002 Buick LeSabre Owner’s Manual Litho in U.S.A.
We support voluntary technician certification. GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem and the name LESABRE are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual.
How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you do this, it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly. Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.
Vehicle Damage Warnings Vehicle Symbols Also, in this book you will find these notices: Your vehicle may be equipped with components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gage or indicator. NOTICE: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle.
These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle: v
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
Seats and Seat Controls Manual Lumbar Support This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them and also about reclining seatbacks, lumbar adjustments, heated seats and head restraints. Manual Front Seat 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 don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
Power Seats (If Equipped) D Move the seat forward or back by pushing the horizontal control to the front or back. D Push the vertical control forward to bring the seatback to a more upright position. Push it rearward to recline the seatback. See “Reclining Front Seatbacks” later in this section. Power Lumbar Control (If Equipped) If your vehicle has this feature, the power seat controls are located on the outboard side of each front seat cushion.
If you have the independent front cushion moved down as far as it will go, you may feel the lumbar support higher in your back. Readjust the location of the cushion until you are comfortable. You may also want to adjust the seatback for maximum comfort. Memory Seat and Mirrors (If Equipped) If your vehicle has this feature, the controls are located on the driver’s door panel, and are used to program and recall memory settings for the driver’s seating, outside mirror positions and comfort controls.
To recall your memory positions, your vehicle must be in PARK (P). Push and release the MEMORY button (1 or 2) corresponding to the desired driving position. The seat and mirrors will move to the position previously stored for the identified driver. You will hear one beep. To store the exit position for an easy exit, use the following procedure: 1. First identify the DRIVER # by pressing the MEMORY button (1 or 2) or by pressing the button with the unlock symbol on the transmitter. 2.
Heated Seats (Option) Press this button to turn on the heating element in the seat. The heated seat buttons are located on the driver’s and front passenger’s door panel. When the heated seat button is first pressed, the high setting is activated. Press the button again for the low setting. The third press of the button turns the feature off. The low setting warms the seatback and cushion until the seat nears body temperature. The high setting heats the seat to a slightly higher temperature.
CAUTION: But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
Head Restraints Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. And it explains the air bag system. CAUTION: Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. 1-8 Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear a safety belt properly.
CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See “Safety Belt Reminder Light” in the Index.
Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. Put someone on it. Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.
Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...
or the instrument panel ... or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense.
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see the part of this manual called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly as much protection this way.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times.
Q: What’s wrong with this? CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to fix it. A: The belt is twisted across the body.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle.
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.
Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems: CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them.
CAUTION: Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual called “Children.
How the Air Bag Systems Work Where are the air bags? The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. 1-24 The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.
CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering. Don’t let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact air bag.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal air bags, which adjust the amount of restraint according to crash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these air bags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.
How does an air bag restrain? What will you see after an air bag inflates? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air bags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls. In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger air bag. D Air bags are designed to inflate only once.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Center Front Passenger Position Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag systems in several places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
When you sit in the center front seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.
Rear Seat Passengers It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Rear Seat Passenger Positions 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted.
If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-32 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.
CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seat.
2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 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.
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: (Continued) For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it.
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. CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed.
CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints.
Restraint Systems for Children An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. 1-40 A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.
A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields. A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.
Q: A: How do child restraints work? A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint.
Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors, therefore, recommends that child restraints be secured in the rear seat including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat.
Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. Your vehicle has top strap anchors already installed for the rear seating positions. You’ll find them behind the rear seat on the filler panel. Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll find anchors (A) in all three rear seat positions.
In order to use the system, you need either a forward-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or a rear-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B), as shown here. With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint.
CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t attached to its anchorage points, the restraint won’t be able to protect a child sitting there. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint.
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see “Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH)” in the Index. CAUTION: A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the right front passenger air bag if it inflates. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It’s always better to secure a child restraint in the rear seat.
Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint. 3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 5. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way.
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat. You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1.
4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-52 5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock.
6. To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.
Older Children Q: A: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.
Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle.
CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs.
Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit.
Section 2 Features and Controls Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
Windows CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
Power Windows Express-Down Windows The driver’s and front passenger’s windows have an express-down feature. Pull the AUTO control back all the way; release it and the window will lower automatically. To stop the window from lowering, pull the AUTO control again. To partially open the window, pull the AUTO control back slightly. To raise the window, push and hold the AUTO control forward. Window Lock Press the LOCK button on the driver’s door armrest to disable all passenger window controls.
Keys CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
There is a master key that works in all of the lock cylinders (driver’s door, trunk, ignition, and glove box). Your vehicle has the PASS-KeyR III vehicle theft system. Both the master and VALET key have a transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column. If a replacement key or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this key from your dealer. The key will have PK3 stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the original keys.
Door Locks CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. D Passengers -- especially children -- can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle won’t open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. D Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out.
Central Door Unlocking System If your vehicle has a theft-deterrent system, all doors will unlock if the key is held in the outside key cylinder unlock position for more than two seconds. The doors will also unlock if the key is turned to the unlock position twice in three seconds. Power Door Locks With power door locks, you can lock or unlock all the doors on your vehicle. The power door lock switches are located on the driver’s and front passenger’s door panels.
If your vehicle is equipped with the DIC, you must use it to program this feature. See “Driver Information Center (DIC)” in the Index. This procedure only changes the mode for the transmitter used to change this setting. The procedure will need to be repeated for the second transmitter. If your vehicle is not equipped with the DIC, use the following procedure to change modes: Delayed Locking 3. Press the button with the lock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Personal Choice Programming Rear Door Security Lock The delayed locking feature can be turned on or off. Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks that prevent passengers from opening the rear doors of your vehicle from the inside. If your vehicle is equipped with the DIC, you must use it to program this feature. See “Driver Information Center (DIC)” in the Index. To turn the feature on, do the following: 1. Close all the doors and turn the ignition on.
Opening a Rear Door When the Security Lock is On Leaving Your Vehicle 1. Unlock the door. If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your door and set the locks from the inside. Then get out and close the door. Or, you may also use the button with the lock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter after shutting the doors. 2. Then open the door from the outside.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. At times you may notice a decrease in range.
When the lock symbol is pressed, all doors will lock, the exterior lamps will flash once and the horn may sound. The trunk will unlock when the trunk symbol is pressed when the ignition is in OFF. The trunk symbol will also work when the ignition is on, but only while the transaxle is in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Instant Alarm When the button with the horn symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the horn will sound and the headlamps and taillamps will flash for up to 30 seconds.
Security Feedback This feature provides feedback to the driver when the vehicle receives a command from the remote keyless entry transmitter. Feedback is only provided if all doors are closed, the ignition is off and the RAP is inactive. One of the following modes may be selected for each transmitter: Mode 1: No feedback when locking or unlocking vehicle. Mode 2: Parking lamps, back-up lamps and the DRL exterior lamps will flash twice when unlocking the vehicle and flash once when locking the vehicle.
This procedure only changes the mode for the transmitter used to change this setting. The procedure will need to be repeated for the second transmitter. To verify the mode selected, remove the key from the ignition and close all of the doors after you’ve exited the vehicle. Press the lock button on the transmitter to be verified and confirm the appropriate feedback. Repeat with the unlock button.
To replace the battery, do the following: 1. Insert a coin, or similar object, into the notch near the key ring. Turn it counterclockwise to separate the two halves of the transmitter. 2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a pencil eraser to remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object. 3. Remove and replace the battery. Replace it as the instructions inside the cover indicate. 4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure no moisture can enter. 5. Check the operation of the transmitter.
Trunk CAUTION: It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the seal between the body and the trunk lid: D Make sure all other windows are shut. D Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on VENT.
Trunk Release Handle If your vehicle does have this feature, there is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located near the trunk latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to open the trunk from the inside. Theft Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help.
Parking at Night Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them with you. Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped) Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent alarm system. With this system, the SECURITY light will flash as you open the door (if your ignition is off). Parking Lots Even if you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s still best to lock it up and take your keys.
