2006 Buick Rendezvous Owner Manual Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 Front Seats ............................................... 1-3 Rear Seats ............................................... 1-8 Safety Belts ............................................. 1-22 Child Restraints ....................................... 1-45 Airbag System ......................................... 1-72 Restraint System Check ............................ 1-87 Features and Controls ........................
Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, the BUICK Emblem, and the name RENDEZVOUS 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 notice.
Index A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found. Safety Warnings and Symbols There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard.
Vehicle Damage Warnings Vehicle Symbols Also, in this manual you will find these notices: The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gage, or indicator. Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle.
These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle: v
✍ NOTES vi
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-3 Manual Seats ................................................1-3 Six-Way Power Seats .....................................1-4 Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-5 Heated Seats .................................................1-5 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-6 Head Restraints .............................................1-8 Rear Seats ......
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Airbag System ...............................................1-72 Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-75 When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-77 What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-79 How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-79 What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .........................................1-80 Passenger Sensing System ............................
Front Seats Manual Seats Your vehicle may have manual seats. Use the lever located under the front of the seat to adjust the seat forward or rearward. {CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. Pull the lever up to unlock the seat.
Six-Way Power Seats • Move the front of the control up or down to adjust the front portion of the seat up or down. If your vehicle has this feature, the power seat control is located on the outboard side of the seat(s). 1-4 • Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust the rear portion of the seat up or down. • Slide the control forward or rearward to move the seat forward or rearward.
Manual Lumbar Heated Seats The knob that controls this feature is located on the outboard sides of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. Turn the knob toward the front of the vehicle to increase lumbar support. Turn the knob toward the rear of the vehicle to decrease lumbar support. Your vehicle may have heated seats. If it does, the heated seat switches are located in the instrument panel switchbank.
Reclining Seatbacks {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. Pull up on the lever, and the seat will go to its original upright position. To adjust a seatback, pull up on the lever located on the outboard side of the driver’s or front passenger’s seats. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it.
{CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you are reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. The lap belt cannot do its job either.
Head Restraints Rear Seats Rear Seat Operation The rear seats in your vehicle have seat operating features to adjust, fold, remove and reinstall the seats. By using the seat operating procedures, in the correct order, you can easily remove the seats from your vehicle. When you put the seats back in the vehicle, be sure to follow the label on the back of the seat for proper location. Split Bench Seats Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head.
Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks To recline the seatback on up-level split bench seats, push forward on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. To recline the seatback on base-level split bench seats, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback.
Removing the Split Bench Seat Each section of the split bench seat can be flipped forward or removed individually. Base-Level 1. Unlatch the shoulder belt from the lap-belt. 2. Make sure that the seatback is in the upright position. 3. Lift up or push forward on the seatback recliner lever to fold the seatback forward. 1-10 4. For base-level split bench seats, pull the lever at the base of the seat on the outboard side to release the rear latches from the floor pins and flip the seat forward.
For up-level split bench seats, continue pushing forward on the recliner lever to release the rear latches from the floor pins and flip the seat forward. 5. To release the front latches, squeeze the angled latch release bar toward the straight crossbar. 6. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. Repeat these steps for the other section of the split bench seat.
Replacing the Split Bench Seat {CAUTION: {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it.
2. Make sure that the bench seat is angled so that the front hooks clear the floor pins. If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins. 1. Squeeze the angled latch release bar toward the straight crossbar while placing the front hooks of the bench seat onto the front two floor pins.
Captain Chairs If your vehicle has captain’s chairs, the chairs and seatbacks can be adjusted forward or rearward. Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs (Second Row) To adjust the second row captain’s chairs, use the adjustment bar located below the front of each seat. Lift up the lever to slide the seat forward or rearward. Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place. Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks 3.
Removing the Captain’s Chairs 1. Make sure that the seatback is in the upright position. 2. Lift the seatback recliner lever to fold the seatback forward. To recline the seatback, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. Use the recliner lever to move the seatback to the desired position. It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you lean forward and take the weight off the seatback.
Replacing the Captain’s Chairs {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. 4. The seat can then be lifted off the front floor pins. 5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. Repeat these steps for the other captain’s chair.
{CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. Make sure that the seatback is in the folded forward position and that the safety belts are on the correct side of the chair. 1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins.
Stowable Seat The stowable seat is a two passenger bench seat and comes with the rear convenience center. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-43 for more information. The stowable seat can be removed and replaced or, with the seatback folded, it can lie flat with the convenience center. Folding the Seatback {CAUTION: 2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear latches onto the rear set of floor pins. 3. Push and pull on the seat to check that it is properly attached.
To fold the seatback down, pull up on the lever located on the back of the seat. Push down on the seatback until it is locked into place. To raise the seatback, do one of the following: • From the rear of the vehicle, pull up on the lever to release the seatback. Then pull the strap, located on the right side of the seat, to pull the seatback up.
Removing the Stowable Seat 1. Remove the convenience center, if it is in the vehicle. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-43 for more information. Replacing the Stowable Seat {CAUTION: 2. Make sure all items are off the stowable seat. 3. If the seatback is down, put the seatback in its upright position before removing the seat. See “Folding the Seatback” listed previously. 4. From the front of the bench seat, remove the two nuts from the brackets, located on the floor on each side. 5.
{CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. Do not put the stowable seat in so that it faces rearward. The stowable seat has to go in before the rear convenience center. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-43 for more information.
Safety Belts {CAUTION: Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. {CAUTION: Do not let anyone ride where he or she cannot wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed.
Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-40. Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work. You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one.
Put someone on it. 1-24 Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop.
The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel...
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I am wearing a safety belt? A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.
Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in an accident — even one that is not your fault — you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h).
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
6. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
Q: What is 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 will not give nearly as much protection this way.
Q: What is 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 is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests. A: The belt is over an armrest.
Q: What is 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 are not 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 is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to fix it. A: The belt is twisted across the body.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. To move it down, push down on the button (A) and move the height adjuster to the desired position.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Right Front Passenger Position Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts. To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-27. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt — except for one thing.
Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it.
3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.
{CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body. To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle.
Center Rear Passenger Position Lap-Shoulder Belt If your vehicle has a bench seat, someone can sit in the center position. When you sit in the center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. You also have a shoulder belt, which has a retractor. In order to have the protection of the shoulder belt, you must first connect it to the lap belt. 1. Remove the shoulder belt from its stowage location in the roof and pull it all the way down to the lap belt.
2. Insert the metal knob on the shoulder belt into the keyhole on the lap belt buckle as shown. Be sure to slide the shoulder belt part into the keyhole until it locks into place. 3. To make the lap belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides Rear safety belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is a guide available for the center passenger position in the second row rear seat. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug 4.
Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: 2. Attach the elastic cord to the comfort guide on the center passenger shoulder belt. Second Row Center Position For second row center position do the following: 1. Remove the elastic cord from under the head restraint of the second row driver’s side position.
{CAUTION: A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The guide must be on top of the belt. 4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described in Center Rear Passenger Position on page 1-40.
Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger. Although you cannot see them, they are located on the retractor part of the safety belts. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash. Child Restraints Older Children Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system.
Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat.
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. Also see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides on page 1-42.
Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle.
{CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide.
Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? {CAUTION: A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available.
Child Restraint Systems {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries.
A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. 1-52 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.
Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system.
When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both.
CAUTION: (Continued) Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. General Motors recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle. Lower Anchors Your vehicle has lower anchors and top tether anchors. Your child restraint may have lower attachments and a top tether.
Top Tether Anchor Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached.
j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. Second Row — Bench Seat i (Top Tether Anchor): Second Row — Captains Chairs Seating positions with top tether anchors.
To assist you in locating the lower anchors, each seating position with lower anchors has two labels, near the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion, showing where the anchors are located. To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, look for this symbol. For the third row, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the flap of carpet behind the seat. Lift the carpet to access the anchor.
Second Row Outside Position Bench Seat For second row outboard seating positions, the top tether anchors are exposed and located at the rear of the seat cushions. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. 1-60 Second Row Center Position Bench Seat without Third Row Seat The anchor for the center position bench seat is located on the floor behind the second row seats.
Second Row Center Position Bench Seat with Third Row Seat If the vehicle has a third row seat and the seatback is upright, there is an anchor strap located between the third row seatback and cushion to anchor the child restraint for the second row center position bench seat.
If you are using a top tether equipped child restraint in the second row center bench seat and need to temporarily transport a flat tire for repair, move the child restraint to a rear seat outboard position. See Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-65 for more information including important safety information.
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.
4. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors, if equipped, in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 5. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps: 5.1. Find the top tether anchor. 5.2.
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55. There is no top tether anchor in the 3rd row driver’s-side position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored.
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. 1-66 4. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
5. If your child restraint has a top tether and the position that you are using has a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to step 5 under Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55. 6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it.
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. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-68 4. Buckle the belt.
To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. Unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. When you remove the child restraint, be sure to reconnect the lap and shoulder parts of the belt so they will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has a right front passenger airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint.
There is no top tether anchor at the right front seating position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-55 if the child restraint has a top tether. 2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3.
5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. Airbag System 8. If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and the airbag is off, the off indicator will be lit and stay lit in the inside rearview mirror when the key is turned to ON or START. Your vehicle has a frontal airbag for the driver and a frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have side impact airbags.
CAUTION: (Continued) hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts but do not replace them. Frontal airbags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inflate in rollover, rear crashes, or in many side crashes.
{CAUTION: Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle.
Where Are the Airbags? The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact airbag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. 1-76 If your vehicle has one, the right front passenger’s side impact airbag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door.
When Should an Airbag Inflate? {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact airbag.
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example: • If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. • If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? How Does an Airbag Restrain? In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, the airbag and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel.
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? After the airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for a short time. These components include the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal airbag. For seating positions with side impact airbags, the side of the seatback closest to the door may be hot.
• Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 7-9. • Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag system. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if: • the right front passenger seat is unoccupied • the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat • the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint • the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat • a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time • the right front passenger seat is
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the fully upright position, then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. You may want to consider not using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-86 for more information about modifications that can affect how the system operates. Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Q: Is there anything I might add to the front or sides of the vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly? A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s frame, bumper system, front end or side sheet metal or height, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Also, the airbag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag sensors.
Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash {CAUTION: A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.
Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................2-3 Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5 Doors and Locks .............................................2-8 Door Locks ....................................................2-8 Power Door Locks ..........................................2-9 Delayed Locking .............................................2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ..
Section 2 Features and Controls OnStar® System .............................................2-32 Universal Home Remote System ......................2-34 Universal Home Remote System Operation ......2-35 Storage Areas ................................................2-38 Glove Box ...................................................2-38 Cupholder(s) ................................................2-38 Cell Phone Storage Area ...............................2-39 Overhead Console ...............................
Keys {CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children. Your vehicle’s key can be used for the ignition as well as the driver’s door lock, the floor console, and the glove box. If you need a new key, contact your dealer, who can obtain the correct key code.
Your vehicle has the PASS-Key® III vehicle theft system. The key has 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. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a new key made. Any new PASS-Key® III key must be programmed before it will start your vehicle.
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: • Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. • Check the location.
If you would like to program the way the headlamps and parking lamps operate with remote unlock confirmation, and your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-64. LOCK: To lock all doors, press LOCK. The LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter will arm the content theft-deterrent system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-15 for more information.
Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about three years. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. 1. Insert a flat object, such as a coin, into the slot on the side of the transmitter and twist to separate the halves. 2. Gently pry the battery out of the transmitter. Do not use the metal flanges to remove the battery. 3.
Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. • Passengers — especially children — can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. • Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out.
Power Door Locks Delayed Locking The power door lock switch is located on the driver’s and front passenger’s doors next to the door handle. With the delayed locking feature, the doors will not lock immediately when locking the doors using the power door lock switch or when LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed while any door is open. Instead, three chimes will be heard to indicate that the delayed locking feature is in operation.
Programmable Automatic Door Locks All of the doors will automatically lock when all doors are closed, the engine is running and the shift lever is shifted out of PARK (P). All of the doors will automatically unlock when the shift lever is shifted into PARK (P). With the automatic door lock feature, you can still lock or unlock the doors at any time, either manually, with the power door lock switches or by pressing LOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Canceling the Rear Door Security Locks 1. Unlock and open the rear door from the outside. 2. Push the lever down to disengage the safety lock. 3. Close the door. 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other rear door lock. The rear door locks will now work normally. Lockout Protection The lockout protection feature may prevent you from locking your key in your vehicle. Pressing the power door lock switch will lock all doors, then unlock the driver’s door, if the key is in the ignition when a door is opened.
