Page 175 of 497
2-95
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Button
B. Exterior Lamp Controls
C. Air Outlets
D. Automatic Transfer Case (If Equipped) Electronic
Transfer Case (If Equipped)/Traction Assist
System (TAS) (If Equipped)
E. Multifunction Lever
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Gearshift Lever (Automatic Transmission)
H. Tow/Haul Selector Button
I. Audio System
J. Comfort Control System
K. Instrument Panel Fuse BlockL. Hood Release
M. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block
N. Tilt Wheel Lever (If Equipped)
O. Parking Brake Release
P. Lighter and Accessory Power Outlets
Q. Rear Window Defogger Switch (If Equipped)
R. Storage Area or Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)
S. Ashtray
T. Manual Selectable Ride Control (If Equipped)
U. 4WS Switch (If Equipped)
V. Passenger Air Bag Off Switch
W. Glove Box
Page 176 of 497
2-96
Instrument Panel Cluster
United States Heavy Duty Automatic Transmission version shown. Canada, Light Duty Automatic and
Manual Transmission Clusters similar.
Page 193 of 497
2-113
Cruise Light (If Equipped)
United States Canada
The CRUISE light comes on whenever you set your
cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.
4WD Light (If Equipped)
The 4WD indicator will
light up when you shift a
manual transfer case into
four
-wheel drive and the
front axle engages.
Some delay between shifting and the indicator's lighting
is normal.
See ªFour
-Wheel Driveº in the Index for
more information.
Tow/Haul Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This message is displayed
when the tow/haul mode
has been activated.
For more information see, ªTow/Haul Modeº in
the Index.
Page 196 of 497

2-116
Trans Fluid Hot
If you have an automatic transmission, you have a
transmission temperature warning display contained in
the message center.
If the transmission
fluid temperature becomes
high, the message will
be displayed.
When the transmission enters the protection mode you
may notice a change in the transmission shifting
patterns. When the transmission fluid temperature
returns to normal, the display will turn off and the
transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with the
transmission TRANS FLUID HOT message
displayed, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered under your warranty.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission fluid level
High transmission fluid level
Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler (if equipped).
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on
a frequent basis, see ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the
Index for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.
Page 197 of 497

2-117
Trans Hot...Idle Engine
If you have an automatic transmission, you have a
transmission over
-temperature display contained in the
message center.
If this warning message is
displayed, pull the vehicle
off the roadway when it is
safe to do so.
Set the parking brake and place the transmission in
PARK (P). Idle the engine until the message center no
longer displays a message. If idling the engine does not
turn the warning message off after 10 to 15 minutes,
contact your nearest dealer or the GM Roadside
Assistance Center. See ªRoadside Assistanceº in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with the
transmission TRANS HOT...IDLE ENGINE
message displayed, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to costly repairs
that may not be covered under your warranty.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a heavy load
Low transmission fluid level
High transmission fluid level
Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler (if equipped).
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on
a frequent basis, see ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the
Index for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.
Page 212 of 497

3-10 Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use the floor or bi
-level
setting with the temperature knob in the red area.
On cold days, approximately 32F (
-0C) or lower, if
your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission,
you may experience differences in how the transmission
shifts until the engine is warm. This feature
automatically reduces the time it takes for the engine to
reach normal operating temperature and shortens the
time it takes the heater to reach full output.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting your
engine in cold weather, 20F (
-8C) or lower, the
heating system will produce warmer air faster to heat the
passenger compartment.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature. For more information, see ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use defrost to keep the windshield
and side windows clear. Use defrost to remove fog or ice
from the windshield in extremely humid or cold
conditions. Use defrost with the temperature knob
toward the red area and the fan control turned all the
way to the right.
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
If you see lines running across the rear window, your
vehicle has a rear window defogger. The lines warm
the glass.
To turn on the rear window
defogger, press this button
next to the fan knob.
The rear window
defogger will only work
if the ignition is in RUN.
For best results, clear the
window of as much snow
or ice as possible.
Page 238 of 497

4-10
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration. This is normal and
doesn't mean there's a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard acceleration
in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of the
transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re
-engage the cruise control. See
ªCruise Controlº in the Index.
When the TRACTION
OFF light is on, the TAS
is off and will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.The TRACTION OFF light will come on under the
following conditions:
The Traction Assist System is turned off, either by
pressing the TAS on/off button or turning off the
automatic engagement feature of the TAS.
The transmission is in FIRST (1); TAS will not
operate in this gear. This is normal.
The vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road.
When the vehicle leaves the rough surface, slows
down or stops, the light will go off and TAS will be
on again. This is normal.
A Traction Assist System, Anti-Lock Brake System
or engine
-related problem has been detected and the
vehicle needs service.
See ªTraction Off Lightº in the Index.
The Traction Assist System, as delivered from the
factory, will automatically come on whenever you start
your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery
road conditions, you should always leave the system on.
But you can turn the TAS off if you ever need to. You
should turn the TAS off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in
sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
See ªRocking Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Page 239 of 497

4-11
To turn the system on
or off press the TAS
on/off button located
to the left of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
If you used the button to turn the system off, the
TRACTION OFF light will come on and stay on. You
can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the
button again. The TRACTION OFF light should go off.If desired, you can change the TAS automatic
engagement feature so that the system will not come on
automatically when the engine is started. To do so:
1. Park the vehicle with the ignition off and the
transmission in PARK (P).
2. Turn the ignition to RUN; do not start the engine.
3. Apply the brake pedal, press the accelerator pedal to
the floor and then press the TAS on/off button and
hold it down for at least six seconds.
4. Release the TAS button and both pedals.
5. Turn off the ignition and wait a few seconds.
The next time you start your vehicle, the TAS will not
automatically come on. You can restore the automatic
feature by using the same procedure. Whether the
TAS is set to come on automatically or not, you can
always turn the system on or off by pressing the TAS
on/off button.