If a door is opened without the key or remote keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s lamps will flash and the horn will sound for 30 seconds. The lamps and horn will then turn off to save battery power. Testing the Alarm Remember, the content theft-deterrent system won’t activate if you lock the doors with a key or use the manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock switch with a door open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
PASS-KeyR III Your vehicle is equipped with the PASS-Key III (Personalized Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key III is a passive theft-deterrent system. This means you don’t have to do anything different to arm or disarm the system. It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition. Your 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.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time, you may also want to check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index). If the engine still does not start with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty. See your dealer who can service the PASS-Key III to have a new key made.
New Vehicle “Break-In” NOTICE: Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines: D Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts. D Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement.
(B) LOCK: This is the only position in which you can remove the key. This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature. NOTICE: If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch.
Starting Your Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. NOTICE: Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped. 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. NOTICE: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine might not perform properly. Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) In very cold weather, 0_F (-18_C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help.
Automatic Transaxle Operation Your automatic transaxle has a shift lever located on the steering column. PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily. 2-26 CAUTION: It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in the Index.
B AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ( ): This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re: D Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. D Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE ( ).
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. NOTICE: If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
If you try to drive approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) with the parking brake on, the brake light stays on and a chime sounds until you release the parking brake. Shifting Into PARK (P) CAUTION: NOTICE: Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also damage other parts of your vehicle. If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking brake. 2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this: D Move the lever up as far as it will go. 3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK. D Pull the lever toward you. 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running CAUTION: It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. You or others could be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to.
Shifting Out of PARK (P) Parking Over Things That Burn Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you want.
Engine Exhaust CAUTION: Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death. You might have exhaust coming in if: D Your exhaust system sounds strange or different. D Your vehicle gets rusty underneath. D Your vehicle was damaged in a collision. D Your vehicle was damaged when driving over high points on the road or over road debris. D Repairs weren’t done correctly.
CAUTION: It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you’ve left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals To signal a turn, move the lever on the left side of the steering wheel all the way up or down. The lever returns automatically when the turn is complete. An arrow on the instrument panel cluster will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs. If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up Display (HUD), an arrow will also appear in the display area to indicate the high beams are on (See “Head-Up Display (HUD)” in Index for more information). Turn Signal On Chime Flash-To-Pass Feature If your turn signal is left on for more than 0.
Windshield Wipers For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away from you to the LO position. For high-speed wiping, turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, turn the band to OFF. The wiper speed may be set for a long or short delay between wipes. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The closer to LO, the shorter the delay. Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Rainsense t II Wipers (If Equipped) The moisture sensor is mounted on the interior of the windshield below the rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the wipers. This system operates by monitoring the amount of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the windshield depending on the driving conditions and the sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will occur more frequently.
Windshield Washer Cruise Control At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever, there’s a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and either stop or return to your preset speed. For more washer cycles, push and hold the paddle. CAUTION: In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your vision.
Setting Cruise Control CAUTION: D Cruise control can be dangerous where D you can’t drive safely at a steady speed. So, don’t use your cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic. Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause needless wheel spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t use cruise control on slippery roads.
Resuming a Set Speed Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it. Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can briefly press the RESUME/ACCEL (resume/accelerate) switch to return to your desired preset speed. You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there.
Using Cruise Control on Hills Exterior Lamps How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Applying the brake or shifting into a lower gear will take your vehicle out of cruise control.
Wiper-Activated Headlamps Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) This feature turns on the low-beam headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps when the Twilight SentinelR is in day mode and after the windshield wipers have been in use for approximately six seconds. Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
When the DRL are on, only your high-beam headlamps will be on. The parking lamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on. When it is dark enough outside, your low-beam headlamps will come on. The other lamps that turn on with your headlamps will also turn on. When it is bright enough outside, the regular lamps will go off, and your high-beam headlamps change to the reduced brightness of DRL. Twilight SentinelR Twilight Sentinel turns your headlamps on and off by sensing how dark it is outside.
The exterior lamps can be completely shut off while the vehicle is in PARK (P) by sliding the Twilight Sentinel lever all the way toward OFF, and releasing it. To turn the exterior lamps back on, slide the lever all the way toward OFF again, and release it; or, shift out of PARK (P). Light Sensor Your Twilight Sentinel and DRL work with the light sensor located on top of the instrument panel.
Interior Lamps Courtesy Lamps Instrument Panel Brightness Control If it is dark enough outside, when any door is opened, several lamps go on. They make it easy for you to enter and leave the vehicle. You can also turn these lamps on by sliding the INTERIOR lever all the way to the top. The lever for this feature is located to the left of the steering column.
Theater Dimming Personal Choice Programming This feature allows for a three to five-second fade out of the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off. This feature can be programmed in the on or off mode for each transmitter. Delayed Exit Lighting If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), you must use it to program this feature. See “Driver Information Center (DIC)” in the Index.
To turn the feature on, do the following: Front Reading Lamps 1. Close all the doors and turn the ignition on. Keep all doors closed throughout this procedure. 2. Press and hold LOCK on the power door lock switch throughout this procedure. All the doors will lock. 3. Press the instant alarm on the transmitter. Perimeter lighting now remains off at this time and the horn will chirp one time. 4. Press the instant alarm on the transmitter again.
Battery Load Management The battery load management feature is designed to monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at a higher rpm setting than normal to make sure the battery charges. High electrical loads may occur when several of the following are on: headlamps, high beams, rear window defogger, fan at high speed, heated seats (if equipped) and engine cooling fans.
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror with Compass (If Equipped) Your vehicle may have an electrochromic inside rearview mirror with a compass. Your vehicle’s mirror may also contain OnStarR controls. This is the on/off button for mirrors equipped with OnStar controls. Pressing the MIRROR button located at the bottom of the mirror (or the on/off button for mirrors equipped with OnStar controls), turns the automatic dimming feature on or off.
The mirror can be calibrated in one of two ways: D Drive the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a direction, or D drive the vehicle on your everyday routine. Mirrors equipped with OnStar controls can be placed in calibration mode by pressing and holding the on/off button until a C is shown in the compass display. Compass Variance The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
Power Remote Control Mirrors The controls for the power remote mirrors are located on the driver’s door armrest. Parallel Park Assist Mirror (If Equipped) If you have the Memory Seat and Mirrors feature, the passenger’s outside rearview mirror includes a tilt-down feature that operates when the shift lever is in REVERSE (R). This feature assists the driver, improving rear obstacle detection.
Convex Outside Mirror Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat. 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 your right. Check your inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Front Center Console Convenience Net (If Equipped) Your vehicle has a center console with two storage compartments and cupholders. The cupholders have removable liners to hold beverage containers of different sizes. To access the cupholders and the front storage area, push the doors covering them back into the console. In the front storage area you will find a place to store a cellular phone, as well as a built-in writing surface.
To use a lighter, push the center all the way in and let it go. When it is ready, the center will pop back out by itself. Pull out the entire unit to use it. NOTICE: Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to back away from the heating element when it’s ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the lighter and the heating element.
Your vehicle may have a small cap that must be pulled down to access the auxiliary power outlet. If it does, when not using the outlet be sure to cover it with the protective cap. The auxiliary power outlets will only operate when the ignition key is in RUN and for 10 minutes after turning the ignition off. If you would like the outlets to operate regardless of ignition position, and for extended periods of time, see “Engine Compartment Fuse Block” in the Index or contact your dealer.
OnStarR System (If Equipped) OnStar is a vehicle communications system that offers a variety of services and provides a one-touch hands-free communication link between you and the OnStar Center. To receive OnStar services, a service subscription agreement is required and an additional fee may be required. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, call 1-888-ONSTAR-7 (1-888-667-8277). Emergency Button: In an emergency situation, press the emergency service button.
The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar Services button to attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection is made, the advisor will assist you with steps to take to make sure that the system is functioning properly. If you cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your dealership as soon as possible for assistance. Stolen Vehicle Tracking: Call the center at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to report your vehicle stolen.
Vehicle Locator Service: To contact the center, call 1-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to provide your security information. An advisor will send a command to your vehicle to sound the horn and/or flash the lamps. Route Support: An advisor can provide directions or guidance to most places you want to go. In addition, they can help you locate gas stations, rest areas, ATMs, hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more.
Sunroof (Option) The sunroof has both manual and express features for opening the glass panel and sunshade. If your vehicle has this option, the switch for the sunroof is located on the headliner between the sun visors. The sunroof has four positions, express open, comfort stop, closed and vent. The switch will only work when the ignition is on or when RAP is active. See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index.
HomeLinkR Transmitter (If Equipped) This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter Do not use the HomeLink Transmitter with any garage door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse” safety feature. This includes any garage door opener model manufactured before April 1, 1982. Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage door you are programming. It is recommended that a new battery be installed in your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Training a Garage Opener with a “Rolling Code” Feature (If Equipped) If you have not previously programmed the hand-held transmitter to HomeLink, see “Programming the HomeLink Transmitter” listed previously. If you have completed this programming already, you now need to train the garage door opener motor head unit to recognize HomeLink. 1. Find the “Learn” or “Smart” button on the garage door opener motor head unit. The exact location and color will vary by garage door opener brand.
Canadian Programming Resetting Defaults Canadian Owners: During programming, the hand-held transmitter may automatically stop transmitting after two seconds. In this case, you should press and hold the HomeLink button (see Steps 2 and 3 under “Programming the HomeLink Transmitter”) while you press and repress (cycle) your hand-held transmitter every two seconds until HomeLink is trained.
The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System 2-66
The main components of your instrument panel are the following: A. Air Outlets I. Head-Up Display (HUD) Controls (If Equipped) B. Driver Information Center Buttons (If Equipped) J. Hood Release C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever K. Parking Brake D. Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) L. Cruise Controls E. Hazard Warning Flashers M. Audio System F. Instrument Panel Cluster N. Climate Controls G. Traction Control Button (If Equipped) O. Glove Box H.
Instrument Panel Clusters Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically. Your vehicle is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained on the following pages.
Cluster with Tachometer (United States version shown, Canada similar) 2-69
Speedometer and Odometer Tachometer (If Equipped) Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven, in either miles or kilometers. Press The ENG/MET button which is located to the left of the speedometer to change from mph to km/h. The tachometer tells you how fast the engine is running. It displays engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm).
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning lights and gages could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights come on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
Battery System Warning Light When you turn the key to RUN, this light will turn on briefly to show that the generator and battery charging systems are working. Brake System Warning Light Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well. If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index. Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light With the anti-lock brake system, the light(s) will come on when your engine is started and may stay on for several seconds. That’s normal.
Traction Control System Warning Light (Option) This warning light should come on briefly when the engine is started. The traction control system warning light may come on for the following reasons: D If you turn the system off by pressing the button located on the end of the gearshift lever, the warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the system back on, press the button again. The warning light should go off. See “Traction Control System” in the Index for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the pointer moves into the shaded area, the engine is too hot. A temperature indicator light will turn on and a chime will sound. If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, and the temperature indicator light comes on, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
NOTICE: If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a while, your emission controls may not work as well, your fuel economy may not be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by your warranty. This light should come on, as a check to show you it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing, follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or qualified service center for service.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs Some state/provincial and local governments have or may begin programs to inspect the emission control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle registration. Here are some things you need to know in order to help your vehicle pass an inspection: Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light is on or not working properly.
When this light comes on and stays on, and a chime sounds, it means oil isn’t going through the engine properly. The oil could be low, or there might be some other oil problem. See your dealer for service. Service Vehicle Soon Light This light will come on and stay on if your vehicle has certain non-emission related problems. CAUTION: Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your engine can become so hot that it catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Cruise Light The CRUISE light comes on when you set the vehicle’s cruise control. See “Cruise Control” in the Index. The fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your tank. It works only when the ignition is on. When the indicator moves to the edge of the low fuel warning band, the low fuel warning light will come on and a chime will sound. You still have a little fuel left, but you need to get more fuel right away. Here are some things that some owners ask about.
Driver Information Center (DIC) (If Equipped) If a problem is detected, a diagnostic message will appear in the display. The following pages will show the messages you may see on the DIC display. Your vehicle may be equipped with a Driver Information Center (DIC). The DIC will display information about how your vehicle is functioning, as well as warning messages if a system problem is detected. This feature also allows two different drivers to store and recall their own personal choice settings.
FUEL INFO (Information): Press this button to display fuel information. Press the FUEL INFO button until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY AVERAGE. Average fuel economy is viewed as a long term approximation of your overall driving conditions. To learn the average fuel economy from a new starting point, press the RESET button while the average fuel economy is displayed in the DIC. Press the FUEL INFO button until the display shows FUEL ECONOMY INST.
Press the GAGE INFO button until the display shows BATTERY STATE. If the voltage is normal the display will show BATTERY STATE NORMAL. If the voltage drops below 10.5 volts, the display will show BATTERY STATE LOW. If the voltage is above 16.2 volts, the display will show BATTERY STATE HIGH. If the display shows the high or low message, you need to have your battery and charging system checked. Press the GAGE INFO button until OIL LIFE INDEX appears in the display.
DIC Warnings and Messages Other messages or warnings may appear in the DIC display. For Canadian drivers, in addition to the DIC message your DIC will display EXP with a number after it which reflects the following messages: EXP (Export ID) Warning Message 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TURN SIGNAL STILL ON? 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRUNK AJAR 25 . . . . . . . WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LOW 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE 36 . . . . . . . .
When the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message is on, you should continue to steer in the direction you want to go. The system is designed to help you in bad weather or other difficult driving situations by making the most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE message comes on, you’ll know that something has caused your vehicle to start to spin, so you should consider slowing down.
Use the following steps for personal choice programming instructions. 1. Turn the ignition on and keep the transaxle in PARK (P). 2. Inform the DIC which driver you are by pressing the button with the unlock symbol on your remote keyless entry transmitter or the appropriate memory seat control. 3. Press and hold the ENG/MET button for five seconds. WELCOME TO BUICK OPTION FEATURE will appear in the display. 4. The first choice to be made will be DRIVER ID 1 or 2.
If you choose ON for AUTO DOOR LOCKS, ON for UNLOCK and PARK, your doors will lock every time you shift out of PARK (P), and the doors will unlock every time you stop and shift into PARK (P). Window Lockout If you choose ON for AUTO DOOR LOCKS, and OFF for UNLOCK, your doors will lock every time you shift out of PARK (P), and there will be no automatic door unlock when shifting back into PARK (P).
Security Feedback By choosing different combinations of these selections, you can choose the type of transmitter activated feedback when locking and unlocking your vehicle with your transmitter. Each time you make a selection by pressing the ENG/MET button, press the RESET button to record your choice.
Perimeter Lighting Memory Seat Recall (If Equipped) When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL (high-beams at reduced intensity), parking lamps and back-up lamps will turn on if it is dark enough according to the Twilight Sentinel. This feature recalls the position of your seat.
EXIT: Choose ON when the SEAT RECALL choice appears, and then choose EXIT when the RECALL POSITION choice appears. The seat will move when you enter the vehicle after unlocking it with a remote keyless entry transmitter. This will allow for easy entry. Driver ID For more information on this feature, see “Memory Seats” in the Index. This feature displays the DRIVER ID, as identified by the DIC. If this feature is ON, the DRIVER ID will be displayed every time the ignition is turned on.
Head-Up Display (HUD) (If Equipped) CAUTION: If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in your field of view, it may take you more time to see things you need to see when it’s dark outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed low in your field of view. If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up Display (HUD), you can see some of the driver information that appears on your instrument panel cluster.
Be sure to continue scanning your displays, controls and driving environment just as you would in a vehicle without HUD. If you never look at your instrument panel cluster, you may not see something important, such as a warning light. NOTICE: Although the HUD image appears to be near the front of the vehicle, do not use it as a parking aid. The HUD was not designed for that purpose.
3. Now press the image height adjuster switch to position the image as low as possible, while still keeping it in full view. 4. Slide the dimmer lever downward until the HUD image is no brighter than necessary. To turn the HUD display off, slide the dimmer lever all the way down. If the sun comes out and the sky becomes cloudy, you may need to adjust the HUD brightness using the dimmer lever. Polarized sunglasses could make the HUD image harder to see.
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
Comfort Controls Temperature Lever This section describes how to operate your climate control system. With this system, you can control the heating, cooling and ventilation in your vehicle. This lever is used to adjust the temperature of the air coming through the system. Move the TEMPERATURE lever between COOL and WARM to change the temperature of the air coming through your outlets. Your vehicle also has a flow-through ventilation system described later in this section.
VENT: This setting directs outside air through the instrument panel outlets. The air conditioning compressor is not working when VENT is selected. If you select VENT while in FRONT defrost, the VENT light will flash three times to let you know this is not allowed. This is to prevent fogging. HTR (Heater): This setting directs most of the air out of the floor ducts while some air will flow through the windshield and side window outlets. The air conditioning compressor is not working when HTR is selected.
Dual Automatic ComforTempt Climate Control (If Equipped) If you want the fan to run at a lower speed, push the down arrow on the FAN button. The fan speed will decrease with every push of the button until the lowest speed is reached. If you want to increase the fan speed, push the up arrow on the FAN button. AIR FLOW: Pressing the AIR FLOW button will display and hold the current setting while in manual mode. Use the up and down arrows on the AIR FLOW button to cycle through the available modes.
OFF: If the passenger comfort control is turned on, it can be turned off by pressing the OFF button once. Pressing the OFF button a second time will turn off the main system. Turning off the main system causes the fan to turn off and the airflow to be directed toward the floor. The system will still try to keep the interior of the vehicle at the previously chosen temperature setting. The outside temperature will show on the display when the system is off.
Passenger Climate Control (If Equipped) The temperature can be set up to 5_F (3_C) cooler or warmer than the primary setting. To activate the passenger control, press the button with the red arrow to increase temperature. Each time you press the button, a red indicator light will come on. To decrease temperature, press the button with the blue arrow. Each time you press the button a blue indicator light will come on.
Sun and temperature sensors automatically adjust the air temperature, the airflow direction and the fan speed to maintain your temperature setting. The system may supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle toward the sun. Be careful not to put anything over the sensor on top of the dash. The display will show fan speed, temperature level setting and airflow direction for a few seconds whenever AUTO is selected, and then it will display the outside temperature.
To program a personal choice climate control setting, do the following: 1. Choose a temperature setting for the driver and if desired, for the passenger. See “Dual Automatic ComforTempR Climate Control” and “Passenger Climate Control” earlier in this section. 2. Adjust the fan speed and the direction of the airflow. 3. Locate the memory buttons on the driver’s door panel. 4. Press a memory button (1 or 2) until you hear two beeps. The beeps confirm that your selection has been saved and can now be recalled.
On sunny days, when the air is moderately warm or cool, use Bi-Level to deliver warm air to the floor ducts and cooler air to the instrument panel outlets. On days like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper body, but your lower body may not be warm enough. To warm or cool the air delivered, adjust the TEMPERATURE lever. The amount of fresh air entering the vehicle is limited when Recirculation is selected.
Defogging and Defrosting Rear Window Defogger If you have the electronic touch system, press the FRONT button and adjust the TEMPERATURE lever toward WARM and the FAN lever toward HIGH. t If you have the Dual Automatic ComforTemp system, use the FRONT button to defog or defrost the windshield. By choosing this button, the airflow will be directed at the windshield. Adjust your temperature level by pressing the TEMP up or down arrow. The fan speed will be controlled by the system.
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the louvered vents. NOTICE: Do not try to clear frost or other material from the inside of the rear window with a razor blade or anything else that is sharp. This may damage the rear defogger grid. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals across the defogger grid on the rear window.
Ventilation Tips D Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any other obstruction such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work better, reducing the chance of fogging your windows. D Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects. This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle. D When the engine idles for a long time, the exterior temperature sensor may cause the system to blow air that is too cool.
Audio Systems Your audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your audio system can do and how to operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it. AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped) Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
Finding a Station Setting Preset Stations AM FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1 and FM2. The display shows your selection. The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2) by performing the following steps: TUNE: Turn this knob clockwise to tune to the next station. Turn it counterclockwise to tune to the previous station.
AUDIO: Push and release AUDIO until BASS appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob clockwise to increase bass. BASS and a positive number will appear on the display. Turn the AUDIO knob counterclockwise to decrease bass. BASS and a negative number will appear on the display. BASS and a zero will appear on the display when the bass level is set to the middle position. Stop turning the knob when you find the bass level you want or when the maximum or minimum level is reached.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) AUDIO: To adjust the balance between the right and left speakers, push and release AUDIO until BAL appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob clockwise to move the sound to the right speakers or counterclockwise to move the sound to the left speakers. A bar graph with indicators will show how the sound is balanced between the right and left speakers.
If you want to insert a tape when the ignition or radio is off, first press the eject button or DISP. Cassette tape adapter kits for portable compact disc players will work in your cassette tape player. Your tape bias is set automatically. If an error appears on the display, see “Cassette Tape Messages” later in this section. (Reverse): Press this pushbutton to reverse the 1 tape rapidly. Press it again to return to playing speed. The radio will play while the tape reverses.
Cassette Tape Messages CD Adapter Kits If an error message appears while trying to play a cassette tape, it could be for one of the following reasons: It is possible to use a portable CD player adapter kit with your cassette tape player after activating the bypass feature on your tape player. D TIGHT TAPE: The tape is tight and the player can’t turn the tape hubs. Remove the tape. Hold the tape with the open end down and try to turn the right hub counterclockwise with a pencil.
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control and Radio Data Systems (RDS) (If Equipped) DISP (Display): Press this button to display the station being played or to display the clock. The clock can be displayed with the ignition on or off. Finding a Station AM FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1 and FM2. The display shows your selection. TUNE: Turn this knob clockwise to tune to the next station. Turn it counterclockwise to tune to the previous station.
To scan preset stations, press and hold one of the SEEK arrows for more than four seconds until PSCAN and the preset number appear on the display. You will hear a double beep. The radio will go to the first preset station stored on your pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station. Preset scan will only scan the six presets that are in the band selected. Press one of the SEEK arrows again to stop scanning your preset stations.
Push and release AUDIO until TREBLE appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob clockwise to increase treble. TREBLE and a positive number will appear on the display. Turn the AUDIO knob counterclockwise to decrease treble. TREBLE and a negative number will appear on the display. TREBLE and a zero will appear on the display when the treble level is set to the middle position. Stop turning the knob when you find the treble level you want or when the maximum or minimum level is reached.
To adjust balance or fade to the middle position, select BAL or FADE. Then push and hold AUDIO for more than two seconds until you hear a beep. The indicator will be centered on the display To adjust both tone controls and both speaker controls to the middle position, end out of audio mode by pushing the AUDIO knob until the display goes blank. Then press and hold AUDIO for more than two seconds until you hear a beep. ALL CENTERED will appear on the display.
Finding a PTY Station P-TYP (Program Type): This button is used to turn on and off Program Type (PTY) select. The P-TYPE symbol will appear on the display and the SELECT LED indicator next to the P-TYP button will light. The last selected PTY will appear on the display for five seconds. Turn the AUDIO knob to select the PTY you want to listen to. Press the SEEK arrows to find radio stations of the PTY you want to listen to. The last PTY selected will be used for seek.
RDS Messages ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off alert announcements. ALERT! appears on the display when an alert announcement plays. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, you will hear it, even if the volume is muted or a cassette tape is playing. If the cassette tape is playing, play will stop for the announcement and resume when the announcement is finished.
Playing a Compact Disc Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in. The disc should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio is off, first press the eject button or DISP. If you turn off the ignition or radio with a disc in the player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the ignition or system, the disc will start playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
Compact Disc Errors CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio display, it could be due to one of the following reasons: D The road is too rough. The disc should play when the AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control and Radio Data Systems (RDS) (If Equipped) road is smoother. D The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down. D The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and try again.
DISP (Display): Press this button to display the station being played or to display the clock. The clock can be displayed with the ignition on or off. Finding a Station AM FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1 and FM2. The display shows your selection. TUNE: Turn this knob clockwise to tune to the next station. Turn it counterclockwise to tune to the previous station. SEEK : Press the right or left arrow to go to the next or previous station and stay there. The sound will mute while seeking.
AUDIO: Push and release AUDIO until BASS appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob clockwise to increase bass. BASS and a positive number will appear on the display. Turn the AUDIO knob counterclockwise to decrease bass. BASS and a negative number will appear on the display. BASS and a zero will appear on the display when the bass level is set to the middle position. Stop turning the knob when you find the bass level you want or when the maximum or minimum level is reached.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) AUDIO: To adjust the balance between the right and left speakers, push and release AUDIO until BAL appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob clockwise to move the sound to the right speakers or counterclockwise to move the sound to the left speakers. A bar graph with indicators will show how the sound is balanced between the right and left speakers.
When you are tuned to an RDS station, the station name will appear on the display, instead of the frequency. Most RDS stations provide their station name, the time of day and a Program Type (PTY) for their current programming. Finding a PTY Station P-TYP (Program Type): This button is used to turn on and off Program Type (PTY) select. The P-TYPE symbol will appear on the display and the SELECT LED indicator next to the P-TYP button will light.
RDS Messages ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off alert announcements. ALERT! appears on the display when an alert announcement plays. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, you will hear it, even if the volume is muted or a cassette tape is playing. If the cassette tape is playing, play will stop for the announcement and resume when the announcement is finished.
Playing a Cassette Tape The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If the ignition and the radio are on, the tape can be inserted and will begin playing. If you hear nothing or hear a garbled sound, the tape may not be in squarely. Press the eject button to remove the tape and start over. While the tape is playing, use the VOLUME and AUDIO controls just as you do for the radio. The display will show an arrow to show which side of the tape is playing.
CD TAPE: Press this button to play a cassette tape or a CD when listening to the radio. (Eject): Press this button to eject a tape. Cassette Tape Messages If an error message appears while trying to play a cassette tape, it could be for one of the following reasons: D TIGHT TAPE: The tape is tight and the player can’t turn the tape hubs. Remove the tape. Hold the tape with the open end down and try to turn the right hub counterclockwise with a pencil. Turn the tape over and repeat.
Playing a Compact Disc Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in. The disc should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio is off, first press the eject button or DISP. If you turn off the ignition or radio with a disc in the player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the ignition or system, the disc will start playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
Compact Disc Errors Trunk-Mounted CD Changer (Option) CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio display, it could be due to one of the following reasons: D The road is too rough. The disc should play when the road is smoother. D The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down. D The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and try again. If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason, try a known good CD.
You must first load the magazine with discs before you can play a compact disc. Each of the 12 trays holds one disc. Slide the button on the top of the magazine and gently pull out one of the trays. Load the trays from top to bottom, placing a disc on the tray label side up. If you load a disc with the label side down, the disc will not play and an error will occur. Gently push the tray back into the magazine slot until it locks into place. Repeat this procedure for loading up to 12 discs in the magazine.
Whenever a CD magazine with discs is loaded in the changer and the door is closed, the CD changer stack symbol will appear on the radio display. If the CD changer is checking the magazine for CDs, the CD changer stack symbol will flash on the display until the changer is ready to play. When a CD begins playing, the disc and track number will be displayed. The disc numbers are listed on the front of the magazine. All of the CD functions are controlled by the radio buttons except for ejecting the magazine.
4 RDM (Random): Press this pushbutton to enter the random play mode. RAND will appear on the display. While in this mode, tracks and discs will be played in random order. Press this pushbutton again to turn off the random feature and return to normal operation. 6 SIDE: Press this pushbutton to select the next disc in the magazine. Each time you press SIDE, the disc number on the radio display will go to that of the next available CD.
Compact Disc Changer Errors E (Error): If this message and a number appear on the display, an error has occurred. If the error occurred while trying to play a CD in the compact disc player or changer, the following conditions may have caused the error: D E30: The road is too rough. The disc should play when the road is smoother. D E30: The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down. D E30: The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and try again. D E34: The CD changer door is open.
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped) Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped) radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed and the radio is placed in a different vehicle. This feature requires no user input to be activated. It is automatically armed when it is put into the vehicle for the first time. If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.
YSEEKB: Press the up arrow to seek to the next station and the down arrow to seek to the previous station. The sound will mute while seeking. When playing a cassette tape or a compact disc, press the up arrow to hear the next selection. AM/FM: Press this button to choose AM, FM1 or FM2. SCAN: Press this button to scan your radio preset stations. The radio will scan to the first preset station stored on your pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station.
NOTICE: Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you can add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delphi Electronics radio or other systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added improperly.
When cleaning the cassette tape player with the recommended non-abrasive cleaning cassette, it is possible that the cassette may eject, because the cut tape detection feature on your radio may recognize it as a broken tape. If the cleaning cassette ejects, insert the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough cleaning. You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not eject on its own.
Diversity Antenna System Your AM-FM antennas are located in the front windshield and rear window. Be sure that the inside surfaces of the front windshield and rear window are not scratched and that the lines on the glass are not damaged. If the inside surfaces are damaged, they could interfere with radio reception. Also, for proper radio reception, the antenna connectors at the top-center of the front and rear windows need to be properly attached to the posts on the glass.
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving.
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving.
Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle: D D D D Judgment Muscular Coordination Vision Attentiveness. Police records show that almost half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving.
Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in an increasing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent. In some other countries, the limit is even lower. For example, it is 0.05 percent in both France and Germany. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent. The BAC will be over 0.
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know.
Control of a Vehicle Braking You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road. Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard. Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here’s what happens with ABS: A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. Using Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you.
This light should come on briefly when you start the engine. If it stays on or comes on while you are driving, there’s a problem with your traction control system. See “Traction Control System Warning Light” in the Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on.
Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate.
Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem.
Off-Road Recovery Passing You may find that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving. The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again.
D Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. D When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close.
Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Driving at Night Here are some tips on night driving. D Drive defensively. D Don’t drink and drive. D Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. D Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. D Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. D In remote areas, watch for animals. D If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
CAUTION: Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally. Hydroplaning Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water NOTICE: If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. Driving Through Flowing Water CAUTION: Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
City Driving Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: D Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip. D Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy. See the next part, “Freeway Driving.” D Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
Freeway Driving The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. D Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. D Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.
Winter Driving Here are some tips for winter driving: D Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. D You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your trunk. 4-26 Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a couple of reflective warning triangles.
Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful. What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See “Anti-Lock” in the Index. If You’re Caught in a Blizzard D Allow greater following distance on any slippery road. D Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice.
D Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been stopped by the snow. D Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats -- anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm. CAUTION: Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes.
Dinghy Towing Dolly Towing NOTICE: Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground will damage drivetrain components. Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed, you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” following for more information. Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps: 1. Put the front wheels on the dolly. 2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P). 3.
Loading Your Vehicle Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label found on the rear edge of the driver’s door tells you the proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important information about the number of people that can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can carry.
CAUTION: Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle. NOTICE: Your warranty does not cover parts or components that fail because of overloading.
Towing a Trailer CAUTION: If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properly, you can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well -- or even at all. You and your passengers could be seriously injured. You may also damage your vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this section.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer Weight of the Trailer If you do, here are some important points: D There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. D Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too.
D Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle. See “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index. Dirt and water can, too. Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer.
Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working. Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if one of your lamps goes out.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you: D start your engine, D shift into a gear, and D release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks. Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this.
Section 5 Problems on the Road Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers The hazard warning flasher button is located on top of the steering column. Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in. Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. To turn the flashers off, press the button again. Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police know you have a problem. Your front and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
Jump Starting If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use the steps below to do it safely. CAUTION: Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because: D They contain acid that can burn you. D They contain gas that can explode or ignite. D They contain enough electricity to burn you. If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system. NOTICE: If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged. 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems.
Access the remote positive (+) terminal by removing the cover. You will not see the battery of your vehicle under the hood. It is located under the rear passenger’s seat. You will not need to access the battery for jump starting. The remote positive (+) terminal is for that purpose. CAUTION: CAUTION: Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if you need more light. Be sure the battery has enough water.
