Your vehicle has a theft-deterrent alarm system. With this system, if your ignition is off, the SECURITY light will flash as you open the door.

This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent system. To activate it do the following:

1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or remote keyless entry system. The SECURITY light should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off after about 30 seconds. The security system is not armed until the SECURITY light is off. If the SECURITY light stays on or flashes when the ignition is turned on, there is a problem with the system and the vehicle should be serviced.

If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and then shuts off while the ignition is on, the security system has detected a problem. See your dealer for service.

If a door or the trunk is opened without the key or remote keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle's lamps will flash and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will go off to save battery power.

Remember, the theft-deterrent system won't activate if you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It only activates if you use the power door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off. This also shuts off the alarm.

Here's how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:

If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock the driver's door with your key.

You can also turn off the alarm by pressing the unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm won't stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.

The alarm can be tested by following these steps:

1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the driver's window and open the driver's door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the power door lock switch while the door is open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
3. Get out of the car, close the door and wait for the SECURITY light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm.

If the alarm does not sound when it should, but the vehicle's lamps flash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers .

If the alarm does not sound, or the vehicle's lamps do not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by an authorized service center.