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The 2003 Pontiac Vibe Owner ’s Manual

1-1 Seats and Restraint SystemsThis section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.

2-1 Features and ControlsThis section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.

3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsThis section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.

4-1 Your Driving and the RoadHere you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.

5-1 Problems on the RoadThis section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.

6-1 Service and Appearance CareHere the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.

7-1 Maintenance ScheduleThis section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.

8-1 Customer Assistance InformationThis section tells you how to contact Pontiac for assistance and how to get service and owner publications. It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-9.

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GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem are registeredtrademarks and the name VIBE is a trademark ofGeneral Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changesafter that time without further notice. For vehicles firstsold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Pontiac Division whenever itappears in this manual.

Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it.

We support voluntarytechnician certification.

Canadian OwnersCanadian Owners: You can obtain a French copy ofthis manual from your dealer or from:

Helm, IncorporatedP.O. Box 07130Detroit, MI 48207

Litho in U.S.A. �Copyright General Motors Corporation 01/07/02Part Number 22683297 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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How to Use this ManualMany people read their owner’s manual from beginningto end when they first receive their new vehicle. If youdo this, it will help you learn about the features andcontrols for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly.

Safety Warnings and SymbolsYou will find a number of safety cautions in this book.We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignorethe warning.

CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurtyou or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt.

You will also find a circlewith a slash through it inthis book. This safetysymbol means “Don’t,”“Don’t do this” or “Don’tlet this happen.”

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Vehicle Damage WarningsAlso, in this book you will find these notices:

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could damageyour vehicle.

A notice will tell you about something that can damageyour vehicle. Many times, this damage would not becovered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But thenotice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words.

You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

Vehicle SymbolsYour vehicle may be equipped with components andlabels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle, are shown along with the textdescribing the operation or information relating to aspecific component, control, message, gage or indicator.

If you need help figuring out a specific name of acomponent, gage or indicator reference the followingtopics in the Index:

� “Engine Compartment Overview”� “Instrument Panel”� “Comfort Controls”� “Audio Systems”

Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

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Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can alsolearn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.

1-2 Seats and Seat Controls1-9 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone1-13 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About

Safety Belts -- and the Answers1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly1-14 Driver Position1-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy1-22 Right Front Passenger Position1-22 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

1-31 Safety Belt Pretensioners1-32 Rear Seat Passengers1-35 Children1-39 Restraint Systems for Children1-54 Older Children1-57 Safety Belt Extender1-57 Checking Your Restraint Systems1-58 Replacing Restraint System Parts After

a Crash

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Seats and Seat ControlsThis part tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them,and also about reclining front seatbacks, head restraintsand rear folding seatbacks.

Manual Front Seats

CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try toadjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle ismoving. The sudden movement could startle andconfuse you, or make you push a pedal when youdon’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only whenthe vehicle is not moving.

Lift the bar located under the front seat to unlock it.Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar.Try to move the seat with your body, to make sure theseat is locked into place.

Don’t put anything under the front seats. Items under the seats could keep the seats from locking into placeproperly.

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Driver’s Seat Height Adjuster

Turn the knob located onthe outboard side of thedriver’s seat cushion toadjust the height of thedriver’s seat. It is easier touse the adjuster when theseat is unoccupied. Makesure the ignition is off andthe vehicle is in PARK (P)before adjusting the seat.

Reclining Front Seatbacks

To adjust the seatback, lift the lever located on theoutboard side of the seat. Release the lever to lock theseatback where you want it. Push on the seat to makesure it’s locked into position. Pull up on the leverwithout pushing on the seatback, and the seat will go toits original upright position.

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But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.

CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle isin motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckleup, your safety belts can’t do their job whenyou’re reclined like this.The shoulder belt can’t do its job because itwon’t be against your body. Instead, it will be infront of you. In a crash you could go into it,receiving neck or other injuries.The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash thebelt could go up over your abdomen. The beltforces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.This could cause serious internal injuries.For proper protection when the vehicle is inmotion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly.

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Head Restraints Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraintis closest to the top of your head. This position reducesthe chance of a neck injury in a crash.

Press the release button near the base of the restraint tolower and raise the restraint to a comfortable position.

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Rear Seats

Rear Folding Seatback

You can fold either side of the seatback down for morecargo space. The rear right side seatback can also beused as a temporary table when the vehicle is stopped.Make sure the front seatback isn’t reclined or in therearward most position. If it is, the rear seatback won’tfold down all the way.

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could moveforward in a sudden stop or crash. That couldcause injury to the person sitting there. Alwayspress rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, notproperly attached, or twisted won’t provide theprotection needed in a crash. The person wearingthe belt could be seriously injured. After raisingthe rear seatback, always check to be sure thatthe safety belts are properly routed and attached,and are not twisted.

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To fold either seatback down, do the following:

1. Pull up on the lockrelease knob, located onthe top of the seatbacks.

2. Fold the seatback down. Each seatback can be folded separately.

To raise the seatback, do the following:

1. Pull the seatback up and push it back to lock it intoplace. Make sure the safety belts are not twisted orcaught in the seatback.

2. Push and pull the top of the seatback to be sure it islocked into position.

Front Passenger Folding Seatback

CAUTION:

If you fold the seatback forward to carry longerobjects, such as skis, be sure any such cargo is notnear an air bag. In a crash, an inflating air bagmight force that object toward a person. Thiscould cause severe injury or even death. Secureobjects away from the area in which an air bagwould inflate. For more information, see “Howthe Air Bag System Works” and “Loading YourVehicle,” in the Index.

You can also fold the front passenger’s seatback down toallow for more cargo space or as a temporary table whenthe vehicle is stopped.

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To fold the seatback down, do the following:

1. Lower the head restraint to the lowest position andmake sure the seatback is at the most uprightposition and locked.

2. Pull up on one of therecliner levers located on either side of theback of the passenger’sseatback.

3. Fold the seatback down.

4. Lift the recliner lever to make sure the seatback iscompletely flat.

To raise the seatback, do the following:

1. Pull the seatback up and push it back to lock it intoplace. Make sure the safety belt is not twisted orcaught in the seatback.

