Vehicle Theft Alarm: Arming

Passive arming of the VTA occurs when the vehicle is exited with the key removed from the ignition switch, the headlamps are turned OFF, and the doors are locked while they are open using the power lock switch. Active arming occurs when the LOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is depressed to lock the vehicle. For active arming to occur, the doors and the liftgate must be closed and the ignition switch must be in the OFF position when the RKE transmitter LOCK button is depressed. The power lock switch will not function if the key is in the ignition switch or the headlamps are turned ON with the driver side front door open.

Pre-arming of the VTA is initiated when a door or the liftgate is open when the vehicle is locked using a power door lock switch or when the RKE transmitter LOCK button is depressed. Pre-arming will not occur if the key is in the ignition switch or the headlamps are turned ON with the driver side front door open. When the VTA is pre-armed, the arming sequence is delayed until all of the doors and the liftgate have been closed. The VTA will remain in pre-armed mode for up to 16 seconds after all doors and the liftgate have been closed.

Once the VTA begins the passive or active arming sequence, the security indicator in the instrument cluster will flash rapidly for about 16 seconds. This indicates that VTA arming is in progress. If the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, if a door or the liftgate is unlocked or opened by any means, or if the RKE PANIC button (if equipped) is depressed during the 16 second arming process, the security indicator will stop flashing and the arming process will abort. Once the arming sequence is successfully completed, the security indicator will flash at a slower rate, indicating that the VTA is armed.

On vehicles equipped with the hood ajar switch, the VTA arming sequence will occur regardless of whether the hood is open or closed, but the security indicator will illuminate solid and the underhood area will not be protected unless the hood is closed when the VTA arming sequence begins. Also, if the status of the hood ajar switch changes from open to closed during the 16 second arming process, the security indicator will switch from solid to flashing and the VTA arming sequence will abort. Once the arming process is successfully completed, the security indicator will flash at a slower rate, indicating that the VTA is armed.