Pontiac 2002 Grand Am Owners Manual Owner's

2015-10-24

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2002 Pontiac Grand Am
Owner’s Manual

Litho in U.S.A.
Part Number 22673543 A First Edition

ECopyright General Motors Corporation 06/25/01

We support voluntary
technician certification.

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
PONTIAC, the PONTIAC Emblem and the name
GRAND AM are registered trademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Pontiac Division whenever it
appears 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.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

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

CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t,
you or others could be hurt.

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

You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let this happen.”

iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Vehicle Symbols

Also, in this book you will find these notices:

Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.

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

If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

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

D
D
D
D

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

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

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

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

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

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1-2
1-8
1-12
1-13
1-14
1-21
1-22
1-22
1-28

Seats and Seat Controls
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts -- and the Answers
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Driver Position
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Right Front Passenger Position
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Rear Seat Passengers

1-31
1-34
1-35
1-39
1-54
1-57
1-57
1-57

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults
Center Passenger Position
Children
Restraint Systems for Children
Older Children
Safety Belt Extender
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

1-1

Seats and Seat Controls
This section tells you about the seats -- how to
adjust them -- and also about reclining seatbacks and
head restraints.

Manual Seats

CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.

1-2

Lift the bar located under the front of the seat to unlock
it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat
is locked in place.

Power Lift Seat (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has this feature, move the power lift seat
forward or rearward by pulling up on the lever located
under the front of the driver’s seat to unlock it. Slide the
seat to where you want it and release the lever. Try to
move the seat with your body to make sure the seat is
locked into place.

To raise or lower the power lift seat, hold the switch
located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat up
or down.

1-3

Six-Way Power Seat Controls (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power seat
control is located on the
outboard side of the
driver’s seat.

Manual Lumbar Support (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, turn the knob located on
the inboard side of the driver’s seat cushion clockwise
or counterclockwise to adjust support of the lower back.

Reclining Front Seatbacks

This control allows you to move the seat up, down,
forward, or backward. It will also move the front or rear
of the seat cushion up or down.

D Move the seat forward or rearward by pushing the
control towards the front or rear of the vehicle.

D Raise or lower the entire seat cushion by holding
the control up or down.

D Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by
holding the front of the control up or down.

D Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by
holding the rear of the control up or down.

1-4

To adjust the seatback, lift the lever located on the
outboard side of the seat and move the seatback to
where you want it. Release the lever to lock the
seatback. Pull up on the lever without pushing on the
seatback and the seatback will go to an upright position.

CAUTION:

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

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

1-5

Head Restraints

Seatback Latches (Two-Door Models)
The front seatbacks fold forward to let people get into
the back seat. The seatback latch is designed for
one-handed operation.
To fold a front seatback forward, lift the seatback latch
fully without pushing forward on the seatback to unlock
it. Then fold the seatback forward.
Push the seatback to its original position, and the
seatback will lock.

CAUTION:

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

1-6

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it
is locked.

Easy Entry Seat (Two-Door Models)

Rear Seats

The right front seat of your vehicle makes it easy for
people to get in and out of the rear seat.

Folding the Rear Seatback (Option)

1. Fold the right front seatback forward after lifting the
seatback latch fully.
2. The seat will slide forward to allow someone to get
into the rear seat area.
3. Push the seatback upright to lock and slide the seat
fully rearward to lock. The front passenger should
try to move the seat to make sure the seat is locked
into place.

To fold down the rear seatback, do the following:
1. Pull the release straps
located in the trunk. The
right strap operates the
passenger’s side rear
split seat. The left strap
operates the driver’s side
rear split seat.

CAUTION:
If an easy entry right front seat isn’t locked, it
can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the person
sitting there could be injured. After you’ve used
it, be sure to push rearward on an easy entry seat
to be sure it is locked.

2. Fold the seatback down from the inside of
the vehicle.
To raise the seatback, push the seatback up to return it to
its original position.
Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is latched
securely in the fully upright position.

1-7

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS), or air bag system.

CAUTION:
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.

CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people
to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using
a safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. See “Safety
Belt Reminder Light” in
the Index.

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

1-8

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have
a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!

Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.

1-9

Put someone on it.

1-10

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
doesn’t stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by something.

or the instrument panel ...

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

1-11

Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

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

1-12

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

If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to
wear safety belts?

Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in
most of them in the future. But they are
supplemental systems only; so they work with
safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag
system ever offered for sale has required the use of
safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially in side and other collisions.

If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?

You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you
and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond
your control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km)
of home. And the greatest number of serious
injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will
be riding in your vehicle, see the part of this
manual called “Children.” Follow those rules
for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.

1-13

Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to
wear it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see “Seats” in the Index.

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 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.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-14

5. 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’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts
of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or crash,
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

1-15

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster (Four-Door Models)
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you.

To move it down, squeeze the release button and move
the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move
the adjuster up just by pushing on the shoulder belt
guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it,
try to move it down without squeezing the release button
to make sure it has locked into position.
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.

1-16

What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly
as much protection this way.

1-17

What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:
You can be seriously injured if your belt is
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,
the belt would go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic
bones. This could cause serious internal injuries.
Always buckle your belt into the buckle
nearest you.

The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

1-18

What’s wrong with this?

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

The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should
be worn over the shoulder at all times.

1-19

What’s wrong with this?

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

The belt is twisted across the body.

1-20

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
The belt should go back out of the way.
Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the
belt and your vehicle.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below
the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.

1-21

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

Right Front Passenger Position
To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt
properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.
The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt -- except for one thing.
If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all
the way, you will engage the child restraint locking
feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the
way and start again.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
This part explains the Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) or air bag system.
Your vehicle has air bags -- one air bag for the driver
and another air bag for the right front passenger.
Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of
injury from the force of an inflating air bag. But these
air bags must inflate very quickly to do their job and
comply with federal regulations.

1-22

Here are the most important things to know about the air
bag system:

CAUTION:
You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if
you aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if you
have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things
inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air
bags are designed to work with safety belts, but
don’t replace them. Air bags are designed to
work only in moderate to severe crashes where
the front of your vehicle hits something. They
aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear or
low-speed frontal crashes, or in many side
crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants,
air bags may provide less protection in frontal
crashes than more forceful air bags have
provided in the past. Everyone in your vehicle
should wear a safety belt properly -- whether or
not there’s an air bag for that person.

CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, as you would be if you were leaning
forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety
belts help keep you in position before and
during a crash. Always wear your safety belt,
even with air bags. The driver should sit as far
back as possible while still maintaining control
of the vehicle.

CAUTION: (Continued)
children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety
belt system nor its air bag system is designed for
them. Young children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint system can
provide. Always secure children properly in your
vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual
called “Children.”

There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, which
shows AIR BAG.

CAUTION:
Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
the best protection for adults, but not for young
CAUTION: (Continued)

The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
for more information.

1-23

How the Air Bag System Works

The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.

1-24

When should an air bag inflate?

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

An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about 9 to 14 mph (14 to 23 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that
it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation
would not help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.

1-25

What makes an air bag inflate?

What will you see after an air bag inflates?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module -- the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
bag -- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, but not
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.

How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and many side impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions.

1-26

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

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

D Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.

D Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and

diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the system
commands air bag inflation and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment.

D Let only qualified technicians work on your air

bag system. Improper service can mean that your
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.

1-27

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

Rear Seat Passengers

Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.

It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

1-28

Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows 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 across
you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the
latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the
release button on the buckle is positioned so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

1-29

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’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go
over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the
body are best able to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash,
or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

1-30

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.

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults
Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added
safety belt comfort for older children who have
outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When
installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better
positions the belt away from the neck and head.
There is one guide for each outside passenger position in
the rear seat. To provide added safety belt comfort for
children who have outgrown child restraints and for
smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on
the shoulder belts.

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

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Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the
safety belt:

1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of
the seatback and the interior body to remove the
guide from its storage clip.

1-32

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

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

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions”
earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder
belt crosses the shoulder.
To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt
edges together so that you can take them out of the guides.
Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then
slide the guide onto the clip. Turn the guide and clip
inward and in between the seatback and the interior body,
leaving only the loop of the elastic cord exposed.

1-33

Center Passenger Position

Lap Belt

When you sit in the center seating position, you have a
lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt
longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

1-34

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.

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

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until
the belt is snug.
Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap
part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough,
see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.

1-35

CAUTION: (Continued)
For example, in a crash at only 25 mph
(40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly
become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s
arms. A baby should be secured in an
appropriate restraint.

CAUTION:
People should never hold a baby in their arms
while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh
much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will
become so heavy it is not possible to hold it.
CAUTION: (Continued)

1-36

What are the different types of add-on
child restraints?

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

CAUTION:
Children who are up against, or very close to, any
air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
outstanding protection for adults and older
children, but not for young children and infants.
Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air
bag system is designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide.

For most basic types of child restraints, there are
many different models available. When purchasing
a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in
a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a
label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle
safety standards.
The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come
with the restraint state the weight and height
limitations for a particular child restraint. In
addition, there are many kinds of restraints
available for children with special needs.

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CAUTION:
Newborn infants need complete support,
including support for the head and neck. This is
necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is
weak and its head weighs so much compared with
the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a
rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the
crash forces can be distributed across the
strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and
shoulders. Infants always should be secured in
appropriate infant restraints.

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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’s unprotected by any
bony structure. This alone could cause serious or
fatal injuries. Young children always should be
secured in appropriate child restraints.

Restraint Systems for Children

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

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

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

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

Q:
A:

How do child restraints work?
A child restraint system is any device designed for
use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built-in child restraint system is a
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on
child restraint system is a portable one, which is
purchased by the vehicle’s owner.
For many years, add-on child restraints have used
the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce
the chance of injury, the child also has to be
secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt
system secures the add-on child restraint in the
vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness
system holds the child in place within the restraint.

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. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.
When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the
instructions that come with the restraint which may be
on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this
manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so
if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from
the manufacturer.

One system, the three-point harness, has straps that
come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and
buckle together at the crotch. The five-point
harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip
straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the
place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder
straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low
against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type
shield has straps that are attached to a wide,
shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side.

1-41

Where to Put the Restraint
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, recommends that child
restraints be secured in the rear seat including an infant
riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a
booster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in
the front passenger seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure
a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat.
You may secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front seat, but before you do, always
move the front passenger seat as far back as it
will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.

1-42

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

Top Strap
Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.”
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored
to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints
are designed for use with or without the top strap being
anchored. Others require the top strap always to be
anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top
strap be anchored, don’t use the restraint unless it is
anchored properly.
If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one
can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit
is available.

Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to
secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap
when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions say.
Your vehicle has top strap anchors already installed for
the rear seating positions. You’ll find them behind the
rear seat on the filler panel.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored.
In the United States, some child restraints also have a
top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should
be anchored.
Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor
points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the
same side of the vehicle as the seating position where
the child restraint will be placed.

1-43

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll find
anchors (A) in the rear outside seat positions.
To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child
restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH
system will have a label sewn to the seatback at each
anchor position.
The labels are located near
the base of the two rear
outside seating positions.

1-44

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

CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t attached to
its anchorage points, the restraint won’t be able
to protect a child sitting there. In a crash, the
child could be seriously injured or killed. Make
sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is
properly installed using the anchorage points,
or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the
restraint. See “Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position” in the Index for
information on how to secure a child restraint in
your vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belts.
With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the
vehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint.

1-45

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position

1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want to
use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back
of the seat cushion.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Attach the anchor points on the child restraint to the
anchors in the vehicle. The child restraint
instructions will show you how.
4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach the top
strap to the top strap anchor. See “Top Strap” in the
Index. Tighten the top strap according to the child
restraint instructions.
5. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top
strap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect
the anchor points.

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, see “Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH)” in the Index.
You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the child
restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and
as the instructions say.
1. Put the restraint on the seat.
2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.

1-46

Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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

1-47

4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while
you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using
a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it
helpful to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
5. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

1-48

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Rear Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap belt. 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.
See the earlier part about the top strap if the child
restraint has one.

1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.
2. Put the restraint on the seat.
3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.

1-49

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you
push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a
forward-facing child restraint, you may find it
helpful to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger
child passenger.

1-50

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position

Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat.
You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the child
restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and
as the instructions say.

Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never
put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before 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
shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt
through or around the restraint. The child
restraint instructions will show you how.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.

1-51

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

1-52

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

6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down
on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.

1-53

Older Children

Q:
A:

What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
If possible, an older child should wear a
lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should
not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the
thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen,
which could cause severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

1-54

CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.

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?

Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child’s face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.

1-55

CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the
child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-56

Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach
it to the regular safety belt.

Checking Your 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
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH
system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system wasn’t being used at the time
of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

1-57

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-4
2-6
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2-14
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2-30
2-31
2-33

Windows
Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
Trunk
Theft
PasslockR
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transaxle Only)
2-

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2-34
2-34
2-35
2-36
2-36
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2-46
2-48
2-50
2-50
2-51
2-51
2-52
2-56

Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal (Manual
Transaxle Models Only)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
Sun Visors
Sunroof (Option)
The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-1

Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by
the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-2

Manual Windows

Auto-Down Switch

On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.

The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
Pull the top of the switch partway, and the driver’s
window will open a small amount. If the switch is
pulled all the way, the window will go all the way down.

Power Windows (If Equipped)

To stop the window while it is lowering, push the
switch forward. To raise the window, push and hold
the switch forward.
Lock-Out Switch
On four-door models, the driver’s power window
controls also include a lock-out switch. When the
lock-out switch is moved to the left (with the red
showing), the driver and passengers will be able to use
their window switches. Move the lock-out switch to
the right to stop the passengers from using their window
switches. The driver can still control all the windows
with the lock on.
The power window switches are located on the armrest
on the driver’s door. In addition, each passenger door
has a window switch.

2-3

Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-4

One key is used for the
ignition and all locks.

Each tag has a key code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tag in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have one made easily using this tag. If you need a
new key, go to your dealer for the correct key code.
See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index for
more information.

NOTICE:
When a new vehicle is delivered, the key has a
bar-coded key tag. This tag may be removed by your
dealer before it is delivered.

Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore you can have a
lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.

2-5

Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
D Passengers -- especially children -- can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the
handle won’t open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
D Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
D Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.

2-6

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or remote keyless entry
system, if your vehicle is equipped with this feature.

From the inside, you can lock or unlock the door by
pushing the manual lever forward or rearward.

Power Door Locks

Customizing the Automatic Door Locks

With the power door locks, you can unlock or lock all of
the doors on your vehicle using the driver’s or front
passenger’s door lock switch.

One of four operating modes may be selected and
programmed by the driver on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle:

Push the top of the switch to unlock all of the doors.
Push the bottom of the switch to lock all the doors.