2. Push and pull the top of the seatback to be sure it islocked into position.

3. Use the recliner lever to adjust the seatback to acomfortable position.

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Safety Belts: They’re for EveryoneThis part of the manual tells you how to use safety beltsproperly. It also tells you some things you should not dowith safety belts.

And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System(SRS), or air bag system.

CAUTION:

Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t weara safety belt properly. If you are in a crash andyou’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuriescan be much worse. You can hit things inside thevehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriouslyinjured or killed. In the same crash, you mightnot be if you are buckled up. Always fasten yoursafety belt, and check that your passengers’ beltsare fastened properly too.

CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,people riding in these areas are more likely to beseriously injured or killed. Do not allow people toride in any area of your vehicle that is notequipped with seats and safety belts. Be sureeveryone in your vehicle is in a seat and using asafety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminderto buckle up. See “SafetyBelt Reminder Light” in the Index.

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In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the lawsays to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have acrash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be soserious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.But most crashes are in between. In many of them,people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walkaway. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.

After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up doesmatter ... a lot!

Why Safety Belts WorkWhen you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.

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Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoesn’t stop.

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The person keeps going until stopped by something.

In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

or the instrument panel ...

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or the safety belts!

With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s whysafety belts make such good sense.

Here Are Questions Many People AskAbout Safety Belts -- and the AnswersQ: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safetybelt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,even if you’re upside down. And your chance ofbeing conscious during and after an accident, soyou can unbuckle and get out, is much greater ifyou are belted.

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have towear safety belts?

A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be inmost of them in the future. But they aresupplemental systems only; so they work withsafety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bagsystem ever offered for sale has required the use ofsafety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the mostprotection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,but especially in side and other collisions.

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Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far fromhome, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in anaccident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you andyour passengers can be hurt. Being a good driverdoesn’t protect you from things beyond yourcontrol, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of seriousinjuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h).

Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts ProperlyAdultsThis part is only for people of adult size.

Be aware that there are special things to know aboutsafety belts and children. And there are different rulesfor smaller children and babies. If a child will be ridingin your vehicle, see the part of this manual called“Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’sprotection.

First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems yourvehicle has.

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver PositionThis part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder BeltThe driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear itproperly.

1. Close and lock the door.

2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To seehow, see “Seats” in the Index.

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3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.Don’t let it get twisted.

The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt acrossyou very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go backslightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across youmore slowly.

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

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety BeltExtender” at the end of this section.

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

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckleend of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.

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The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug onthe hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this appliesforce to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likelyto slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the beltwould apply force at your abdomen. This could causeserious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should goover the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of thebody are best able to take belt restraining forces.

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

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster

Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder beltadjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust theheight so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centeredon your shoulder. The belt should be away from yourface and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

To move it down, squeezethe button and move theheight adjuster to thedesired position. You canmove the adjuster up just bypushing up on the shoulderbelt guide. After you movethe adjuster to where youwant it, try to move it downwithout squeezing therelease button to make sureit has locked into position.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearlyas much protection this way.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt istoo loose. In a crash, you would move forwardtoo much, which could increase injury. Theshoulder belt should fit against your body.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt isbuckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,the belt would go up over your abdomen. Thebelt forces would be there, not at the pelvicbones. This could cause serious internal injuries.Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It shouldbe worn over the shoulder at all times.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear theshoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, yourbody would move too far forward, which wouldincrease the chance of head and neck injury.Also, the belt would apply too much force to theribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones.You could also severely injure internal organslike your liver or spleen.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. Ina crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of thebelt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted,make it straight so it can work properly, or askyour dealer to fix it.

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

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

Safety Belt Use During PregnancySafety belts work for everyone, including pregnantwomen. Like all occupants, they are more likely to beseriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.

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

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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s morelikely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. Forpregnant women, as for anyone, the key to makingsafety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Right Front Passenger PositionTo learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.

The right front passenger’s safety belt works the sameway as the driver’s safety belt -- except for one thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out allthe way, you will engage the child restraint lockingfeature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all theway and start again.

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)This part explains the frontal and side impactSupplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) or air bag systems.

Your vehicle has air bags -- a frontal air bag for thedriver and another frontal air bag for the right frontpassenger. Your vehicle may also have side impact airbags -- a side impact air bag for the driver and anotherside impact air bag for the right front passenger.

If your vehicle has side impact air bags, it will say SRS - SIDE AIRBAG on a label on the side of the driver’s and right front passenger’s seat closest to the door.

Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk ofinjury from the force of an inflating frontal air bag. Butthese air bags must inflate very quickly to do their joband comply with federal regulations.

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Here are the most important things to know about the airbag systems:

CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash ifyou aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if youhave air bags. Wearing your safety belt during acrash helps reduce your chance of hitting thingsinside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts butdon’t replace them.

Frontal air bags for the driver and right frontpassenger are designed to work only in moderateto severe crashes where the front of your vehiclehits something.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

They aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover,rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in manyside crashes. And, for some unrestrainedoccupants, frontal air bags may provide lessprotection in frontal crashes than more forcefulair bags have provided in the past. The sideimpact air bags for the driver and right frontpassenger are designed to inflate only inmoderate to severe crashes where something hitsthe side of your vehicle. They aren’t designed toinflate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes.Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safetybelt properly -- whether or not there’s an air bagfor that person.

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CAUTION:

Both frontal and side impact air bags inflate withgreat force, faster than the blink of an eye. Ifyou’re too close to an inflating air bag, as youwould be if you were leaning forward, it couldseriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you inposition for air bag inflation before and during acrash. Always wear your safety belt, even withfrontal air bags. The driver should sit as far backas possible while still maintaining control of thevehicle. Front occupants should not lean on orsleep against the door.

CAUTION:

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, anyair bag when it inflates can be seriously injuredor killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offerthe best protection for adults, but not for young

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safetybelt system nor its air bag system is designed forthem. Young children and infants need theprotection that a child restraint system canprovide. Always secure children properly in yourvehicle. To read how, see the part of this manualcalled “Children.”

