Do not back the vehicle by only looking at the rear vision camera screen, or use the screen during longer, higher speed backing maneuvers or where there could be cross-traffic. Your judged distances using the screen will differ from actual distances.

So if you do not use proper care before backing up, you could hit a vehicle, child, pedestrian, bicyclist, or pet, resulting in vehicle damage, injury, or death. Even though the vehicle has the RVC system, always check carefully before backing up by checking behind and around the vehicle.

The rear vision camera system is designed to help the driver when backing up by displaying a view of the area behind the vehicle.

When the key is in the ON/RUN position and the driver shifts the vehicle into R (Reverse), the video image automatically appears on the inside rear view mirror. Once the driver shifts out of R (Reverse), the video image automatically disappears from the inside rear view mirror.

Turning the Rear Vision Camera System Off or On

To turn off the rear vision camera system, press and hold

z, located

on the inside rearview mirror, until the left indicator light turns off. The rear vision camera display is now disabled.

To turn the rear vision camera system on again, press and

hold

z until the left indicator light

illuminates. The rear vision camera system display is now enabled and the display will appear in the mirror normally.

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Rear Vision Camera Location

The camera is located in the rear of the vehicle.

The area displayed by the camera is limited and does not display objects that are close to either corner or under the bumper. The area displayed can vary depending on vehicle orientation or road conditions. The distance of the image that appears on the screen differs from the actual distance.

The following illustration shows the ﬁeld of view that the camera provides.

A. View displayed by the camera. B. Corner of the rear bumper.

When the System Does Not Seem To Work Properly

The rear vision camera system might not work properly or display a clear image if:

• The RVC is turned off.

See “Turning the Rear Camera System On or Off” earlier in this section.

• It is dark.

• The sun or the beam of

headlights is shining directly into the camera lens.

• Ice, snow, mud, or anything else

builds up on the camera lens. Clean the lens, rinse it with water, and wipe it with a soft cloth.

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Page 97

• The back of the vehicle is in

an accident, the position and mounting angle of the camera can change or the camera can be affected. Be sure to have the camera and its position and mounting angle checked at your dealer/retailer.

• There are extreme temperature

changes.

The rear vision camera system display in the rearview mirror may turn off or not appear as expected due to one of the following conditions. If this occurs the left indicator light on the mirror will ﬂash.

• A slow ﬂash may indicate a loss of

video signal, or no video signal present during the reverse cycle.

• A fast ﬂash may indicate that

the display has been on for the maximum allowable time during a reverse cycle, or the display has reached an Over Temperature limit.

The fast ﬂash conditions are used to protect the video device from high temperature conditions. Once conditions return to normal the device will reset and the green indicator will stop ﬂashing.

During any of these fault conditions, the display will be blank and the indicator will continue to ﬂash as long as the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or until the conditions return to normal.

Pressing and holding

z when the

left indicator light is ﬂashing will turn off the video display along with the left indicator light.

OnStar®System

OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security, information, and convenience services. If the airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can request emergency services be sent to your location. If the keys are locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR to have a signal sent to unlock the doors. OnStar Hands-Free Calling, including 30 trial minutes good for 60 days, is available on most vehicles. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation service, with one trial route, is available on most vehicles. Press the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor contact Roadside Service.

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OnStar service is provided subject to the OnStar Terms and Conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber glove box literature.

Some services such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance may not be available until the owner of the vehicle registers with OnStar. After the ﬁrst prepaid year, contact OnStar to select a monthly or annual subscription payment plan. If a payment plan is not selected, the OnStar system and all services, including airbag notiﬁcation and emergency services, may be deactivated and no longer available. For more information visit onstar.com (U.S.) or onstar.ca (Canada), or press the OnStar button to speak with an advisor.

Not all OnStar services are available on all vehicles. To check if this vehicle is able to provide the services described below, or for a full description of OnStar services and system limitations, see the OnStar Owner’s Guide in the glove box or visit onstar.com (U.S.) or onstar.ca (Canada), contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or TTY 1-877-248-2080, or press the OnStar button to speak with an OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

OnStar Services Available with the Safe & Sound Plan

•

Automatic Notiﬁcation of Airbag Deployment

• Advanced Automatic Crash

Notiﬁcation (AACN) (If equipped)

• Link to Emergency Services

• Roadside Assistance

• Stolen Vehicle Location

Assistance

• Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle

Alert

• OnStar Vehicle Diagnostic Email

• GM Goodwrench On Demand

Diagnostics

• OnStar Hands-Free Calling with

30 trial minutes

• OnStar Virtual Advisor

(U.S. Only)

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OnStar Services Included with Directions & Connections Plan

•

All Safe and Sound Plan Services

• OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation

(If equipped) or Driving Directions - Advisor delivered

• RideAssist

• Information and Convenience

Services

OnStar Hands-Free Calling

OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar subscribers to make and receive calls using voice commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid Minute Packages. Most vehicles include 30 trial minutes good for 60 days. Hands-Free Calling can also be linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S. or a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending on eligibility.

To ﬁnd out more, refer to the OnStar Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit onstar.com or onstar.ca, or speak with an OnStar advisor by pressing the OnStar button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation

Vehicles with the OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system can provide voice-guided driving directions. Press the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor locate a business or address and download driving directions to the vehicle. Voice-guided directions to the desired destination will play through the audio system speakers. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more information.

OnStar Virtual Advisor

OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling that uses minutes to access location-based weather, local traffic reports, and stock quotes. Press the phone button and give a few simple voice commands to browse through the various topics. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more information. This feature is only available in the continental U.S.

OnStar Steering Wheel Controls

This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling. See Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-92 for more information.

OnStar voice command does not work unless Personal Calling is activated. To activate Personal Calling, see the OnStar Owner’s Guide.

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On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial numbers into voice mail systems, or to dial phone extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more information.

How OnStar Service Works

The OnStar system can record and transmit vehicle information. This information is automatically sent to an OnStar Call Center when the OnStar button is pressed, the emergency button is pressed, or if the airbags or AACN system deploy. This information usually includes the vehicle’s GPS location and, in the event of a crash, additional information regarding the crash that the vehicle was involved in (e.g. the direction from which the vehicle was hit). When the Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling is used, the vehicle also sends OnStar the vehicle’s GPS location so they can provide services where it is located.

OnStar service cannot work unless the vehicle is in a place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless service provider for service in that area. OnStar service also cannot work unless the vehicle is in a place where the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for that area has coverage, network capacity and reception when the service is needed, and technology that is compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services are available everywhere, particularly in remote or enclosed areas, or at all times.

Location information about the vehicle is only available if the GPS satellite signals are unobstructed and available.

The vehicle must have a working electrical system, including adequate battery power, for the OnStar equipment to operate. There are

other problems OnStar cannot control that may prevent OnStar from providing OnStar service at any particular time or place. Some examples are damage to important parts of the vehicle in a crash, hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather or wireless phone network congestion.

Your Responsibility

Increase the volume of the radio if the OnStar advisor cannot be heard. If the light next to the OnStar buttons is red, the system may not be functioning properly. Press the OnStar button and request a vehicle diagnostic. If the light appears clear (no light is appearing), your OnStar subscription has expired and all services have been deactivated. Press the OnStar button to conﬁrm that the OnStar equipment is active.

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Saturn 2009 VUE Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual