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This function is inactive if the front seat passengers
are listening to a cassette tape.
When a CD is playing, press the up arrow to go to the
next track on the CD. Press the down arrow to go to
the start of the current track if more than eight seconds
have played. This function is inactive if the front seat
passengers are listening to a CD.
PWR (Power):Press this button to turn the system
on or off.
TAPE CD:Press this button to switch between playing
a cassette tape, a CD, or a DVD when listening to
the radio. The inactive tape, CD, or DVD will remain
safely inside the radio for future listening.
BAND:Press this button to switch between FM1,
FM2, AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped). If the front
passengers are listening to the radio, the RSA will not
switch between the bands or change the frequency.
Press BAND to listen to the radio when a cassette tape
or a CD is playing. The inactive cassette or CD will
remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
The BAND button will not access XM™ Satellite Radio
service when the front seat passengers are listening
to the RSE system through the vehicle’s speakers
and the rear seat passengers are using the wired
headphones to listen to the RSA system.P.SET PROG (Preset Program):Press this button
to scan through the preset radio stations set on
the pushbuttons on the main radio. The radio will go to
a preset station stored on the pushbuttons, play for
a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station.
Press this button again to stop scanning presets.
This function is inactive if the front seat passengers
are listening to the radio.
When a cassette tape is playing, press this button
to go to the other side of the tape. This function
is inactive if the front seat passengers are listening
to a cassette tape.
When a CD is playing, press this button to select the
next CD, if multiple CDs are loaded. This function
is inactive if the front seat passengers are listening
to a CD.
VOL
#(Volume):Press this knob lightly so it extends.
Turn the knob to increase or to decrease the volume.
Push the knob back into its stored position when you
are not using it. The upper knob controls the upper
headphones and the lower knob controls the lower
headphones.
PHONES:To listen to the RSA sound, plug the wired
headphones, into these RCA jacks.
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Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of your
vehicle’s radio. It works by using a secret code to
disable all radio functions whenever battery power is
removed and the radio is placed in a different vehicle.
This feature requires no user input to be activated.
The radio is automatically armed when it is put into the
vehicle for the rst time.
When the ignition is turned off, the blinking red light
indicates that THEFTLOCK
®is armed.
If THEFTLOCK
®is activated, the radio will not
operate if stolen. The radio will display LOCKED and
a red LED indicator light will come on above the
key symbol to indicate a locked condition. If this occurs,
the radio will need to be returned to your GM dealer.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio controls
can be adjusted at the steering wheel. They include
the following:
SOURCE:When listening to the radio, press this button
to play a cassette tape, CD, or a DVD (if equipped).
If a cassette tape, and CD, and/or DVD are loaded,
the system will go to the tape play rst. The inactive
tape, CD, or DVD will remain safely inside the player
for future listening.
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MUTE:Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again, or any other radio button, to turn the sound on.
QVOLR(Volume):Press the up or down arrow to
increase or decrease the volume.
QSEEKR:Press the up or the down arrow to
go to the next or to the previous station and stay there.
The sound will mute while seeking. The radio will
only seek stations with a strong signal that are in the
selected band.
When playing a cassette tape or a CD, press the up
arrow to go to the next selection.
BAND:Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,
AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped).
SCAN:Press this button to scan the stations that are
programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons. The
radio will go to the rst preset station stored, play for
a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station.
Press this button again to stop scanning. The radio
will only scan preset stations with a strong signal that
are in the selected band.
Radio Reception
You may experience frequency interference and static
during normal radio reception if items such as cellphone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and
external electronic devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is interference or static,
unplug the item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for
FM, especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other.
For better radio reception, most AM radio stations will
boost the power levels during the day, and then reduce
these levels during the night. Static can also occur
when things like storms and power lines interfere with
radio reception. When this happens, try reducing
the treble on your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to fade in and out.
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XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada (if available). Just as with
FM, tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite
radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out.
In addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the
XM™ signal for a period of time. The radio may display
NO SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Care of the Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and
extreme heat. If they are not, they may not operate
properly or they may cause failure of the tape player.
The tape player should be cleaned regularly after
every 50 hours of use. The radio may display CLEAN
PLAYER to indicate that the tape player has been used
for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer.
If this message appears on the display, the cassette
tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play
tapes, but it should be cleaned as soon as possible
to prevent damage to the tapes and player.If there is a reduction in sound quality, try a known
good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is
at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
For best results, use a scrubbing action, non-abrasive
cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as
the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. The recommended
cleaning cassette is available through your dealer.
The cut tape detection feature of the cassette tape player
may identify the cleaning cassette tape as a damaged
tape, in error. If the cleaning cassette ejects, insert the
cassette at least three times to ensure thorough cleaning.
A non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a
cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head can be
used. This type of cleaning cassette will not eject on
its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner may not clean
as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner. The
use of a non-scrubbing action, dry-type cleaning
cassette is not recommended.
After the player is cleaned, press and hold the eject
button for ve seconds to reset the CLEAN PLAYER
indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator
was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette tape
is in good condition before the tape player is serviced.
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Care of Your CDs and DVDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original
cases or other protective cases and away from direct
sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the bottom
surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is damaged,
such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will
not play properly or not at all. If the surface of a CD is
soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean,
soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed
with water, and clean it. Make sure the wiping process
starts from the center to the edge.
Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while handling
it; this could damage the surface. Pick up CDs by
grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and
the outer edge.
Care of the CD and DVD Player
The use of CD lens cleaners for CDs is not advised,
due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics
with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the roof
of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and
ice build up for clear radio reception.
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the
XM™ system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
Loading items onto the roof of your vehicle can interfere
with the performance of the XM™ system. Make sure
the XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is not obstructed.
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Page 279 of 478

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Driver Behavior..............................................4-2
Driving Environment........................................4-2
Vehicle Design...............................................4-3
Defensive Driving...........................................4-3
Drunken Driving.............................................4-4
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-7
Braking.........................................................4-7
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-8
Braking in Emergencies.................................4-10
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-10
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Driving at Night............................................4-18Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-19
City Driving..................................................4-21
Freeway Driving...........................................4-22
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-23
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-30
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-30
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-31
Towing..........................................................4-36
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-36
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-36
Level Control...............................................4-38
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-38
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Your Driving, the Road,
and Your Vehicle
Whenever we drive, we are taking on an
important responsibility. This is true for any motor
vehicle — passenger car, van, truck, sport utility.
Driver behavior, the driving environment, and the
vehicle’s design all affect how well a vehicle performs.
But statistics show that the most important factor,
by far, is how we drive.
Knowing how these three factors work together can
help you understand how your vehicle handles and what
you can do to avoid many types of crashes, including
a rollover crash.
Driver Behavior
The single most important thing is this: everyone in the
vehicle, including the driver, should buckle up. SeeSafety
Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 1-22. In fact, most
serious injuries and fatalities to unbelted occupants
can be reduced or prevented by the use of safety belts.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is signi cantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.In addition, avoiding excessive speed, sudden or abrupt
turns, and drunken or aggressive driving can help make
trips safer and avoid the possibility of a crash, especially
a rollover crash. This section provides many useful tips to
help you drive more safely.
Driving Environment
You can also help avoid a rollover or other type of crash
by being prepared for driving in inclement weather, at
night, or during other times where visibility or traction
may be limited, such as on curves, slippery roads,
or hilly terrain. Unfamiliar surroundings can also have
hidden hazards.
To help you learn more about driving in different
conditions, this section contains information about city,
freeway, and off-road driving, as well as other hints
for driving in various weather conditions.
4-2