There is an air bagreadiness light on the instrument panel,which shows the air bag symbol.

The system checks the air bag electrical system formalfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electricalproblem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Indexfor more information.

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How the Air Bag Systems Work

Where are the air bags?

The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of thesteering wheel.

The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in theinstrument panel on the passenger’s side.

The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of thedriver’s seatback closest to the door.

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The right front passenger’s side impact air bag is in theside of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door.

CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the bag might not inflate properly or itmight force the object into that person causingsevere injury or even death. The path of aninflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t putanything between an occupant and an air bag,and don’t attach or put anything on the steeringwheel hub or on or near any other air bagcovering. Don’t let seat covers block the inflationpath of a side impact air bag.

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When should an air bag inflate?

The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bagsare designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal ornear-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflateonly if the impact speed is above the system’s designed“threshold level.”

In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags, which adjust the amount of restraint according tocrash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment. Formore severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.

The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bagsare not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear impacts, orin many side impacts because inflation would not helpthe occupant.

The side impact air bags are designed to inflate inmoderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bagwill inflate if the crash severity is above the system’sdesigned “threshold level.” The threshold level can varywith specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are notdesigned to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts,rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would nothelp the occupant. A side impact air bag will onlydeploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

It is possible that, in a crash involving the front of yourvehicle, only one of the two frontal air bags in yourvehicle will deploy. This is rare, but it can happen in acrash just severe enough to make a frontal air baginflate.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inflated simply because of the damageto a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Forfrontal air bags, inflation is determined by the vehiclespeed, the angle of the impact and how quickly thevehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts.For side impact air bags, inflation is determined by thelocation and severity of the impact.

What makes an air bag inflate?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensingsystem detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For bothfrontal and side impact air bags, the sensing systemtriggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflatesthe air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardwareare all part of the air bag modules inside the steeringwheel, instrument panel and the side of the frontseatbacks closest to the door.

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How does an air bag restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel orthe instrument panel. In moderate to severe sidecollisions, even belted occupants can contact the insideof the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protectionprovided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force ofthe impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal airbags would not help you in many types of collisions,including rollovers, rear impacts, and many sideimpacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is nottoward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not helpyou in many types of collisions, including frontal ornear frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts,primarily because an occupant’s motion is not towardthose air bags. Air bags should never be regarded asanything more than a supplement to safety belts, andthen only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontalcollisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’sfrontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe sidecollisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’sside impact air bags.

What will you see after an air bag inflates?

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quicklythat some people may not even realize the air baginflated. Some components of the air bag module -- thesteering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, theinstrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, theside of the seatback closest to the door for the driver andright front passenger’s side impact air bags -- will behot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come intocontact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.There will be some smoke and dust coming from thevents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’tprevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer thevehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

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CAUTION:

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.This dust could cause breathing problems forpeople with a history of asthma or otherbreathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in thevehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.If you have breathing problems but can’t get outof the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then getfresh air by opening a window or a door.

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage may also occur from theright front passenger air bag.

� Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After anair bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for yourair bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bagsystem won’t be there to help protect you in anothercrash. A new system will include air bag modulesand possibly other parts. The service manual for yourvehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

� Your vehicle is equipped with two electronic frontalsensors, which help the sensing system distinguishbetween a moderate frontal impact and a moresevere frontal impact. Additionally, your vehicle hastwo sensors which detect side impacts. These sensorssignal the appropriate side air bag to inflate. Yourvehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing anddiagnostic module, which records information aboutthe frontal air bag system. The module recordsinformation about the readiness of the system,system status and the driver’s and passenger’s safetybelt usage at deployment.

� Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealerfor service.

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NOTICE:

If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag covering on the driver’s and right frontpassenger’s seatback, the bag may not workproperly. You may have to replace the air bagmodule in the steering wheel, both the air bagmodule and the instrument panel for the rightfront passenger’s air bag, or both the air bagmodule and seatback for the driver’s and rightfront passenger’s side impact air bag. Do notopen or break the air bag coverings.

If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such aswater up to the carpeting or higher -- or if water entersyour vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controllercan be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and thenyou start your vehicle, the damage could make thefrontal and side impact air bags inflate and safety beltpretensioners activate, even if there’s no crash. Youwould have to replace the air bags, all the sensors andrelated parts, parts of the safety belt system and parts ofthe driver and right front passenger’s seatbacks. If yourvehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed to water thatsoaks the carpet, you can avoid needless repair costs byturning off the vehicle immediately and disconnectingthe battery cables. Don’t let anyone start the vehicleunder any circumstances. See your dealer for service.

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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped VehicleAir bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.There are parts of the air bag systems in several placesaround your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manualhave information about servicing your vehicle and theair bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see“Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.

CAUTION:

For up to two minutes after the ignition key isturned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inflate during improper service. Youcan be injured if you are close to an air bag whenit inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tapeor yellow connectors. They are probably part ofthe air bag systems. Be sure to follow properservice procedures, and make sure the personperforming work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.

Safety Belt PretensionersYour vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. Although youcannot see them, they are located on the retractor part ofthe safety belts for the driver and right front passenger.They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forwardmovement in a moderate to severe crash in which thefront of the vehicle hits something.

Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash,you’ll need to get new ones, and probably other newparts for your safety belt system. See “ReplacingRestraint System Parts After a Crash” in the Index.

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Rear Seat PassengersIt’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rearseat are hurt more often in crashes than those who arewearing safety belts.

Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrownout of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike othersin the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Passenger Positions

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Lap-Shoulder BeltAll rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.Don’t let it get twisted.

The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt acrossyou very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go backslightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across youmore slowly.

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

If the buckle does not click, check to be sure that youare using the correct buckle.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, itwill lock. If it does, let it go back all the way andstart again. If the belt is not long enough, see “SafetyBelt Extender” at the end of this section. Make surethe release button on the buckle is positioned so youwould be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly ifyou ever had to.

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3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckleend of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug onthe hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this appliesforce to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likelyto slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the beltwould apply force at your abdomen. This could causeserious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should goover the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of thebody are best able to take belt restraining forces.

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

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt istoo loose. In a crash, you would move forwardtoo much, which could increase injury. Theshoulder belt should fit against your body.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

ChildrenEveryone in a vehicle needs protection! This includesinfants and all other children. Neither the distancetraveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes theneed, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, thelaw in every state in the United States and in everyCanadian province says children up to some age must berestrained while in a vehicle.

Infants and Young ChildrenEvery time infants and young children ride in vehicles,they should have the protection provided by theappropriate restraint. Young children should not use thevehicle’s safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

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CAUTION:

People should never hold a baby in their armswhile riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weighmuch -- until a crash. During a crash a baby willbecome so heavy it is not possible to hold it. Forexample, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A babyshould be secured in an appropriate restraint.

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CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, anyair bag when it inflates can be seriously injuredor killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offeroutstanding protection for adults and olderchildren, but not for young children and infants.Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young childrenand infants need the protection that a childrestraint system can provide.

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Q: What are the different types of add-on childrestraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by thevehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types.Selection of a particular restraint should take intoconsideration not only the child’s weight, heightand age but also whether or not the restraint will becompatible with the motor vehicle in which it willbe used.

For most basic types of child restraints, there aremany different models available. When purchasinga child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used ina motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have alabel saying that it meets federal motor vehiclesafety standards.

The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that comewith the restraint state the weight and heightlimitations for a particular child restraint. Inaddition, there are many kinds of restraintsavailable for children with special needs.

CAUTION:

Newborn infants need complete support,including support for the head and neck. This isnecessary because a newborn infant’s neck isweak and its head weighs so much compared withthe rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in arear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so thecrash forces can be distributed across thestrongest part of an infant’s body, the back andshoulders. Infants always should be secured inappropriate infant restraints.

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CAUTION:

The body structure of a young child is quiteunlike that of an adult or older child, for whomthe safety belts are designed. A young child’s hipbones are still so small that the vehicle’s regularsafety belt may not remain low on the hip bones,as it should. Instead, it may settle up around thechild’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would applyforce on a body area that’s unprotected by anybony structure. This alone could cause serious orfatal injuries. Young children always should besecured in appropriate child restraints.

Restraint Systems for Children

An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in amotor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed torestrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface.Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the centerof the vehicle.

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A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with theseating surface against the back of the infant. Theharness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash,acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint forthe child’s body with the harness and also sometimeswith surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.

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A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed toimprove the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Somebooster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and somehigh-back booster seats have a five-point harness. Abooster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

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 positionchildren. A built-in child restraint system is apermanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-onchild restraint system is a portable one, which ispurchased by the vehicle’s owner.

For many years, add-on child restraints have usedthe adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reducethe chance of injury, the child also has to besecured within the restraint. The vehicle’s beltsystem secures the add-on child restraint in thevehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harnesssystem holds the child in place within the restraint.

One system, the three-point harness, has straps thatcome down over each of the infant’s shoulders andbuckle together at the crotch. The five-pointharness system has two shoulder straps, two hipstraps and a crotch strap. A shield may take theplace of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulderstraps that are attached to a flat pad which rests lowagainst the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-typeshield has straps that are attached to a wide,shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side.

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When choosing a child restraint, be sure the childrestraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, itwill have a label saying that it meets federal motorvehicle safety standards.

Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You mayfind these instructions on the restraint itself or in abooklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system inyour vehicle, but the child also has to be secured withinthe restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to theinstructions that come with the restraint which may beon the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to thismanual. The child restraint instructions are important, soif they are not available, obtain a replacement copy fromthe manufacturer.

Where to Put the RestraintAccident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.General Motors, therefore, recommends that childrestraints be secured in the rear seat including an infantriding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in aforward-facing child seat and an older child riding in abooster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint inthe front passenger seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can beseriously injured or killed if the right frontpassenger’s air bag inflates. This is because theback of the rear-facing child restraint would bevery close to the inflating air bag. Always securea rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat.You may secure a forward-facing child restraintin the right front seat, but before you do, alwaysmove the front passenger seat as far back as itwill go. It’s better to secure the child restraint ina rear seat.

Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the childrestraint properly.

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can movearound in a collision or sudden stop and injure people inthe vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any childrestraint in your vehicle -- even when no child is in it.

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Top StrapSome child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored tothe vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints aredesigned for use with or without the top strap beinganchored. Others require the top strap always to beanchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions foryour child restraint. If yours requires that the top strapbe anchored, don’t use the restraint unless it is anchoredproperly.

If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one canbe obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing childrestraints have a top strap, and that the strap beanchored. In the United States, some child restraints alsohave a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, itshould be anchored.

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Anchor the top strap to one of the top strap anchors.Your vehicle has top strap anchors for the rear seatingpositions. You will find three top strap anchors in acovered compartment on the floor of the rear cargo area.To access the anchors, open the compartment doorsmarked with the child restraint anchor symbol. Choosethe anchor that corresponds to the seating position wherethe child restraint will be placed. Raise the head restraintand route the top strap under it.

Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready tosecure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strapwhen and as the child restraint manufacturer’sinstructions say.

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Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers forChildren (LATCH System)Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll findanchors (A) in both outside rear seat positions.

Each seating position with the LATCH system will havea label sewn to the seatback with the letters “LATCH”on it. To assist you in locating the anchors for this childrestraint system, place your hand in a palm-up positionand reach up between the seat cushion and the seatback,just under the LATCH label.

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In order to use the system, you need either aforward-facing child restraint that has attachingpoints (B) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or arear-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B),as shown here.

With this system, use the LATCH system instead of thevehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint.

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CAUTION:

If a LATCH -type child restraint isn’t attached toits anchorage points, the restraint won’t be ableto protect a child sitting there. In a crash, thechild could be seriously injured or killed. Makesure that a LATCH-type child restraint isproperly installed using the anchorage points, oruse the vehicle’s safety belts to secure therestraint. See “Securing a Child Restraint in aRear Seat Position” in the Index for informationon how to secure a child restraint in your vehicleusing the vehicle’s safety belts.