CAUTION: Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running. 5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged too. Before you connect the cables, here are some basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
7. Don’t let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. 8. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote negative (-) terminal if the vehicle has one. Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative (-) cable doesn’t go to the dead battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (-) cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection is just as good there, and the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less. 10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while. 11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do the following: 1. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the vehicle that had the dead battery. 2. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. 3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the vehicle with the good battery. 4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other vehicle. 5. Return the positive (+) remote terminal cover to its original position. Towing Your Vehicle Jumper Cable Removal A.
Engine Overheating You will find a warning light about a hot engine as well as an engine coolant temperature gage on your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. If your vehicle is equipped with the optional Driver Information Center (DIC), an ENGINE COOLANT LOW warning will appear on the display. If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine CAUTION: Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you: D D D D If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive normally. If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away. Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Cooling System When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what you’ll see: CAUTION: An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don’t do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle should be parked on a level surface. A. Coolant Recovery Tank B. Radiator Pressure Cap C.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD mark (if the engine is hot, the coolant level should be at FULL HOT). If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system. CAUTION: Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank NOTICE: If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOLR engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for more information. In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant and the proper coolant mixture.
CAUTION: You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine. CAUTION: (Continued) Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap. When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator 2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap. 1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until it first stops. (Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.) If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left. 5-16 3.
There is one bleed valve. It is located on the thermostat housing. 4. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed valve. A. Clean the area around the engine oil fill tube and cap before removing. Twist the oil fill tube, with cap attached, counterclockwise and remove it. B. If you have the supercharged engine, remove the nut in the center of the cover shield. C. Lift the engine cover shield at the front, slide the catch tab out of the engine bracket and remove the cover shield. D.
7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield. A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from the valve cover. B. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield under the bracket on the engine. C. Place the hole in the cover shield over the hole in the valve cover. Install oil fill tube and cap by twisting clockwise. D. If you have the supercharged engine, install the nut in the center of the cover shield. 5.
12. Then replace the presure cap. At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this. 10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine cooling fans. 11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be lower.
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard warning flashers.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and change a tire. The equipment you’ll need is located in the trunk. 1. Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk. 2. Lift and remove the cover. 3. Remove the compact spare tire. See “Compact Spare Tire” later in this section for more information about the compact spare.
4. Unscrew the wing nuts to remove the container that holds the wrench and jack. Removing Wheel Covers and Wheel Nut Caps 5. Remove the wheel wrench, jack and the spare tire from the trunk. The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and the wheel wrench (B). If your vehicle has an aluminum wheel with a center cover that hides the wheel nuts, remove the center cover by using the flat end of the wheel wrench to pry it off.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the jack head until it fits under the vehicle. 1. Use the wheel wrench to loosen the wheel nuts, but don’t remove them yet. 2. The jack has a bolt at the end. Attach the wheel wrench to the bolt to create a jack handle.
CAUTION: Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you could be badly injured or killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack. 4. Put the jack into a notch in the frame which is located near each wheel well. The front notch is eight inches (20 cm) back from the front wheel well. The rear notch is three inches (8 cm) forward from the rear wheel well.
7. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces and spare wheel. CAUTION: 5. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise in the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough so there’s enough room for the spare tire to fit under the wheel well. 6. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire. Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts become loose after a time. The wheel could come off and cause an accident.
10. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise on the jack. Lower the jack completely. CAUTION: Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident. 8. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface. 9. Reinstall the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Make sure each wheel stud is centered in each wheel hole while tightening the nuts.
CAUTION: Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to get new GM original equipment wheel nuts. Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 100 lb-ft (140 N·m). NOTICE: Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools CAUTION: Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle, you’ll need to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk. Store the flat tire as far forward in the trunk as possible.
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools CAUTION: Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place. Store the compact spare tire and tools as shown in the diagram. A. Wrench B. Jack C. Jack Container D. Retainer E. Spare Tire Cover F. Retainer The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420 kPa). After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you should stop as soon as possible and make sure your spare tire is correctly inflated.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow NOTICE: In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but you don’t want to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as “rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must use caution. Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information, and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
Service Doing Your Own Service Work Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much more about how to service your vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.
CAUTION: You can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it. D Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, the proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any vehicle maintenance task. D Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and other fasteners. “English” and “metric” fasteners can be easily confused. If you use the wrong fasteners, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt.
Gasoline Specifications California Fuel It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications which were developed by the American Automobile Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association for better vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasolines meeting these specifications could provide improved driveability and emission control system performance compared to other gasolines.
Additives Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of the emission control system may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
Filling Your Tank CAUTION: Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from gasoline. While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the hook on the fuel door. To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; if you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
CAUTION: If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way. Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container CAUTION: Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others: D Dispense gasoline only into approved containers. D Do not fill a container while it is inside a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or on any surface other than the ground.
Hood Release To open the hood, do the following: 1. Pull the hood release handle inside the vehicle. It is located next to the parking brake pedal near the floor. 2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and pull up on the secondary hood release. The hood latch is located under the hood, near the center, and at the front edge of the grille. 3. Lift up on the latch as you lift up on the hood. Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly.
Engine Compartment Overview When you open the hood on the 3800 (L36) engine, you’ll see: A. Engine Compartment Fuse Block B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir C. Remote Positive Terminal 6-10 D. E. F. G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank Radiator Pressure Cap Engine Oil Dipstick Engine Oil Fill Cap H. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir J.
Checking Engine Oil Engine Oil If the ENGINE OIL LOWCHECK LEVEL DIC message appears on the instrument cluster, it means you need to check your engine oil level right away. For more information, see “DIC Warnings and Messages” in the Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder. It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check the level. NOTICE: Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, your engine could be damaged.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by looking for the starburst symbol. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any oil which does not carry this starburst symbol. If you change your own oil, be sure you use oil that has the starburst symbol on the front of the oil container.
SAE 10W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 5W-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60_F (16_C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold, you should use SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50. NOTICE: Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
When to Change Engine Oil (Vehicles With the GM Oil Life System Option) t If so equipped, your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.
What to Do with Used Oil Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer. Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the air intake hose. This will allow you to lift the rear portion of the engine air cleaner/filter housing. 2. Remove the air intake hose that is snapped over the throttle body by pulling the hose upward and away from the throttle body which is located near the top of the engine. 4. After detaching the hose from the throttle body, pull back the entire rear portion of the engine air cleaner/filter housing by pulling upward and rearward.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air filter. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index. CAUTION: 5. Check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter. Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine backfires, you could be burned.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped) If your vehicle has this feature, the outside air entering the vehicle is routed through a filter. The filter removes certain particles from the air, including pollen and dust particles. Reductions in airflow, which may occur more often in dusty areas, indicate that the filter may need to be replaced early. The filter should be replaced as part of the routine scheduled maintenance. See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for more information.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid How to Check When to Check and Change Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at the dealership service department. A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level is when the engine oil is changed. If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 180_F to 200_F (82_C to 93_C). Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50_F (10_C). If it’s colder than 50_F (10_C), you may have to drive longer. Checking the Fluid Level Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps: The transaxle fluid dipstick top is a round, red loop and is located next to the brake master cylinder behind the engine block.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out again. If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick. 1. Pull out the dipstick. 2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L). Don’t overfill. 3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level.
Engine Coolant The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOLR engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOLR extended life coolant. The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
What to Use Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOLR coolant which won’t damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you don’t need to add anything else. CAUTION: Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mixture.
Checking Coolant The engine coolant recovery tank is located in the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at FULL COLD or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the level should be up to FULL HOT or a little higher.
Radiator Pressure Cap NOTICE: Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa) pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the overflow tube on the radiator filler neck. Power Steering Fluid The power steering fluid reservoir is located below the generator and behind the accessory drive belt in the rear of the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid Windshield Washer Fluid Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down, wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick. What to Use The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
Adding Washer Fluid Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. NOTICE: D When using concentrated washer fluid, D D D 6-28 follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding water. Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid. Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters full when it’s very cold.