Liftgate Release To open the liftgate using the touchpad, do the following: 1. Put the vehicle in PARK (P). 2. Unlock all of the doors. 3. Lift up on the liftgate handle. If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry transmitter, you may unlock the liftgate by pressing the REAR button on the transmitter, then open the liftgate manually by lifting up on the liftgate handle. Pressing REAR while the Content Theft-Deterrent is active allows you to open the liftgate while all other doors remain locked.
Windows {CAUTION: Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
Power Windows The driver’s power window switch has two down positions. Push the rear of the switch to the first position to lower the window normally. Press the rear of any passenger window switch and that window will open. Press the front of any switch to close the window. Express-Down Window The driver’s window switch also has an express-down feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. To activate the express-down feature, push the rear of the driver’s window switch to the second position, then release it.
Sun Visors Theft-Deterrent Systems To block out glare you can swing down the visors. You can also remove them from the center mount and swing them to the side. There may be an extension on the inboard side of the sun visors. Pull the extension out to block out glare. 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.
Once armed, the alarm will go off if someone tries to enter the vehicle without using the optional remote keyless entry transmitter or the key, or tries to turn the ignition on without using the correct key. The horn will sound and the headlamps and parking lamps will flash any time the alarm sounds. When the content theft-deterrent system is armed, the liftgate may be opened by pressing the REAR button on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm will go into standby mode.
Disarming with Your Key PASS-Key® III Your alarm system will disarm when you use your key to unlock the driver’s door. The security light will stop flashing to let you know the system is no longer armed. Your PASS-Key® III system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. Disarming with the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Your alarm system will disarm when you press UNLOCK on your remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors.
PASS-Key® III Operation 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 do not have to do anything different to arm or disarm the system. It works when you insert or remove the key from the ignition. When the PASS-Key® III system senses that someone is using the wrong key, it shuts down the vehicle’s starter and fuel systems.
To program the new PK3® key do the following: 1. Verify the new key has PK3 stamped on it. 2. Insert the original key in the ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not start, see your GM dealer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn the key to OFF, and remove the key. 4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to ON within 10 seconds of removing the previous key. 5. The SECURITY message will turn off once the key has been programmed.
Ignition Positions With the key in the ignition, you can turn it to four different positions. B (ACCESSORY): This position allows you to use things like the radio and the windshield wipers while the engine is off. This position will also allow you to turn off the engine. Use ACCESSORY if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is being pushed or towed. C (ON): This is the position that the switch returns to after you start your engine and release the key.
Starting the Engine Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in any other position — that is a safety feature. To restart when you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Notice: Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into 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.
Engine Coolant Heater Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant heater. In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord.
Automatic Transaxle Operation 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 wish. See Shifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-28 for more information. {CAUTION: Maximum engine speed is limited when you are in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline components from improper operation. There are several different positions for your shift lever.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up. Notice: Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped. To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30. NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine does not connect with the wheels.
Warm-Up Shift Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment and defrost the windows more quickly. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Parking Brake The parking brake is located under the instrument panel on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-44. To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot while you push down on the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop up to the released position.
Shifting Into Park (P) {CAUTION: It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on page 4-38. 1.
Torque Lock Shifting Out of Park (P) If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your vehicle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust {CAUTION: Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death. {CAUTION: Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that can burn. You might have exhaust coming in if: • Your exhaust system sounds strange or different. • Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Running the Engine While Parked It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know. {CAUTION: Idling the engine with the climate control system off could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle. See the earlier caution under Engine Exhaust on page 2-29. Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if the climate control fan is at the highest setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror The vehicle may have a rearview mirror that can be adjusted for day or night driving. Push or pull the tab at the bottom of the mirror to adjust it for day or night conditions. The mirror’s two outer buttons operate the lamps on the bottom of the mirror. The mirror may have a passenger airbag indicator. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-81 for more information. Outside Power Mirror The power mirror controls are located on the driver’s door armrest.
Outside Convex Mirror OnStar® System {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. The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the driver’s seat. It also makes things appear farther away than they really are.
Terms and conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be found at www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca. OnStar® Services For new vehicles equipped with OnStar®, the Safe and Sound Plan is included for one year from the date of purchase. You can extend this plan beyond the first year, or upgrade to the Directions and Connections® Plan to meet your needs. For more information, press the OnStar® button to speak to an advisor.
Universal Home Remote System If your vehicle is equipped with the Universal Home Remote transmitter, it complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1.
Universal Home Remote System Operation It is recommended that a new battery be installed in your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more accurate transmission of the radio-frequency signal. Do not use the Universal Home Remote with any garage door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse” feature. This includes any garage door opener model manufactured before April 1, 1982.
4. The indicator light will flash slowly at first and then rapidly after Universal Home Remote successfully receives the frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter. Release both buttons. 5. Press and hold the newly-trained Universal Home Remote button and observe the indicator light. If the indicator light stays on constantly, programming is complete and your device should activate when the Universal Home Remote button is pressed and released.
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter signals to time out or quit after several seconds of transmission. This may not be long enough for Universal Home Remote to pick up the signal during programming. Similarly, some U.S. gate operators are manufactured to time out in the same manner.
Reprogramming a Single Universal Home Remote Button Storage Areas To program a device to Universal Home Remote using a Universal Home Remote button previously trained, follow these steps: Glove Box 1. Press and hold the desired Universal Home Remote button. Do not release the button. 2. The indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds. While still holding the Universal Home Remote button, proceed with Step 2 under “Programming Universal Home Remote” shown earlier in this section.
Cell Phone Storage Area Sunglasses Storage Compartment Your vehicle has a cell phone storage compartment located on the floor console storage closest to the driver’s seat. Lift the lid to use the storage compartment. The compartment has an accessory power outlet for charging the cell phone. To open the sunglasses storage compartment in the overhead console, press the release button. Then pull the compartment down to the full open position.
Rear Storage Area There are four small storage compartments in the rear of your vehicle. One is on the passenger’s side, two are on the driver’s side and one is on the floor by the tailgate. To remove the covers, lift up on the tabs. If your vehicle has the 10-speaker system, the compartment on the passenger’s side and the long compartment on the driver’s side will be equipped with speakers.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31. To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened. Loading things onto the luggage carrier can interfere with the performance of your XM™ Satellite Radio System, if equipped.
To adjust the crossrails, lift the release levers on each side to unlock them. Slide the crossrails forward or backward, as needed, to accommodate loads of various sizes. After repositioning the crossrails, push the release lever down. This will lock the crossrails in place. Notice: Opening the sunroof when the luggage rack crossrails are not in the full-rear position could cause damage to the sunroof or luggage rack.
Convenience Net Your vehicle may have a convenience net. The convenience net is designed to help keep small loads, like grocery bags, from falling over. Install the convenience net at the rear of your vehicle, just inside the liftgate/tailgate opening. Attach both the upper and lower hooks to the loops on either side of the liftgate opening. The label on the net should be in the upper left corner. The convenience net has a maximum capacity of 100 lbs (45 kg).
Removing the Extended Rear Convenience Center 1. Make sure that all items have been removed from the top and the inside of the rear convenience center. Reinstalling the Extended Rear Convenience Center 1. Make sure that all items have been removed from the rear of the vehicle. 2. Remove the carpeted mat from the vehicle. 2. Remove the carpeted mat from the vehicle. 3. Lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open the rear storage bin. The center lid will also need to be opened. 4.
Removing the Rear Convenience Center on Vehicles with the Third Row Stowable Seat 1. Make sure that all items have been removed from the top and the inside of the rear convenience center. 2. Lift the handle(s) on the top of the lid to open the storage bin. 5. Lift the rear bin into the back of the vehicle. Place the rear bin over the center T-shaped wall on the forward bin. Push down to secure. Align the rear bin over the rear mounting bolts. 3. Remove the two nuts from inside the storage bin.
Reinstalling the Rear Convenience Center on Vehicles with the Third Row Stowable Seat 1. Make sure that all items have been removed from the rear of the vehicle. Sunroof If the vehicle has a sunroof, the switch to operate it is located on the headliner, between the sun visors. The sunroof switch will only work when the ignition is ON or when the ignition is OFF and retained accessory power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-20. 2. Lift the bin into the back of the vehicle.
Notice: Opening the sunroof when the luggage rack crossrails are not in the full-rear position could cause damage to the sunroof or luggage rack. Verify the luggage rack crossrails are in the full-rear position before opening the sunroof. Press the rear of the switch to open the sunroof to the vent position. The sunshade must be opened by hand. Press and release the rear of the switch a second time to express-open the sunroof. The sunshade will open with the sunroof.
To store the memory settings, do the following: 1. Adjust the driver’s seat and the outside rearview mirrors to the position you would like for driving. 2. Press and hold memory button 1 for more than three seconds. A double beep will sound when the memory seat and mirror position have been stored. To store the seat and outside rearview mirror positions for a second driver, follow the previous steps, but press button 2 instead. To recall your stored positions, your vehicle must be in PARK (P).
Section 3 Instrument Panel Instrument Panel Overview ...............................3-4 Hazard Warning Flashers ................................3-6 Other Warning Devices ...................................3-6 Horn .............................................................3-6 Tilt Wheel .....................................................3-6 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever .........................3-7 Turn and Lane-Change Signals ........................3-7 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer ..............
Section 3 Instrument Panel Message Center .............................................3-51 Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message ...........3-51 Service Traction System Warning Message ......3-51 Traction Active Message ................................3-52 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Message ..................................................3-52 Charging System Indicator Message ................3-53 Reduced Engine Power Message ....................3-53 Low Oil Pressure Message ......................
✍ NOTES 3-3
Instrument Panel Overview 3-4
The main components of the instrument panel are the following: A. Exterior/Interior Lamps Control. See Exterior Lamps on page 3-14 and Interior Lamps on page 3-16. B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7. C. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6. D. Instrument Panel Cluster. See Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-38. E. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-23. F. Instrument Panel Outlets.
Hazard Warning Flashers Horn 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. Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering wheel pad to sound the horn. The hazard warning flasher button is located on top of the steering column. Tilt Wheel A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before you drive.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Turn and Lane-Change Signals The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change. To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-101. If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will flash at a normal rate even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they are working.
Windshield Wipers WIPER N: Turn the band marked WIPER to control the windshield wipers. MIST: For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the band on MIST longer. Delay: For delayed wiping cycles, you can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer The rear window washer/wiper switch is located in the instrument panel switchbank. See Instrument Panel Switchbank on page 3-20. To wash the rear window while the rear wiper is already on, press the bottom of the switch. Press the top of the switch to continue the intermittent wiper cycle after the washing cycle is completed. {CAUTION: In freezing weather, do not use your washer until the windshield is warmed.
The cruise controls are located on the end of the turn signal/multifunction lever. {CAUTION: Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use your cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic. ON: Move the switch to this position to turn the cruise control system on. R/A: Move the switch to this position to resume a set speed or to accelerate. SET: Press this button, located at the end of the lever, to set a speed.
Setting Cruise Control Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can move the cruise control switch from ON to Resume/Accelerate (R/A) briefly. {CAUTION: You will go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there. If you leave your cruise control on when you are not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when you do not want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise control switch off until you want to use cruise control.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to reduce speed while using cruise control: • Press the SET button at the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it. • To slow down in very small amounts, press the SET button briefly. Each time you do this, you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower. Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
Exterior Lamps 5 (Headlamps): The control on the left side of the steering column operates the exterior lamps. Turning the control to this position turns on the headlamps together with the previously listed lamps and lights. Lamps on Reminder If the driver’s door is opened and you turn the ignition to OFF while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
When the DRL are on, only your reduced intensity high-beam headlamps will be on. Your instrument panel will not be lit up. When it is dark enough outside, the exterior lamps will come on automatically. When it is bright enough outside, the exterior lamps will go out and the DRL will turn on. Of course, you may still turn on the headlamps any time you need to. Fog Lamps The fog lamp button is located on the exterior lamp control.