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want touse, where the bottom of the seatback meets the backof the seat cushion.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

3. Attach the anchor points on the child restraint to theanchors in the vehicle. The child restraintinstructions will show you how.

4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach the topstrap to the top strap anchor. See “Top Strap” in theIndex. Tighten the top strap according to the childrestraint instructions.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in differentdirections to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the topstrap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect theanchor points.

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCHsystem, see “Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers forChildren (LATCH)” in the Index.

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier partabout the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sureto follow the instructions that came with the childrestraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when andas the instructions say.

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulderportions of the vehicle’s safety belt through oraround the restraint. The child restraint instructionswill show you how.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face orneck, put it behind the child restraint.

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3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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

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5. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the childrestraint. If you’re using a forward-facing childrestraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in differentdirections to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’ssafety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety beltwill move freely again and be ready to work for an adultor larger child passenger.

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Securing a Child Restraint in the RightFront Seat Position

Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Neverput a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can beseriously injured or killed if the right frontpassenger’s air bag inflates. This is because theback of the rear-facing child restraint would bevery close to the inflating air bag. Always securea rear-facing child restraint in the rear seat.

Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure aforward-facing child restraint in the right front seat.You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier partabout the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sureto follow the instructions that came with the childrestraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when andas the instructions say.

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger airbag, always move the seat as far back as it will gobefore securing a forward-facing child restraint. See “Seats” in the Index.

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulderportions of the vehicle’s safety belt through oraround the restraint. The child restraint instructionswill show you how.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face orneck, put it behind the child restraint.

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4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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

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6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the childrestraint. 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 differentdirections to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’ssafety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety beltwill move freely again and be ready to work for an adultor larger child passenger.

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Older Children

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

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts?A: If possible, an older child should wear a

lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint ashoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt shouldnot cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fitsnugly below the hips, just touching the top of thethighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen,which could cause severe or even fatal internalinjuries in a crash.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear seat.

In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strikeother people who are buckled up, or can be thrown outof the vehicle. Older children need to use safety beltsproperly.

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CAUTION:

Never do this.Here two children are wearing the same belt. Thebelt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In acrash, the two children can be crushed togetherand seriously injured. A belt must be used byonly one person at a time.

Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,but the child is so small that the shoulder belt isvery 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. Ifthe child is sitting in the center rear seat passengerposition, move the child toward the safety beltbuckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder beltstill is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash thechild’s upper body would have the restraint thatbelts provide.

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CAUTION:

Never do this.Here a child is sitting in a seat that has alap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behindthe child. If the child wears the belt in this way, ina crash the child might slide under the belt. Thebelt’s force would then be applied right on thechild’s abdomen. That could cause serious orfatal injuries.

The lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snugon the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This appliesbelt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.

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Safety Belt ExtenderIf the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, youshould use it.

But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, yourdealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you goin to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so theextender will be long enough for you. The extender willbe just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle thatyou choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use itonly for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach itto the regular safety belt.

Checking Your Restraint SystemsNow and then, make sure the safety belt reminder lightand all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors andanchorages are working properly. Look for any otherloose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you seeanything that might keep a safety belt system fromdoing its job, have it repaired.

Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in acrash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt istorn or frayed, get a new one right away.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, andhave them repaired or replaced. (The air bag systemdoes not need regular maintenance.)

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Replacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash

CAUTION:

A crash can damage the restraint systems in yourvehicle. A damaged restraint system may notproperly protect the person using it, resulting inserious injury or even death in a crash. To helpmake sure your restraint systems are workingproperly after a crash, have them inspected andany necessary replacements made as soon aspossible.

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCHsystem parts?

After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if wornduring a more severe crash, then you need new parts.

If the LATCH system was being used during a moresevere crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collisiondamage also may mean you will need to have safety beltor seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairsmay be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used atthe time of the collision.

If the frontal air bags inflate, you’ll also need to replacethe driver’s and right front passenger’s safety beltretractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the newretractor assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.

If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bagsystem parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section.

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Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything isworking properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.

2-2 Windows2-4 Keys2-6 Door Locks2-9 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)2-12 Liftgate/Liftglass2-14 Theft2-17 New Vehicle “Break-In”2-18 Ignition Positions2-19 Starting Your Engine2-21 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)2-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation2-25 Manual Transaxle Operation2-29 Parking Brake2-30 Shifting Into PARK (P)

(Automatic Transaxle Only)2-32 Shifting Out of PARK (P)

(Automatic Transaxle Only)2-33 Parking Your Vehicle

(Manual Transaxle Only)2-33 Parking Over Things That Burn

2-34 Engine Exhaust2-34 Running Your Engine While You’re Parked

(Automatic Transaxle)2-35 Horn2-35 Tilt Wheel2-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever2-38 Windshield Washer2-39 Cruise Control (Option)2-42 Exterior Lamps2-44 Interior Lamps2-46 Mirrors2-48 Storage Compartments2-53 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter2-53 Sun Visors2-57 Sunroof (Option)2-58 The Instrument Panel -- Your

Information System2-60 Instrument Panel Cluster2-62 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators2-76 Navigation System (Option)

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Windows

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the windowsclosed is dangerous. A child can be overcome bythe extreme heat and can suffer permanentinjuries or even death from heat stroke. Neverleave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with thewindows closed in warm or hot weather.

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Manual WindowsUse the window crank to open and close each window.

Power Windows (Option)

If your vehicle has thisoption, the switchescontrolling the driver’s andpassenger’s windows arelocated on the driver’s door.

The power window switch on each passenger doorcontrols that window only. These switches work whilethe ignition is on.

For the front windows, press the front of a switch tolower a window and lift the front of the switch to raise awindow. For the rear windows, the power window leveris located on each door below the arm rest.

AUTO (Express-Down): Press this switch all the way down and release it to lower the driver’swindow quickly.