Programmable Automatic Door Locks
Just close the doors and turn on the ignition. All of
the doors will lock when you move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) to REVERSE (R) on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle. All of the doors will lock when the
vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) on vehicles
with a manual transaxle.
If someone needs to get out while the vehicle is running,
have that person use the door lock. When the door is
closed again, it will lock automatically when the vehicle
reaches about 5 mph (8 km/h).
All doors will automatically unlock when the shift lever
is moved to PARK (P) on vehicles with an automatic
transaxle or to REVERSE (R) on vehicles with a manual
transaxle and the key is turned to OFF.

D Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when the

transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). The doors will
remain locked unless manually unlocked or the lock
button is pressed. All doors will unlock when the
transaxle is shifted into PARK (P) and the key is
turned to OFF.

D Mode 2: This mode is only available on vehicle’s

equipped with a remote keyless entry transmitter.
All doors automatically lock when the transaxle is
shifted out of PARK (P). Only the driver’s door will
unlock when the transaxle is shifted into PARK(P)
and the key is turned to OFF.

D Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when the

transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). No automatic
door unlock.

D Mode 4: No automatic door lock or unlock.

2-7

One of the four operating modes may be selected
and programmed by the driver on vehicles with a
manual transaxle:

Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory it was
programmed in Mode 1. To determine the current mode
or to change to a different mode, do the following:

D Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when the

1. Put an automatic transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle in REVERSE (R) with the parking brake
engaged and turn the ignition to ON.

vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). The
doors will remain locked unless manually unlocked
or the lock button is pressed. All doors will unlock
when the transaxle is shifted into REVERSE (R)
and the key is turned to OFF.

D Mode 2: This mode is only available on vehicle’s

equipped with a remote keyless entry transmitter.
All doors automatically lock when the vehicle speed
is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). Only the driver’s
door will unlock when the transaxle is shifted into
REVERSE (R) and the key is turned to OFF.

D Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when the

vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). No
automatic door unlock.

D Mode 4: No automatic door lock or unlock.

2-8

2. Press and hold LOCK on the power door lock switch
for 10 seconds. Release the switch when you hear
the chime.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is in.
You can change the mode by pressing and holding
LOCK on the power door lock switch (two chimes
for Mode 2, three chimes for Mode 3 and four
chimes for Mode 4).
4. Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
The mode you selected is now set.

Delayed Locking
This feature will allow the driver to delay the actual
locking of the vehicle. This feature will not operate
if the key is left in the ignition. See “Anti-Lockout
Protection” later in this section.

Rear Door Security Locks
(Four-Door Models)
Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks
that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors
on your vehicle from the inside.

When LOCK on the driver’s power door lock switch
is pressed, with the key removed from the ignition and
the driver’s door open, three chimes will be heard. The
doors will not lock. Seven seconds after the driver’s
door has been closed, all of the doors will lock and the
parking lamps will flash. The horn will also chirp if the
horn chirp feature is enabled. See “Programmable Horn
Chirp” in the Index for more information.

The switch is located on
the inside of the rear door.

If the driver opens another door before the seven
seconds, the doors will not lock until seven seconds after
the last door is closed.
If the power door lock switch is pressed to LOCK
twice when leaving the vehicle, or the LOCK button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the doors
will lock immediately.
If the power door lock switch is pressed to unlock, the
doors will not lock automatically.

To use the security locks, do the following:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.

2-9

The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use. If you want to
open a rear door when the security lock is on, do
the following:
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 or
older children who ride in the rear won’t be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel the locks.
To cancel the rear door lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open it from
the outside.
2. Move the switch down.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear doors will now work normally.

2-10

Anti-Lockout Protection
Anti-Lockout Protection is a standard feature intended
to provide enhanced security and convenience. This
feature prevents a driver who has left the keys in the
ignition from locking the doors or using the power door
locks while any door is open.
To override this feature, when the key is in the ignition
and a door is open, hold the power door lock switch for
three seconds.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of your vehicle. If you don’t leave the keys
in the ignition, or if you use the manual door lock,
or if you use the remote keyless entry transmitter
(if equipped), you could still lock your keys inside your
vehicle. Always remember to take your keys with you.

Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, open your door and
set the locks from the inside, then get out and close
the door.

Remote Keyless Entry System
(If Equipped)

Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.

If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry
transmitter supplied with 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:

Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.

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

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

D Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may

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

vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left
or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

D Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions that follow.

D If you’re still having trouble, see your dealer
or a qualified technician for service.

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Operation
The following functions are
available with the keyless
entry system:

(Remote Trunk Release): The trunk will unlock
when the vehicle symbol on the transmitter is pressed, as long
as the trunk lockout is not engaged. You can open the trunk
with the transmitter when the vehicle speed is less than 2 mph
(3 km/h), when the parking brake is engaged, or when
the ignition is off. The interior lamps will come on for
10 seconds or until the ignition switch is turned to ON.
(Horn): The horn will sound and the headlamps
and the parking lamps will flash for up to two minutes
when the horn symbol on the transmitter is pressed.
The interior lamps will come on and remain on while
the horn is sounding and the lamps are flashing. The
horn and lamps can be turned off by pressing the horn
symbol button again or by turning the ignition to ON.

(Lock): All doors will automatically lock when this
button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior lamps
will turn off after all of the doors are closed. If all of the
doors are closed, the parking lamps will flash twice and
the horn will chirp to indicate locking has occurred.
(Unlock): The driver’s door will unlock
automatically when this button on the transmitter is
pressed. If the button is pressed again within five
seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will stay on for 10 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on. The parking lamps will flash twice to indicate
unlocking has occurred.

2-12

Programmable Horn Chirp
When you use the remote keyless entry transmitter to
lock the doors or use the delayed locking feature the
parking lamps will flash and the horn will chirp.
The programmable horn chirp can be disabled by
pressing and holding either of the door lock switches in
the unlock position for 10 seconds with the ignition ON
and all of the doors closed. When you hear the horn
chirp, programming is complete.
To reactivate the horn chirp feature, repeat the
above procedure.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Battery Replacement

Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.

Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about four years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.

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

2-13

To replace the battery in the keyless entry transmitter do
the following:
1. Use a thin coin or similar object to separate the
bottom 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 faces
up. Use one three-volt, CR2032, or equivalent,
type battery.
3. Put the two halves back together. Make sure the
cover is on tightly, so water won’t get in.

Trunk
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the trunk lock cylinder or use the remote keyless
entry transmitter (if equipped).
When closing the trunk, close from the center to ensure
it fully latches.

2-14

Remote Trunk Release

CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:
D Make sure all other windows are shut.
D Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on Vent. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
D If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

Press the remote trunk release button, located on the
driver’s door, to release the trunk lid.
Make sure the remote trunk release lockout feature
is not activated. Also, the remote trunk release will
only work when either the ignition is off, the parking
brake is engaged or the vehicle speed is less than
2 mph (3 km/h).

2-15

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

When the lockout is on, the remote trunk release button
on the driver’s door will not release the trunk lid.
However, the trunk lid can still be opened with the key,
but not with the keyless entry transmitter (if equipped).

Trunk Release Handle

To turn the lockout on, slide the switch all the way to the
left, to ON. To turn the lockout off, slide the switch all
the way to the right, to OFF.

2-16

NOTICE:
The trunk release handle was not designed to be
used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk release handle could damage it.
There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located
inside the trunk on the trunk latch. This handle will glow
following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up to
open the trunk from the inside.

Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit
To help prevent a child from becoming trapped in your
trunk, you can order a trap-resistant trunk kit from your
dealer. This kit includes:

D a modified trunk latch,
D a lighted release handle, and
D seatback tethers (for vehicles with folding

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

Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition and transaxle will be locked. And
remember to lock the doors.

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

rear seatbacks).

See your dealer for additional information.

2-17

Parking Lots

PasslockR

Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it’s still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your key?

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

D If possible, park in a busy, well-lit area.
D Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove box.

D
D
D
D
D
D

Be sure to close and lock the storage area.
Close all windows.
Move the trunk release lockout switch to ON.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.

2-18

Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder has not been
tampered with.
During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off approximately five seconds after the ignition key is
turned to ON and the engine is started.
After attempting to start the engine, if the SECURITY
light flashes or stays on, wait ten minutes with the key in
ON until the light goes off. Then turn the ignition to
OFF before attempting to start the engine again.
See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index for
more information.

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
D Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
D Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
D Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.

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

A (OFF): This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. With an automatic transaxle, the shift
lever must be in PARK (P) with the ignition in OFF to
remove the key. With a manual transaxle, the shift lever
must be in REVERSE (R) with the ignition in OFF to
remove the key. A warning chime will sound if you
open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and the
key is in the ignition.

2-19

NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY): This position unlocks the transaxle.
It also lets you use things like the radio and windshield
wipers when the engine is not running. To use
ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise to the first position.
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed,
but never try to push-start your vehicle.
C (ON): This position is where the key returns to after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in ON when the engine is running. But even when
the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate
your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
D (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.

2-20

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to OFF.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in ON or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from ON to OFF,
the radio will continue to work for up to 10 minutes or
until the driver’s door is opened.

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

NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.

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

Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTECt Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.

NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start, wait about 15 seconds and try
again to start the engine by turning the ignition key
to START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.

When your engine has run about 10 seconds to warm
up, 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), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.

NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.

2-21

Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine warms up.

NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If the engine doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key to START. Do this until the
engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of the key.

2-22

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. If the engine still
won’t start or starts briefly but then stops again,
repeat Step 1 or 2, depending on temperature.
When the engine starts, release the key and the
accelerator pedal.

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)

3400 V6 Engine
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

In very cold weather, 0_F (-18_C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can help. You’ll 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.

2-23

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine the engine
coolant heater cord is located in front of the engine
coolant surge tank on the passenger’s side of the
engine compartment. On the 3400 V6 engine the
engine coolant heater cord is located near the engine
air cleaner/filter.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

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

2-24

Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.

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

CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to apply
your regular brake before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting Out of
PARK (P)” later in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
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 “Stuck
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

2-25

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

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

D Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
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 could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

2-26

D Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the

accelerator all the way down. You’ll shift down to
the next gear and have more power.

NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.

THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here
are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

D When driving on hilly, winding roads.
D When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

D When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.

NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
THIRD (3) as much as possible. Don’t shift
into SECOND (2) unless you are going slower
than 65 mph (105 km/h) or you can damage
your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.

2-27

Here’s how to operate your transaxle:

NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t turn, don’t try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You can damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

Manual Transaxle Operation
This is your shift pattern.
The clutch must be fully
pressed in when shifting a
manual transaxle to ensure
the transaxle is fully in gear.

FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift
to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.

2-28

REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and lift up on the ring on the shift lever to shift
into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly
while pressing the accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:
Shift into REVERSE (R) only after your
vehicle is stopped. Shifting into REVERSE (R)
while your vehicle is moving could damage
your transaxle.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brakes,
for parking your vehicle.
Once the shift lever is in REVERSE (R) the ignition can
be turned to OFF and the key removed.

Shift Speeds

CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Don’t shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle) (If Equipped)
If you have a manual
transaxle, you may have a
SHIFT light. This light will
show you when to shift to
the next higher gear for the
best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if the weather, road and traffic conditions let
you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.

2-29

Parking Brake

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

NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.

Automatic Transaxle shown,
Manual Transaxle similar
To set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brake
handle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.

2-30

If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

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 won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.

D Hold in the button on the handle.
D Push the handle all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.

3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-31

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)

CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).

2-32

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle 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)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)

Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)

Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in ON. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.

Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R) and firmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed
in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the
key and release the clutch. See “Manual Transaxle
Operation” in the Index.

If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the regular brake until the end
of Step 5.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the ignition key to START, to start the vehicle.
5. Shift to the drive gear you want.
6. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.

2-33

Parking Over Things That Burn

Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:

CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-34

Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
D Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
D Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
D Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
D Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
D Repairs weren’t done correctly.
D Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
D Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
D Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)
It’s 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.”
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See “Blizzard” in the Index.

CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol
on your steering wheel.

2-35

Tilt Wheel

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter
your vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.

The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-36

D
D
D
D

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Flash-to-Pass
Exterior Lamps Control

For information on the exterior lamps, see “Exterior
Lamps” later in this section.

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

Lamps On Reminder

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.

If you open the driver’s door and turn off the
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.

To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).

To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster also will be on
if the ignition is in ON.

To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.

Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.

2-37

Windshield Wipers

For steady wiping at low speed, move the lever up to
the LO position. For high-speed wiping, move the
lever up further, to HI. To stop the wipers, move the
lever to OFF.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short
delay between wipes. This can be very useful in light
rain or snow.
Move the lever to INT (Intermittent), then turn the inner
band, labeled INT ADJ (Intermittent Adjustment), and
choose the delay you want. Turn the inner band up for
shorter delay times between wiper cycles. Turn the band
down for a longer delay time between wiper cycles.

You control the windshield wipers by moving the lever
with the wiper symbol on it up or down.
For a single wiper cycle, push the lever down to
MIST, then release it. For more cycles, hold the lever
down longer.

2-38

Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent
you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your
blades do become damaged, get new blades or
blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control (If Equipped)

To wash your windshield, press the button at the end of
the stalk until the washers begin.

CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
When you release the button, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about three times or
will resume the speed you were using before.

The cruise control buttons are located on the bottom of
the steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h).

2-39

The cruise control will turn off if any of the
following occur:

D
D
D
D
D

the automatic transaxle is shifted to NEUTRAL (N),

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
“Enhanced Traction System” in the Index. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.

the parking brake is applied, or

Setting Cruise Control

The brakes are applied,
the clutch pedal is applied (manual transaxle),

the brake system warning light is on.

CAUTION:
CAUTION:
D Cruise control can be dangerous where you

can’t drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.

If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press cruise ON OFF. An indicator light will come
on when ON OFF is pressed.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET COAST button and release it. The
CRUISE light on the instrument panel will come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

2-40

Resuming a Set Speed

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it. Once
you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL
(Resume/Accelerate) button briefly.

There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you press the RESUME ACCEL button longer, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
button or apply the brake. So unless you want to go
faster, don’t hold down the RESUME ACCEL button.

D Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET COAST button, then release the
button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise
at the higher speed.

D Press the RESUME ACCEL button. Hold it there

until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the button. To increase your speed in very
small amounts, press the RESUME ACCEL button
briefly and then release it. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pressing the SET COAST button.

2-41

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

Ending Out of Cruise Control

There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:

D Press the SET COAST button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.

D Step lightly on the brake pedal.
D Press the cruise control RESUME ACCEL button
and the SET COAST buttons at the same time.

D To slow down in very small amounts, press the SET

D Press cruise ON OFF.
D Push the clutch pedal if you have a manual transaxle.

Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control

Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory

Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

COAST button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.

2-42

Exterior Lamps

The exterior lamp control has three positions:
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to
this position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:

D
D
D
D

Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights

(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

The lever on the left side of of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.

AUTO: Turning the control to this position will turn
the headlamps, taillamps and parking lamps on and off
automatically, while the ignition is on, by sensing how
dark it is outside. For more information see “Automatic
Light Control” later in this section.

: Turn the outside part of the lever with the symbol
on it, to operate the lamps.

2-43

Daytime Running Lamps

Automatic Light Control (ALC)

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your high-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.

