
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, GMC,
the GMC Truck Emblem and the name SAVANA are
registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited” for GMC whenever it appears
in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the
new owner can use it.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. X2314 B First Edition©
Copyright General Motors Corporation 7/15/02
All Rights Reserved
Canadian Owners
You can obtain a French copy of this manual from your
dealer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
How to Use This Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle.
If you do this, it will help you learn about the features
and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll
find that pictures and words work together to explain
things.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s
in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
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2003 - Savana OM

Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need for everyone to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in every
Canadian province says children up to some age must be
restrained while in a vehicle.
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by the
appropriate restraint. Young children should not use the
vehicles safety belts without an additional restraint,
unless there is no other choice.
Cargo Vans with a Passenger Air Bag
and an Air Bag Off Switch, Passenger
Vans and Cab and Chassis Models
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Remote Keyless Entry System
If equipped, the remote keyless entry system operates
on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
•Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
•Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
•Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See“Battery
Replacement”and“Resynchronization”under
“Remote Keyless Entry System Operation”following
this section.
•If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
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Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of
four transmitters matched to it.
Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the
security method used by this system. The transmitter
does not send the same signal twice to the receiver.
The receiver will not respond to a signal that has been
sent previously. This prevents anyone from recording
and playing back the signal from the transmitter.To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK
buttons on the transmitter at the same time for seven
seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm
synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your
dealer for service.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about four years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.
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Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position–that’sa
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer
than 15 seconds at a time will cause your battery
to be drained much sooner. And the excessive
heat can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to thefloor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather
(below 0°For−18°C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could beflooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
forfive or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine
might not perform properly.
Fuel Regulator
You have a fuel regulator that shuts the fuel off when
the engine reaches 5,600 rpm.
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Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn .............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-16
Climate Controls............................................3-17
Climate Control System.................................3-17
Rear Heating System....................................3-18
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.......3-19
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer...............................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-26
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-27
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-28
Charging System Light..................................3-29
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-32
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-33
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............................3-33Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-36
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-37
Security Light...............................................3-38
Cruise Control Light......................................3-38
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light...........3-39
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-39
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-39
Fuel Gage...................................................3-40
Audio System(s).............................................3-41
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-41
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-41
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-42
Radio with CD..............................................3-45
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-49
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-60
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios).......3-73
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios).............3-73
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-74
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-74
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-76
Care of Your CD Player................................3-76
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-76
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-76
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Radio with Cassette and CD
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power):Press this knob to turn the system
on and off.
VOL (Volume):Turn this knob to increase or to
decrease volume.AUTO VOL (Automatic Volume):With automatic
volume, your audio system adjusts automatically
to make up for road and wind noise as you drive.
Set the volume at the desired level. Press this button to
select LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH. AVOL will appear on
the display. Each higher setting will allow for more
volume compensation at faster vehicle speeds. Then as
you drive, automatic volume increases the volume as
necessary to overcome noise at any speed. The volume
level should always sound the same to you as you
drive. NONE will appear on the display if the radio
cannot determine the vehicle speed. If you don’t want to
use automatic volume, select OFF.
DISP (Display):Push this knob to switch the display
between radio station frequency and time. Time display
is available with the ignition turned off.
For RDS, push this knob to change what appears on
the display while using RDS. The display options
are station name, RDS station frequency, PTY and the
name of the program (if available).
To change the default on the display, push this knob
until you see the display you want, then hold the knob
for two seconds. The radio will produce one beep
and selected display will now be the default.
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DISP (Display):Press this knob to see how long the
current track has been playing. ET and the elapsed time
will appear on the display. To change the default on
the display (track or elapsed time), push the knob until
you see the display you want, then hold the knob for
two seconds. The radio will produce one beep and
selected display will now be the default.
BAND:Press this button to listen to the radio when a
CD is playing. The CD will stop but remain in the player.
TAPE DISC:Press this button to play a tape when
listening to the radio. Press this button to switch
between the tape and compact disc if both are loaded.
The inactive tape or CD will remain safely inside the
radio for future listening.
Z(Eject):Press this button to stop a CD when it is
playing or to eject a CD when it is not playing. Eject
may be activated with either the ignition or radio off.
CDs may be loaded with the radio and ignition off if this
button is pressedfirst.
Compact Disc Messages
If the disc comes out, it could be for one of the following
reasons:
•You’re driving on a very rough road. When the road
becomes smoother the disc should play.
•It’s very hot. When the temperature returns to
normal, the disc should play.
•The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or upside down.
•The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and
try again.
If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason,
try a known good CD.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can’tbe
corrected, contact your dealer.
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