
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
and features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your drive wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-34.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-50.
2-30

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-42.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h),
push your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more,
push the accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road driving.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or,
if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission
shifts too often.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
however it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
2-31

SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2), the transmission
will drive in second gear. You may use this feature
for reducing the speed of the rear wheels when you are
trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery
road surfaces. Once the vehicle is moving, shift into
DRIVE (D).
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power,
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving
forward, the vehicle will not shift into rst gear until
the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
On cold days, approximately 32°F (0°C) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle is equipped
with a tow/haul mode.
The button for this feature
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 “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-50for more information.
The tow/haul mode also interacts with the Road Sensing
Suspension (RSS) feature to enhance the ride when
trailering or with a loaded vehicle. SeeRoad Sensing
Suspension on page 4-9.
2-32

OnStar®Personal Calling
As an OnStar®subscriber, the Personal Calling
capability allows you to make hands-free calls using a
wireless system that is integrated into the vehicle.
Calls can be placed nationwide using simple voice
commands with no additional contracts and no additional
roaming charges. To nd out more about OnStar
®
Personal Calling, refer to the OnStar®User’s Guide
in the vehicle’s glove box, visit www.onstar.com
or www.onstar.ca, or speak to an OnStar
®advisor by
pressing the OnStar®button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
Your vehicle may have Virtual Advisor. It is a feature of
OnStar®Personal Calling that uses your minutes to
access weather, local traffic reports and sports updates.
By pressing the phone button and giving a few simple
voice commands, you can browse through the
various topics. Customize your information pro le at
www.myonstar.com. See the OnStar
®user’s guide for
more information.
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be
equipped with a Talk/Mute
button that can be used
to interact with OnStar
®.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel
Controls on page 3-98
for more information.
When calling into voice mail systems or to dial directory
numbers, press the control, wait for the “number
please” response, say the number(s) to be dialed, wait
for the number(s) to be repeated and then say “dial.”
See the OnStar
®User’s Guide for more information.
2-47

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Exterior Cargo Lamps....................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamps...............................................3-17
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-18
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-18Reading Lamps............................................3-18
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-21
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-21
Analog Clock...............................................3-22
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-27
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-28
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-29
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-30
Trip Odometer..............................................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-30
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-30
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-32
Charging System Light..................................3-34
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-34
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-36
Traction Off Light..........................................3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-37
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-39
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-41
Security Light...............................................3-42
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-43
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-43
Cargo Lamp Light.........................................3-43
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-45
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-48
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-57Audio System(s).............................................3-63
Setting the Time...........................................3-64
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-65
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-80
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-80
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-92
CD Changer................................................3-94
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-97
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-98
Radio Reception...........................................3-99
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-100
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-101
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-101
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-101
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-102
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-102
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-27.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. OnStar
®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons.
SeeOnStar®System on page 2-46andAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-98.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-29.
F. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-30andTow/Haul
Mode on page 2-32.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-63.
Navigation/Radio System (if equipped). See
Navigation/Radio System on page 3-80.
H. Dome Override Button. SeeDome Lamp Override
on page 3-18.
I. Cargo/Top-Box Lamps Button. SeeExterior Cargo
Lamps on page 3-17.J. Fog Lamps Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-45.
L. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-33.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
N. Climate Control System. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-22.
O. Compact Disc Changer. SeeCD Changer on
page 3-94.
P. Storage Area. SeeInstrument Panel Storage Area
on page 2-53.
Q. Clock. SeeAnalog Clock on page 3-22.
R. Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist Disable Button.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 3-18.
S. StabiliTrak
®Disable Button. See.StabiliTrak®
System on page 4-9.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-53.
3-5