Interior Lamps The interior lamps can be controlled, or automatically turn on or off under certain conditions. They are explained in the following text. Instrument Panel Brightness Interior Lamps Control The interior lamp control is located to the left of the steering column, below the exterior lamp control. This feature controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights. The knob for this feature is located on the interior lamps control. Press the knob to extend it.
Headlamp Exit Delay Entry Lighting If your vehicle has headlamp exit delay, it will keep the headlamps and parking lamps on at night for 30 seconds if the following conditions are met: If your vehicle has entry lighting, the interior of your vehicle will illuminate for 25 seconds so you can see inside your vehicle before you enter. To activate entry lighting, do one of the following: • The ignition is turned to OFF. • The exterior lamp control is in the AUTO position.
Delayed Lighting Exit Lighting If your vehicle has delayed lighting, it will continue to illuminate the interior for 25 seconds after all doors have been closed. The lamps will continue to illuminate when the following conditions are met: If your vehicle is equipped with exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on for about 30 seconds whenever you remove the key from the ignition if the following conditions are met: • A door is opened then closed. • The interior lamp control is in the DOOR position.
Perimeter Lighting Front Reading Lamps If your vehicle has perimeter lighting, it will turn on the headlamps and parking lamps for 25 seconds when the following conditions are met: There are two reading lamps located on the rearview mirror. • The ignition is turned to OFF. • The exterior lamp control is in the AUTO position. • UNLOCK is pressed on the remote keyless entry transmitter. • It is dark enough outside. After 25 seconds, the headlamps and parking lamps will turn off.
Battery Run-Down Protection Instrument Panel Switchbank Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from draining the battery, in case you accidentally leave the interior or exterior lamps on. If the interior lamps are left on while the ignition is in OFF, they will automatically turn off after 10 minutes. If the exterior lamps are left on while the ignition is in OFF with all doors and the liftgate closed, they will automatically turn off after 10 minutes.
Head-Up Display (HUD) The HUD will display the following lights and messages when they appear on the instrument panel cluster: • Turn Signal Indicators. See Turn {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 is dark outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed low in your field of view. If your vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD), it can show the speedometer reading in English or metric.
When the HUD is on, the speedometer reading will always be displayed. The current audio system information will only be displayed for three seconds after the radio, tape or CD track status changes. This will happen whenever one of the radio controls is pressed, either on the radio or on the audio steering wheel controls, if equipped. Under warning conditions, the CHECK GAGES message will illuminate in the HUD. Look at the instrument panel cluster for more information.
3. Press the UP or DN buttons until the HUD image is easy to see and then press the DN button until the HUD image is as low as possible, but remains in full view straight ahead near the front bumper. The HUD image can only be adjusted up and down, not side-to-side. 4. To turn the image off, turn the dimmer knob counterclockwise until it stops. If the sun comes out or it becomes cloudy, you may need to adjust the HUD brightness again using the dimmer knob.
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system is designed to help you park, while the vehicle is in REVERSE (R). It operates only at very low speeds, less than 3 mph (5 km/h). URPA can help make parking easier and to help you avoid colliding with objects such as parked vehicles. The URPA system can detect objects up to 5 feet (1.5 m) behind the vehicle, and tell you how close these objects are from your rear bumper.
URPA can be turned off by pressing the rear park aid disable switch located in the instrument panel switchbank. When the system is disabled, an indicator light will glow on the switch. You will not see any lights on the rear display if the switch is in the off position. How the System Works Unless disabled, the URPA will turn on automatically when the shift lever is moved into REVERSE (R).
When the System Does Not Seem to Work Properly The light may flash red when the vehicle is in REVERSE (R) if the ultrasonic sensors are not kept clean. So be sure to keep your rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush. Other conditions that may affect system performance include things like the vibrations from a jackhammer or the compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible with the accessory power outlet and could result in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see your dealer for additional information on the accessory power outlets. Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter Notice: Adding any electrical equipment to your vehicle may damage it or keep other components from working as they should. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating.
Climate Controls Climate Control System With this system you can control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle. ) (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining air to the floor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets. 6 (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the floor outlets. Use this mode to send air to the rear of the vehicle.
Temperature Control: Turn the center knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the air temperature inside your vehicle. u A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the air-conditioning system on or off. When A/C is pressed, an indicator light in the button will come on to let you know that air conditioning is activated. You may notice a slight change in engine performance when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and turns on again. This is normal.
Rear Window Defogger Dual Climate Control System The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window. Your vehicle may have a dual climate control system. With this system you can control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle. < REAR: Press this button to turn the rear window defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button will come on to let you know that the rear window defogger is activated.
) (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining air to the floor outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets. 6 (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the floor outlets. Use this mode to send air to the rear of the vehicle. Keep the area under the front seats free of objects that could obstruct airflow to the rear of the vehicle. The right knob can also be used to select defog or defrost mode.
Defogging and Defrosting Rear Window Defogger Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity, or moisture, condensing on the cool window glass. This can be minimized if the climate controls system is used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System Your vehicle may have the dual automatic climate control system. With this system you can control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for your vehicle. Automatic Operation AUTO (Automatic): When the driver’s temperature knob is pressed to select AUTO and the temperature is set, the system will automatically control the inside temperature, the air delivery and the fan speed. AUTO will also appear on the display.
Manual Operation MODE: Press this button to manually change the direction of airflow in your vehicle; keep pressing the button until the desired mode appears on the display. To change the current mode, select one of the following: H (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument panel outlets. )(Bi-Level): This mode directs approximately half of the air to the instrument panel outlets, then directs the remaining air to the floor outlets and the defroster and side window outlets.
Temperature Control: Use the DRIVER knob to increase or decrease the air temperature inside your vehicle. If the front passenger would like the temperature to be warmer or cooler, use the PASS knob to adjust the passenger’s temperature. Air Conditioning: The air-conditioning compressor will automatically come on when a temperature cooler than the interior temperature is chosen using the temperature knobs.
Rear Window Defogger Outlet Adjustment The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window. Use the louvers located on the air outlets to change the direction of the airflow. < REAR: Operation Tips • Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the air Press this button to turn the rear window defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button will come on to let you know that the rear window defogger is activated.
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.
Instrument Panel Cluster 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. The indicator warning lights and gages are explained on the following pages.
Speedometer and Odometer Trip Odometer 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 (used in the United States) or kilometers (used in Canada). However, a Canadian odometer will remain in metric units only. In addition to the standard odometer, the cluster can also display a trip odometer.
Retro-Active Reset The trip odometer has a feature called retro-active reset. This feature can be used to set the trip odometer to the number of miles or kilometers driven since the ignition was last turned on. This can be used if you forget to reset your trip odometer at the beginning of a trip. To use the retro-active reset feature, push and hold the trip/reset button for at least five seconds.
Airbag Readiness Light There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the airbag sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring, diagnostic module, and safety belt pretensioners. For more information on the airbag system, see Airbag System on page 1-72.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. Your rearview mirror has a passenger airbag status indicator. If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger airbag status indicator, it means that the right front passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate).
{CAUTION: {CAUTION: Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is failsafe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
Brake System Warning Light When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem. 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.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light United States Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light Canada Your vehicle may have an anti-lock brake system warning light. If it does, the light should come on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn the ignition off. If the light comes on and stays on when you are driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage Malfunction Indicator Lamp Service Engine Soon Light in the United States or Check Engine Light in Canada United States Canada United States This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves near the “H”, your engine is too hot! It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or check engine light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle.
If the Light Is Flashing If the Light Is On Steady The following may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle: You may be able to correct the emission system malfunction by considering the following: • • • • Reducing vehicle speed Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle? Avoiding hard accelerations If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the cap. See Filling the Tank on page 5-7. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel? If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected by the system and cause the light to turn on.
Fuel Gage Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have left when the ignition is on. Here are four things that some owners ask about. All these things are normal and do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage. • At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the gage reads full. • It takes a little more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s capacity to fill it.
Message Center The message center is located at the top of the instrument panel cluster in between the tachometer and speedometer. It gives you important safety and maintenance facts. Service Traction System Warning Message Passenger Seatbelt Reminder Message If your vehicle is equipped with the passenger sensing system, this message reminds the passenger to buckle their seatbelt.
Traction Active Message United States Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Message Canada If your vehicle has the traction control system, the TRACTION ACTIVE message will appear when the traction control system is limiting wheel spin. You may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions may exist if this message appears, so adjust your driving accordingly. The message will stay on for a few seconds after the traction control system stops limiting wheel spin.
Charging System Indicator Message Reduced Engine Power Message The charging system battery symbol will come on in the message center when you turn on the ignition as a check to show you it is working. United States It will remain on as long as the engine is not running. It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a problem with the charging system.
Low Oil Pressure Message {CAUTION: Do not 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. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced. United States Canada Your vehicle may be equipped with a low oil pressure warning message. Your oil pressure message lets you know when you may have a problem with your engine oil pressure.
Change Engine Oil Message United States Canada When this message comes on and stays on after you have started the engine, it means that service is required for your vehicle. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 and Engine Oil on page 5-13 for more information. Door Ajar Warning Message United States Canada This message will come on when the ignition is turned to ON or START and the driver’s or passenger’s door is open.
Check Gas Cap Message If your vehicle is equipped with this message, it will come on when the ignition is turned to ON or START and the gas cap is open. PASS-Key® III Security Message All-Wheel Drive Disable Warning Message United States Canada Your vehicle may have this message. If it does, it will come on when there is a spare tire on the vehicle, or when the anti-lock brake system warning light comes on, or when the rear differential fluid is overheating.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message United States Canada Your vehicle may have a low washer fluid warning message. If your washer fluid is low, this warning message will come on and stay on until you add washer fluid. See Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-33 for adding washer fluid instructions. If the warning message is still on after adding fluid, you need to reset the warning message. To reset the warning message, turn the ignition off and then back on. If the message stays on, see your dealer.
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message United States Canada If your brake fluid is low, the warning message will come on and stay on until you add brake fluid. The brake system warning light will also be illuminated. If this message appears, the brakes need attention. You should have your vehicle serviced immediately. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-44 and Brakes on page 5-34. If the warning message is still on after adding fluid, you may need to reset the warning message.
Program Mode Message United States Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery Low Warning Message Canada If you receive this message, your vehicle is in program mode. If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), you are ready to begin programming your vehicle’s customization features. See DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-64 for more information. United States Canada If you receive this message, the battery in the remote keyless entry needs to be replaced.
Parking Lamp Warning Message Driver Information Center (DIC) If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), the display is located on the instrument panel cluster in the tachometer gage. The DIC will show information about the vehicle and the surroundings. United States Canada If this message appears, one or both of the vehicle’s parking lamp bulbs needs replacement. See Bulb Replacement on page 5-44 for bulb replacement instructions.
Compass Calibration If the calibration required symbol, or C, appears in the compass, you must manually put the compass into the calibration mode. To enter this mode, do the following: 1. Turn the ignition on and press the MODE button until CALIBRATE COMPASS displays. 2. Press and hold the SET button for longer than three seconds. ZONE - - PRESS & HOLD SET TO CHANGE: This display mode will appear when you are manually calibrating the system.
DIC Controls and Displays When the ignition is turned to ON or START, the DIC will display the following: BUICK: BUICK will be displayed for three seconds. DRIVER #: This message will be displayed for another three seconds after BUICK appears in the display. This display lets the driver know which driver’s remote keyless entry transmitter is being used and the driver’s customization features. The DIC controls are located to the left of the steering column on the instrument panel.
FUEL RANGE: The fuel range is an estimated distance that your vehicle can travel on the remaining fuel. The fuel economy used to calculate the range is based on your driving history since the last reset of the average speed. FUEL USED: The fuel used display will show you how much fuel has been used since the last time it was reset. To reset the fuel used to zero, press and hold the SET button while the fuel used is displayed on the DIC and until the display goes to zero.
DIC Vehicle Personalization Entering Programming Mode The DIC is used to program the choices of two drivers. The drivers are recognized as DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2 in the DIC display. You will let the DIC know which driver you are by using your remote keyless entry transmitter. Each remote keyless entry transmitter was pre-programmed to belong to DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2.
30: The headlamps and parking lamps will stay on for 30 seconds when the ignition is turned to OFF. 60: The headlamps and parking lamps will stay on for 60 seconds when the ignition is turned to OFF. United States Canada 4. The program mode message will appear in the message center as an indication that your vehicle is ready to begin programming. 5. Follow the instructions given by the DIC. Headlamp Exit Delay This feature allows you to customize the headlamps and parking lamps.
Interior Lighting Delay The interior lighting delay feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: OFF: This feature will not illuminate the interior of your vehicle when all of the doors are closed. ON: This feature will continue to illuminate the interior lamps for 25 seconds after all doors have been closed so that you can find your ignition and buckle your safety belt at night. Interior lighting delay will not occur while the ignition is in ON.
Interior Lighting On The interior lighting on feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: KEY OUT: The interior lamps will come on for about 25 seconds whenever you remove the key from the ignition. DOOR: The interior lamps will come on for about 25 seconds when any door is opened. Interior lighting on will not occur while the ignition is in ON. After 25 seconds, the interior lamps will fade out.
Auto Door Lock/Unlock The doors will automatically lock when the vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P). For automatic unlocking, you can program your vehicle to one of the following modes: OFF: When the shift lever is put in PARK (P), your doors will not unlock automatically. DRIVER: When the shift lever is put in PARK (P), only your driver’s door will unlock. ALL: When the shift lever is put in PARK (P), all doors will unlock. Your vehicle was originally programmed to ALL.
Delayed Locking The delayed locking feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: ON: Lock your vehicle using the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter while any door is opened, you will hear three chimes and the doors will not lock. Five seconds after the last door is closed, all doors will lock.
Remote Door Unlock Unlock Feedback The remote door unlock feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: The unlock feedback feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: DRIVER/ALL: With the first press of UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter, the driver’s door will unlock, and with the second press of UNLOCK, within five seconds of the first press, all passenger’s doors will unlock.
Your vehicle was originally programmed to LIGHTS. The mode may have been changed since then. To determine the current mode, or to change the mode, do the following: 1. Follow the instructions for “Entering Programming Mode” listed previously. 2. Follow the instructions for programming HEADLMP EXIT DELAY earlier in this section, to make sure which mode it is programmed to. 3. Press the MODE button until UNLOCK FEEDBACK appears on the DIC. 4. Press the SET button until the arrow is before LIGHTS or OFF. 5.
Seat Recall The seat recall feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: ON: The previously programmed memory seat position will be recalled when the UNLOCK button is pressed on the remote keyless entry transmitter. OFF: No memory seat position will be recalled when you press the UNLOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Tilt Mirror Exiting Programming Mode The tilt mirror feature can be programmed to one of the following modes: To exit programming mode, do one of the following: ON: The passenger’s side outside rearview mirror will tilt down towards the curb when the vehicle is shifted to REVERSE (R) and returns to its previous position when the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R). OFF: The mirror will not tilt.
Audio System(s) Driving without distraction is a necessity for a safer driving experience. See Defensive Driving on page 4-3. By taking a few moments to read this manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s audio system, you can use it with less effort, as well as take advantage of its features. While your vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the tone and adjusting the speakers.
Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added. Notice: The chime signals related to seat belts, parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle operate through the GM radio/entertainment system. If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not work.
Radio with CD This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and will only work when the information is available. In rare cases, a radio station may broadcast incorrect information that will cause the radio features to work improperly. If this happens, contact the radio station. While the radio is tuned to an RDS station, the station name or call letters will appear on the display instead of the frequency.
Playing the Radio PWR (Power): Push this knob to turn the system on and off. VOL (Volume): Turn this knob to increase or to decrease the volume. SCV (Speed-Compensated Volume): With SCV, your audio system adjusts automatically to make up for road and wind noise as you drive. To get to SCV, push the TUNE/AUDIO knob repeatedly until SPEED VOL appears on the display. Turn the TUNE/AUDIO knob to select MIN, MED, or MAX. Each higher setting allows for more volume compensation at faster vehicle speeds.
Finding a Station Setting Preset Stations BAND: Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2, or AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped). The display will show the selection. Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM, six XM1 and six XM2 (if equipped), can be programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons, by performing the following steps: TUNE: Turn this knob to select radio stations. 1. Turn the radio on.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) AUDIO: Push and release this knob until BASS, MID, or TREBLE appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob to increase or to decrease. If a station is weak or noisy, decrease the treble. AUDIO: To adjust the balance between the right and the left speakers, push and release the AUDIO knob until BAL appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob to move the sound toward the right or the left speakers.
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station (RDS and XM™) To select and find a desired PTY perform the following: 1. Press P-TYP to activate program type select mode. The PTY symbol will appear on the display. 2. Turn the AUDIO knob to select a PTY. 3. Once the desired PTY is displayed, press either SEEK arrow to select the PTY and take you to the PTY’s first station. 4. To go to another station within that PTY and the PTY is displayed, press either SEEK arrow once.
RDS Messages ALERT!: Alert warns of local or national emergencies. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, ALERT! will appear on the display. You will hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or a CD is playing. If a CD is playing, play will stop during the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be turned off. ALERT! will not be affected by tests of the emergency broadcast system. This feature is not supported by all RDS stations.
Radio Messages CAL (CALIBRATE): The audio system has been calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CAL appears on the display it means that the radio has not been configured properly for your vehicle and must be returned to the dealer for service. LOCKED: This message is displayed when the THEFTLOCK® system has locked up. Take the vehicle to the dealer for service. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, contact your dealer.
XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d) Radio Display Message No Info No Info No Info No Info Not Found XM Locked Condition Action Required Artist Name/Feature not available Song/Program Title not available Category Name not available No Text/Informational message available No channel available for the chosen category Theft lock active No artist information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly. No song title information is available at this time on this channel.
Playing a CD If there is no apparent damage, try a known good CD. Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in and the CD should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD while the ignition or the radio is off, first press the eject or DISP button. Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught in the CD player. If a CD is recorded on a personal computer and a description label is needed, try labeling the top of the recorded CD with a soft marker instead.
4 RDM (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. Press RDM again to turn off random play. EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select an equalization setting while playing a CD. The equalization will be set whenever a CD is played. See “EQ” listed previously for more information. © SEEK ¨: Press the left arrow to go to the start of the current track if more than eight seconds have played. Press the right arrow to go to the next track.
CD Messages Listening to a DVD CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio display, it could for one of the following reasons: Your vehicle may have a Rear Seat Entertainment System, see Rear Seat Entertainment System on page 3-115 for more information. If your vehicle has this system and a DVD is playing, the DVD symbol will appear on the radio display indicating that the DVD is available and can be listened to through your vehicles speakers.
Radio with Cassette and CD This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and will only work when the information is available. In rare cases, a radio station may broadcast incorrect information that will cause the radio features to work improperly. If this happens, contact the radio station. While the radio is tuned to an RDS station, the station name or call letters will appear on the display instead of the frequency.
Playing the Radio PWR (Power): Push this knob to turn the system on and off. VOL (Volume): Turn this knob to increase or to decrease the volume. DISP (Display): Press this button to switch the display between the radio station frequency and the time. Press this button to display the time when the ignition is turned off. For RDS, press the DISP button to change what appears on the display while using RDS. The display options are station, RDS station frequency, PTY, and the name of the program (if available).
Finding a Station Setting Preset Stations BAND: Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped). The display will show the selection. Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM, six XM1 and six XM2 (if equipped), can be programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons, by performing the following steps: TUNE: Turn this knob to select radio stations. 1. Turn the radio on.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) AUDIO: Push and release AUDIO until BASS, MID, or TREBLE appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob to increase or to decrease. If a station is weak or noisy, decrease the treble. AUDIO: To adjust the balance between the right and the left speakers, push and release AUDIO until BAL appears on the display. Then turn the AUDIO knob to move the sound toward the right or the left speakers.
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station To select and find a desired PTY perform the following: 1. Press P-TYP to activate program type select mode. P-TYPE will appear on the display. 2. Turn the AUDIO knob to select a PTY. 3. Once the desired PTY is displayed, press either SEEK arrow to select the PTY and to take you to the PTY’s first station. 4. To go to another station within that PTY and the PTY is displayed, press either SEEK arrow once.
RDS Messages ALERT!: Alert warns of local or national emergencies. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, ALERT! will appear on the display. You will hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or a cassette tape or CD is playing. If a cassette tape or CD is playing, play will stop during the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be turned off. ALERT! will not be affected by tests of the emergency broadcast system. This feature is not supported by all RDS stations.
Radio Messages CAL (Calibrate): The audio system has been calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CAL appears on the display, it means that the radio has not been configured properly for the vehicle and must be returned to your GM dealer for service. LOCKED: This message is displayed when the THEFTLOCK® system has locked up. Return your vehicle to your GM dealer for service. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, contact your GM dealer.
XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d) Radio Display Message No Info No Info No Info No Info Not Found XM Locked Condition Action Required Artist Name/Feature not available Song/Program Title not available Category Name not available No Text/Informational message available No channel available for the chosen category Theft lock active No artist information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly. No song title information is available at this time on this channel.
Playing a Cassette Tape The tape player is built to work best with tapes that are up to 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player. The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. 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. If the ignition and radio are off, press the eject or the DISP button to insert and to begin play of a tape.
To scan cassette tape selections, press and hold either SEEK arrow for two seconds until SCN appears on the display and you hear a beep. The tape will go to the next selection, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next selection. The cassette tape will only scan forward. Press either SEEK arrow again to stop scanning. BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a cassette tape or CD is playing. The inactive tape or CD will remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
CD Adapter Kits Playing a CD It is possible to use a portable CD player with the cassette tape player after activating the bypass feature on the tape player. Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in and the CD should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD when the ignition or the radio is off, first press the eject or the DISP button. To activate the bypass feature, use the following steps: 1. Turn the ignition on. 2. Turn the radio off. 3.
Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught in the CD player. If a CD is recorded on a personal computer and a description label is needed, try labeling the top of the recorded CD with a soft marker instead. Notice: If you add any label to a CD, insert more than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to play scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage the CD player.
To scan tracks, press and hold either SEEK arrow for two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and you will hear a beep. The CD will go to the next track, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next track. The sound will mute and SCAN and the track number will appear on the display while scanning. The CD will only scan forward. Press either SEEK arrow again to stop scanning. BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a cassette tape or CD is playing.
Listening to a DVD Radio with Six-Disc CD Your vehicle may have a Rear Seat Entertainment System, see Rear Seat Entertainment System on page 3-115 for more information. If your vehicle has this system and a DVD is playing, the DVD symbol will appear on the radio display indicating that the DVD is available and can be listened to through your vehicles speakers. To listen to the DVD, press the CD TAPE button until RSE appears on the radio display.
This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and will only work when the information is available. In rare cases, a radio station may broadcast incorrect information that will cause the radio features to work improperly. If this happens, contact the radio station. While the radio is tuned to an RDS station, the station name or call letters will appear on the display instead of the frequency.
RCL (Recall): Press this knob to switch the display between the radio station frequency and the time. When the ignition is off, press this knob to display the time. For RDS, press the RCL knob to change what appears on the display while using RDS. The display options are station name, RDS station frequency, PTY, and the name of the program (if available).
Setting Preset Stations Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) Up to 30 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM, six XM1 and six XM2 (if equipped)), can be programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons, by performing the following steps: AUDIO: Push the AUDIO knob until BASS, MID, or TREB appears on the display. Turn the knob to increase or to decrease. If a station is weak or noisy, decrease the treble. 1. Turn the radio on. 2. Press BAND to select FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1 or XM2. 3. Tune in the desired station. 4.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) AUDIO: To adjust the balance between the right and the left speakers, push the AUDIO knob until BAL appears on the display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward the right or the left speakers. To adjust the fade between the front and rear speakers, push and hold the AUDIO knob until FAD appears on the display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward the front or the rear speakers.
To use the PTY interrupt feature, press and hold the P-TYPE button until you hear a beep on the PTY you want to interrupt with. When selected, an asterisk will appear beside that PTY on the display. You may select multiple interrupts if desired. When you are listening to a CD, the last selected RDS station will interrupt play if that selected program type format is broadcast. SCAN: Scan the stations within a PTY by performing the following: 1. Press the P-TYPE button to activate program type select mode.
RDS Messages ALERT!: Alert warns of local or national emergencies. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, ALERT! will appear on the display. You will hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or a CD is playing. If a CD is playing, play will stop during the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be turned off. ALERT! will not be affected by tests of the emergency broadcast system. This feature is not supported by all RDS stations.
Radio Messages CAL ERR (Calibration Error): The audio system has been calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CAL ERR appears on the display it means that the radio has not been configured properly for the vehicle and it must be returned to the dealer for service. LOCKED: This message is displayed when the THEFTLOCK® system has locked up. Take your vehicle to the dealer for service. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, contact your dealer.
XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d) Radio Display Message No Info No Info No Info No Info Not Found XM Locked Condition Action Required Artist Name/Feature not available Song/Program Title not available Category Name not available No Text/Informational message available No channel available for the chosen category Theft lock active No artist information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly. No song title information is available at this time on this channel.
Playing a CD If the ignition or radio is turned off, with a CD in the player, it will stay in the player. When the ignition or radio is turned on, the CD will start playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source. When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol will appear on the CD. As each new track starts to play, the track number will appear on the display. The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring.
To insert multiple CDs, do the following: 1. Turn the ignition on. 2. Press and hold the LOAD button for two seconds. You will hear a beep and the light, located to the right of the slot, will begin to flash. 3. Once the light stops flashing and turns green, load a CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull the CD in. 4. Once the CD is loaded, the light will begin flashing again. Press the LOAD button again. Once the light turns green, load the next disc.
Once the player stops and the CD is ejected, remove the CD. After removing the CD, push the PWR knob off and then on again, or wait for the system to reset. This will clear the CD-sensing feature and enable CDs to be loaded into the player again. { REV (Reverse): Press and hold this button to reverse quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume. Release this button to play the passage. The elapsed time of the track will appear on the display.
sSCAN t: To scan one CD, press and hold either SCAN arrow for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and you hear a beep. Use this feature to listen to 10 seconds of each track of the currently selected CD. Press either SCAN arrow again, to stop scanning. To scan all loaded CDs, press and hold either SCAN arrow for more than four seconds until CD SCAN appears on the display and you hear a beep. Use this feature to listen to 10 seconds of the first track of each loaded CD.
To play the song list, press the SONG LIST button. One beep will be heard and S-LIST will appear on the display. The recorded tracks will begin to play in the order they were saved. Seek through the song list by using the SEEK SCAN arrows. Seeking past the last saved track will return to the first saved track. To delete tracks from the song list, perform the following steps: 1. Turn the CD player on. 2. Press the SONG LIST button to turn song list on. S-LIST will appear on the display. 3.
CD Messages Listening to a DVD CHECK CD: If this message appears on the display and/or the CD comes out, it could be for one of the following reasons: Your vehicle may have a Rear Seat Entertainment System, see Rear Seat Entertainment System on page 3-115 for more information. If your vehicle has this system and a DVD is playing, the DVD symbol will appear on the radio display indicating that the DVD is available and can be listened through your vehicles speakers. • It is very hot.
Rear Seat Entertainment System Before You Drive Your vehicle may have a DVD Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system. The RSE system includes a DVD player, a video display screen, two sets of wireless headphones, and a remote control. The RSE is designed for rear seat passengers only. The driver cannot safely view the video screen while driving and should not try to do so. Parental Control This button is located behind the video screen, next to the auxiliary jacks, near the driver of the vehicle.
The transmitters are located below the overhead RSE control panel. The headphones will shut off automatically to save the battery power if the DVD system is shut off, or if the headphones are out of range of the transmitters for more than three minutes. If you move too far forward or step out of the vehicle, the headphones will lose the audio signal. To adjust the volume on the wireless headphones, use the volume control.
Stereo RCA Jacks Audio Output The RCA jacks are located behind the video screen on the DVD console. The RCA jacks allow audio and video signals to be connected from an auxiliary device such as a camcorder or a video game unit to the RSE. The yellow RCA jack is used for video inputs, the red RCA jack for right audio inputs, and the white RCA jack for left audio inputs. The system requires standard RCA cables, not included, to connect the auxiliary device to the RCA jacks.
RSE will appear on the radio display when the RSE system is on and RSE OFF, when it is off. To turn the vehicles speakers on and off, press either the CD, the CD TAPE, or the CD AUX button on the radio. The audio from the RSE system can be heard through the wireless headphones and the vehicles speakers at the same time. The volume on the radio may vary when switching between a radio station, CD, DVD, cassette, or auxiliary device.
DVD Player DVD Player Buttons The DVD player is located in the overhead console. The DVD player can be controlled by the buttons on the DVD player, and/or by the buttons on the remote control. See “Remote Control” later in this section for more information. The RSE system DVD player is only compatible with DVDs of the appropriate region code for the country that the vehicle was sold in. The DVD region code is printed on the jacket of most DVDs.
y (Main Menu): Press this button to view the media menu. The media menu is different on every DVD. Use the up, down, right, and left arrow buttons to move the cursor around the media menu. After making a selection press enter. This button only operates when using a DVD. z (Display Control Button): Press this button to adjust the color, tint, brightness, contrast, display mode, and dynamic range compression.
If the disc has been ejected or if the stop button has been pressed twice on the remote control or the DVD player faceplate, the disc will resume play at the beginning of the disc. Ejecting a Disc Press the eject button on the DVD player faceplate to eject the disc. There is not an eject button on the remote control. If a disc is ejected from the player, but not removed, the DVD player will reload the disc after a short period of time. The disc will be stored in the DVD player.
Remote Control Buttons n, q, p, o (Directional Arrows): Press these buttons to move through DVD menus. The up arrow will skip to the next chapter or track, the down arrow will take you to the beginning of the current chapter or track. Press the down arrow twice to take you to the previous chapter or track. The right arrow will fast forward and the left arrow will reverse through a chapter or track.
SRCE (Source): Press this button to switch the system between the DVD player and an auxiliary source. P (Backlight): Press this button to turn the remote control backlighting on. c (Stop): Press this button to stop playing, rewinding, or fast forwarding a DVD or CD. Press this button twice to return to the beginning of the DVD. y (Main Menu): Press this button to view the media menu. The media menu is different on every disc.
{ (Subtitles): This button turns on subtitles and moves through subtitle options (English, Spanish, French, etc., if available). Press this button to call up a menu that will operate only when a DVD is being played. The format and content of this function will vary for each disc. Setup Menu [ (Fast Forward): Press this button to fast forward the DVD. To stop fast forwarding, press this button again. This button may not work when the DVD is playing the copyright information or the previews.
Battery Replacement To change the remote control batteries, do the following: 1. Unclip the battery door located on the back of the remote control. Tips and Troubleshooting Chart Problem No power. The ignition may not be in ACCESSORY, ON, START, or RAP. The parental control button might have been pressed. The power indicator light will flash. Disc will not play. The system might be off. The parental control button might have been pressed. The power indicator light will flash.
Problem No sound. Recommended Action The volume on the headphones could be too low. Adjust the volume on the right earpiece on the wireless headphones. If the DVD system is being heard through the vehicle speakers, adjust the volume from the radio. The radio must have the RSE enabled by using the CD, CD TAPE, or CD AUX button. The picture is distorted during fast forward or reverse. This is normal for this operation. The picture does not fill the screen.
Problem Recommended Action Problem Recommended Action After stopping the player, I push the play button but sometimes the DVD starts where I left off, and sometimes at the beginning. Press the stop button on the remote control to resume where the DVD left off. Press the stop button twice to start the DVD at the beginning. If the power is off and the DVD is still in the player, press the play button.
Problem Recommended Action Problem Recommended Action My disc is stuck in the player. The eject button does not work. Press the eject button on the DVD player. Turn the power off, then on again, then press the eject button on the DVD player. Do not attempt to force or remove the disc from the player. If the problem persists, return to your GM dealer for further assistance. DVD System inoperable. In severe or extreme temperatures the DVD system might not be operable.
DVD Messages It may be necessary to turn off the DVD player when operating one of these devices in or near the vehicle. The following errors may be displayed on the video screen. *Excludes the OnStar® System. Disc Format Error: This message will be displayed if a disc is inserted upside down, if the disc is not readable, or if the disc format is not compatible. Disc Play Error: This message will be displayed if the mechanism can not play the disc. Scratched or damaged discs will cause this error.
The front seat audio controls always have priority over the RSA controls. If the front seat passengers switch the source for the main radio to a remote source, the RSA will not be able to control the source. You can operate the rear seat audio when the main radio is off. Rear Seat Audio (RSA) Controls If your vehicle has the Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system and the system is on, the rear seat passengers can listen to the DVDs through the wired headphone jacks on the RSA system.
This function is inactive if the front seat passengers are listening to a cassette tape. When a CD is playing, press the up arrow to go to the next track on the CD. Press the down arrow to go to the start of the current track if more than eight seconds have played. This function is inactive if the front seat passengers are listening to a CD. PWR (Power): Press this button to turn the system on or off.
Theft-Deterrent Feature Audio Steering Wheel Controls ® THEFTLOCK is designed to discourage theft of your vehicle’s 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. The radio is automatically armed when it is put into the vehicle for the first time. When the ignition is turned off, the blinking red light indicates that THEFTLOCK® is armed.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it again, or any other radio button, to turn the sound on. Q VOL R (Volume): Press the up or down arrow to increase or decrease the volume. Q SEEK R: Press the up or the down arrow to go to the next or to the previous station and stay there. The sound will mute while seeking. The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal that are in the selected band. When playing a cassette tape or a CD, press the up arrow to go to the next selection.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States, and in Canada (if available). Just as with FM, tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the XM™ signal for a period of time. The radio may display NO SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Care of Your CDs and DVDs Fixed Mast Antenna Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the bottom surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will not play properly or not at all. If the surface of a CD is soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed with water, and clean it.
✍ NOTES 3-136
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle ..........4-2 Driver Behavior ..............................................4-2 Driving Environment ........................................4-2 Vehicle Design ...............................................4-3 Defensive Driving ...........................................4-3 Drunken Driving .............................................4-4 Control of a Vehicle ........................................4-7 Braking .........................
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Whenever we drive, we are taking on an important responsibility. This is true for any motor vehicle — passenger car, van, truck, sport utility. Driver behavior, the driving environment, and the vehicle’s design all affect how well a vehicle performs. But statistics show that the most important factor, by far, is how we drive.
Vehicle Design According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. Utility vehicles do have higher ground clearance and a narrower track or shorter wheelbase than passenger cars, to make them more capable for off-road driving. Specific design characteristics like these give the driver a better view of the road, but also give utility vehicles a higher center of gravity than other types of vehicles.
Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It is 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: • • • • 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.
There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men. 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 will when each has the same number of drinks. The law in most 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.
But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision.
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. See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-44. Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.
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 us say the road is wet and you are driving safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what happens with ABS: A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
Remember: Anti-lock does not 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 will not 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 Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may reengage the cruise control. See Cruise Control on page 3-10. 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.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System Steering If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the AWD system operates automatically without any action required by the driver. If the front drive wheels begin to slip, the rear wheels will automatically begin to drive the vehicle as required. There may be a slight engagement noise during hard use but this is normal. Power Steering During heavy AWD applications, the engine torque may be reduced to protect AWD system components.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems — steering and braking — have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you are steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate.
Off-Road Recovery You may find that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you are driving. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.
Passing 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. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds.
• Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. Remember that your passenger side outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is. • Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. If you do not have this system, or if the system is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go.
Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue. Here are some tips on night driving. • Drive defensively. • Do not drink and drive. • Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. • Since you cannot see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people walking. It is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer fluid reservoir filled with washer fluid.
Hydroplaning Driving Through Flowing Water Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. {CAUTION: Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces. If you try to drive through flowing water, as you might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can be carried away.
City Driving Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: • 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. • Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You will save time and energy. See Freeway Driving on page 4-22. • 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.
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. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are.
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.
• Know how to go down hills. The most important {CAUTION: If you do not shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope. {CAUTION: Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down. They could get so hot that they would not work well.
Winter Driving 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. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS), it will improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. But you can turn the TCS off if you ever need to. You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-30. Even if your vehicle has TCS, you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions.
Remember, unless you have ABS, if you brake so hard that your wheels stop rolling, you will just slide. Brake so your wheels always keep rolling and you can still steer. • Whatever your braking system, allow greater following distance on any slippery road. • Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that is covered with ice.
{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. You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around again from time to time to be sure snow does not collect there. Open a window just a little on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking can help you get out when you are stuck, but you must use caution. Notice: 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.
Loading Your Vehicle Tire and Loading Information Label It is very important to know how much weight your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the Certification/Tire label.
The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the size of the original equipment tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures (D). For more information on tires and inflation see Tires on page 5-51 and Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-57. There is also important loading information on the vehicle Certification/Tire label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.
Example 1 Item A B C Description Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 2 = Available Occupant and Cargo Weight = Example 2 Total Item 1,000 lbs (453 kg) A 300 lbs (136 kg) B 700 lbs (317 kg) C Description Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight = Total 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 750 lbs (340 kg) 250 lbs (113 kg) 4-33
Certification/Tire Label Example 3 Item A B C Description Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3 = Subtract Occupant Weight 200 lbs (91 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight = Total 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 0 lbs (0 kg) Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label for specific information about your vehicle’s capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers, and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight.
The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum weights for the front and rear axles, called the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on both sides of the centerline. Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
Towing Towing Your Vehicle Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6. If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following. Recreational Vehicle Towing Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
Dinghy Towing Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its wheels on the ground. If you have a two-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be towed with two of its wheels on the ground. See “Dolly Towing” following. If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, it cannot be towed with any of its wheels on the ground. It can be towed with car carrier equipment.
Level Control On vehicles equipped with automatic level control, the rear of the vehicle is automatically kept level as you load or unload your vehicle. However, you should still not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR. See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-31. You may hear the compressor operating when you load or unload your vehicle, and periodically as the system self-adjusts. This is normal. The compressor should operate for brief periods of time.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this section. Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration, braking, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That is the reason for this section.
Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,400 lbs (630 kg) with up to five occupants in the vehicle or more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg) with up to two occupants. If you have the optional trailer towing package, your vehicle can tow up to 2,900 lbs (1 300 kg) with up to five occupants or up to 3,500 lbs (1 575 kg) with up to two occupants. But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
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. If you have a lot of options, equipment, passengers, or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow.
Trailering may also be limited by the vehicle’s ability to carry tongue weight. Tongue weight cannot cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating). The effect of additional weight may reduce your trailering capacity more than the total of the additional weight. The weight at the rear axle could be 850 lbs (386 kg) X 1.5 = 1,275 lbs (578 kg).
But, you must still consider the effect on the rear axle. Because your rear axle now weighs 3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you can only put 900 lbs (408 kg) on the rear axle without exceeding RGAWR. The effect of tongue weight is about 1.5 times the actual weight. Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves you with being able to handle only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight.
Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from contacting the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you will want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra wiring. The arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other drivers you are about to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you: • Start your engine. • Shift into a gear. • 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 are pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this.
✍ NOTES 4-48
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care Service ............................................................5-3 Accessories and Modifications ..........................5-3 California Proposition 65 Warning .....................5-3 Doing Your Own Service Work .........................5-4 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..............................................5-4 Fuel ................................................................5-4 Gasoline Octane .....................................
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care Uniform Tire Quality Grading ..........................5-64 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ..................5-66 Wheel Replacement ......................................5-66 Tire Chains ..................................................5-67 Accessory Inflator .........................................5-68 If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................5-69 Changing a Flat Tire .....................................5-70 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools .
Service Accessories and Modifications Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealer for all your service needs. You will get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people.
Doing Your Own Service Work {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. • Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, the proper replacement parts, and tools before you attempt any vehicle maintenance task. • 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 Octane Gasoline Specifications If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code 8), use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
Additives To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that will help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing your emission control system to work properly. In most cases, you should not have to add anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Filling the Tank While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the hook on the fuel door. {CAUTION: Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the pump island. Turn off your engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from fuel.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-46. Your vehicle may also be equipped with a light that will come on in the message center to let you know your gas cap is open. See Check Gas Cap Message on page 3-56 for more information.
Checking Things Under the Hood {CAUTION: An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan. {CAUTION: Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire. These include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Engine Compartment Overview When you lift the hood of the 3.
A. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-103. B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-38. C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-33. D. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Radiator Pressure Cap on page 5-23. E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-32. F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-13. G. Engine Oil Dipstick.
When you lift the hood of the 3.
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-33. B. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-103. C. Battery. See Battery on page 5-37. D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-38. E. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Radiator Pressure Cap on page 5-23. F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-32. G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-13. H.
When to Add Engine Oil If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, you will need to add at least one quart/liter of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Specifications on page 5-106. Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged. 3.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50. Oils meeting these requirements should also have the starburst symbol on the container. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the temperature falls below −20°F (−29°C), it is recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide easier cold starting and better protection for your engine at extremely low temperatures. Engine Oil Additives Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good performance and engine protection.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on, reset the system. If your vehicle does not have the optional Driver Information Center (DIC), do the following: 1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off. 2.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-10 for the location of the engine air cleaner/filter. To inspect or replace the air cleaner/filter, do the following: 1. Remove the two clamps on the duct. 2. Remove the duct. When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the Maintenance II intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 for more information.
6. Latch the hooks to secure the panel in place. If the panel moves easily, check that the tabs are seated correctly in the slots. 7. Put the duct back on and reinstall the clamps. {CAUTION: 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 helps to stop flames if the engine backfires. If it is not there and the engine backfires, you could be burned.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle fluid level if you have been driving: • When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C). • At high speed for quite a while. • In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather. 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).
How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid Engine Coolant Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12. The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL® 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-COOL® extended life coolant.
What Coolant to Use Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOL® coolant which will not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do not need to add anything else. {CAUTION: If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your dealer check your cooling system. Notice: If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could damage your vehicle.
Adding Coolant ® If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be careful not to spill it. {CAUTION: Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure cap — even a little — when the engine and radiator are hot.
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. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before you open the hood. If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or others could be badly burned.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so: 1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off. 2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the windows as necessary. 3. If you are in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the highest gear while driving — AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
Cooling System When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what you will see: 3.6L V6 Engine A. Radiator Pressure Cap B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans C. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank 3.5L V6 Engine A. Radiator Pressure Cap B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans C. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank 5-26 {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, do not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle should be parked on a level surface. The coolant level should be at or above the full cold mark. If it is not, 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. Do not touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant level is not at or above the full cold mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. See Engine Coolant on page 5-21 for more information. {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.
If the overheat warning continues, there is one more thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool before you do it. How to Add Coolant to the Radiator Notice: Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could cause your engine to overheat and be severely damaged. {CAUTION: Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap. {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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine. 3.5L V6 Engine shown, 3.6L V6 Engine similar Housing Bypass Tube 3. If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine, after the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed valves. There are two bleed valves.
3.5L V6 Engine shown, 3.6L V6 Engine similar 6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine cooling fans. 3.5L V6 Engine shown, 3.6L V6 Engine similar 9. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the full cold mark. 10. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank. 7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be lower.
Power Steering Fluid See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-10 for reservoir location. When to Check Power Steering Fluid It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired. How to Check Power Steering Fluid To check the power steering fluid, do the following: 1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment cool down. 2.
Windshield Washer Fluid What Washer Fluid to Use When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient protection against freezing. Adding Washer Fluid Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer fluid until the tank is full. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-10 for reservoir location.
Brakes Brake Fluid Your brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-10 for the location of the reservoir. 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 on page 6-12. 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: Notice: • Using the wrong fluid can badly damage brake system parts.
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. {CAUTION: The brake wear warning sound means that soon your brakes will not work well. That could lead to an accident. When you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
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 do not, your brakes may no longer work properly.
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 following steps to do it safely. {CAUTION: Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because: • They contain acid that can burn you. • They contain gas that can explode or ignite. • They contain enough electricity to burn you. If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or all of these things can hurt you.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine, pull up on the cap to access the remote positive (+) terminal. 4. Open the hood on the other vehicle and locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on that vehicle. You will not need to access your battery for jump starting. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting terminal for that purpose. The terminal is located under a tethered cap at the front of the underhood fuse block.
{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. Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running. Be sure the battery has enough water. You do not need to add water to the battery installed in your new vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is there.
Notice: If you connect a negative cable to the ECM, ECM mounting bracket or any cables that attach to the ECM bracket, you may damage the ECM. Attach the negative cable to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part, other than the ECM, ECM bracket or cables attached to the ECM bracket. Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−) or you will get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts too.
Notice: If the jumper cables are connected or removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Always connect and remove the jumper cables in the correct order, making sure that the cables do not touch each other or other metal. 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.
All-Wheel Drive How to Check Lubricant If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to perform the lubricant checks described in this section. All-wheel-drive vehicles have two additional systems that need lubrication. Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit) When to Check Lubricant Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the lubricant. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4. To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a level surface.
Carrier Assembly-Differential (Rear Drive Module) When to Check and Change Lubricant Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4. How to Check Lubricant If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole, located on the differential, you will need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps 1. Open the hood. See Hood Release on page 5-9 for more information. 2. Push in on the headlamp panel and lift up the headlamp retaining clip partway, but do not remove. 4. Unsnap the headlamp assembly by pulling it forward, away from the vehicle. 5. Disconnect the electrical connector by pulling back on the locking tab, located on the electrical connector, to separate the two connectors. 6. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn clockwise.
9. Install the appropriate new bulb into the electrical connector. Push the bulb firmly enough so that the gray tabs hook over the tab on the bulb. 10. Put the bulb assembly back into the lamp housing and turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn counterclockwise. 11. Align the retaining clips on the back of the headlamp with the rectangular holes in the mounting panel. 12. Push firmly on both ends of the headlamp to snap it into position. 13. Push the retaining clip down to its original position. 14.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps 1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate on page 2-11 for more information. 2. Remove the two screws on the inboard taillamp panel. 4. Turn the bulb socket one-quarter of a turn counterclockwise. 5. Pull the bulb assembly out from the lamp housing. 6. Unhook the electrical connector by lifting up the tabs and separate the connector from the bulb base. 7. Install the new bulb into the electrical connector.
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps This procedure is for the liftgate-mounted taillamps and back-up lamps. To replace one of these bulbs, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate on page 2-11 for more information. 2. Remove the panel inside the liftgate by lifting the tabs and pulling the panel off. 3. Remove the seven wing nuts and the four outboard nuts (two at each end). A. Outboard Taillamp B. Center Taillamp C. Inboard Back-Up Lamp 4. Gently lower the liftgate. 5.
11. Reinstall the lamp assembly on the liftgate. 12. Gently lift the liftgate. 13. Reinstall the seven wing nuts and the four outboard nuts. 14. Reinstall the panel inside the liftgate by connecting the tabs. 15. Close the liftgate. Exterior Lamp Bulb Number 3457K Headlamps High-beam 9005 Low-beam 9006 Liftgate-Mounted Back-up Lamp 921 Taillamp 161 Rear Outboard Stoplamp/ Taillamp/Turn Signal Lamp Sidemarker Lamp Keep in mind that your windshield is part of the Head-Up Display (HUD) system.
To replace the windshield wiper blade assembly do the following: 1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield. 2. Push the release lever (B) to disengage the hook and push the wiper arm (A) out of the blade (C). 3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm until you hear the release lever click into place. To replace the rear wiper blade, follow the steps listed above.
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 GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet included with your vehicle’s Owner Manual. {CAUTION: CAUTION: • Underinflated tires pose the same danger • Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous.
Tire Sidewall Labeling Useful information about a tire is molded into its sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger vehicle tire and a compact spare tire sidewall. (B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria Specification): Original equipment tires designed to GM’s specific tire performance criteria have a TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC specifications meet or exceed all federal safety guidelines.
(C) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The letters and numbers following the DOT (Department of Transportation) code is the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire, although only one side may have the date of manufacture. (D) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Maximum load that can be carried and the maximum pressure needed to support that load.