Brakes Brake Fluid Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index. There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake system.
What to Add When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index. NOTICE: D Using the wrong fluid can badly damage Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it. This will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir. CAUTION: With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake system, your brakes may not work well, or they may not even work at all.
Brake Wear Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly). Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking system -- for example, when your brake linings wear down and you need new ones put in -- be sure you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly.
Vehicle Storage If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This will help keep your battery from running down. CAUTION: To be sure the vent hose (A) is properly attached, the vent hose connectors (B) must be securely reattached to the vent outlets (C) on each side of the battery, and the vent assembly grommet (D) must be secured to the floor pan (E). Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that can explode.
Bulb Replacement Headlamps For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this section, contact your dealer. For the bulb types to be used in the following procedures, see “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index. Halogen Bulbs CAUTION: Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or others could be injured. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the bulb package. 1. Remove the two bolts retaining the headlamp assembly. 2.
Headlamp Aiming 4. Turn the bulb retainer counterclockwise to remove it from the bulb assembly. Pull the bulb straight out from the retainer. 5. Push the new bulb straight into the retainer. 6. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the headlamp assembly. Your vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming system equipped with horizontal aim indicators. The aim has been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you (for vertical aim). If you believe your headlamps need to be re-aimed, we recommend that you take your vehicle to your dealer for service. However, it is possible for you to re-aim your headlamps as described in the following procedure.
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming Turn the horizontal aiming screw (A) until the indicator (B) is lined up with zero. If you believe your headlamps need horizontal (left/right) adjustment, follow the horizontal aiming procedure. If you believe your headlamps need only vertical (up/down) adjustment, follow only the vertical aiming procedure. Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the vertical aim. Adjustment screws can be turned with an E8 TorxR socket or T15 Torx screwdriver.
Headlamp Vertical Aiming NOTICE: 3. At the wall or other flat surface, measure from the ground upward the recorded distance from step 2 and draw or tape a horizontal line the width of the vehicle. Horizontal aiming must be performed before making any adjustments to the vertical aim. Adjusting the vertical aim first will result in an incorrect headlamp aim. 1. Find the aim dot on the lens of the low beam lamps. 4.
NOTICE: Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may cause excessive heat build-up which may cause damage to the headlamp. 5. Turn the vertical aiming screw (C) until the headlamp beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape line. 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the opposite headlamp.
Front Turn Signal Trunk-Mounted Back-Up and Taillamps Once the headlamp assembly has been removed from the vehicle, the front turn signal bulbs can be accessed. 1. Reach down into the space provided by the removal of the headlamp assembly and, while pushing in the tab on the bulb assembly, turn the assembly counterclockwise and remove it. 2. Remove the old bulb by pulling it straight out of the retainer. 3. Install the new bulb and turn the bulb assembly back into place. 1.
2. Pull out the assembly. 3. Push in the tab and turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it. 4. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out. 5. Replace the bulb and reverse the steps to install the assembly.
Rear Turn Signals, Stoplamps and Taillamps 1. Open the trunk. Turn the screws located just inside of the trunk counterclockwise and remove them. 6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter turn counterclockwise, while pressing it firmly. 2. Remove the plastic trim piece from the trunk. 3. Pull the carpet away from the rear area to access the turn signal bulb assembly. 4. Loosen and remove the bolts that hold the assembly in place. 7. Pull the bulb socket straight out of the assembly. 8.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least twice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper Blade Check” in the Index for more information. Replacement blades come in different types and are removed in different ways. To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following: 1. Lift the windshield wiper arm away from the windshield. 2. Push the tab on the wiper blade assembly and pull the assembly down enough to release it from the “U” hooked end of the wiper arm.
Tires Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see your Buick Warranty booklet for details. CAUTION: (Continued) D Underinflated tires pose the same danger CAUTION: Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous. D Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much friction. You could have an air-out and a serious accident.
Inflation -- Tire Pressure The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the rear edge of the driver’s door, shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). NOTICE: Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’s not.
Check Tire Pressure System (If Equipped) The check tire pressure system can alert you to a large change in the pressure of one tire. The system won’t alert you before you drive that a tire is low or flat. You must begin driving before the system will work properly. The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) if pressure difference (low pressure) is detected in one tire.
To reset (calibrate) the system: Tire Inspection and Rotation 1. Turn the ignition switch to RUN. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” later in this section for more information. 2. Press the GAGE INFO button on the DIC until TIRE PRESSURE appears on the display. 3.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation. After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading Information label. Reset the Check Tire Pressure System. See “Check Tire Pressure System” in the Index. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
Buying New Tires To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at the Tire-Loading Information label. The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires, get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating, traction, ride and other things during normal service on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Treadwear Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example: The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
Temperature -- A, B, C Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle. CAUTION: Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking and handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you lose control. You could have a collision in which you or others could be injured.
Tire Chains NOTICE: Use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper size for your tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact continues, slow down until it stops.
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle Using Cleaner on Fabric Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. 1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt. Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet 3. Follow the directions on the container label. Your dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric and carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains very well. You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat the area with a water/baking soda solution: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of lukewarm water. Cleaning Leather 4. Let dry. D For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows: 1. Carefully scrape off excess stain. 2. First, clean with cool water and allow to dry completely. 3.
Care of Safety Belts Cleaning Glass Surfaces Keep belts clean and dry. Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index. CAUTION: Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it may severely weaken them. In a crash, they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or windshield. Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water. Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades and affect their performance.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under “Washing Your Vehicle.” Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer. See “Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index. Your vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels (If Equipped) Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be applied. The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners with acid or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage the surface.
Finish Damage Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode quickly and may develop into a major repair expense. Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up materials available from your dealer or other service outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your dealer’s body and paint shop. Underbody Maintenance Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control can collect on the underbody.
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials 6-61
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Engine Identification The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This code will help you identify your engine, specifications and replacement parts. Service Parts Identification Label You’ll find this label on your spare tire cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is: This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the driver’s side.
Electrical System Fuses and Circuit Breakers Add-On Electrical Equipment The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical problems. NOTICE: Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle unless you check with your dealer first. Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block The engine compartment fuse block is located near the front on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more information on location. Minifuse Usage 1 Not Used Lift the cover to gain access. On some vehicles, there may be an additional cover that you will need to lift to gain access to the fuses.
Minifuse Usage Micro Relays Usage 10 Left High-Beam Headlamp 27 High-Beam Headlamp 11 Ignition 1 28 Low-Beam Headlamp 12 Not Used 29 Fog Lamps 13 Transaxle 30 Daytime Running Lamps 14 Cruise Control 31 Horn 15 Direct Ignition System 32 Air Conditioner Clutch 16 Injector Bank #2 33 HVAC Solenoid 17 Not Used 18 Not Used 19 Powertrain Control Module Ignition 20 Oxygen Sensor 21 Injector Bank #1 22 Auxiliary Power 23 Cigarette Lighter 24 Fog Lamps/Daytime Running L
Maxibreaker Usage 41 Starter MaxiFuses Usage 42 A.I.R. 43 Empty 44 ABS 45 Not Used 46 Cooling Fan 2 47 Cooling Fan 1 Spare Fuses Usage 48 Spare 49 Spare 50 Spare 51 Spare 52 Spare 53 Fuse Puller 6-66 Removing the Rear Seat Cushion NOTICE: The battery and main fuse blocks are located under the rear seat cushion. The battery’s ground terminal and some relay wires are exposed.
CAUTION: A safety belt that isn’t properly routed through the seat cushion or is twisted won’t provide the protection needed in a crash. If the safety belt hasn’t been routed through the seat cushion at all, it won’t be there to work for the next passenger. The person sitting in that position could be badly injured. After reinstalling the seat cushion, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and are not twisted. To reinstall the rear seat cushion, do the following: 1.
Rear Underseat Fuse Block The rear fuse block is located beneath the rear seat on the driver’s side. The rear seat cushion must be removed to access the fuse block. See “Removing the Rear Seat Cushion” in the Index.