Lock-Out: Press thewindow lock-out button,located next to the driver’spower door lock switch, todisable the passenger’spower window switches.Press the button again toenable the windowswitches.

The driver can still control the left front passengerwindow with the lock-out button pressed.

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Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignitionkey is dangerous for many reasons. A child orothers could be badly injured or even killed.

They could operate the power windows or othercontrols or even make the vehicle move. Don’tleave the keys in a vehicle with children.

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One key is used for theignition, the doors and allother locks.

When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes thekey tag from the key and gives it to the first owner.

Each tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or aqualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep thetag in a safe place. If you lose your key, you’ll be able tohave a new one made easily using this code.

If you need a new key, contact your dealership to obtainthe correct key code. See “Roadside Assistance” in theIndex for more information.

NOTICE:

Your vehicle has a number of features that canhelp prevent theft. However, you can have a lot oftrouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lockyour key inside. You may even have to damageyour vehicle to get in. So be sure you have anextra key.

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Door Locks

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

� Passengers -- especially children -- caneasily open the doors and fall out of amoving vehicle. When a door is locked, thehandle won’t open it. You increase thechance of being thrown out of the vehicle ina crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wearsafety belts properly and lock the doorswhenever you drive.

� Young children who get into unlockedvehicles may be unable to get out. A childcan be overcome by extreme heat and cansuffer permanent injuries or even deathfrom heat stroke. Always lock your vehiclewhenever you leave it.

� Outsiders can easily enter through anunlocked door when you slow down or stopyour vehicle. Locking your doors can helpprevent this from happening.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.

From the outside, use your key or the remote keylessentry transmitter, if equipped. See “Remote KeylessEntry” in the Index for more information.

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To manually lock the door from the inside, press theknob on the door forward. To unlock the door, press theknob rearward. If you have manual locks, you must usethe key to lock and unlock the tailgate.

If your vehicle has power door locks, open the driver’sdoor by turning the key in the lock toward the rear of thevehicle. Turning the key back toward the center, thentoward the rear again will unlock all of the doors. Usingthe key in the passenger’s door will also unlock all ofthe doors.

Lock a door by turning the key toward the front of the vehicle. If you have power door locks, all the doors will lock.

Power Door Locks (Option)

The power door lock switchis located on the armrest onthe door.

Press the power door lock switch on the driver’s orpassenger’s door to lock or unlock all the doors at once.

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Rear Door Security LocksYour vehicle is equipped with rear door security locksthat help prevent passengers from opening the rear doorson your vehicle from the inside.

The security locks arelocated on the inside of the rear door trim.

To use of these locks, do the following:

1. Slide the lever down.

2. Close the door.

3. Do the same thing to the other rear door lock.

The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened fromthe inside when this feature is in use.

To open a rear door with the security lock, do thefollowing:

1. Unlock the door from the inside.

2. Then open the door from the outside.

If you don’t cancel the security lock feature, adults andolder children who ride in the rear won’t be able to openthe rear door from the inside. You should let adults andolder children know how these security locks work, andhow to cancel the locks.

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

1. Unlock the door from the inside and open the doorfrom the outside.

2. Slide the lever up.

3. Do the same for the other rear door.

The rear door locks will now work normally.

Leaving Your VehicleIf you are leaving the vehicle, take your key, open yourdoor and set the locks from inside. Then get out andclose the door.

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Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlockyour doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m)away using the remote keyless entry transmitter suppliedwith your vehicle.

Your remote keyless entry system operates on a radiofrequency subject to Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any interference received,including interference that may cause undesiredoperation.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) thisdevice must accept any interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modifications to this system by other than anauthorized service facility could void authorization touse this equipment.

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

� Check the distance. You may be too far from yourvehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainyor snowy weather.

� Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may beblocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left orright, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

� Check to determine if battery replacement isnecessary. See the instructions that follow.

� If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer or aqualified technician for service.

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Operation

LOCK: Press thisbutton to lock all of the doors.

The turn signal lights will flash once to confirm that thedoors have locked. The remote keyless entry system willnot operate while the doors are open or while the key isin the ignition.

UNLOCK: Press this button once to unlock the driver’sdoor. The turn signal lights will flash twice and theinterior lamps will come on to confirm that the door hasunlocked. If the UNLOCK button is pressed againwithin three seconds, all remaining doors will unlock.The interior lamps will stay on for 15 seconds or untilthe ignition is turned on. If the UNLOCK button ispressed and no door is opened, the doors will lockautomatically after 30 seconds.

HATCH: Press this button for about two seconds toopen the liftglass. If the key is in the ignition, theliftglass cannot be opened by the HATCH button on the transmitter.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your VehicleEach remote keyless entry transmitter is coded toprevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can bepurchased through your dealer. Remember to bring anyremaining transmitters with you when you go to yourdealer. When the dealer matches the replacementtransmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmittersmust also be matched. Once your dealer has coded thenew transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock yourvehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of fourtransmitters matched to it.

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Battery ReplacementUnder normal use, the battery in your remote keylessentry transmitter should last about three years.

You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’twork at the normal range in any location. If you have toget close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,it’s probably time to change the battery.

NOTICE:

When replacing the battery, use care not to touchany of the circuitry. Static from your bodytransferred to these surfaces may damage thetransmitter.

To replace the battery, do the following:

1. Insert a small coin or similar object to separate thebottom half from the top half of the transmitter.

2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new one.Make sure the positive side of the battery facesupward. For battery replacement, use a three-voltbattery, type CR2032, or equivalent.

3. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sureno moisture can enter.

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Liftgate/Liftglass

CAUTION:

It can be dangerous to drive with theliftgate/liftglass open because carbon monoxide(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’tsee or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousnessand even death.

If you must drive with the liftgate/liftglass openor if electrical wiring or other cable connectionsmust pass through the seal between the body andthe liftgate/liftglass:� Make sure all other windows are shut.� Turn the fan on your heating or cooling

system to its highest speed and select thecontrol setting that will force outside airinto your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls”in the Index.