Tire Size The following illustration shows an example of a typical passenger vehicle tire size. (C) Aspect Ratio: A two-digit number that indicates the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as high as it is wide. (D) Construction Code: A letter code is used to indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
Tire Terminology and Definitions Air Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa). Curb Weight: This means the weight of a motor vehicle with standard and optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but without passengers and cargo. Accessory Weight: This means the combined weight of optional accessories.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire: A tire used on light duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles. Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire. Maximum Inflation Pressure: The maximum air pressure to which a cold tire may be inflated. The maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on passenger cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose vehicles.
Treadwear Indicators: Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear bars,” that show across the tread of a tire when only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread remains. See When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-62. Inflation - Tire Pressure UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards): A tire information system that provides consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature, and treadwear. Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using government testing procedures.
A Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar), below the driver’s door latch. This label shows your vehicle’s original equipment tires and the correct inflation pressures for your tires when they are cold. The recommended cold tire inflation pressure, shown on the label, is the minimum amount of air pressure needed to support your vehicle’s maximum load carrying capacity.
Check Tire Pressure System Your vehicle may have a check tire pressure system that 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 LOW TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO RESET message will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message will come on the message center if pressure difference, or low pressure, is detected in one tire.
To reset the system, do the following: 1. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON. 2. Press the MODE button until the DIC reads LOW TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO RESET. 3. Press and hold the SET button until you hear a chime, and TIRE PRESSURE RESET is displayed. You will hear three chimes, then the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message will go off and the DIC will return to TIRE PRESSURE NORMAL. If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE message comes back on, the check tire pressure system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under Capacities and Specifications on page 5-106. {CAUTION: When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation pattern shown here. Do not 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 and Loading Information label.
When It Is Time for New Tires One way to tell when it is time for new tires is to check the treadwear indicators, which will appear when your tires have only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining. You need a new tire if any of the following statements are true: • You can see the indicators at three or more places around the tire. • You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire’s rubber. • The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
{CAUTION: {CAUTION: Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes, brands, or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not handle properly, and you could have a crash. Using tires of different sizes, brands, or types may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size, brand, and type of tires on all wheels. It is all right to drive with your compact spare temporarily, as it was developed for use on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and Wheels Uniform Tire Quality Grading If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than your original equipment wheels and tires, this may affect the way your vehicle performs, including its braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic systems such as, antilock brakes; traction control; and electronic stability control, the performance of these systems can be affected.
Treadwear Temperature – A, B, C 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 (1.5) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the alignment may need to be checked.
Used Replacement Wheels CAUTION: {CAUTION: Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous. You cannot know how it has been used or how far it has been driven. It could fail suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel. Tire Chains {CAUTION: Do not use tire chains. There is not enough clearance.
Accessory Inflator Your vehicle may have an accessory inflator. With it, you can inflate things like air mattresses and basketballs, and you can also use it to bring your tires up to the proper pressure. The accessory inflator is located in the rear compartment on the driver’s side. To remove the cover, pull the tab on the cover and pull it off. This is the symbol on the accessory inflator switch. There may be an accessory inflator kit stored in the glove box.
Notice: If you run the accessory inflator longer than 30 minutes at a time, you could damage the inflator. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Run the inflator for short periods of time only. After running the accessory inflator for 30 minutes, wait at least 10 minutes before restarting the accessory inflator. To turn off the inflator, do the following: 1. Press the switch and detach the hose, first from the inflated object, then from the outlet. 2. Put the protective cap back on. 3.
Changing a Flat Tire If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s hazard warning flashers. See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6 for more information. (Continued) 3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised. 4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle. {CAUTION: Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or other people.
When your vehicle has a flat tire, use the following example as a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks. Removing the Spare Tire and Tools The equipment you will need is located in the storage compartment on the passenger’s side, at the rear of the vehicle. 1. Open the jack storage compartment by lifting up the tab and pulling the cover off. The following information will tell you next how to use the jack and change a tire.
A. Jack B. Wing Bolt C. Jacking Instructions D. Folding Wrench E. Wing Nut F. J-Hook 2. Remove the jack and jacking tools by turning the wing bolt counterclockwise. Lift up slightly on the jack to remove it from the bracket. Then take it out of the storage compartment. 3. Separate the jack and remove the folding wrench from the jack. 5-72 The tools you will be using include the jack (A), folding wrench (B), wing nut (C), and J-hook (D).
Removing the Spare Tire (Vehicles without a Rear Convenience Center) 1. Flip the rear cargo area carpet cut out to expose the hoist shaft. The compact spare tire is located under the vehicle, behind the rear bumper. Use the spare tire hoist to raise, lower and store the compact spare tire. See Compact Spare Tire on page 5-90 for more information about the compact spare. 3. Turn the folding wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare tire to the ground.
5. Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the cable back up after removing the spare tire. Do not store a full-size or a flat road tire under the vehicle. See Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-84. To continue changing the flat tire, see Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-77. Do the following to check the cable: 1. Check under the vehicle to see if the cable is visible. 2. If it is not visible, see Secondary Latch System on page 5-81.
Removing the Spare Tire (Vehicles with a Rear Convenience Center) The compact spare tire is located under the vehicle, ahead of the rear bumper. See Compact Spare Tire on page 5-90 for more information about the compact spare. A. Rear Convenience Center B. Folding Wrench C. Storage Compartment Cap Hole D. E. F. G. 1. Open the storage compartment door of the convenience center that is nearest the liftgate and remove the cap on the bottom of the storage compartment. 2.
6. Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the cable back up after removing the spare tire. Do not store a full-size or a flat road tire under the vehicle. See Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-84. To continue changing the flat tire, see Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-77. Do the following to check the cable: 1. Check under the vehicle to see if the cable is visible. 2. If it is not visible, see Secondary Latch System on page 5-81.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire 1. If there is a wheel cover, loosen the plastic nut caps with the wheel wrench. They will not come off. Then, using the flat end of the wheel wrench, pry along the edge of the cover until it comes off. Be careful; the edges may be sharp. Do not try to remove the cover with your bare hands. If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, remove the wheel nut caps using the wheel wrench. 2. Loosen the wheel nuts — but do not remove them — using the folding wrench.
{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. {CAUTION: Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned can damage the vehicle and even make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal injury and vehicle damage, be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising the vehicle. 5-78 4.
{CAUTION: 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. When you change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all the rust or dirt off. 7.
{CAUTION: Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come 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 the proper torque specification. See Capacities and Specifications on page 5-106 for wheel nut torque specification.
Secondary Latch System Your vehicle has an underbody mounted tire hoist assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It is designed to stop the compact spare tire from suddenly falling off your vehicle if the cable holding the spare tire is damaged. For the secondary latch to work, the tire must be stowed with the valve stem pointing down. See Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-84 for instructions on storing the spare tire correctly.
1. If the cable is not visible, start this procedure at Step 3. Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicle shown All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle shown 2. Turn the folding wrench counterclockwise until approximately 6 inches (15 cm) of cable is exposed. 3. Attach the folding wrench to the jack and raise the jack at least 10 turns. 4. Place the jack under the vehicle, ahead of the rear bumper. Position the center lift point of the jack under the center of the spare tire. 5.
7. Lower the jack by turning the folding wrench counterclockwise. Keep lowering the jack until the spare tire slides off the jack. 8. Disconnect the folding wrench from the jack and carefully remove the jack. Use one hand to push against the spare tire while firmly pulling the jack out from under the spare tire with the other hand. 9. Tilt the retainer and slip it through the wheel opening when the spare tire has been completely lowered. 10.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools 1. Flip up the D-ring located in the rear cargo area. Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles without Stowable Seat and without Rear Convenience Center) 2. Lay the tire in the rear cargo area of the vehicle with the valve stem up with the center hole of the tire over the D-ring. For vehicles with aluminum wheels, remove the center cap by tapping the back of the cap with the folding wrench. 3. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back of the jack access door.
Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles with a Rear Convenience Center) 1. Open the center storage compartment door of the rear convenience center. 2. Remove the cap on the bottom of the storage compartment and flip the D-ring up. 3. Lay the tire on top of the center storage compartment with the valve stem down. Make sure you can see the D-ring through the center hole of the tire. 4. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back of the jack access door. Assemble the wing nut and the J-hook. 5.
Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles with a Stowable Seat) 1. If the seatback is not in an upright position, move it to an upright position. 2. There is a strap attached to each side of the stowable seat. Hook the straps to the cargo net hook in the rear of the vehicle. 3. Flip the D-ring so it is pointing outward. 4. Open the convenience center cover. 5. Stand the full-size tire up, in the tray against the back of the seat with the valve stem pointing out. 6.
Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles with a Stowable Seatback Folded Flat) 1. Fold the seatback down and flip the D-ring up. 2. Lay the tire on the seatback with the valve stem pointing up with the center hole of the tire over the D-ring. 3. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back of the jack access door. Assemble the wing nut and the J-hook. 4. Install the wing nut and the J-hook to the D-ring through the center hole of the tire. 5. Tighten the wing nut to secure the tire to the seatback. 6.
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. 1. Lay the compact spare tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle. Position the compact spare tire so that the valve stem is pointed down facing the rear of the vehicle. 2. Lower the cable to the ground.
8. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the vehicle. Continue turning the folding wrench until you feel more than two clicks. This indicates that the compact spare tire is secure and the cable is tight. The spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened. 10. Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack storage compartment and put the compartment cover back on. To put the cover back on, slip the tabs on the side of the cover into the cover opening.
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.
Appearance Care Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if it is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust and dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces. Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles from your upholstery. It is important to keep your upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled. Soils should be removed as quickly as possible.
Do not clean your vehicle using the following cleaners or techniques: • Never use a knife or any other sharp object to remove a soil from any interior surface. • Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage to your vehicle’s interior surfaces. • Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure can damage your interior and does not improve the effectiveness of soil removal. • Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a small hidden area for colorfastness first. If the locally cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation may result, clean the entire surface. After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the fabric or carpet. Leather A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to remove dust.
Care of Safety Belts Washing Your Vehicle Keep belts clean and dry. The paint finish on the vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss retention, and durability. {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. Weatherstrips Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Finish Care Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. GM-approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. See Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-98. Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish on your vehicle. The vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels The vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. Keep the 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. Notice: If you use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or chrome-plated wheels, you could damage the surface of the wheel(s).
Sheet Metal Damage Underbody Maintenance If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or replaced to restore corrosion protection. Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control can collect on the underbody. If these are not removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system even though they have corrosion protection.
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials Description Usage Polishing Cloth Wax-Treated Interior and exterior polishing cloth. Tar and Road Oil Remover Removes tar, road oil, and asphalt. Chrome Cleaner and Polish Use on chrome or stainless steel. White Sidewall Tire Cleaner Removes soil and black marks from whitewalls. Vinyl Cleaner Cleans vinyl. Glass Cleaner Removes dirt, grime, smoke and fingerprints. Chrome and Wire Wheel Cleaner Removes dirt and grime from chrome wheels and wire wheel covers.
Vehicle Identification Engine Identification Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code. This code will help you identify your vehicle’s engine, specifications, and replacement parts. Service Parts Identification Label 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. You can see it if you look through the windshield from outside your vehicle.
Electrical System Add-On Electrical Equipment 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. Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other components from working as they should. Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-85.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers Floor Console Fuse Block The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers, and fusible thermal links. Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size and rating. If you ever have a problem on the road and do not have a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same amperage.
