2-88 Functions
: If one of the doors is ajar, this light will
appear next to that door on the vehicle outline.
CHANGE OIL SOON: This light will appear when
the system indicates that it's time for an oil change.
The system predicts remaining oil life using inputs from
length of drives, coolant temperature, engine rpm and
vehicle speed. It alerts you to change the oil on a
schedule consistent with the vehicle's driving
conditions. After changing the oil, the system must be
reset. See ªHow to Reset the GM Oil Life Systemº
in the Index.
LOW: This light will come on when the ignition is
on and the fluid in the washer fluid container is low.
AJAR: This light alerts you that the trunk is not
fully closed.LOW TRAC: This light will come on when the
enhanced traction system is limiting wheel spin.
See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº or ªLow Traction
Lightº in the Index.
TRAC OFF: This light lets you know that the enhanced
traction system has been disabled and will not limit
wheel spin. See ªEnhanced Traction System Warning
Lightº or ªLow Traction Lightº in the Index.
TRAC: If the vehicle has the enhanced traction system,
you will have a disable button on the far right side of the
DIC. The enhanced traction system is automatically
activated when you turn the ignition on. This button will
activate/deactivate the system. If you need to disable the
system, such as when you are stuck and are rocking the
vehicle back and forth, push this button. See ªStuck: In
Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
2-91 Control Buttons
The trip computer has three buttons that control
its functions.
ENG/MET: Press this button to change the display
from English to metric units or metric to English.
RESET: Press this button for two seconds to reset the
mode displayed.
MODE: Press this button to change the mode
being displayed.
Functions
FUEL USED: Shows the total amount of fuel used
since you last reset this mode. The amount can be
displayed in gallons or liters.
AVG ECON: Shows the average fuel economy since
you last reset this mode.
OIL LIFE: Shows a percentage of the oil's remaining
useful life. The system predicts remaining oil life using
inputs from length of drives, coolant temperature,
engine rpm and vehicle speed. Each time you get an oil
change, be sure to reset this function so that it will give
you an accurate percentage. See ªHow to Reset the GM
Oil Life Systemº in the Index.RANGE: Shows how much farther you can travel with
the fuel you have before refueling. When the range
displays ªLº, for 40 to 50 miles (64.36 to 80.45 km),
the display will flash the word LOW continuously and
the vehicle will chime three times. The range is
calculated from the average econ value times the fuel
remaining in the tank.
LOW: This light will come on when the ignition is on
and the fluid in the washer fluid container is low.
DOOR AJAR: If one of the doors is left ajar, a light
will appear next to that door on the vehicle outline.
BOOST GAGE: If you have the 3800 V6 supercharged
engine, this gage will show the amount of boost the
engine is receiving.
TRUNK AJAR: If the trunk is not fully closed or open,
a light will outline the trunk area on the vehicle outline.
LOW TRAC: This light will come on when the
enhanced traction system (3100 or 3800 V6 engine) or
the traction control system (3800 supercharged V6
engine) is limiting wheel spin. See ªTraction Control
Systemº ªEnhanced Traction Systemº and ªLow
Traction Lightº in the Index.
3-13
PREV (1): Press this button or the SEEK down arrow to
go to the start of the current track if more than eight
seconds have played. If you hold the button or press it
more than once, the player will continue moving back
through the disc.
NEXT (2): Press this button or the SEEK up arrow to
go to the start of the next track. If you hold the button or
press it more than once, the player will continue moving
forward through the disc.
RDM (3): Press this button to hear the tracks in random,
rather than sequential, order. The display will show
RDM. Press RDM again to turn off random play.
REV (5): Press and hold this button to quickly reverse
within a track. Release it to play the passage. You will
hear sound at a reduced volume. The display will show
elapsed time.FWD (6): Press and hold this button to quickly advance
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
RECALL: Press this button to see what track is
currently playing. Press RECALL again within five
seconds to see how long the track has been playing.
When a new track starts to play, the track number will
also appear. Press RECALL a third time and the time of
day will be displayed.
AM/FM: Press this button to play the radio when a disc
is playing. The disc will stop but remain in the player.
CD/PLAY: Press this button to change to the disc
function when the radio is on.
EJECT: Press this button to remove the disc or
stop the disc and switch to the radio. EJECT will work
with the radio off.
3-16
PREV (1): Press this button or the SEEK down arrow to
go to the start of the current track if more than eight
seconds have played. If you hold the button or press it
more than once, the player will continue moving back
through the disc.
NEXT (2): Press this button or the SEEK up arrow to
go to the start of the next track. If you hold the button or
press it more than once, the player will continue moving
forward through the disc.
RDM (3): Press this button to hear the tracks in random,
rather than sequential, order. The display will show
RDM. Press RDM again to turn off random play.
REV (5): Press and hold this button to quickly reverse
within a track. Release it to play the passage. You will
hear sound at a reduced volume. The display will show
elapsed time.FWD (6): Press and hold this button to quickly advance
within a track. You will hear sound at a reduced volume.
The display will show elapsed time.
RECALL: Press this button to see what track is
currently playing. Press RECALL again within five
seconds to see how long the track has been playing.
When a new track starts to play, the track number will
also appear. Press RECALL a third time and the time of
day will be displayed.
AM/FM: Press this button to play the radio when a disc
is playing. The disc will stop but remain in the player.
CD/PLAY: Press this button to change to the disc
function when the radio is on.
EJECT: Press this button to remove the disc or
stop the disc and switch to the radio. EJECT will work
with the radio off.
4-8
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.
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.
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.
4-15
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.
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
ªrunning startº 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.
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.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.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
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.
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.
4-34
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 ªWeight of the Trailerº
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:
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.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
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.
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.
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.
4-38 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.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug a
trailer lighting system into your vehicle's lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps from time to time to be sure
they're all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you if
one of your vehicle lamps is out.