� If you have air outlets on or under theinstrument panel, open them all the way.

See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

Liftgate/Liftglass ReleaseTo open the liftgate using your key do the following:

� To unlock the liftgate, insert the key into the keyholeand turn it counterclockwise.

When closing the liftgate, you can use the handle topull it down.

� To lock the liftgate, turn the key clockwise to thefirst position.

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To open the liftglass using your key do the following:

� To open the liftglass, insert the key into the keyholeand turn it clockwise to the second position.

� Use the handle in the center of the liftglass to help inlifting the glass.

You can also release theliftglass by pressing therelease button (if equipped)located on the instrumentpanel to the left of thesteering wheel.

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TheftVehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrentfeatures, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help.

Key in the IgnitionIf you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s aneasy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- sodon’t do it.

When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,you’ll hear a tone reminding you to remove your keyfrom the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will yourignition. If you take the key with you, and you have anautomatic transaxle, it will be locked. And remember tolock the doors.

Parking at NightPark in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock yourvehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.

Parking LotsEven if you park in a lot where someone will bewatching your vehicle, it’s still best to lock it up andtake your keys. But what if you have to leave your key?

� If possible, park in a busy, well-lit area.� Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk

or glove box.

� Be sure to close and lock the storage area.

� Close all windows.

� Lock all the doors except the driver’s.

� If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,take the transmitter with you.

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Content Theft-Deterrent System (If Equipped)Your vehicle’s theft-deterrent system is designed toactivate an alarm if any of the side doors or the liftgateis forcibly unlocked or if the battery terminal isdisconnected and then reconnected while the system is set.

The alarm will sound the horn intermittently and flashthe headlamps, turn signal lamps and interior lights. Ifthe driver’s or front passenger’s side doors are unlockedforcibly, the other side doors and the liftgate will belocked automatically.

Setting the SystemTo set the system, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position andremove it.

2. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle.

3. Close and lock all the side doors and liftgate with thekey or remote keyless entry transmitter.

The indicator light locatedon the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheelwill come on when all theside doors and liftgate areclosed and locked.

The system will be automatically set after 30seconds. When the system is set, the indicator lightwill start flashing.

4. After the indicator light starts flashing, you mayleave the vehicle.

Do not leave anyone in the vehicle when you set thesystem, because unlocking the vehicle from theinside will activate the system.

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Testing the SystemTo test the system, do the following:

1. Open all the windows.

2. Set the system as described in the previousprocedure. The side doors and liftgate should belocked with the key or remote keyless entrytransmitter. Be sure to wait until the indicator lightstarts flashing.

3. Unlock the driver’s door from the inside. The systemshould activate the alarm.

4. Stop the alarm as described in the cancellingprocedure.

5. Repeat this operation for the other doors. Also checkthat the system is activated when the battery terminalis disconnected and then reconnected.

If the system does not work properly, have itchecked by your dealer.

Activating the SystemThe system will activate the alarm under the followingconditions:

� If the driver’s or front passenger’s door is unlockedor if any of the other side doors or the liftgate isforcibly opened without the key or remote keylessentry transmitter.

� If the battery terminal is disconnected and thenreconnected.

� If the ignition is hot-wired.� If the side window glass is broken or damaged.

The indicator light will come on when the system isactivated.

If the driver’s or front passenger’s side doors areunlocked without using the key or remote keyless entrytransmitter, the other side doors and the liftgate will beautomatically locked again.

After one minute the alarm will automatically stop andthe indicator light will start flashing again.

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Reactivating the AlarmOnce the system is set, it will automatically reset thealarm after the alarm stops. The alarm will activateagain under the same conditions as described earlier.

Cancelling the SystemThe alarm can be deactivated by doing one of thefollowing:

� Turn the ignition key from LOCK to ON.

� Unlock any of the side doors with the key or with theremote keyless entry transmitter.

If the back door is opened with the key, the systemwill still be activated.

New Vehicle “Break-In”

NOTICE:

Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate“break -in.” But it will perform better in the longrun if you follow these guidelines:

� Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).Don’t make full -throttle starts.

� Avoid making hard stops for the first200 miles (322 km) or so. During this timeyour new brake linings aren’t yet brokenin. Hard stops with new linings can meanpremature wear and earlier replacement.Follow this breaking-in guideline everytime you get new brake linings.

� Don’t tow a trailer during break -in. See“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for moreinformation.

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Ignition PositionsWith the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it tofour different positions.

NOTICE:

If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’tturn it, be sure you are using the correct key; ifso, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn thesteering wheel left and right while you turn thekey hard. Turn the key only with your hand.Using a tool to force it could break the key or theignition switch. If none of this works, then yourvehicle needs service.

LOCK (A): This is the only position from which youcan remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,ignition and automatic transaxle. Push in the ignitionswitch as you turn the key toward you.

If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition switch can’t be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in PARK (P).

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CAUTION:

On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key toLOCK and removing it will lock the steeringcolumn and result in a loss of ability to steer thevehicle. This could cause a collision. If you needto turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,turn the key only to ACC. Don’t push the key inwhile the vehicle is moving.

ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): This position operates someof your electrical accessories (such as the radio, but notthe ventilation fan). It unlocks the steering wheel andignition. To move the key from ACC to LOCK, push inthe key and then turn it to LOCK.

ON (C): This is the position the switch returns to afteryou start your engine and release the switch. The switchstays in the ON position when the engine is running. But even when the ignition is not running, you can useON to operate your electrical accessories (including theventilation fan and 115 volt power outlet) and to displaysome warning and indicator lights.

START (D): This position starts the engine. When theengine starts, release the key. The ignition switch willreturn to ON for normal driving.

When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow youto operate some of your electrical accessories.

A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s doorwhen the ignition is still in ACC or LOCK and the keyis in the ignition.

Starting Your EngineAutomatic TransaxleMove your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s asafety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,use NEUTRAL (N) only.

NOTICE:

Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle ismoving. If you do, you could damage thetransaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when yourvehicle is stopped.