Fuse 11 12 13 14 15 Fuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5-102 Usage Empty Steering Wheel Radio Controls Power Door Locks Empty Empty Empty Empty Empty Empty Turn Signal and Hazard Lamp Flashers 16 17 18 19 21 22 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32 Usage Power Seats Electronic Level Control (ELC) Compressor Liftgate and Endgate Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet Electronic Level Control (ELC) Compressor Relay and Height Sensor Heated Mirrors Power Mirrors Ignition 1 Module Turn Signal Switch Rear Defogger Air Bag Module TCC Switch H
Fuse 34 35 46 Usage Power Sunroof Power Windows Map Lamps, Courtesy Lamps and Instrument Panel Lights Radio UQ3 Radio Amplifier Head-Up Display Hazard Flashers Instrument Panel Cluster, Climate Control, Security LED and Remote Keyless Entry Mode PASS-Key® III Body Control Module (BCM) Automatic Occupant Sensing Module Relay 20 23 27 33 43 45 Usage Rear Defogger Relay Ignition Relay Accessory Relay Retained Accessory Power Relay Accessory Diode Back-Up Lamps 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 Underhood Fuse Block
Fuse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5-104 Usage Fuel Pump Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch Horn Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Engine Control Module (ECM) Powertrain Relay Powertrain Sensors Transmission Control Module (TCM) Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Solenoids Valves Oxygen Sensor/MAF Sensor Fuse 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Usage Fuel Injectors (Even) Fuel Injectors (Odd) Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Passenger’s Low-Beam Headlamp Transmission Driver’s Low-Beam Headlamp Drive
Fuse 35 38 39 40 41 44 46 47 70 § § 71 Usage Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Motor Engine Cooling Fan 2 Engine Cooling Fan 1 Main Battery Fuse for Retained Accessory Power Relay and Accessory Relay Main Battery Fuse for Heated Seats, Air Conditioning, Defogger Main Battery Fuse for Power Outlets, Level Control, Power Seats, Mirrors, and Body Computer Main Battery Fuse for Climate Control Blower and Ignition 3 Relay Main Battery Fuse for Ignition Switch, Radio, Heads-Up Display (HUD), Remote Keyless Entry (
Capacities and Specifications The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12 for more information. Capacities Application English Metric 7.4 qt 7.0 L 8.1 qt 7.7 L 11.3 qt 10.7 L 3.5L V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L 3.6L V6 Engine 5.5 qt 5.
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule Maintenance Schedule ......................................6-2 Introduction ...................................................6-2 Maintenance Requirements ..............................6-2 Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................6-2 Using the Maintenance Schedule ......................6-3 Scheduled Maintenance ...................................6-4 Additional Required Services ............................6-6 Maintenance Footnotes ...............................
Maintenance Schedule Introduction Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and change as recommended. Maintenance Requirements Notice: Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections, replacement parts, and recommended fluids and lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Using the Maintenance Schedule We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know exactly how you will 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. Because of all the different ways people use their vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
If you want to purchase service information, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-14. Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9 tells you what should be checked, when to check it, and what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition. The proper replacement parts, fluids, and lubricants to use are listed in Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12 and Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 6-13. When your vehicle is serviced, make sure these are used.
Scheduled Maintenance Service Maintenance I Maintenance II Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life system. See Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16. An Emission Control Service. • • Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (j). • • Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18. See footnote (l). • Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear.
Additional Required Services The following services should be performed at the first maintenance service (I or II) after the indicated miles (kilometers) shown for each item. Additional Required Services 25,000 (41 500) 50,000 (83 000) 75,000 (125 000) 100,000 (166 000) 125,000 (207 500) 150,000 (240 000) Inspect fuel system for damage or leaks. • • • • • • Inspect exhaust system for loose or damaged components.
Additional Required Services (cont’d) Service and Miles (Kilometers) 25,000 (41 500) 50,000 (83 000) 75,000 (125 000) 100,000 (166 000) 125,000 (207 500) 150,000 (240 000) Engine cooling system service (or every five years, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Service. See footnote (i). • Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission Control Service. See footnote (m).
(e) 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 airbag coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
Owner Checks and Services Engine Coolant Level Check These owner checks and services should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety, dependability and emission control performance of your vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench® dealer can assist you with these checks and services. Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL® coolant mixture if necessary. See Engine Coolant on page 5-21 for further details. Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
At Least Once a Year Starter Switch Check {CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured. Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check {CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured. 1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle. 1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition to OFF in each shift lever position. • The ignition should turn to OFF only when the shift lever is in PARK (P). • The key should come out only in OFF. Contact your GM Goodwrench® dealer if service is required. Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle Park (P) Mechanism Check {CAUTION: When you are doing this check, your vehicle could begin to move.
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 which meets GM Standard GM6094M and displays the American Petroleum Institute Certified for Gasoline Engines starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench® Engine Oil oil meets all the requirements for your vehicle. To determine the proper viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see Engine Oil on page 5-13.
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Replacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your GM dealer. GM® Part Number ACDelco® Part Number 10354942 A1208C 3.5L V6 25010792 PF47 3.6L V6 89017342 PF61 10322538 CF123 3.5L V6 12568387 41-101 3.6L V6 12597464 41-990 Driver’s Side – 24.0 inches (60.0 cm) 10413111 — Passenger’s Side – 22.0 inches (55.0 cm) 10317151 — Rear Wiper Blade – 15.7 inches (40.
Maintenance Record After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service, and the type of services performed in the boxes provided. See Maintenance Requirements on page 6-2. Any additional information from Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9 can be added on the following record pages. You should retain all maintenance receipts.
Maintenance Record (cont’d) Date Odometer Reading Serviced By Maintenance I or Maintenance II Services Performed 6-15
Maintenance Record (cont’d) Date 6-16 Odometer Reading Serviced By Maintenance I or Maintenance II Services Performed
Section 7 Customer Assistance and Information Customer Assistance and Information ...............7-2 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ......................7-2 Online Owner Center ......................................7-3 Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users ................................7-4 Customer Assistance Offices ............................7-4 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program ................7-5 Roadside Assistance Program ..........................7-6 Courtesy Transportation ......
Customer Assistance and Information 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 GM dealer’s sales or service departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions of all concerned, misunderstandings can occur.
The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court program administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus to settle automotive disputes regarding vehicle repairs or the interpretation of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Although you may be required to resort to this informal dispute resolution program prior to filing a court action, use of the program is free of charge and your case will generally be heard within 40 days.
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs), Buick has TTY equipment available at its Customer Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with Buick by dialing: 1-800-83-BUICK. TTY users in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830. Customer Assistance Offices Buick encourages customers to call the toll-free number for assistance. If a U.S.
Overseas — Customer Assistance Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit. GM Mobility Reimbursement Program Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) — Customer Assistance General Motors de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. Customer Assistance Center Paseo de la Reforma # 2740 Col. Lomas de Bezares C.P. 11910, Mexico, D.F.
Roadside Assistance Program • Flat Tire Change: Installation of a spare tire will be covered at no charge. The customer is responsible for the repair or replacement of the tire if not covered by a warrantable failure. Call 1-800-252-1112 for Buick Roadside Assistance. As the proud owner of a new Buick vehicle, you are automatically enrolled in the Buick Roadside Assistance program. This value-added service is intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive in the city or travel the open road.
While we hope you never have the occasion to use our service, it is added security while traveling for you and your family. Remember, we are only a phone call away. Buick Roadside Assistance: 1-800-252-1112, text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-888-889-2438. Buick reserves the right to limit services or reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in Buick’s judgement, the claims become excessive in frequency or type of occurrence.
Transportation Options Courtesy Rental Vehicle Warranty service can generally be completed while you wait. However, if you are unable to wait, GM helps to minimize your inconvenience by providing several transportation options. Depending on the circumstances, your dealer can offer you one of the following: Your dealer may arrange to provide you with a courtesy rental vehicle or reimburse you for a rental vehicle that you obtain if your vehicle is kept for a warranty repair.
Additional Program Information Courtesy Transportation is available during the Bumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but it is not part of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. A separate booklet entitled Warranty and Owner Assistance Information furnished with each new vehicle provides detailed warranty coverage information. Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating dealers and all program options, such as shuttle service, may not be available at every dealer.
To read this information, special equipment is needed and access to the vehicle or the device that stores the data is required. GM will not access information about a crash event or share it with others other than: • with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee, • in response to an official request of police or similar government office, • as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the discovery process, or • as required by law.
Aftermarket collision parts are also available. These are made by companies other than GM and may not have been tested for your vehicle. As a result, these parts may fit poorly, exhibit premature durability/corrosion problems, and may not perform properly in subsequent collisions. Aftermarket parts are not covered by your GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and any vehicle failure related to such parts are not covered by that warranty.
If an Accident Occurs Here is what to do if you are involved in an accident. • Try to relax and then check to make sure you are all right. If you are uninjured, make sure that no one else in your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured. • If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. Do not leave the scene of an accident until all matters have been taken care of. Move your vehicle only if its position puts you in danger or you are instructed to move it by a police officer.
Managing the Vehicle Damage Repair Process Reporting Safety Defects In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs, GM recommends that you take an active role in its repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there. Specify to the facility that any required replacement collision parts be original equipment parts, either new Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government Service Publications Ordering Information 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.
Owner’s Information 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. In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and Warranty Booklet. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only. RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.
✍ NOTES 7-16
A About Driving Your Vehicle .................................... ii Accessories and Modifications ............................ 5-3 Accessory Inflator ........................................... 5-68 Accessory Power Outlet(s) ............................... 3-26 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................... 1-86 Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6 Add-On Electrical Equipment ...........................
Audio System(s) (cont.) Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ................................................. 3-114 Radio with Cassette and CD ......................... 3-87 Radio with CD ............................................ 3-76 Radio with Six-Disc CD .............................. 3-100 Rear Seat Audio (RSA) ............................... 3-129 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-75 Theft-Deterrent Feature ...............................
Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-67 Change Engine Oil Message ............................ 3-55 Charging System Indicator Message .................. 3-53 Check Engine Light ............................................... 3-46 Tire Pressure System ................................... 5-59 Check Gas Cap Message ................................ 3-56 Checking Things Under the Hood ....................... 5-9 Chemical Paint Spotting ...................................
Customer Assistance Information (cont.) Customer Assistance Offices ........................... 7-4 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2 GM Mobility Reimbursement Program ............... 7-5 Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors .... 7-14 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government .............................. 7-14 Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government ......................... 7-13 Roadside Assistance Program .........................
Electrical System (cont.) Underhood Fuse Block ............................... 5-103 Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................. 5-100 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-18 Battery ....................................................... 5-37 Change Oil Message ................................... 3-55 Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-46 Coolant ...................................................... 5-21 Coolant Heater .............................
Fuses Floor Console Fuse Block ........................... Fuses and Circuit Breakers ......................... Underhood Fuse Block ............................... Windshield Wiper ....................................... 5-101 5-101 5-103 5-100 G Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ......................... 3-46 Fuel .......................................................... 3-50 Speedometer .............................................. 3-39 Tachometer .................................................
I Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-20 Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-48 Inflation -- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-57 Instrument Panel Overview ..................................................... 3-4 Switchbank ................................................. 3-20 Instrument Panel (I/P) Brightness .................................................. 3-16 Cluster .......................................................
Locks (cont.) Power Door .................................................. 2-9 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-10 Rear Door Security Locks ............................. 2-10 Loss of Control ............................................... 4-16 Low Brake Fluid Warning Message .................... 3-58 Low Fuel Warning Message ............................. 3-57 Low Oil Pressure Message ............................... 3-54 Low Washer Fluid Warning Message .................
Message (cont.) Service Traction System Warning ................... 3-51 Service Vehicle Soon ................................... 3-58 Traction Active ............................................ 3-52 Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror ................................ 2-31 Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-32 Outside Curb View Assist Mirror .................... 2-31 Outside Heated Mirrors ................................ 2-32 Outside Power Mirror ...................................
PASS-Key® III Operation .................................. 2-18 PASS-Key® III Security Message ....................... 3-56 Perimeter Lighting ........................................... 3-19 Power Accessory Outlet(s) ...................................... 3-26 Door Locks .................................................. 2-9 Electrical System ....................................... 5-100 Reduced Engine Message ............................ 3-53 Retained Accessory (RAP) ............................
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-71 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-49 Replacement, Windshield ................................. 5-49 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government .................................. 7-14 General Motors ........................................... 7-14 United States Government ............................ 7-13 Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems ....................
Service ........................................................... 5-3 Accessories and Modifications ......................... 5-3 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle .............................................. 5-4 California Proposition 65 Warning .................... 5-3 Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-4 Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-46 Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-14 Traction System Warning Message ........
Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-15 Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ 2-15 PASS-Key® III ............................................. 2-17 PASS-Key® III Operation .............................. 2-18 Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-6 Tires ............................................................. 5-51 Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels, Cleaning .................................................
V Vehicle Control ........................................................ 4-7 Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Design ......................................................... 4-3 Loading ...................................................... 4-31 Service Soon Message ................................. 3-58 Symbols ......................................................... iv Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders .............................................