D The ignition is on,
D the exterior lamps control is in the AUTO or parking

The ALC system may also be on when driving through
a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.

D the light sensor detects daytime light,
D the parking brake is released, and
D the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with an

There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.

When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will
not be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior
lamps control to the parking lamp position.

To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the parking brake.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.

lamps only position,

automatic transaxle only.

2-44

Headlamps Dim to Park
To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control
to the AUTO or headlamp position.

Fog Lamps
The button for your fog
lamps is located on the
instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel, beside
the instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel.

Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the exterior lamps control located
on the multi-function lever up one position and then
back to AUTO.

When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low-beam headlamps.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Press the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.

2-45

Interior Lamps

Illuminated Entry/Exit System

Instrument Panel Brightness Control

When you lift the driver’s door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out about 10 seconds after all of the doors have
been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON. These
lamps will also go on when you press the trunk release,
unlock symbol button or the horn symbol button on the
keyless entry system transmitter (if equipped).

This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.

The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.

Mirror Reading Lamps
Press the button on the bottom portion of the rearview
mirror to turn on the lamps. Press the other side of the
button to turn the lamps off.

The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
Move the thumbwheel to the right to increase brightness
and to the left to decrease brightness.

2-46

Three-Position Dome Lamp (If Equipped)

Battery Saver

The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel brightness thumbwheel is moved to the
right. The OFF position will shut off the lamp
completely, even when a door is opened.

Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.

Your vehicle may also have two reading lamps as part
of the dome lamp. Push the lens of either lamp to turn
them on and off.

Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.

When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery saver system will automatically
shut the lamp off after 20 minutes. This will avoid
draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

D Lift the driver’s door handle,
D open any door,
D press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped),

D press the power door lock switch,
D press the remote trunk release button, or
D turn the lamp that was left on to off then to on again.

2-47

Mirrors

Manual Remote Control Mirror

Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror

The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you are
sitting in a comfortable driving position.

This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Then adjust the angle of the
mirror, by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from any headlamps behind you, move
the lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.

2-48

Adjust the driver’s side outside mirror with the lever on
the driver’s door.
To adjust your passenger’s outside mirror, sit in the
driver’s seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror
for you.

Power Remote Control Mirrors
(If Equipped)
This selector knob
controls both outside
rearview mirrors.

Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.

CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Select the mirror you want to adjust by turning the knob
to the left or right. Adjust each mirror so that you can
see the side of your vehicle and the area beside and
behind your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Turn the knob to the center to turn the remote control
mirror off.

2-49

Storage Compartments

Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter

Glove Box

To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.

Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove box handle up.

NOTICE:

Center Console Storage Area
The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc. To open, pull up on the
front of the lid.

Don’t put papers and other things that burn
into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or
other smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.

Rear Seat Cupholder
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholder.

Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you’re not using it.

2-50

NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
You can also remove the cigarette lighter to plug in
additional accessories. Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions that are included with any
electrical accessory you install.

Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side. The visors also have
extenders that you can pull out for added coverage.

Visor Vanity Mirror
Swing down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose
the vanity mirror.

Sunroof (Option)
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the switch is located on
the headliner between the sun visors. The sunroof will
only operate when the ignition is in ON.

To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release it.
In both the vent and fully open positions, the air flow
can be adjusted for driving comfort by pushing and
holding the switch forward until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.
To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if the
switch is released during operation. Remember to close
the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.

The sunroof can be opened to a vent position or it can be
express-opened all the way.

NOTICE:

To open the sunroof to the vent position, you must first
open the sunshade by hand. Then push the switch back
and release it.

Do not attempt to force the sunshade forward of
the sliding glass panel. Damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly.

2-51

The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System

2-52

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Fog Lamp Button

K. Hood Release Handle

B. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel

L. Tilt Wheel Lever

C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Horn

M. Audio System Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)

E. Instrument Panel Cluster

N. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped)

F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever

O. Shift Lever

G. Ignition Switch

P. Cigarette Lighter

H. Enhanced Traction System Button

Q. Climate Control System

I. Hazard Warning Flashers Button

R. Audio System

J. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks

2-53

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 have, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that
are explained on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.

Automatic Transaxle Cluster shown Manual Transaxle Cluster and Canada Cluster similar

2-54

Speedometer and Odometer

Tachometer

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).
Your vehicle has a tamper resistant odometer. The
digital odometer will read 999,999 if someone tries to
turn it back.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the
mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be. But if
it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be put on
the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when
the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far you have driven
since you last reset it.
The reset button is located next to the trip odometer. To
reset the trip odometer to zero, press and hold the reset
button for one to two seconds while the trip odometer is
displayed. Also by pressing this button, for less than one
second you can toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer.

The tachometer shows your engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).

NOTICE:
Do not run your engine at speeds in the red area,
or engine damage may occur.

2-55

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. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you
are familiar with this section, you should not be
alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.

2-56

When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning
lights and gages. They’re a big help.

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds.

If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.

Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag modules, the wiring and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag”
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.

CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.

2-57

Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come on
when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and you
hear a chime, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while
this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.

2-58

Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)
(If Equipped)
This light comes on when
you need to shift to the next
higher gear. See “Manual
Transaxle” in the Index.

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See “Towing Your Vehicle” in
the Index.

If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.

CAUTION:

United States

Canada

This light should come on briefly when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s
a problem.

Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also 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.

2-59

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake System
Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-60

Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
With the Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this warning
light should come on briefly
as you start the engine.

If the warning light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on when you’re
driving, there may be a problem with your Enhanced
Traction System and your vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:

D If you turn the system off by pressing the ETS button
located on the instrument panel above the audio
system, the warning light will come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on, press the button again.
The warning light should go off. See “Enhanced
Traction System” in the Index for more information.

D If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.

D If the vehicle is driven on an extremely rough

road, the warning light may come on momentarily
but will go off again when the vehicle leaves the
rough surface.

If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on and the parking brake is fully
released, your vehicle needs service.

Enhanced Traction System Active Light
When your Enhanced
Traction System is
limiting wheel spin,
this light will come on.

Slippery road conditions may exist if the Enhanced
Traction System active light comes on, so adjust your
driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.

2-61

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briefly when you turn
your ignition on.

United States

Canada

This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area, the light comes on
and you hear a chime, your engine is too hot! It means
that your engine coolant has overheated.
The “Problems on the Road” section of this manual
shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.

If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a
chime, the coolant level in your vehicle is low. See
“Engine Coolant” in the Index. If the light is on
along with an overheat warning, you may have a serious
overheating problem. See “Engine Coolant Temperature
Gage” in the Index.

NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected coolant
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
See “Engine Overheating” in the Index for information
on what to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as soon
as possible.

2-62

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.

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 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.
This system is also designed to assist your service
technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.

NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.

NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transaxle,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission controls
and may cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light to come on. Modifications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.

2-63

This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

D Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been

detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

D Light On Steady -- An emission control

system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

D
D
D
D

Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

2-64

If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See “Filling Your Tank” in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.

Have you recently changed brands of fuel?

Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs

If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
“Fuel” in the Index. 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.

Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.

If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.

Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON light is on or not
working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be considered
not ready for inspection. This can happen if you have
recently replaced your battery or if your battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is designed to evaluate
critical emission control systems during normal driving.
This may take several days of routine driving. If you
have done this and your vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD system readiness, see your
dealer or qualified service center to prepare the vehicle
for inspection.

2-65

Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine oil
pressure problem, this light
will stay on after you start
your engine, or come on
and you will hear a chime
when you are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving enough
oil. The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it fixed immediately.
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when the engine is
running. If it doesn’t come on with the ignition on, you
may have a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have it fixed
right away.

2-66

CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.

NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.

Low Oil Light (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped
with a 3400 V6 engine, then
you will have a LOW OIL
light on your instrument
panel cluster.

The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between when the key is on and
the engine is cranking. It does not monitor engine oil
level when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil
level check is only performed if the engine has been
turned off for a considerable period of time allowing the
oil normally in circulation to drain back into the oil pan.

Change Oil Light

If the light stays on after starting your vehicle, or comes
on and chimes while you are driving, your engine oil
level should be checked.

The CHANGE OIL light
should come on briefly
as a bulb check when
you start the engine. If the
light doesn’t come on,
have it serviced.

Prior to checking the oil level, be sure your vehicle has
been shut off for several minutes and is on a level
surface. Check the oil level on your dipstick and bring it
to the proper level. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.

If the CHANGE OIL light comes on and stays on after
you start the engine, have the oil changed.

This light will come on briefly when you start
your vehicle.

A false LOW OIL light may be generated when parking
on steep grades.

For additional information, see “Engine Oil, When to
Change” in the Index. To reset the Oil Life Monitor, see
“Engine Oil Life Monitor” in the Index.

2-67

Security Light

Low Washer Light
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
ON and will stay on until
the vehicle starts.

If you’re driving and the security light comes on and
remains on, your PasslockR system is not working
properly. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock and
you should see your dealer.

Cruise Light (If Equipped)
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set your
cruise control.

This light will come on
briefly when you turn on
the ignition.

It will also stay on, or come on and a chime will sound,
if the windshield washer fluid reservoir is less than
one-third full.

Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn on
the ignition.

It will stay on, or come on and a chime will sound if
it detects a problem on the vehicle, such as a Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) or an Automatic Light Control
(ALC) malfunction. If this happens, see your dealer as
soon as possible.

2-68

Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:

Fuel Gage

D At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.

D It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the

gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill
the tank.

D The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.

United States

Canada

D The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.

Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you
have left, when the ignition is on. When the indicator
nears empty, the light will come on and you will hear a
chime. You still have a little fuel left, but you should get
more soon.

2-69

Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3-2
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-4
3-5
3-5
3-6
3-6
3-7

Comfort Controls
Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning
Heating
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Rear Window Defogger
Ventilation System
Audio Systems
Setting the Clock
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Programmable Equalization and Radio
Data System (RDS)

3-15

3-26
3-27
3-28
3-28
3-29
3-30
3-30
3-30
3-30

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Programmable
Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)
(If Equipped)
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
Understanding Radio Reception
Tips About Your Audio System
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
Care of Your Compact Discs
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
Fixed Mast Antenna
Chime Level Adjustment

3-1

Comfort Controls

Temperature Knob

With this system, you can control the ventilation
and heating in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has
the flow-through ventilation system described later
in this section.

The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.

Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning

Mode Knob
The right knob changes the functions of your system.
MAX (Maximum): Use this mode for
maximum cooling. This setting recirculates much of
the air inside your vehicle. It maximizes your air
conditioner’s performance and your vehicle’s fuel
economy. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this position when it is needed to
help dry the air in the vehicle.
(Vent): In this mode most of the airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor vents. Set the center knob to
the desired temperature for comfort.

Fan Knob
The left knob regulates the fan speed. To select the force
of air you want, turn the knob. The fan is always
running unless the fan knob is moved to OFF.

3-2

(Bi-Level): In this position the airflow
comes through the instrument panel outlets and
through the floor outlets. Set the center knob to the
desired temperature.

(Floor): In this mode most of the airflow comes
through the floor outlets. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window vents. Set the
center knob to the desired temperature for comfort.
(Defog): This mode divides the airflow between
the floor outlets and the windshield defroster vent. The
air conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this mode when it is needed to help dry the air in
the vehicle.
(Front Defroster): This mode directs most of the
airflow through the windshield defroster vent. Some of
the air goes to the floor outlets. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this mode when it
is needed to help dry the air in the vehicle.
Mode Button
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press A/C to operate the
air conditioning. The indicator light above the button
will glow when the button is pressed to indicate that the
air conditioning system has been turned on. The fan
knob must be set to a speed for the air conditioning
to operate.

Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
For normal cooling on hot days, use the vent mode with
the temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C
indicator light glowing. The system will bring in outside
air and cool it.
On very hot days, begin by opening the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should
help fuel economy.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use bi-level mode with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C indicator light glowing. The
system will bring in outside air and direct slightly
warmer air to your lower body.

3-3

Heating

Defogging and Defrosting Windows

On cold days, use floor mode with the temperature knob
all the way in the red area. The system will bring in
outside air, heat it and send it to the floor outlets.

Your system has two modes for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.

Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats
clear of objects so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.

To defrost the front window quickly, turn the
temperature knob all the way in the red area. Use front
defroster and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To
warm passengers while keeping the front window clean,
use defog.

If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside (0_F (-18_C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant in your engine and heating
system that is used to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.

Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located on
the outside of the side instrument panel vents. To defrost
the side windows, turn the temperature knob all the way
in the red area. Use floor mode and adjust the fan to the
highest speed.
To defog the side windows while using air conditioning,
use bi-level mode and adjust the fan to the highest speed
and press the A/C button so that the indicator light is
glowing. For added airflow to the side windows, aim
the side vents toward the windows and close the
center vents.

3-4

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The button is located
near the center of the
instrument panel.

NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or anything else sharp on
the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

Ventilation System

Press the defogger button. The indicator light above the
button will glow. The rear window defogger will turn
itself off after about 10 minutes after the first time the
button is pressed, and after five minutes each additional
time the button is pressed. You can turn the defogger off
by pressing the button again or turning off the ignition.

For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use the vent mode to direct outside
air through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow-through ventilation system which supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
is running. Recirculation of the air is automatic in
MAX A/C.

Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.

3-5

Ventilation Tips

D Keep the hood and the area around the windshield
wipers free of ice, snow or any other obstruction,
such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work
better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside
of your windows.

D Keep the air path under the front seats clear of

objects, to help air circulate throughout your vehicle.

D When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is

encountered, use MAX, with the temperature knob
at a comfortable setting to prevent the odor from
being drawn into the vehicle through the ventilation
system. For example, this usage of recirculation can
be helpful when driving through a long tunnel with
poor ventilation. However, extended usage of
recirculation in cold or cool weather can cause
window fogging.

Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index.

Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR or MIN for two seconds. Then
press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. AM
will appear on the display. Press and hold MIN until the
correct minute appears. The clock may be set with the
ignition on or off.
To set the clock to the time of an FM station
broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) information,
press and hold HR and MIN at the same time for
two seconds until TIME UPDATED and the clock
symbol appear on the display. If the time is not available
from the station, NO UPDATE will appear on the
display instead.

3-6

AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data System (RDS)

VOL (Volume): Turn the knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.
SCV (Speed-Compensated Volume): With SCV,
your audio system adjusts automatically to make up for
road and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the
desired level. Press this button to select MIN, MED or
MAX. Each higher choice allows for more volume
compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you
drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as
necessary, to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same to you as you drive.
If you don’t want to use SCV, select OFF.
RCL (Recall): Push this knob to display the station
being played and to display the clock. Pressing this knob
with the ignition off will display the clock.

If your vehicle (coupe only) is equipped with the
Monsoon audio system, included are eight speakers
and an eight channel amplifier. The radio will display
MONSOON when the radio or the ignition is turned on.
See your dealer for details.
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power): Push this knob to turn the system on
and off.

