2001 GMC SAVANA heater

2-
2-1
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.
2
-2 Windows
2
-5 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-9 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-16 Rear Doors
2
-17 Theft
2
-18 Passlock

2-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-20 Starting Your Gasoline Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-28 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-32 Engine Exhaust
2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-33 Locking Rear Axle (If Equipped)
2
-33 Horn
2
-34 Tilt Wheel (Option)
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-40 Exterior Lamps
2
-42 Interior Lamps
2
-44 Mirrors
2
-47 Storage Compartments
2
-47 Cigarette Lighter/Ashtray
2
-48 Sun Visors
2
-50 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-52 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-54 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-23
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
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.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord for the engine coolant heater is located on
the driver's side of the engine compartment and is
attached to the hose for the power steering reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
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
11 0
-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
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 Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, and it features an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument cluster. This display
must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of
being moved out of the PARK (P) position. This means
that if your key is in OFF, but not locked, there will be a
small current drain on your battery which could
discharge your battery over a period of time. If you have
a need to leave your key in the ignition in OFF for an
extended period for any reason, it is recommended that
you disconnect the battery cable from the battery to
prevent discharging your battery.

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system
work for you.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle.
Heater Controls
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the heating system control
panel regulates the fan speed. The knob has four speed
positions. To increase airflow, turn the knob toward HI.To decrease airflow, turn it toward LO. To turn the fan
off, turn the mode knob on the far right to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel regulates the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob toward the red area for warmer air. Turn the
knob toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob changes the heater setting.
VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
BI-LEVEL: This setting divides airflow between
the heater floor vents and instrument panel vents.
HEAT: This setting directs air through the heater
floor vents.
HEAT/DEFOG: This setting divides airflow
between the heater floor vents and windshield.
DEFROST: This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. This setting is used to
remove fog or ice from the windshield.

3-3 Heater/Air Conditioning Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heater/air
conditioning controls will look like this.
Before using your vehicle's air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air.Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the heating system control
panel regulates the fan speed. The knob has four speed
positions. To increase airflow, turn the knob toward HI.
To decrease airflow, turn it toward LO. To turn the fan
off, turn the mode knob on the far right to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger
compartment of your vehicle. This knob will allow you to
adjust the air temperature independently of the function knob
setting. Turn the knob toward the red area for warmer air.
Turn the knob toward the blue area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel changes the
heater/air conditioning setting.
MAX A/C: Turn the right knob to MAX A/C for
maximum cooling. This setting puts the system in the
recirculation mode and helps to maximize your air
conditioner's performance and your vehicle's fuel
economy. This setting also cools the air the fastest. After
the vehicle's interior reaches a comfortable temperature,
turn the knob clockwise to place the air conditioning
system in the A/C mode.

3-4
A/C: This setting is used for normal cooling on hot
days. It cools outside air and directs it through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL A/C: This setting divides airflow
between the heater floor vents and instrument panel
vents. The air conditioning compressor will cycle
continuously in this setting as long as the outside air
temperature is warm enough to activate the compressor.
VENT: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
HEAT: This setting directs air through the heater
floor vents. It is useful for cold weather.
HEAT/DEFOG: This setting divides airflow
between the heater floor vents and the windshield. In the
blended position, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically activated to dehumidify the air.
DEFROST: This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. It is useful when you have
fog or ice on the windshield.
Rear Heater (Without Air Conditioning)
(If Equipped)
If you have a rear heater (without rear air conditioning),
the control is located on the instrument panel.
To increase and decrease the flow of heated air to the
rear floor vents, turn the thumbwheel marked REAR
HEAT to the speed you want.
The thumbwheel has three speed positions. To increase
the flow of heated air, turn the thumbwheel toward
HIGH. To turn the fan off, turn the control to OFF.

3-5 Rear Air Conditioning and Rear Heater
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has a rear air conditioning and rear
heater system combination, controls are provided
to regulate the temperature, location and speed of
the airflow.
Front Passenger ControlTo adjust the air temperature, turn the temperature knob
on the right side of the control panel.
For warmer air, turn the knob toward the red area, and
for cooler air, turn the knob toward the blue area.
To regulate the airflow location, adjust the center knob
on the control panel. Turn the knob counterclockwise
for floor vent airflow or clockwise for headliner vent air
flow. Generally, the upper vents are used for air
conditioning and the floor vents for heating. The control
knob can be set to any blend setting.
To adjust the airflow speed, turn the fan knob on the left
side of the control panel to the desired fan speed.
To activate the rear control, turn the fan knob on the
front control to REAR CNTL.

3-7
Heating
On cold days, use HEAT with the temperature knob in
the red area. Outside air will be brought in through the
floor outlets. The heater works best if you keep your
windows closed while using it.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defrosting
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly in extremely cold conditions. The
temperature knob should be in the red area and the fan
knob toward high. The air conditioning compressor may
operate in this setting to dehumidify the air.
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
If you see lines running across the rear windows, you
have a rear window defogger. The lines warm the glass.
For best results, clear the windows of as much snow or
ice as possible before using the rear window defogger.
To turn on the rear window
defogger, press this button
located near the fan control.
An indicator light in the
button will come on when
the rear window defogger
is working.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN.
The rear window defogger will turn itself off after
several minutes. If you need additional warming time,
press the button again. Pressing the button when the
indicator light is illuminated will turn the defogger off.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated outside rearview
mirrors, the rear window defogger button will activate
both the rear window defogger and the heated outside
rearview mirrors. See ªHeated Outside Rearview
Mirrorsº in the Index.