Minifuses Usage Minifuses Usage 18 Rear Door Module 35 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) 19 Stoplamp 36 Turn Signal/Hazard 20 Park/Reverse 37 HVAC Battery 21 Audio 38 Dimmer 22 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 23 Not Used 24 Not Used 25 Passenger Door Module 26 Body 27 Interior Lamps 28 Not Used 29 Ignition Switch 30 Instrument Panel 31 Right Front Heated Seat 32 Not Used 33 HVAC 34 Ignition 3 Rear Micro Relays Usage 39 Fuel Pump 40 Parking Lamp 41 Ignition 1 4
Micro Relays MaxiFuses Usage 49 Ignition 3 60 Not Used 50 Fuel Tank Door Release 61 Rear Defog 51 Interior Lamps 62 Not Used 52 Trunk Release 63 Audio Amplifier 53 Front Courtesy Lamps 64 Electronic Level Control (ELC) 54 Not Used 65 Cigar 55 Electronic Level Control (ELC) 66 Not Used Circuit Breakers Spare Fuses Usage 56 Power Seats 57 Power Windows Mini Relays 6-70 Usage Usage 58 Cigar 59 Rear Defogger 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 Usage Not Used Not Used Not Use
Replacement Bulbs Front Exterior Lamps Bulb Number Headlamps Low Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9006 High Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9005 Front Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3157 Rear Exterior Lamps Bulb Number Trunk Mounted Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 3057 Trunk Mounted Tail Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity If you do your own service work, you’ll need the proper service manual. See “Doing Your Own Service Work” in the Index for additional information. It is recommended that service work on your air conditioning system be performed by a qualified technician. Air Conditioning Refrigerant R-134a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 lbs. (1.0 kg) Use Refrigerant Oil, R-134a Systems Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety, dependability and emission control performance.
Introduction Your Vehicle and the Environment Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the environment. All recommended maintenance procedures are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions from your vehicle.
How This Section is Organized This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts: “Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” explains what to have done and how often. Some of these services can be complex, so unless you are technically qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should let your dealer’s service department or another qualified service center do these jobs. CAUTION: Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can be seriously injured.
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services Using Your Maintenance Schedule We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Scheduled Maintenance Short Trip/City Definition Short Trip/City Intervals Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any one of these conditions is true for your vehicle: Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs first). D Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation. particularly important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
Scheduled Maintenance Short Trip/City Intervals Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection. Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic Transaxle Service (normal conditions). Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs first). These intervals only summarize maintenance services. Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance on the following pages.
Scheduled Maintenance Long Trip/Highway Intervals Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). Tire Rotation. Long Trip/Highway Intervals Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection. Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Passenger Compartment Air Filter Replacement (if equipped). Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Automatic Transaxle Service (normal conditions).
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles (166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this vehicle. See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” following. Footnotes [ The U.S.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 15,000 Miles (25 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: Replace filter if necessary. An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 24,000 Miles (40 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 33,000 Miles (55 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) 36,000 Miles (60 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 45,000 Miles (75 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: Replace filter if necessary. An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 51,000 Miles (85 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) 54,000 Miles (90 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. j Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission Control Service. j Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission Control Service. j Rotate tires.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 69,000 Miles (115 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) 72,000 Miles (120 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 78,000 Miles (130 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 90,000 Miles (150 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. j Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission Control Service. j Rotate tires.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 99,000 Miles (165 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) 100,000 Miles (166 000 km) j Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control Service. j Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance 150,000 Miles (240 000 km) j Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service, whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and pressure cap. An Emission Control Service.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles (166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this vehicle. See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” following. Footnotes [ The U.S.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 7,500 Miles (12 500 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 30,000 Miles (50 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) j Replace engine air cleaner filter.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 50,000 Miles (83 000 km) j Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions: – In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90_F (32_C) or higher. – In hilly or mountainous terrain. – When doing frequent trailer towing. – Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 60,000 Miles (100 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) j Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission Control Service. j Replace engine air cleaner filter.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 75,000 Miles (125 000 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j If Equipped: Replace passenger compartment air filter. j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 97,500 Miles (162 500 km) j Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. (See footnote *.) j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper rotation DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: pattern and additional information. (See footnote @.) (See footnote +.) 100,000 Miles (166 000 km) j Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control Service.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance 150,000 Miles (240 000 km) j Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service, whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap. An Emission Control Service.
Part B: Owner Checks and Services Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check Listed in this part are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety, dependability and emission control performance of your vehicle. Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index for further details. Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
At Least Twice a Year Restraint System Check Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
Starter Switch Check CAUTION: When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be injured. Follow the steps below. 1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle. 2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake. See “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary. Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts. 3. Try to start the engine in each gear.
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position. D The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P). D The key should come out only in LOCK. Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check CAUTION: Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the parking brake.
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection Listed in this part are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring and fall). You should let your dealer’s service department or other qualified service center do these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Fuel System Inspection Throttle System Inspection Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks. Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding, and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed. Replace any components that have high effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables. Engine Cooling System Inspection Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are cracked, swollen or deteriorated.
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from your dealer. USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT Engine Oil Engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol of the proper viscosity. To determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
USAGE Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor and Release Pawl Hood and Door Hinges 7-38 FLUID/LUBRICANT LubriplateR Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 12346293 or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI # 2, Category LB or GC-LB. Multi-Purpose Lubricant, SuperlubeR (GM Part No. 12346241 or equivalent). USAGE FLUID/LUBRICANT Fuel Door, Glove Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Box Door, SuperlubeR (GM Part Console Door No. 12346241 or equivalent).
Part E: Maintenance Record After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the boxes provided after the maintenance interval. Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” can be added on the following record pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record DATE 7-40 ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-41
Maintenance Record DATE 7-42 ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information Here you will find out how to contact Buick if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service publications and how to report any safety defects.
Customer Satisfaction Procedure Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and to Buick. Normally, any concerns with the sales transaction or the operation of your vehicle will be resolved by your dealer’s sales or service departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions of all concerned, misunderstandings can occur.
STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member of dealership management, it appears your concern cannot be resolved by the dealership without further help, contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center by calling 1-800-521-7300. In Canada, contact GM of Canada Customer Communication Centre in Oshawa by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French). We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order to give your inquiry prompt attention.
You may contact the BBB using the toll-free telephone number or write them at the following address: BBB Auto Line Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. 4200 Wilson Boulevard Suite 800 Arlington, VA 22203-1804 Telephone: 1-800-955-5100 This program is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Eligibility is limited by vehicle age, mileage and other factors. General Motors reserves the right to change eligibility limitations and/or discontinue its participation in this program.
Canada General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre, 163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 1-800-263-3777 (English) 1-800-263-7854 (French) 1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs)) Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800 All Overseas Locations Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit. Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) General Motors de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Roadside Assistance Buick Motor Division is proud to offer Buick Premium Roadside Assistance to customers for vehicles covered under the 3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 km) new car warranty (whichever occurs first). 8-6 Our commitment to Buick owners has always included superior service through our network of Buick dealers. Buick Premium Roadside Assistance provides an extra measure of convenience and security.
We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the following additional services depending on your needs: D Hotels D Glass replacement D Tire repair facilities D Rental vehicle or taxis D Airports or train stations D Police, fire department or hospitals In many instances, mechanical failures are covered under Buick’s comprehensive warranty. However, when other services are utilized, our advisors will explain any payment obligations you might incur.
Courtesy Transportation Buick has always exemplified quality and value in its offering of motor vehicles. To enhance your ownership experience, we and our participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy Transportation, a customer support program for new vehicles. The Courtesy Transportation program is offered to retail purchase/lease customers in conjunction with the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement If your vehicle requires overnight warranty repairs, reimbursement up to $30 per day (five days maximum) may be available for the use of public transportation such as taxi or bus. In addition, should you arrange transportation through a friend or relative, reimbursement for reasonable fuel expenses up to $10 per day (five day maximum) may be available. Claim amounts should reflect actual costs and be supported by original receipts.
Canadian Vehicles: For warranty repairs during the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty, alternative transportation may be available under the Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult your dealer for details.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you should immediately notify Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to: In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION Service Manuals Owner’s Information Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension, brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00 Owner publications are written specifically for owners and intended to provide basic operational information about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