Finding a Station
BAND: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.
TUNE: Turn this knob to choose radio stations.
SEEK : Press the up or down arrow to go to the
next or previous station and stay there. The sound will
mute while seeking.

3-7

SCAN : Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows
for two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and
you hear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play for a
few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press one of
the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning. The sound will
mute while scanning.
To scan preset stations, press and hold one of the SCAN
arrows for more than four seconds until PSCAN and the
preset number appear on the display. You will hear a
double beep. The radio will go to the first preset station
stored on your pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then
go on to the next preset station. This feature will only
scan the six presets that are in the selected band. Press
one of the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning presets.
The radio will scan preset stations with a strong signal
only. The sound will mute while scanning.

Setting Preset Stations
The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to
your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations
(six AM, six FM1 and six FM2) by performing the
following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press BAND to select AM, FM1 or FM2.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press EQ to select the equalization.
5. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons
until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the station you set will return
and the equalization that you selected will also be
automatically selected for that pushbutton.
6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

3-8

Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
TONE: Press and release this button until BASS,
MID or TREB appears on the display. The SELECT
LED indicator will light to show that the tone control
can be adjusted. When adjusting BASS, MID or TREB,
turn the SELECT knob clockwise to increase or
counterclockwise to decrease. If a station is weak or
noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.
To adjust all of the tone controls to the middle position,
press and hold TONE until FLAT appears on the display.
EQ (Equalizer): This feature allows you to choose
preset bass, mid and treble equalization settings
designed for different program types. Press EQ to select
the desired preset equalization setting. Each time you
press EQ, another setting will appear on the display.

You can preset up to six equalization settings by
performing the following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Use the TONE button and the SELECT knob to
select the desired equalization.
3. Press and hold EQ for two seconds. SELECT EQ #
will appear on the display. The EQ icon will flash.
4. Press EQ or turn the SELECT knob to select the
desired EQ number. Each time you press EQ or turn
the SELECT knob, another EQ setting will appear on
the display.
5. Press and hold the EQ button or push the SELECT
knob to store the equalization preset. You will hear a
beep and EQ SAVED will appear on the display.
6. Repeat the steps for each EQ setting.
EQ 5 has been programmed at the factory for use with
talk radio, but it can be preset to a different tone.

3-9

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL (Balance): Press and release this button until BAL
appears on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will
light to show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the left or right
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.
FADE: Press and release this button until FADE appears
on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will light to
show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the front or rear
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.
Pressing and holding the BAL FADE button for
two seconds will return all speaker settings to the
middle position.
Using RDS
Your audio system is equipped with a Radio Data
System (RDS). RDS is a system that receives data
along with the audio of the FM station you are
currently tuned to.

3-10

You can use RDS to display program information
and to control your radio. With RDS, the radio can
do the following:

D Seek only to stations with the types of programs
you want to listen to,

D seek to stations with traffic announcements,
D receive announcements concerning local and
national emergencies, and

D receive and display messages from radio stations.
RDS is always on. RDS features are only available for
use on FM stations which broadcast RDS information.
The RDS features of your radio rely upon receiving
specific RDS information from these stations. These
features will only work when the RDS 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.
When you are tuned to an RDS station, the station name
will appear on the display, instead of the frequency.
Most RDS stations provide their station name, the time
of day and a Program Type (PTY) for their current
programming. Some stations also provide the name of
the current program.

Finding a PTY Station
PROG TYPE (Program Type): This button is used to
turn on and off Program Type (PTY) select. P-TYPE
will appear on the display and the SELECT LED
indicator will light. The last selected PTY will appear on
the display for five seconds. Turn the SELECT knob to
select the PTY you want to listen to. Press the SEEK up
arrow and the radio will search for an RDS station that
is broadcasting the PTY that you have selected. The last
PTY selected will be used for seek or scan modes. When
the SELECT LED indicator is on and a PTY is not
displayed, the first time SEEK is pressed, the last
selected PTY will be displayed. Press the SEEK up
arrow again to seek. If a station with the selected PTY is
not found, NOT FOUND will appear on the display.
To use the PTY interrupt feature, press and hold PROG
TYPE until you hear a beep on the PTY you want to
interrupt. An asterisk will appear next to the PTY name,
for example (CLASSICAL*). The radio will also
display brackets around the PTY when the PTY
interrupt is active. To disable the PTY interrupt,
select the interrupt format and press and hold the
PROG TYPE button until you hear a beep. The
asterisk will be removed from the display and so will the
brackets. When you are listening to a compact disc, the
last selected RDS FM station will interrupt play if that
selected PTY format is broadcast.

BAND (Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequency
allows the radio to switch to a stronger station with the
same programming. Press and hold BAND for two
seconds to turn alternate frequency on. AF ON will
appear on the display. The radio may switch to stronger
stations. Press and hold BAND again for two seconds to
turn alternate frequency off. AF OFF will appear on the
display. The radio will not switch to other stations.
Setting Preset PTY Stations
The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to
your favorite Program Types (PTYs). These
pushbuttons have factory PTY presets. You can
set up to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2) by
performing the following steps:
1. Press AM FM to select FM1 or FM2.
2. Press PROG TYPE, if it is not already on.
3. Turn the SELECT knob to select a PTY.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons
until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the PTY you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

3-11

3-12

INFO (Information): If the current station has a
message, INFO will appear on the display. These text
messages are from the RDS broadcaster to the listening
public and may be general information such as artist and
song title, call in phone numbers, etc. Press this button
to see the message. If the whole message does not
appear on the display, parts of the message will appear
every three seconds until the message is completed.
To scroll through the message at your own speed press
the INFO button again for less than one second.
A new group of words will appear on the display.
Once the complete message has been displayed, INFO
will disappear from the display until another new
message is received.
The old message can be displayed by pressing the INFO
button until a new message is received or a different
station is tuned to. If the INFO button is pressed when
INFO is not displayed and an old message has not been
stored by the radio, the radio will display NO INFO.

TRAF (Traffic): Press this button to receive traffic
announcements. The traffic announcement brackets will
appear on the display. TRAF will appear on the display
if the current station broadcasts traffic announcements.
If the current station does not broadcast traffic
announcements, the radio will seek to a station that
does. When the radio finds a station that broadcasts
traffic announcements, it will stop. TRAF will appear on
the display. If no station is found, NO TRAFFIC will
appear on the display.
Your radio can be programmed to interrupt the playback
of a CD or FM radio by enabling the traffic interrupt
feature. Press the TRAF button once to turn on the
traffic feature, if supported by the current RDS station.
If the station does not support the traffic interrupt
feature, the radio will search for an RDS station that
does support the feature. When the traffic interrupt
feature is on, TRAF will appear on the display.
When a traffic announcement comes on the current radio
station or a related network station, you will hear it,
even if the volume is muted or a compact disc is
playing. If the compact disc player was being used, the
compact disc will stay in the player and resume play at
the point where it stopped.

Radio Messages
CALIBRATE: Your audio system has been calibrated
for your vehicle from the factory. If CALIBRATE
appears on the display, it means that your radio has not
been configured properly for your vehicle and must be
returned to the dealership for service.
Playing a Compact Disc
With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the slot,
label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD when
the ignition is off, first press the eject symbol or push
the RCL knob. If you insert a CD with the radio off and
the ignition on, it will start to play.
When the disc is inserted, the CD symbol will be
displayed. If you select an EQ setting for your CD, it
will be activated each time you play a CD.
As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear on the display.
If an error appears on the display, see “Compact Disc
Messages” later in this section.
1 (Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton to
advance quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.

3-13

RDM 3 (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RDM
and the track number will appear on the display.
4
(Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton to
reverse quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.
EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desired preset
equalization setting while playing a compact disc. The
equalization will be automatically set whenever you
play a compact disc. See “EQ” listed previously for
more information.
SEEK : Press the down arrow while playing a CD
to go to the start of the current track if more than eight
seconds have played. Press the up arrow to go to the
next track. If you hold the button or press it more than
once, the player will continue moving backward or
forward through the disc.
SCAN : Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows
for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the
display and you hear a beep. The disc will go to the next
track, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next
track. Press this button again to stop scanning. The
sound will mute while scanning. SCAN and the track
number will appear on the display.

3-14

RCL (Recall): Press this button to see how long the
current track has been playing. To change what is
normally shown on the display (track or elapsed time),
press the button until you see the display you want, then
hold the button until the display flashes. While elapsed
time is showing, CD TIME will appear on the display.
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing. The inactive CD will remain safely inside
the radio for future listening.
CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a
compact disc when listening to the radio. CD will appear
on the display when a compact disc is loaded.
(Eject): Press this button to eject a CD. Eject may
be activated with either the ignition or radio off. CDs
may be loaded with the radio and ignition off if this
button is pressed first.

Compact Disc Messages
CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio
display and the disc comes out, it could be for one of the
following reasons:

D The road is too rough. The disc should play when the

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Programmable
Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)
(If Equipped)

road is smoother.

D The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
D The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.

If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,
try a known good CD.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.

If your vehicle is equipped with this Monsoon audio
system, included are eight (coupe only) speakers and an
eight channel amplifier. The radio will display
MONSOON when the radio or the ignition is turned on.
Please see your dealer for details.

3-15

Playing the Radio

TUNE: Turn this knob to choose radio stations.

PWR (Power): Press this knob to turn the system on
and off.

SEEK : Press the up or down arrow to go to the
next or previous station and stay there. The radio will
seek to stations with a strong signal only. The sound will
mute while seeking.

VOL (Volume): Turn the knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.
SCV (Speed-Compensated Volume): With SCV, your
audio system adjusts automatically to make up for road
and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the
desired level. Press this button to select MIN, MED or
MAX. Each higher choice allows for more volume
compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you
drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as
necessary, to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same to you as you drive.
If you don’t want to use SCV, select OFF.
RCL (Recall): Push this knob to display the station
being played or to display the clock. Pushing this knob
with the ignition off will display the clock.
Finding a Station
BAND: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display shows your selection.

3-16

SCAN : Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows
for two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and
you hear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play for a
few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press one of
the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning. The radio will
scan to stations with a strong signal only. The sound will
mute while scanning.
To scan preset stations, press and hold one of the SCAN
arrows for more than four seconds until PSCAN and the
preset number appear on the display. You will hear a
double beep. The radio will go to the first preset station
stored on your pushbuttons, play for a few seconds, then
go on to the next preset station. This feature will only
scan the six presets that are in the selected band. Press
one of the SCAN arrows again to stop scanning presets.
The radio will scan preset stations with a strong signal
only. The sound will mute while scanning.

Setting Preset Stations

Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)

The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to
your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations
(six AM, six FM1 and six FM2) by performing the
following steps:

TONE: Press and release this button until BASS,
MID or TREB appears on the display. The SELECT
LED indicator will light to show that the tone control
can be adjusted. When adjusting BASS, MID or TREB,
turn the SELECT knob clockwise to increase or
counterclockwise to decrease. If a station is weak or
noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.

1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press BAND to select AM, FM1 or FM2.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press EQ to select the equalization.

To adjust all of the tone controls to the middle position,
press and hold TONE until FLAT appears on the display.

5. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons
until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the station you set will return
and the equalization that you selected will also be
automatically selected for that pushbutton.
6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

3-17

EQ (Equalizer): This feature allows you to choose
preset bass, mid and treble equalization settings
designed for different program types. Press EQ to select
the desired preset equalization setting. Each time you
press EQ, another setting will appear on the display.
You can preset up to six equalization settings by
performing the following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Use the TONE button and the SELECT knob to
select the desired equalization.
3. Press and hold EQ for two seconds. SELECT EQ #
will appear on the display. The EQ icon will flash.
4. Press EQ or turn the SELECT knob to select the
desired EQ number. Each time you press EQ or turn
the SELECT knob, another EQ setting will appear on
the display.
5. Press and hold the EQ button or push the SELECT
knob to store the equalization preset. You will hear a
beep and EQ SAVED will appear on the display.
6. Repeat the steps for each EQ setting.
EQ 5 has been programmed at the factory for use with
talk radio, but it can be preset to a different tone.

3-18

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL (Balance): Press and release this button until BAL
appears on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will
light to show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the left or right
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.
FADE: Press and release this button until FADE appears
on the display. The SELECT LED indicator will light to
show that the speakers can be adjusted. Turn the
SELECT knob to move the sound to the front or rear
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.
Pressing and holding the BAL FADE button for two
seconds will return all tone settings to flat regardless
of tone selected. FLAT will appear on the display.

Using RDS
Your audio system is equipped with a Radio Data
System (RDS). RDS is a system that receives data along
with the audio of the FM station you are currently tuned
to. You can use RDS to display program information
and to control your radio. With RDS, the radio can do
the following:

D Seek only to stations with the types of programs you
want to listen to,

D seek to stations with traffic announcements,
D receive announcements concerning local and
national emergencies, and

When you are tuned to an RDS station, the station name
will appear on the display, instead of the frequency.
Most RDS stations provide their station name, the time
of day and a Program Type (PTY) for their current
programming. Some stations also provide the name
of the current program.
Finding a PTY Station
PROG TYPE (Program Type): This button is used to
turn on and off Program Type (PTY) select. P-TYPE
will appear on the display and the SELECT LED
indicator will light. The last selected PTY will appear on
the display for five seconds. Turn the SELECT knob to
select the PTY you want to listen to. Press the SEEK up
arrow and the radio will search for an RDS station that
is broadcasting the PTY that you have selected. The last
PTY selected will be used for seek or scan modes. When
the SELECT LED indicator is on and a PTY is not
displayed, the first time SEEK is pressed, the last
selected PTY will be displayed. Press the SEEK up
arrow again to seek. If a station with the selected PTY is
not found, NOT FOUND will appear on the display.

3-19

To use the PTY interrupt feature, press and hold PROG
TYPE until you hear a beep on the PTY you want to
interrupt. An asterisk will appear next to the PTY name,
for example (CLASSICAL*). The radio will also
display brackets around the PTY when the PTY
interrupt is active. To disable the PTY interrupt, select
the interrupt format and press and hold the PROG TYPE
button until you hear a beep. The asterisk will be
removed from the display and so will the brackets.
When you are listening to a cassette tape or a compact
disc, the last selected RDS FM station will interrupt play
if that selected PTY format is broadcast.
BAND (Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequency
allows the radio to switch to a stronger station with the
same programming. Press and hold BAND for two
seconds to turn alternate frequency on. AF ON will
appear on the display. The radio may switch to stronger
stations. Press and hold BAND again for two seconds to
turn alternate frequency off. AF OFF will appear on the
display. The radio will not switch to other stations.