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Manual TransaxleThe gear selector should be in neutral and the parkingbrake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor andstart the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutchpedal is not all the way down -- that’s a safety feature.

Starting Your Engine1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your

ignition key to START. When the engine starts, letgo of the key. The idle speed will go down as yourengine gets warm.

NOTICE:

Holding your key in START for longer than15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heatcan damage your starter motor. Wait about15 seconds between each try to help avoiddraining your battery or damaging your starter.

2. If it doesn’t start, wait about 15 seconds and tryagain to start the engine by turning the ignition keyto START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.

When your engine has run about 10 seconds to warmup, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don’t “race”your engine when it’s cold.

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

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but thenstops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to thefloor and holding it there as you hold the key inSTART for about three seconds. If the vehicle startsbriefly but then stops again, do the same thing, butthis time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.

NOTICE:

Your engine is designed to work with theelectronics in your vehicle. If you add electricalparts or accessories, you could change the waythe engine operates. Before adding electricalequipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,your engine might not perform properly.

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Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)In very cold weather, 0�F (-18�C) or colder, the enginecoolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting andbetter fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum offour hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperaturesabove 32�F (0�C), use of the coolant heater is notrequired.

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater1. Turn off the engine.

2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cordlocated on the driver’s side of the enginecompartment, near the front.

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

CAUTION:

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outletcould cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrongkind of extension cord could overheat and causea fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug thecord into a properly grounded three-prong110-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use aheavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated forat least 15 amps.

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug andstore the cord as it was before to keep it away frommoving engine parts. If you don’t, it could bedamaged.

How long should you keep the coolant heater pluggedin? The answer depends on the outside temperature, thekind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead oftrying to list everything here, we ask that you contactyour dealer in the area where you’ll be parking yourvehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for thatparticular area.

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Automatic Transaxle Operation

There are severaldifferent positions for your shift lever.

PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It’sthe best position to use when you start your enginebecause your vehicle can’t move easily.

CAUTION:

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if theshift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with theparking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.

Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine isrunning unless you have to. If you have left theengine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.You or others could be injured. To be sure yourvehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairlylevel ground, always set your parking brake andmove the shift lever to PARK (P).

See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”in the Index.

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Ensure that the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) beforestarting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatictransaxle shift lock control system. You have to fullyapply your regular brakes before you can shift fromPARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannotshift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)and release the shift lever button as you maintain brakeapplication. Then press the shift lever button and movethe shift lever into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Outof PARK (P)” in the index.

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

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle ismoving forward could damage your transaxle.Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle isstopped.

To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’tconnect with the wheels. To restart when you’re alreadymoving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.

CAUTION:

Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is“racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous.Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal,your vehicle could move very rapidly. You couldlose control and hit people or objects. Don’t shiftinto a drive gear while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting outof PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engineracing isn’t covered by your warranty.

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DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If youneed more power for passing, and you’re:

� Going less than about 27 mph (43 km/h), push youraccelerator pedal about halfway down.

� Going about 29 mph (47 km/h) or more, push youraccelerator pedal all the way down.

You’ll shift down to the next gear and have morepower.

SECOND (2): This position gives you more power thanDRIVE (D) but lower fuel economy. You can useSECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed asyou go down steep mountain roads, but then you wouldalso want to use your brakes off and on.

NOTICE:

Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are goingslower than 65 mph (105 km/h) for front-wheeldrive vehicles or 59 mph (96 km/h) for all-wheeldrive vehicles, or you can damage your engine.

LOW (L): This position gives you even more powerthan SECOND (2) but lower fuel economy. You can useit on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shiftlever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle won’t shift intolow gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.

NOTICE:

If your front wheels can’t turn, don’t try to drive.This might happen if you were stuck in very deepsand or mud or were up against a solid object.You could damage your transaxle.Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t holdyour vehicle there with only the acceleratorpedal. This could overheat and damage thetransaxle. Use your brakes to hold your vehicle inposition on a hill.

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Overdrive

Your automatic transaxlehas an O/D (overdrive off)button. It is located on theleft side of the shift lever.

Press the O/D button to turn off overdrive. A light on theinstrument panel cluster will come on when this featureis used. Press the button again to turn overdrive back on.Then the light on the instrument panel cluster will gooff. See “Overdrive Off Light” in the Index.

Use this feature for better fuel economy. Fast starts use the most fuel while gradual starts give you the best fuel economy.

When you turn on your vehicle the overdrive willautomatically be on until you turn it off.

Manual Transaxle OperationFive-Speed

FIRST (1): Press theclutch pedal and shift intoFIRST (1). Then, slowlylet up on the clutch pedalas you press theaccelerator pedal.

Five-Speed TransaxleShift Pattern

You can shift into FIRST (1) when you’re going lessthan 20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve come to a completestop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shiftlever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutchpedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).

SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up onthe accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press theaccelerator pedal.

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THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5): Shift intoTHIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same wayyou do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutchpedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press thebrake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press theclutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to neutral.

Neutral: Use this position when you start or idle your engine.

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down on the clutchpedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutchpedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:

Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle isstopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while yourvehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.

Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brakefor parking your vehicle.

Six-Speed

FIRST (1): Press theclutch pedal and shift intoFIRST (1). Then, slowlylet up on the clutch pedalas you press theaccelerator pedal.

Six-Speed TransaxleShift Pattern

You can shift into FIRST (1) when you’re going lessthan 20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve come to a completestop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shiftlever in neutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutchpedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).

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SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up onthe accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press theaccelerator pedal. If you’ve come to a complete stop andit’s hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the shift lever inneutral and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedalback down. Then shift into SECOND (2).

THIRD (3): Press the clutch pedal and upshift intoTHIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal asyou press the accelerator pedal.

FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5), SIXTH (6): Shift intoFOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6) the sameway you do for THIRD (3). Slowly let up on the clutchpedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press thebrake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press theclutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to neutral.

Neutral: Use this position when you start or idle your engine.

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down on the clutchpedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutchpedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:

Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle isstopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while yourvehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.

Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brakefor parking your vehicle. There is an audible beep