1997 GMC SAVANA Owners Manual

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock
system. You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in RUN. See “Automatic Transmission” 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 up
into PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application.
Then, move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of
PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the brake-transmission shift interlock system
fixed as soon
as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
T1
I
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Exhaust
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:
0 Your exhaust system sounds strange
0 Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
0 Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
0 Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
0 Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
0 Drive it only with all the windows down to
0 Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
or
different.
modified improperly.
blow out any
CO; and
Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if
ever have to, here are some things to
know.
L
A CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system control
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 switch 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.)
2-28
ProCarManuals.com

Windows
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).
Manual Windows
To operate your manual windows, turn the hand crank
on each door to raise or lower your side door windows.
Power Windows (Option)
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in
the Index.
If you have the optional power windows, the controls
are on each of the side doors.
ProCarManuals.com

The driver’s door has a switch for the passenger
windows as well. Your power windows will work when
the ignition has been turned to the
RUN position.
hsh the
rear of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to lower the window.
Push the front of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to raise the window.
The driver’s window switch also has an express-down
feature that allows the window to lower without holding
the switch. Press and hold the side of the window switch
marked AUTO for one second to activate the
express-down mode. The express-down mode can be cancelled at any time by pressing the opposite side
of
the switch. To open the window partway, lightly tap the
switch until the window is at
the desired position.
Swing-Out Windows
Side Swing-Out Window
To open your side door swing-out windows, pull up on
the latch at the edge of the window and swing the
window out and push down the latch into the locked
open position.
2-30
ProCarManuals.com

Rear Swing-Out Window
To close the window, pull the latch toward you and push
down
on the latch to lock it. Your rear swing-out
windows work the same way, but the latch is
at the
bottom edge
of the window.
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear
swing-out windows or rear door(s) 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 rear swing-out
windows or rear door(s) open or
if electrical
wiring or other cable connections must pass
through the seal between the body and the rear
swing-out windows or rear door(s):
0 Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting on
VENT, HEAT, BLEND or DEF. Additionally,
on vehicles with heatingair conditioning
systems,
NORM A/C or BI-LEV A/C can be
used. That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls” in the Index.
instrument panel, open them
all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-31
ProCarManuals.com

Horn
Press one of the horn buttons at each side of the steering
wheel to sound the
horn.
0 If your vehicle is equipped with an air bag, press
If your vehicle is not equipped with an air bag, press
on the cap in the center
of the steering wheel to
sound the horn.
anywhere
on the
module to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel (Option)
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before
you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level
to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle. To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever
to lock the wheel in place.
ProCarManuals.com

Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
0 Turn Signal and Lane Changer
0 Headlamp High/Low beam Changer
0 Windshield Wipers
0 Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (Option)
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.\

7
An arrow on the instrument
panel 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.
2-33
ProCarManuals.com

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers
may not 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 a blown
fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the multifunction lever all the way toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are
on, this light on the
instrument panel also will be on.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield
wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle.
If you want more cycles, hold the
band
on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful
in light rain or
snow.
Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LOW, the shorter the delay.
2-34
ProCarManuals.com