3-20

Setting Preset PTY Stations
The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to
your favorite Program Types (PTYs). These
pushbuttons have factory PTY presets. You can
set up to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2) by
performing the following steps:
1. Press BAND to select FM1 or FM2.
2. Press PROG TYPE, if it is not already on.
3. Turn the SELECT knob to select a PTY.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered pushbuttons
until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered pushbutton, the PTY you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

RDS Messages
ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off alert
announcements. ALERT! appears on the display when an
alert announcement plays. When an alert announcement
comes on the current radio station, you will hear it, even if
the volume is muted or a cassette tape or a compact disc is
playing. If the cassette tape or compact disc player is
playing, play will stop for the announcement and resume
when the announcement is finished.
This function will only work during actual emergency
broadcasts, and will not work during tests of the
emergency broadcast system. This feature is not
supported by all RDS stations.
INFO (Information): If the current station has a
message, INFO will appear on the display. These text
messages are from the RDS broadcaster to the listening
public and may be general information such as artist and
song title, call in phone numbers, etc. Press this button to
see the message. If the whole message does not appear on
the display, parts of the message will appear every three
seconds until the message is completed. To scroll through
the message at your own speed press the INFO button
again for less than one second. A new group of words will
appear on the display. Once the complete message has
been displayed, INFO will disappear from the display until
another new message is received.

The old message can be displayed by pressing the INFO
button until a new message is received or a different
station is tuned to. If the INFO button is pressed when
INFO is not displayed and an old message has not been
stored by the radio, the radio will display NO INFO.
TRAF (Traffic): Press this button to receive traffic
announcements. The traffic announcement brackets will
appear on the display. TRAF will appear on the display
if the current station broadcasts traffic announcements.
If the current station does not broadcast traffic
announcements, the radio will seek to a station that
does. When the radio finds a station that broadcasts
traffic announcements, it will stop. TRAF will appear on
the display. If no station is found, NO TRAFFIC will
appear on the display.
Your radio can be programmed to interrupt the playback
of a CD, cassette or FM radio by enabling the traffic
interrupt feature. Press the TRAF button once to turn on
the traffic feature, if supported by the current RDS
station. If the station does not support the traffic
interrupt feature, the radio will search for an RDS
station that does support the feature. When the traffic
interrupt feature is on, TRAF will appear on the display.

3-21

When a traffic announcement comes on the current radio
station or a related network station, you will hear it,
even if the volume is muted or a cassette tape or a
compact disc is playing. If the cassette tape or compact
disc player was being used, the cassette tape or compact
disc will stay in the player and resume play at the point
where it stopped.
Radio Messages
CALIBRATE: Your audio system has been calibrated
for your vehicle from the factory. If CALIBRATE
appears on the display, it means that your radio has not
been configured properly for your vehicle and must be
returned to the dealership for service.
Playing a Cassette Tape
Your 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 the ignition is on, but the radio is off, the
tape can be inserted and will begin playing. If you hear
nothing but a garbled sound, the tape may not be in
squarely. Press the eject button to remove the tape and
start over.

3-22

While the tape is playing, use the VOL, BAL, FADE,
TONE, EQ and SEEK controls just as you do for the
radio. The display will show TAPE and an arrow
showing which side of the tape is playing. The tape
player automatically begins playing the other side when
it reaches the end of the tape.
Your tape bias is set automatically when a metal or
chrome tape is inserted. If you want to insert a tape
when the ignition is off, first press the eject button or
push the RCL knob.
If an error appears on the display, see “Cassette Tape
Messages” later in this section.
1
(Forward): Press this pushbutton to advance
quickly to another part of the tape. Press this pushbutton
again to return to playing speed. The radio will play the
last selected station while the tape advances. You may
select stations during forward operation by using TUNE.
While in forward mode, the display will show FREQ
and FWD and two right arrows. If the radio is playing a
RDS station, the display will only show FREQ.
2
(Side): Press this pushbutton to play the other
side of the tape.

4
(Reverse): Press this pushbutton to reverse the
tape rapidly. Press it again to return to playing speed.
The radio will play the last selected station while the
tape reverses. You may select stations during reverse
operation by using TUNE.

6
(Dolby): Press this pushbutton to reduce
background noise. DOLBY NR ON will appear on
the display. Press it again to turn Dolby NR off.
Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license
from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby
and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desired
preset equalization setting while playing a cassette.
The equalization will be automatically set whenever you
play a cassette tape. See “EQ” listed previously for
more information.
SEEK : Press the up or down arrow to search for
the next or previous selection on the tape. Your tape
must have at least three seconds of silence between each
selection for seek to work. You can skip nine selections
up or down on the tape. Choose how many selections
you want to skip. Press the SEEK arrow that many
times. The number of selections to be skipped will
appear on the display.

SCAN : Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows
for more than two seconds until SCAN 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. Press this button again to stop scanning. The
sound will mute and SCAN will appear on the display
while scanning. The tape will scan in forward only.
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
tape is playing. The tape will stop but remain in the
player. The inactive tape or CD will remain safely inside
the radio for future listening.
CD TAPE: Press this button to switch between playing
a cassette tape and a compact disc, if both are loaded,
when listening to the radio. The display will show tape
and CD icons.
(Eject): Press this button, located next to the
cassette tape slot, to eject a tape. Eject may be activated
with either the ignition or radio off. Cassettes may be
loaded with the radio and ignition off if this button is
pressed first.

3-23

Cassette Tape Messages

CD Adapter Kits

If an error occurs while trying to play a cassette tape,
it could be for one of the following reasons:

It is possible to use a portable CD player adapter kit
with your cassette tape player after disabling the
tight/loose tape sensing feature on your tape player.

TIGHT TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is tight and the player can’t turn the tape hubs.
Remove the tape. Hold the tape with the open end down
and try to turn the right hub counterclockwise with a
pencil. Turn the tape over and repeat. If the hubs do not
turn easily, your tape may be damaged and should not be
used in the player. Try a new tape to make sure your
player is working properly.
BROKEN TAPE: This message is displayed when the
tape is broken. Try a new tape.
WRAPPED TAPE: This message is displayed when
the tape is wrapped around the tape head. Attempt to
get the cassette out. Try a new tape.
CLEAN PLAYER: If this message appears on the
display, the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned.
It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as
possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player. See
“Care of Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’t be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.

3-24

To disable the feature, use the following steps:

D Turn the ignition to ON or ACCESSORY.
D Turn the radio off.
D Press and hold the CD TAPE button. The radio will
display READY and flash the cassette icon.

D Insert the adapter into the cassette slot. It will power
up the radio and begin playing.

This override routine will remain active until the eject
button is pressed.
Playing a Compact Disc
With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the
slot, label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD when
the ignition is off, first press the eject symbol or push
the RCL knob. If you insert a CD with the radio off
and the ignition on, it will start to play.
When the disc is inserted, the CD symbol will be
displayed. If you select an EQ setting for your CD, it
will be activated each time you play a CD.

As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear on the display.
If an error appears on the display, see “Compact Disc
Messages” later in this section.
(Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton to
1
advance quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.
RDM 3 (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RDM
and the track number will appear on the display.
(Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton to
4
reverse quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.
EQ (Equalizer): Press EQ to select the desired preset
equalization setting while playing a compact disc. The
equalization will be automatically set whenever you
play a compact disc. See “EQ” listed previously for
more information.
SEEK : Press the down arrow while playing a
CD to go to the start of the current track if more than
eight seconds have played. Press the up arrow to go to
the next track. If you hold the button or press it more
than once, the player will continue moving backward or
forward through the disc.

SCAN : Press and hold one of the SCAN arrows
for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the
display and you hear a beep. The disc will go to the next
track, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next
track. Press this button again to stop scanning. The
sound will mute while scanning. SCAN and the track
number will appear on the display.
RCL (Recall): Press this button to see how long the
current track has been playing. To change what is
normally shown on the display (track or elapsed time),
press the button until you see the display you want, then
hold the button until the display flashes. While elapsed
time is showing, CD TIME will appear on the display.
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing.
CD TAPE: Press this button to switch between playing
a cassette tape and a compact disc if both are loaded,
when listening to the radio. The inactive tape or CD will
remain safely inside the radio for future listening. The
display will show tape and CD icons.
(Eject): Press this button, located next to the CD
slot, to eject a CD. Eject may be activated with either
the ignition or radio off. CDs may be loaded with the
radio and ignition off if this button is pressed first.

3-25

Compact Disc Messages

Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)

CHECK CD: If this message appears on the radio
display and the disc comes out, it could be for one of the
following reasons:

THEFTLOCKR is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. The feature works automatically by learning a
portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If
the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it will not
operate and LOCKED will be displayed.

D The road is too rough. The disc should play when the
road is smoother.

D The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
D The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.

3-26

When the radio and vehicle are turned off, the blinking
red light indicates that THEFTLOCK is armed.
With THEFTLOCK activated, your radio will not
operate if stolen.

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, you can control certain
radio functions using the buttons on your steering wheel.

PRESET: Press this button to play a station you have
programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons. The radio
will go to a preset station, play for a few seconds, then
go to the next station. Press this button again to stop
scanning the preset stations. If a cassette tape is playing,
press this button to play the other side of the tape.
AM FM: Press this button to choose AM, FM1 or FM2.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, it will stop
and the radio will play.

Y VOLUME B: Press the up or down arrow to increase
or decrease volume.
PLAY: Press this button to play a cassette tape or
compact disc when listening to the radio.

Y SEEK B: Press the up or down arrow to tune to
the next or previous radio station. If a cassette tape or
compact disc is playing, the player will advance with the
up arrow and reverse with the down arrow.

MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again, or any other radio button, to turn on the sound.

3-27

Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.

Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage do the following:

D Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
D Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.

3-28

NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it’s very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, Delphi Electronics radio or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN or
CLEAN to indicate that you have used your tape player
for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer. If
this message appears on the display, your cassette tape
player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but
you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent
damage to your tapes and player. If you notice a
reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to
see if it is the tape or the tape player at fault. If this other
cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the
tape player.
The recommended cleaning method for your
cassette tape player is the use of a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette is available through
your dealer (GM Part No. 12344789).

When cleaning the cassette tape player with the
recommended non-abrasive cleaning cassette, it is
possible that the cassette may eject, because the cut
tape detection feature on your radio, may recognize it as
a broken tape. To prevent the cleaning cassette from
being ejected, use the following steps.
If your vehicle is equipped with the AM-FM Stereo with
Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Radio Data
System and Programmable Equalization, use the
following steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ON or ACCESSORY.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press and hold the CD TAPE button for five seconds.
READY will appear on the display for five seconds.
4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette.
5. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer’s
recommended cleaning time.
When the cleaning cassette has been ejected, the broken
tape detection feature is active again.

3-29

You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not
eject on its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner may
not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner.
The use of a non-scrubbing action, dry-type cleaning
cassette is not recommended.

Care of Your Compact Disc Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.

Fixed Mast Antenna

After you clean the player, press and hold the eject
button for five seconds to reset the CLEAN PLAYER
or CLN indicator. The radio will display CLEANED
or --- to show the indicator was reset.

The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should
replace it.

Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.

Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.

Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges
or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.

3-30

Chime Level Adjustment
The volume level of the vehicle’s chimes can be
controlled by the radio. To change the volume level,
press and hold pushbutton 6 with the ignition on and the
radio power off. The chime volume level will change
from the normal level to loud, and LOUD will be
displayed on the radio. To change back to the default or
normal setting, press and hold pushbutton 6 again. The
chime level will change from the loud level to normal,
and NORMAL will be displayed.

✍

3-32

NOTES

Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-3
4-6
4-6
4-9
4-11
4-13
4-13
4-15
4-16

Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving at Night

4-17
4-20
4-21
4-22
4-23
4-24
4-25
4-30
4-34
4-36

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer

4-1

Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable
of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.

Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. See “Safety Belts” in the Index.

4-2

Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task -- such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on the
floor -- makes proper defensive driving more difficult
and can even cause a collision, with resulting injury.
Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or pull off
the road in a safe place to do them yourself. These
simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.

Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving
is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to
the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive
a vehicle:

D
D
D
D

Judgment
Muscular Coordination
Vision
Attentiveness.

Police records show that almost half of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking
and driving. In recent years, about 16,000 annual motor
vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use
of alcohol, with more than 300,000 people injured.
Many adults -- by some estimates, nearly half the adult
population -- choose never to drink alcohol, so they
never drive after drinking. For persons under 21, it’s
against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol.
There are good medical, psychological and
developmental reasons for these laws.

The obvious way to solve the leading highway safety
problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then
drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much”
if the driver plans to drive? It’s a lot less than many
might think. Although it depends on each person
and situation, here is some general information on
the problem.
The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone
who is drinking depends upon four things:

D The amount of alcohol consumed
D The drinker’s body weight
D The amount of food that is consumed before and
during drinking

D The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol.

According to the American Medical Association, a
180-lb. (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce
(355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a
BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the
same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses
of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces
(45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.

4-3

Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a
woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a
man of her same body weight when each has the same
number of drinks.
The law in an increasing number of U.S. states, and
throughout Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent.
In some other countries, the limit is even lower. For
example, it is 0.05 percent in both France and Germany.
The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the
United States is 0.04 percent.
The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to
six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it
depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and
how quickly the person drinks them.

It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if
the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces
or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s
BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who
consumes food just before or during drinking will have
a somewhat lower BAC level.
There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have
a lower relative percentage of body water than men.

4-4

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. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance
of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a
level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!

The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the
right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to
take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street?
A person with even a moderate BAC might not be able
to react quickly enough to avoid the collision.
There’s something else about drinking and driving that
many people don’t know. Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or
heart. This means that when anyone who has been
drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not been drinking.

CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness and
judgment can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol. You can have a serious -- or even
fatal -- collision if you drive after drinking.
Please don’t drink and drive or ride with a driver
who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if
you’re with a group, designate a driver who will
not drink.

4-5

Control of a Vehicle

Braking

You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.

Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That’s reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. Also see “Enhanced Traction System”
in the Index.

4-6

And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

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.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on.
See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light”
in the Index.

4-7

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.

Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here’s what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at
both rear wheels.

4-8

As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.

Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may also
upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
when your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin. See “Enhanced
Traction System Active
Light” in the Index.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal. This light will also come on when the anti-lock
brake system is working.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control”
in the Index.

4-9

The Enhanced Traction System operates in all transaxle
shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the
transaxle only as high as the shift lever position you’ve
chosen, so you should use the lower gears only when
necessary. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
When the system is on and
the parking brake is fully
released, this warning light
will come on to let you
know if there’s a problem.
To turn the system on or off, press the ETS button on the
instrument panel.
See “Enhanced Traction System Warning Light” in
the Index. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the Enhanced
Traction System on. But you can turn the system
off if you prefer.

When you turn the system off, the Enhanced Traction
System warning light will come on and stay on. If the
Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel spin when
you press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on -- but the system won’t turn off right
away. It will wait until there’s no longer a current need
to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The Enhanced Traction System
warning light should go off.

4-10

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped)
This steering system provides lighter steering effort for
parking and at low vehicle speeds. Steering effort will
increase at higher speeds for improved road feel.

Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems -- steering and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. Refer to “Enhanced
Traction System” in the Index.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want
it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through
the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.

4-11

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly
pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from
between parked cars and stops right in front of you.
You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you
can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t
room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes. See “Braking in
Emergencies” earlier in this section. It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left
or right depending on the space available.

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.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.

