2-23Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow/haul mode.
The button is located on the end of the column shift
lever. You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the
Index for more information.
The tow/haul mode also interacts with the Autoride
feature to enhance the ride when trailering or with a
loaded vehicle. See ªAutoride º in the Index. Parking Brake To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will flash. A chime will activate when the parking
brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at least
3 mph (5 km/h) for at least three seconds.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, marked BRAKE
RELEASE, to release the parking brake.
2-56 OnStar MED
- NET: Med
- Net can store your
personal medical history and provide it to emergency
personnel if necessary. (Requires activation and an
additional fee.)
Accident Assist: An advisor can provide
step
- by
- step guidance following an accident.
Remote Door Unlock: To contact the center,
call 1
- 888
- 4
- ONSTAR. You will be required to
provide your security information. An advisor will
send a command to your vehicle to unlock itself.
The advisor can delay unlocking your vehicle.
Remote Door Unlock is disabled 48 hours after the
vehicle is parked to maintain the battery charge.
Vehicle Locator Service: To contact the center,
call 1
- 888
- 4
- ONSTAR. You will be required to
provide your security information. An advisor will
send a command to your vehicle to sound the horn
and/or flash the lamps.
In order to provide you with excellent service, calls with
the OnStar Center may be monitored or recorded.
Route Support: An advisor can provide directions
or guidance to anywhere you want to go. In addition,
they can help you locate gas stations, rest areas,
ATMs, hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more. Ride Assist: An advisor can locate transportation in
the event that you are unable to drive.
Concierge Services: The concierge advisor can
obtain tickets, reservations or help with vacation/trip
planning and other unique items and services.
OnStar System Limitations Complete limitations can be found on the subscriber
services agreement.
In order to provide you with excellent service, calls with
the OnStar Center may be monitored or recorded.
OnStar Service is:
available in the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska,
Hawaii and Canada;
available when the vehicle is within the operating
range of a cellular provider;
subject to limitations caused by atmospheric
conditions, such as severe weather or topographical
conditions, such as mountainous terrain.
subject to cellular carrier equipment limitations.
2-71See ªMessage Centerº in the Index for further information.
If the transmission fluid reaches temperatures of
approximately 275 F (135 C) or greater, the message
center will display a TRANS HOT...IDLE ENG warning
message. Pull the vehicle off the roadway when it is safe
to do so. Set the parking brake, place the transmission in
PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle until the
transmission temperature falls below 260 F (127 C).
If the transmission continues to operate above 265 F
(130 C), please contact your nearest dealer or the GM
Roadside Assistance Center.
NOTICE: If you keep driving your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above the
normal operating range, 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.
2-79Trans Hot...Idle Engine Your vehicle has 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.
4-9Remember: 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 the
brakes vibrate, or you may 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.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort. Speed-Sensitive Steering This system varies the amount of steering effort
proportionate to your vehicle speed. Steering is easier
at lower speeds for maneuvering and parking ease.
As your vehicle speed increases, the steering effort also
increases. At highway speeds, the amount of steering
effort is increased.
Steering Tips Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
8-11REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5 REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO
GENERAL MOTORS In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify
us. Please call us at 1
- 800
- GMC
- 8782
(1
- 800
- 462
- 8782), or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232
- 5172
In Canada, please call us at 1
- 800
- 263
- 3777 (English)
or 1
- 800
- 263
- 7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7