4-12

Off-Road Recovery

Passing

You may find that your right wheels have dropped
off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you’re driving.

The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again. 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. A miscalculation, an error
in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger
can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:

D “Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides

and to crossroads for situations that might affect
your passing patterns. If you have any doubt
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait
for a better time.

If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so
that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You
can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn until the
right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

D Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and lines.

If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a
turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid
line on your side of the lane or a double solid line,
even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic.

4-13

D Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to

pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one
thing, following too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially if you’re following a larger
vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the
vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.

D When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,

start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.

D If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.

4-14

D 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 right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)

D Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.

D Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.

Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.

D If you’re being passed, make it easy for the

following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.

Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area
of less danger.

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always possible.

If you do not have the Enhanced Traction 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. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.

A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot
off the accelerator pedal.

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking
(including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not
realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a
“mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you have
any doubt.

If you have the Enhanced Traction System, remember:
It helps avoid only the acceleration skid.

Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.

The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.

4-15

Driving at Night

D Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.

D Since you can’t see as well, you may need to

slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.

D Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.

D In remote areas, watch for animals.
D If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.

No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.

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.

D Drive defensively.
D Don’t drink and drive.
4-16

What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re
driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut
down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a
lot of things invisible.

You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even
several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark.
When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads

Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and
aren’t even aware of it.

Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.

4-17

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’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

4-18

CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work
as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.

Hydroplaning
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’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.

Driving Through Deep Standing Water

NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.

4-19

Driving Through Flowing Water

City Driving

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. As little as six inches of flowing
water can carry away a smaller vehicle. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants could
drown. Don’t ignore police warning signs, and
otherwise be very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
D Besides slowing down, allow some extra following

distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.

D Have good tires with proper tread depth. See “Tires”
in the Index.

4-20

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:

D Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get

Freeway Driving

a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of
the city just as you would for a cross-country trip.

D Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You’ll save time and energy. See the
next part, “Freeway Driving.”

D Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start
to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.

4-21

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.

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.

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. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.

The exit speed is usually posted.

Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.

Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s
work -- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.

Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.

4-22

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
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.

Before Leaving on a Long Trip

Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Pontiac dealerships all across North America.
They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it.

Here are some things you can check before a trip:

D Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?

D Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
D Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?

D Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
D Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?

D Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook

along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?

D Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

Highway Hypnosis
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. Don’t let
it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:

D Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.

D Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and

to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.

D If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.

4-23

Hill and Mountain Roads

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

D Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels
and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle.
These parts can work hard on mountain roads.

D Know how to go down hills. The most important

thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.

CAUTION:

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.

4-24

If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they wouldn’t 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:

Winter Driving

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 wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

D Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest
gear possible.

D Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane

roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

D As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

D You may see highway signs on mountains that

warn of special problems. Examples are long grades,
passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area
or winding roads. Be alert to these and take
appropriate action.

Here are some tips for winter driving:

D Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
D You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.

4-25

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet
the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be
very careful.

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.

4-26

What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction of all. You can get wet ice when it’s about
freezing (32_F; 0_C) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.

Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. See “Anti-Lock” in the Index.

Whatever the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow -- drive with caution.

D Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine

Keep your Enhanced Traction System on. It will
improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a
slippery road. Even though your vehicle has this system,
you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the
road conditions. See “Enhanced Traction System” in
the Index.

D Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.

until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear.
If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before
you are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually
on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

4-27

If You’re Caught in a Blizzard

D Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you’ve been stopped by the snow.

D Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.

If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body
insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor
mats -- anything you can wrap around yourself or
tuck under your clothing to keep warm.

If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and
your passengers safe:

D Turn on your hazard flashers.
4-28

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.

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 can’t 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
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery
to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.

4-29

Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle -- such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly
towing” (towing your vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a device known as
a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.

4-30

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:

D What’s the towing capacity of the towing

vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.

D How far will you tow? Some vehicles have

restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.

D Do you have the proper towing equipment?

See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.

D Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would
prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll want to
make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed.
See “Before Leaving on a Long Trip” in the Index.

Dinghy Towing

1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.

To tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,
follow these steps:

2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent your battery from draining while towing,
remove the following fuses from the left side
instrument panel fuse block: WIPER, PCM ACC
and IPC/BFC ACC. See “Instrument Panel Fuse
Block-Driver’s Side” in the Index for the location
of these fuses.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY.
6. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.

4-31

Remember to reinstall the fuses once you reach your
destination. To reinstall a fuse do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Put the fuse back in.

NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
65 mph (110 km/h), or your vehicle could be
badly damaged.

NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.

4-32

Dolly Towing

1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.

To tow your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
a dolly, do the following:

2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P) for automatic transaxles
and NEUTRAL for manual transaxles.
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
(For manual transaxle vehicles, the shift lever must
be in REVERSE (R) before removing the key).
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.

4-33

Loading Your Vehicle

Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge of the driver’s door tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight,
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.

4-34

The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.

And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don’t carry more than 132 lbs. (60 kg) in your trunk.

CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.

CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
D Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
D Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
D Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
D When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
D Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.

4-35

Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the brakes may not work well -- or even at all.
You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.

4-36

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what
the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that
of your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:

D There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.

D Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.

D Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles

(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.

D Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you

tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.

D Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers, or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h), to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.

Three important considerations have to do with weight:
D the weight of the trailer,
D the weight of the trailer tongue
D and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (454 kg).
But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

4-37

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you tow a trailer, you must
add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle
will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index for more information about your
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10-15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

4-38

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires

Safety Chains

Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Certification label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or
see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. Then be sure
you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.

You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to 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.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.

Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:

D The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended

for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.

D Will you have to make any holes in the body of

your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you
do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you
remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get
into your vehicle. See “Carbon Monoxide” in the
Index. Dirt and water can, too.

Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes,
do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you
do, both systems won’t work well, or at all.

4-39

Driving with a Trailer

Following Distance

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll 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.

Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.

4-40

Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good
deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.

Making Turns

NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. 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’re 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. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t
shift down, you might have to use your brakes so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.

4-41

Parking on Hills

CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle or into gear
for a manual transaxle, yet. When parking uphill,
turn your wheels away from the curb. When parking
downhill, turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake and shift into PARK (P) for an automatic
transaxle or REVERSE (R) for a manual transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.

4-42

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

D start your engine,
D shift into a gear, and
D release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.

Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.

4-43

Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-8
5-8

Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating

5-11
5-18
5-18
5-28
5-29

Cooling System
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-1

Hazard Warning Flashers

The hazard warning flasher is located near the center of
the instrument panel.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to turn the
flashers off.
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.

When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.

Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.

5-2

Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to follow the steps below to do it safely.

CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
D They contain acid that can burn you.
D They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
D They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.

NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
The ACDelcoR battery in your vehicle has a
built-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or jump
start the battery if the hydrometer looks clear or
light yellow. Replace the battery when there is
a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.

5-3

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.

NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic transaxle
in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL
before setting the parking brake.

NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off the radio and all lamps that aren’t
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (-) terminal locations on
each vehicle. See “Engine Compartment Overview”
in the Index for more information on location.

CAUTION:
An electric fan 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.

5-4

CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need to add water to the ACDelcoR battery
installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take
care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.

5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (-) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (-) terminal if the vehicle with the dead
battery has one.
Don’t connect positive (+) to negative (-) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too. And don’t connect the negative (-)
cable to the negative (-) terminal on the dead battery
because this can cause sparks.

CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.

5-5

7. Don’t let the other end
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one.

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.

8. Now connect the
black negative (-)
cable to the
negative terminal
of the good battery.
Use a remote
negative (-)
terminal if the
vehicle has one.

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next
step. The other end of the negative (-) cable doesn’t
go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a remote negative (-) terminal
on the vehicle with the dead battery.

5-6

9. Connect the other end of the negative (-) cable at
least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical
connection is just as good there, and the chance of
sparks getting back to the battery is much less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that has the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.

NOTICE:
Damage to your vehicle may result from
electrical shorting if jumper cables are removed
incorrectly. To prevent electrical shorting, take
care that the cables don’t touch each other or any
other metal. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.

5-7

To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the
vehicle with good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.

Towing Your Vehicle
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery

Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
“Roadside Assistance” in the Index. If you want to
tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational
purposes (such as behind a motorhome), see
“Recreational Vehicle Towing” in the Index.

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant warning light on your vehicle’s instrument
panel. See “Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and
“Low Coolant Warning Light” in the Index.

5-8

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. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.

NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

5-9

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light,
can indicate a serious problem. See “Low Coolant
Light” in the Index.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the problem
may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:

D
D
D
D

Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.

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 window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving -- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) for
an automatic transaxle, or for a manual transaxle
shift to FIFTH (5) or FOURTH (4).

5-10

If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you’re parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.

Cooling System
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:

CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.

A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans

5-11

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.

CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

5-12

If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If
they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.

NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.

NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX-COOLR (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOLR is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank

NOTICE:
This vehicle has a specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
If you haven’t found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn’t at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOLR coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be
sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for more information.

5-13

If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:

CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the coolant surge
tank pressure cap -- even a little -- they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and coolant surge tank pressure cap to cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.

5-14

CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOLR coolant.

NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
So use the recommended coolant.

CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.

5-15

1. Park the vehicle on
a level surface.

You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two or two and
one-half turns. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still left to be
vented out the discharge hose.

5-16

2. Then keep turning
the pressure cap
slowly, and
remove it.

3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the hash mark on the label. Wait about
five minutes, then check to see if the level is below
the hash mark. If the level is below the hash mark,
add additional coolant to bring the level up to the
hash mark. Repeat this procedure until the level
remains constant at the hash mark for at least
five minutes.

By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower than
the FULL COLD mark add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the
pressure cap. Be
sure the pressure
cap is hand-tight
and fully seated.

See your dealer, if necessary.

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fans.

5-17

If a Tire Goes Flat

Changing a Flat Tire

It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:

If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.

If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you’d use in
a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop -- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

5-18

CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transaxle shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transaxle to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you’ll
need is in the trunk.

1. Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk.
Turn the center retainer nut on the compact spare
tire cover counterclockwise to remove it.
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.

2. Lift and remove the cover. See “Compact Spare
Tire” later in this section for more information
about the compact spare.

5-19

3. Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
remove it. Then lift off
the spacer and remove
the compact spare tire.

4. Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk.
Your vehicle’s jack and wheel wrench are stored in a
foam tray. Remove the band around the jack.

5-20

The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and wheel
wrench (B).

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire

2. Then use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel
nuts. Don’t remove them yet.
1. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel cover or
hubcap that has plastic wheel nut caps, then loosen
the plastic nut caps (you may need to use the wheel
wrench to loosen them). Do not pry off wheel covers
or center caps that have plastic wheel nut caps. Then
remove the wheel cover or center cap.

5-21

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:
3. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits
firmly into the notch in the vehicle’s frame nearest
the flat tire. Put the compact spare tire near you.

5-22

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.

7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.

CAUTION:
4. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room for the compact
spare tire to fit underneath the wheel well.
5. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
6. Remove the flat tire.

Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. 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 you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.

5-23

CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
8. Install the compact spare tire.

10. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
11. Tighten the
wheel nuts
firmly in a
crisscross
sequence,
as shown.
9. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until the wheel is held against the hub.

5-24

CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100 lb-ft (140 N·m).

NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.

NOTICE:
Wheel covers won’t fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.

5-25

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools

CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the adapter
and wing nut. Place the cover and the nut on top of the
flat tire. Store the jack and the wrench in the foam tray.

5-26

A.
B.
C.
D.

Nut
Cover
Wing Bolt
Adapter

E.
F.
G.
H.

Wrench
Jack
Tool Tray
Flat Tire

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.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as you
can. See “Compact Spare Tire” in the Index. See the
storage instructions label to replace your compact spare
into your trunk properly.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Nut
Cover
Wing Bolt
Adapter

E.
F.
G.
H.

Wrench
Jack
Tool Tray
Compact Spare Tire

5-27

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. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full-size tire
repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s best
to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you
can. Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in
case you need it again.

NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.

NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.

5-28

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow

NOTICE:

In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you don’t want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as “rocking”
can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must
use caution.

Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.

CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.

For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.

5-29

Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-6
6-8
6-8
6-13
6-20
6-22
6-23
6-23
6-24
6-28
6-28
6-30

Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Manual Transaxle Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Engine Coolant
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes

6-33
6-34
6-38
6-39
6-48
6-49
6-51
6-52
6-55
6-56
6-57
6-58
6-63
6-63
6-64

Battery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Finish Damage
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-1

Service

Doing Your Own Service Work

Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for
all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and
GM-trained and supported service people.

If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll
want to use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service manual, see “Service
and Owner Publications” in the Index.

We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.

6-2

CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
D Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
D Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.

Fuel
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
of 87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is considered
normal. This does not indicate a problem exists or that
a higher-octane fuel is necessary.

6-3

Gasoline Specifications

California Fuel

It is recommended that gasoline meet specifications
which were developed by the American Automobile
Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association for better
vehicle performance and engine protection. Gasolines
meeting these specifications could provide improved
driveability and emission control system performance
compared to other gasolines.

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index)
and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by
your warranty.

In Canada, look for
the “Auto Makers’
Choice” label on
the pump.

Canada Only

6-4

Additives
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer
for service.
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.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available
in your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.

NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your
fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under
your warranty.

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.

6-5

Filling Your Tank

The tethered fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle.

CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

While refueling, hang the fuel cap inside the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it;
if you let go of the cap too soon, it will spring back
to the right.

6-6

CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for
any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.

When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. 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” in
the Index.

NOTICE:
If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get the
right type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you
get the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This
may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and
emissions system. See “Malfunction Indicator
Lamp” in the Index.

6-7

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
D Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.
D Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.
D Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.
D Don’t smoke while pumping gasoline.

6-8

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.

Hood Release

CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
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.

To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle located
under the instrument
panel on the driver’s
side of the vehicle.

6-9

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and slide the
secondary hood release to the right.

3. Lift the hood, release the hood prop rod from
its retainer and put the hood prop into the slot
in the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the
hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then let the
hood down and close it firmly.

6-10

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Dipstick
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap

t Engine, you’ll see the following:

D. Brake Fluid Reservoir
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Compartment
Fuse Block

G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
H. Battery
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-11

When you open the hood on the 3400 V6 Engine, you’ll see the following:

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap

6-12

D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

Checking Engine Oil

Engine Oil
If the LOW OIL light
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you need
to check your engine oil
level right away. For more
information, see LOW
OIL light in the Index.

It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.

3400 V6 Engine Only
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.

2.2L L4
ECOTEC Engine

6-13

Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.

3400 V6 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick on
the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. The dipstick on the 3400 V6 engine is located
at the front of the engine, behind the cooling fan. See
“Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for
more information on location.

6-14

2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.

3400 V6 Engine

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the MIN line for the 2.2L L4
ECOTEC engine or the ADD line for the 3400 V6
engine, then you’ll need to add at least one quart of oil.
But you must use the right kind. This part explains what
kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
“Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

6-15

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.

3400 V6 Engine
The 2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine oil fill cap is located near
the center of the engine compartment. The 3400 V6
engine oil fill cap is near the front of the engine, behind
the radiator. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in
the Index for more information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.

6-16

If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the starburst symbol on the
front of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W-30 if it’s
going to be 0 F (-18 C) or above. These numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not
use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.

NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM GoodwrenchR oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below

-20_F (-29_C), consider using 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.

6-17

Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.

When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System )

Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

6-18

When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL light will come on. Change
your oil as soon as possible within the next two times
you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year.
However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. It is also important to check your oil regularly and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.

How to Reset the Change Oil Light

What to Do with Used Oil

The GM 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
OIL light being turned on, reset the system.

Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.

After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the oil life indicator, do the following steps:
1. With the ignition key in ON (a short time
after turning off the engine), press the RESET
button located in the driver’s side instrument
panel fuse block.
2. When the CHANGE OIL light starts to flash, press
and hold the RESET button again.
The reset is complete when you hear the chimes and the
CHANGE OIL light goes out.

Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it
by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you
have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.

If your vehicle is equipped with a 2.2L L4 ECOTEC
engine, it has a unique oil filter element. When reinstalling
the filter cap do not exceed 18 lb-ft (25 N·m). Inspect the
condition of the O-ring and replace if damaged.
See your dealer for additional information.

6-19

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

3400 V6 Engine
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

6-20

The engine air cleaner/filter is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle. See
“Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more
information on location.

To check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter, do
the following:

CAUTION:

1. Remove the screws that hold the cover on.
2. Lift off the cover.
3. Check or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
4. Reinstall the cover tightly.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.

Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t
drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/filter off.

NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you’re driving.

6-21

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your fluid level checked
by your dealer or service center when you have your
oil changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

D In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90_F (32_C) or higher.
D In hilly or mountainous terrain.
D When doing frequent trailer towing.
D Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.

6-22

NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRONR-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONR-III
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.

Manual Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. You may also have your fluid level checked
by your dealer or service center when you have your oil
changed. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index for the proper fluid to use.

Hydraulic Clutch

When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine how
often you should check the
fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks
and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.

The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding fluid
won’t correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.

How to Check and Add Fluid
You do not need to check the fluid level unless you
suspect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, take
the cap off. If the fluid reaches the top of the reservoir,
the fluid level is correct. It isn’t a good idea to top off
your clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.

6-23

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOLR engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOLR extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOLR coolant will:

D
D
D
D
D

Give freezing protection down to -34_F (-37_C).
Give boiling protection up to 265_F (129_C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.

6-24

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOLR coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don’t need to add anything else.

NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater
core and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.

NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.

6-25

Checking Coolant

3400 V6 Engine
2.2L L4 ECOTEC Engine

6-26

The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. See
“Engine Compartment Overview” in the Index for more
information on location.

Adding Coolant

CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap -- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.

If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLR
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool. If the surge tank is empty, a special fill
procedure is necessary. See “Engine Overheating” in the
Index for instructions on “How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank.”

CAUTION:
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark, or a little higher.
If the LOW COOLANT
light comes on and stays on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.

You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it
is hand-tight.

See “Low Coolant Warning Light” in the Index.

6-27

Power Steering Fluid

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level
up to the mark.

What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.

When to Check Power Steering Fluid

Windshield Washer 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. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the
Index for reservoir location.

What to Use

6-28

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. See “Engine Compartment
Overview” in the Index for reservoir location.

Adding Washer Fluid
Your vehicle has a low
washer telltale that will
come on in the instrument
panel cluster when the
washer fluid is low. See
“Low Washer Light” in the
Index for more information.
The windshield washer
fluid reservoir is located
in the engine compartment
towards the front on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
See “Engine Compartment
Overview” in the Index
for more information
on location.

NOTICE:
D When using concentrated washer fluid,
D

follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.

Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add washer
fluid until the tank is full.

6-29

Brakes
Brake Fluid

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. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.

CAUTION:
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT-3
brake fluid. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in
the Index.

6-30

If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.

CAUTION:

United States

Canada

With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.

When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.

NOTICE:

What to Add

D Using the wrong fluid can badly damage

When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Index.
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.

brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on
your vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
See “Appearance Care” in the Index.

6-31

Brake Wear
The GT Series has four-wheel disc brakes and the
SE Series has front disc brakes and rear drum 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 won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section 7 of this manual
under Part C “Periodic Maintenance Inspections.”

NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.

6-32

Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.

Brake Adjustment

Battery

Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate
or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way, then -- very
carefully -- make a few moderate brake stops about
every 1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.

Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelcoR battery. When it’s time for a new battery,
get one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
battery. See “Engine Compartment Overview” in the
Index for battery location.

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system -- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you need new ones put in -- be sure you get
new approved GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change -- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.

WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

6-33

Vehicle Storage

Bulb Replacement

If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.

For replacement bulb sizes, see “Replacement Bulbs” in
the Index. For any bulb changing procedure not listed in
this section, contact your dealer.

Halogen Bulbs

CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.

6-34

CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.

Headlamps

2. Lift the headlamp assembly forward, out of the
mounting bracket.
1. Lift up on the two retaining clips which secure the
headlamp assembly.

3. Turn the bulb assembly retainer counterclockwise
one-sixth of a turn and pull out the bulb assembly.
4. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness.
5. After replacing the bulb, reverse Steps 1 through 4 to
reinstall the bulb assembly and headlamp assembly.

6-35

Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp

1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.

1. Open the trunk lid and locate the center
high-mounted stoplamp on the inside of the lid.

2. Turn the bulb assembly retainer and pull out
the bulb.

2. Remove the three screws.

3. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness.

4. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to reassemble the
lamp assembly.

4. When replacing the bulb, be sure to properly align
the bulb with the locating feature in the assembly.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the
bulb assembly.

6-36

3. Gently remove and replace the bulb(s).

Rear Turn Signal and Stop/Taillamps
1. Disconnect the cargo net in the trunk.
2. Pull back the trunk trim.

3. Remove the four wing nut bolts which fasten the
taillamp lens to the vehicle.
4. Carefully remove the taillamp lens from the body
and avoid scratching the paint or dropping it.
5. Press the five tabs to release the plate from the lamp.
6. Gently pull the bulb out from the socket.
7. Install a new bulb.
8. Reverse Steps 3 through 6 to reinstall the taillamp.

6-37

Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper Blade
Check” in the Index for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.

2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
For the proper type and size, see “Capacities and
Specifications” in the Index.

6-38

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 Pontiac Warranty booklet for details.

CAUTION: (Continued)

D Underinflated tires pose the same danger as

CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
D Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)

overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact -- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.

6-39

Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
rear edge of the driver’s door, shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).

NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
D Too much flexing
D Too much heat
D Tire overloading
D Bad wear
D Bad handling
D Bad fuel economy
NOTICE: (Continued)

NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
D Unusual wear
D Bad handling
D Rough ride
D Needless damage from road hazards
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.

6-40

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.

When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in
the Index.

CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make 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 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 you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.

6-41

When It’s Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
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:

D You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.

D You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.

D The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

D The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
D The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that

can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.

6-42

Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an “MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.

CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.

CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.

6-43

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Treadwear

Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.

6-44

Traction -- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.

6-45

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.

CAUTION:

Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.

Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts for replacement.

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.

NOTICE:

Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.

The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.

6-46

Used Replacement Wheels

CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s 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:
If your vehicle has P225/50R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension or other vehicle parts. The
area damaged by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the front tires.

6-47

Never use these to clean your vehicle:

NOTICE:
If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/50R16 size tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the front tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.

6-48

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover

They can all be hazardous -- some more than
others -- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:

D
D
D
D

Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents

Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle

Using Cleaner on Fabric

Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted surfaces
with a clean, damp cloth.

1. Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.

Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet

3. Follow the directions on the container label.

Your dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric and
carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.

4. Apply cleaner with a clean sponge. Don’t saturate
the material and don’t rub it roughly.

Here are some cleaning tips:

D
D
D
D

Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.

2. Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.

5. As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge
to remove any excess cleaner.
6. Wipe cleaned area with a clean, water-dampened
towel or cloth.
7. Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.

Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often. A soft brush may be used if
stains are stubborn.

D If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean the
entire area immediately or it will set.

6-49

Special Fabric Cleaning Problems

Cleaning Vinyl

Stains caused by such things as catsup, coffee (black),
egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine and
blood can be removed as follows:

Use warm water and a clean cloth.

1. Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the
soiled area with cool water.

D Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain

2. If a stain remains, follow the cleaner instructions
described earlier.

D Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt.
You may have to do it more than once.

if you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and a vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for
this product.

3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with a water/baking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.

Cleaning Leather

4. Let dry.

D For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your

Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed as follows:

Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
dealer for this product.

1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.

D Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive

2. First, clean with cool water and allow to
dry completely.

D Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned

3. If a stain remains, follow the cleaner instructions
described earlier.

6-50

cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
immediately. If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.

Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel

Cleaning Glass Surfaces

Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.

Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or
a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. See
“Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index.

Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft
cloth or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.

Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.

CAUTION:

NOTICE:
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because
they may cause scratches. Avoid placing decals
on the inside rear window, since they may have
to be scraped off later. If abrasive cleaners are
used on the inside of the rear window, an
electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be
attached across the defogger grid.

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.

6-51

Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads
do not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping
vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.

Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every
six months. During very cold, damp weather
more frequent application may be required. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.

6-52

Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.

Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don’t use strong soaps or
chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,
removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer. See
“Appearance Care and Materials” in the Index. Don’t
use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that
contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents should be
flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface,
or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.

Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow
instructions under “Washing Your Vehicle.”

Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.
Your vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish.

NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.

6-53

Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
(If Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners
with acid or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because
you could damage the surface. Do not use chrome polish
on aluminum wheels.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.

Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.

NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the paint
finish and tires.

Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide
the corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.

6-54

Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and
dust control can collect on the underbody. If these
are not removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can
occur on the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.

At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.

Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Pontiac
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.

6-55

GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials

6-56

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.

Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the bottom of your spare tire
cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label is:
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.

D
D
D
D

your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.

Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.

6-57

Electrical System

Power Windows

Add-On Electrical Equipment

A circuit breaker in the fuse panel protects the power
windows. When the current load is too heavy, the circuit
breaker opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the
problem is fixed.

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.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible links. This greatly reduces the chance of
damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure to
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.

Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.

There are three fuse blocks in your vehicle: two
instrument panel fuse blocks and the engine
compartment fuse block.

Windshield Wipers

Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks

The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed.

6-58

There are two fuse panels for your vehicle. One is
located on the driver’s side of the instrument panel and
the other is located on the passenger’s side.

Instrument Panel Fuse Block -- Driver’s Side

Fuse

Usage

AIR BAG

Air Bags

BFC BATT

Body Computer (BFC)

PCM ACC

PCM

DR LOCK

Door Lock Motors

IPC/BFC ACC

Cluster, Body Computer (BFC)

STOP LPS

Stop Lamps

HAZARD LPS

Hazard Lamps

IPC/
HVAC BATT

HVAC Head, Cluster, Data
Link Connector

Circuit Breaker

Usage

Fuse

Usage

PWR SEAT

Power Seats

WIPER

Windshield Wiper Motor,
Washer Pump

Relay

Usage

TRUN REL

Trunk Relay

TRUNK REL/
RADIO AMP

Trunk Release Relay/Motor,
Audio Amplifier/RFA

DR UNLOCK

Door Unlock Relay

TURN LPS

Turn Signal Lamps

DR LOCK

Door Lock Relay

PWR MIRROR

Power Mirrors

DRIVER
DR UNLOCK

Driver’s Door Unlock Relay

6-59

Instrument Panel Fuse Block -- Passenger’s Side

6-60

Fuse

Usage

INST LPS

Interior Lamp Dimming

CRUISE
SW LPS

Steering Wheel Cruise Control
Switch Lamps

CRUISE SW

Steering Wheel Cruise
Control Switches

HVAC
BLOWER

HVAC Blower Motor

CRUISE

Cruise Control

FOG LPS

Fog Lamps

INT LPS

Interior Courtesy Lamps

RADIO BATT

Radio

SUNROOF

Power Sunroof

Circuit Breaker

Usage

PWR WNDW

Power Windows

Relay

Usage

FOG LPS

Fog Lamps

Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is located near the
battery in the engine compartment on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.

Maxifuses
3

4
5
6
7

Maxifuses
1
2

Usage
Ignition Switch
Right Electrical Center-Fog
Lamps, Radio, Body Function
Control Module, Interior Lamps

8
Mini Relays
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Usage
Left Electrical Center-Stop
Lamps, Hazard Lamps, Body
Function Control Module, Cluster,
Climate Control System
Anti-Lock Brakes
Ignition Switch
Not Used
Left Electrical Center-Power
Seats, Power Mirrors, Door Locks,
Trunk Release, Audio Amplifier,
Remote Lock Control
Cooling Fan #1
Usage
Rear Defog
Not Used
Not Used
Cooling Fan #1
HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
Cooling Fan #2
Cooling Fan

6-61

Micro Relays
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Minifuses
23 - 32
33
34
35
36
37

6-62

Usage
Air Conditioning Compressor
Not Used
Fuel Pump
Automatic Light Control
Automatic Light Control
Horn
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Usage
Spare Fuse Holder
Rear Defog
Accessory Power Outlets,
Cigarette Lighter
Not Used
Not Used
Air Conditioning Compressor,
Body Function Control Module

Minifuses
38
39
40
41
42

43
44
45
46
47
48

Usage
Automatic Transaxle
Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Variable
Effort Steering
Ignition System
Back-Up Lamps,
Automatic Transaxle Shift
Lock Control System
Horn
Powertrain Control Module
Parking Lamps
Climate Control System,
Air Conditioning
Canister Vent Valve, Exhaust
Oxygen Sensors
Fuel Pump, Injectors

Minifuses
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57

Usage
Generator
Right Headlamp
Left Headlamp
Cooling Fan #2
HVAC Blower (Climate Control )
Not Used
Cooling Fan #2 Ground
Fuse Puller for Mini Fuses
Not Used

Replacement Bulbs
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3156
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 912
Turn Signal lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3156
Stop/Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3157
Parking/Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 3157NA or 3157A
Sidemarker Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194NA

Capacities and Specifications
Capacities
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure
to fill to the appropriate level or as recommended in
this manual.
Engine Oil with Filter
2.2L L4 [ Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 quarts (5.5 L)
3400 V6 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Automatic Transaxle
Complete Overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5 quarts (9.0 L)
Manual Transaxle
Complete Overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 quarts (1.7 L)
Cooling System
2.2L L4 [ Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.6 quarts (8.2 L)
3400 V6 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.6 quarts (12.9 L)
Fuel Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.1 U.S. gallons (53.4 L)
Tire Pressures, Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . See Tire-Loading
Information label on the rear driver’s
side passenger door.

For any bulb not listed here contact your dealer.

6-63

Engine Specifications
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in
the Index.
VIN Engine Code
2.2L L4 [ Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F
3400 V6 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E

Wheel Nut Torque
100 lb-ft (140 N·m)

Air Conditioning
Refrigerant Capacity
If you do your own service work, you’ll need the proper
service manual. See “Doing Your Own Service Work” in
the Index for additional information. It is recommended
that service work on your air conditioning system be
performed by a qualified technician.
Air Conditioning
Refrigerant R134a . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 lbs. (0.6 kg)
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems

6-64

Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
2.2L L4 [ Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1172C*
3400 V6 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1279C*
Engine Oil Filter
2.2L L4 [ Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PF2244G*
3400 V6 Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PF-47*
Spark Plugs
2.2L L4 [ Engine . . . . . . . . 41-981 * (Platinum Plug)
Gap: 0.042 inch (1.06 mm)
3400 V6 Engine . . . . . . . . . 41-940* (Platinum Plug)
Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
PCV Valve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV892C*
Windshield Wiper Blades
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shepherd’s Hook
Passenger’s Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 inches (43 cm)
Driver’s Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 inches (56 cm)
* ACDelcoR part number.

[ ECOTECt

Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-4
7-14

Introduction
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Part B: Owner Checks and Services

7-19
7-21
7-23

Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part E: Maintenance Record

7-1

Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.

Maintenance Requirements
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your
dealer for details.

7-2

Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections 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 recommended maintenance may not be covered
by warranty.

How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” explains
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.

CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.

“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you
what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
important inspections that your dealer’s service
department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some recommended products necessary to help keep
your vehicle properly maintained. These products, or
their equivalents, should be used whether you do the
work yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” is a place for you
to record and keep track of the maintenance performed
on your vehicle. Keep your maintenance receipts.
They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.

If you want to get the service information, see “Service
and Owner Publications” in the Index.

7-3

Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in
many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer.

7-4

This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle
uses these. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:

D carry passengers and cargo within recommended

limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index.

D are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.

D use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of
this vehicle.
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.

Footnotes
[ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in Part C
of this schedule.

7-5

Scheduled Maintenance
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the
GM Oil Life System (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). Reset the system.

Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on
mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at
which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.

7-6

Scheduled Maintenance

7-7

Scheduled Maintenance

7-8

Scheduled Maintenance
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

15,000 Miles (25 000 km)

j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions.
Replace filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.)
j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

22,500 Miles (37 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
j Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

7-9

Scheduled Maintenance
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

45,000 Miles (75 000 km)

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)

j Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
– In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90_F (32_C) or higher.
– In hilly or mountainous terrain.
– When doing frequent trailer towing.
– Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.

7-10

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

Scheduled Maintenance
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
j Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
j Replace engine air cleaner filter.

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

An Emission Control Service.

67,500 Miles (112 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

7-11

Scheduled Maintenance
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)

j Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace
filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote [.)
j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

82,500 Miles (137 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
j Replace engine air cleaner filter.

An Emission Control Service.
j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

97,500 Miles (162 500 km)

j Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)

7-12

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

Scheduled Maintenance
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)

j Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.2L Code F L4 engine).
An Emission Control Service.
j Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
j Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

DATE
ACTUAL
MILEAGE

SERVICED BY:

under one or more of these conditions:
– In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90_F (32_C) or higher.
– In hilly or mountainous terrain.
– When doing frequent trailer towing.
– Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.

150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
j Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.

7-13

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.

At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.

Engine Coolant Level Check

Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOLR
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.

At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. See “Tires” in
the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.

7-14

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.

Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Manual Transaxle Check

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
Check for leaks. A fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if needed.

Wiper Blade Check

Automatic Transaxle Inspection

Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.

It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
“Hydraulic Clutch Fluid” in the Index. A fluid loss in
this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.

7-15

At Least Once a Year

Starter Switch Check

Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all the door hinges and latches, including
those for the hood and the trunk lid. Part D tells you
what to use. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment.

CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.

7-16

Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check

3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to OFF in each shift lever position.
With a manual transaxle, the key should turn to OFF
only when the shift lever is in reverse.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in OFF.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.

7-17

Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
Mechanism Check

CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.

Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.

D To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With

the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.

D To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding

ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.

Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.

7-18

Part C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall). You should let your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center
do these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.

Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.

Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.

Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.

7-19

Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser. To help
ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.

Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.

7-20

Brake System Inspection
(Except GT Series)
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
The parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment is required. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.

Brake System Inspection (GT Series Only)
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and
rotors for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
USAGE

FLUID/LUBRICANT

Engine Oil

Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.

Engine Coolant

50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and use only
GM GoodwrenchR DEX-COOLR
or HavolineR DEX-COOLR
Coolant. See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index.

USAGE
Hydraulic
Brake System
Windshield
Washer Solvent

FLUID/LUBRICANT

Delco Supreme 11R Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
GM OptikleenR Washer Solvent
(GM Part No. 1051515) or
equivalent.

Hydraulic
Clutch System

Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. 12345347 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).

Power
Steering System

GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).

Manual
Transaxle
Automatic
Transaxle

DEXRONR-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
DEXRONR-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.

7-21

USAGE

FLUID/LUBRICANT

USAGE

FLUID/LUBRICANT

Key
Lock Cylinders

Multi-Purpose Lubricant,
SuperlubeR (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).

Hood and
Door Hinges

Multi-Purpose Lubricant,
SuperlubeR (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).

Weatherstrip
Conditioning

Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. 12345579
or equivalent).

Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary Latch,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl

7-22

LubriplateR Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI # 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the
boxes provided after the maintenance interval. Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or
“Periodic Maintenance” can be added on the following record pages. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts.
Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.

Maintenance Record
DATE

ODOMETER
READING

SERVICED BY

MAINTENANCE PERFORMED

7-23

Maintenance Record
DATE

7-24

ODOMETER
READING

SERVICED BY

MAINTENANCE PERFORMED

Section 8 Customer Assistance Information
Here you will find out how to contact Pontiac if you need assistance. This section also tells you how to obtain service
publications and how to report any safety defects.
8-2
8-2
8-3
8-5
8-5
8-6
8-6

Pontiac Cares
What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users
Customer Assistance Offices
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program

8-8
8-8
8-10
8-10
8-11
8-11

Canadian Roadside Assistance
Courtesy Transportation
Warranty Information
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors

8-1

Pontiac Cares

The PONTIAC CARES philosophy and elements are
designed to make you realize that Pontiac recognizes
you as a valuable customer, appreciates your purchase
decision, and is dedicated to taking care of the most
important person ... YOU! PONTIAC CARES is:
A valuable feature that comes with every Pontiac,
a feature that offers a multitude of benefits that can
give you safety, security, comfort and convenience.

What Makes Up Pontiac Cares?
D A 3 year/36,000 mile (60 000 km)
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty
D Customer Assistance
D Roadside Assistance
D Courtesy Transportation
With PONTIAC CARES, you are never more than
a phone call away from having your concern taken
care of.

8-2

All of these elements combine to make your driving
experience an enjoyable one and are discussed in greater
detail in your owner’s manual. Pontiac is focusing on
the changing needs of our customers and is committed
to giving you an exceptional level of customer care
throughout your ownership experience. Our goal is
to create total customer enthusiasm in our product and
our services and make you the most satisfied customer
in the world.

Customer Satisfaction Procedure

Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your
dealer and to Pontiac. Normally, any concerns with the
sales transaction or the operation of your vehicle will be
resolved by your dealer’s sales or service departments.
Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions of
all concerned, misunderstandings can occur. If your
concern has not been resolved to your satisfaction,
the following steps should be taken:
STEP ONE -- Discuss your concern with a member
of dealership management. Normally, concerns can
be quickly resolved at that level. If the matter has
already been reviewed with the sales, service or parts
manager, contact the owner of the dealership or the
general manager.
STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member of
dealership management, it appears your concern cannot
be resolved by the dealership without further help, contact
the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center by calling
1-800-762-2737. In Canada, contact GM of Canada
Customer Communication Centre in Oshawa by calling
1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French).

8-3

We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order
to give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have the
following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:

D Vehicle Identification Number (This is available

from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate
at the top left of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)

D Dealership name and location
D Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
When contacting Pontiac, please remember that
your concern will likely be resolved at a dealer’s facility.
That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if
you have a concern.
STEP THREE -- Both General Motors and your
dealer are committed to making sure you are
completely satisfied with your new vehicle. However,
if you continue to remain unsatisfied after following the
procedure outlined in Steps One and Two, you should
file with the GM/BBB Auto Line Program to enforce
any additional rights you may have. Canadian owners
refer to your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet for information on the Canadian
Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).

8-4

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. If you do not
agree with the decision given in your case, you may
reject it and proceed with any other venue for relief
available to you.
You may contact the BBB using the toll-free telephone
number or write them at the following address:
BBB Auto Line
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
Telephone: 1-800-955-5100
This program is available in all 50 states and the
District of Columbia. Eligibility is limited by vehicle age,
mileage and other factors. General Motors reserves the
right to change eligibility limitations and/or discontinue
its participation in this program.

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),
Pontiac has TTY equipment available at its Customer
Assistance Center. Any TTY user can communicate with
Pontiac by dialing: 1-800-833-PONT (7668).
(TTY users in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.)

Customer Assistance Offices
Pontiac encourages customers to call the toll-free number
for assistance. If a U.S. customer wishes to write to Pontiac,
the letter should be addressed to Pontiac’s Customer
Assistance Center.

United States
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
1-800-762-2737 or
1-800-833-7668 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-ROADSIDE (762-3743)
From:
Puerto Rico:
1-800-496-9992 (English)
1-800-496-9993 (Spanish)

Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
1-800-263-3777 (English)
1-800-263-7854 (French)
1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800

All Overseas Locations
Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit.

Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands)
General Motors de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Customer Assistance Center
Paseo de la Reforma # 2740
Col. Lomas de Bezares
C.P. 11910, Mexico, D.F.
01-800-508-0000
Long Distance: 011-52 - 53 29 0 800

U.S. Virgin Islands:
1-800-496-9994
Fax Number: 313-381-0022

8-5

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities

Pontiac Roadside Assistance Program

This program, available to
qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward aftermarket driver
or passenger adaptive
equipment you may require
for your vehicle (hand
controls, wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.).

This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details.
When calling from outside Canada, please dial
1-905-644-3063. All TTY users call 1-800-263-3830.

8-6

Security While You Travel
1-800-ROADSIDE (1-800-762-3743)
As the proud owner of a new Pontiac vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the Pontiac 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.

Pontiac’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by a team of technically trained advisors, who
are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We take anxiety out of uncertain situations by providing
minor repair information over the phone or making
arrangements to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Pontiac dealer.
We will provide the following services for
3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km), at no expense to you:
D Fuel delivery
D Lock-out service (identification required)
D Tow to nearest dealership for warranty service
D Change a flat tire
D Jump starts
We have quick, easy access to telephone numbers of the
following additional services depending on your needs:
D Hotels
D Glass replacement
D Tire repair facilities

D Rental vehicle or taxis
D Airports or train stations
D Police, fire department or hospitals
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Pontiac’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our advisors will
explain any payment obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following information to give the advisor:

D
D
D
D
D
D

Location of vehicle
Telephone number of your location
Vehicle model, year and color
Mileage of vehicle
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle license plate number

8-7

Pontiac reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in Pontiac’s
judgement, the claims become excessive in frequency or
type of occurrence.
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’re only a phone call away.
Pontiac Roadside Assistance -- 1-800-ROADSIDE
or 1-800-762-3743, text telephone (TTY) users,
call 1-888-889-2438.

Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information book or
call 1-800-268-6800 for emergency services.

8-8

Courtesy Transportation
Pontiac has always exemplified quality and value in its
offering of motor vehicles. To enhance your ownership
experience, we and our participating dealers are proud
to offer Courtesy Transportation, a customer support
program for new vehicles.
The Courtesy Transportation program is offered to
retail purchase/lease customers in conjunction with
the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage provided by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Several transportation
options are available when warranty repairs are
required. This will reduce your inconvenience during
warranty repairs.

Plan Ahead When Possible
When your vehicle requires warranty service, you
should contact your dealer and request an appointment.
By scheduling a service appointment and advising your
service consultant of your transportation needs, your
dealer can help minimize your inconvenience. If your
vehicle cannot be scheduled into the service department
immediately, keep driving it until it can be scheduled for
service, unless, of course, the problem is safety-related.
If it is, please call your dealership, let them know this,
and ask for instructions.

If the dealer requests that you simply drop the vehicle
off for service, you are urged to do so as early in the
work day as possible to allow for same day repair.

Transportation Options
Warranty service can generally be completed while you
wait. However, if you are unable to wait Pontiac helps
minimize your inconvenience by providing several
transportation options. Depending on the circumstances,
your dealer can offer you one of the following:
Shuttle Service
Participating dealers can provide you with shuttle
service to get you to your destination with minimal
interruption of your daily schedule. This includes a
one way shuttle ride to a destination up to 10 miles
from the dealership.
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement
If your vehicle requires overnight warranty repairs,
reimbursement up to $30 per day (five days maximum)
may be available for the use of public transportation
such as taxi or bus. In addition, should you arrange
transportation through a friend or relative, reimbursement
for reasonable fuel expenses up to $10 per day (five day
maximum) may be available. Claim amounts should
reflect actual costs and be supported by original receipts.

Courtesy Rental Vehicle
When your vehicle is unavailable due to overnight
warranty repairs, your dealer may arrange to provide
you with a courtesy rental vehicle or reimburse you for
a rental vehicle you obtained, at actual cost, up to a
maximum of $30.00 per day supported by receipts.
This requires that you sign and complete a rental
agreement and meet state, local and rental vehicle
provider requirements. Requirements vary and may
include minimum age requirements, insurance coverage,
credit card, etc. You are responsible for fuel usage
charges and may also be responsible for taxes, levies,
usage fees, excessive mileage or rental usage beyond the
completion of the repair.
Generally it is not possible to provide a like-vehicle as
a courtesy rental.

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.

8-9

Courtesy Transportation is available only at
participating dealers and all program options, such as
shuttle service, may not be available at every dealer.
Please contact your dealer for specific information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles: For warranty repairs during the
Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult your
dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at any
time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described herein
at its sole discretion.

Warranty Information
Your vehicle comes with a separate warranty booklet
that contains detailed warranty information.

REPORTING SAFETY
DEFECTS TO THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which
could cause a crash or could cause injury or death,
you should immediately inform the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to
notifying General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.

8-10

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
GENERAL MOTORS

If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:

In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify
us. Please call us at 1–800–762-2737, or write:

Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

8-11

SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION
Service Manuals

Owner’s Information

Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00

Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.

Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case
Unit Repair Manual

In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00

This manual provides information on unit repair
service procedures, adjustments and specifications
for GM transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to assist
in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.

Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123 – Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Visit Helm, Inc. on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
For Credit Card Orders Only (VISA-MasterCard-Discover)
Helm, Incorporated S P.O. Box 07130 S Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.

8-12

Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are quoted in U.S. funds.
Canadian residents are to make checks payable in U.S. funds.

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Description                     : 1st Edition Owner's Manuel
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Creator                         : Copyright General Motors Corp 2001
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