
DIC Controls and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) has different modes
which can be accessed by pressing the four DIC
buttons located on the instrument panel, to the left of
the steering wheel.
DIC Buttons (Base Level)
If your vehicle does not
have a Head-Up Display
(HUD), these are the
buttons for your DIC.
«4ª(Information):Press the top or bottom of this
button to scroll through the available vehicle information
displays which include digital speed display, if your
vehicle has this feature, fuel range, fuel economy, fuel
used, average speed, timer, battery voltage, tire
pressure, if your vehicle has a tire pressure monitor
(TPM) system, and engine oil life, if your vehicle has
this feature.
If you have an STS-V, the DIC also has additional
vehicle information displays which include engine boost,
engine oil temperature, oil pressure, and transmission
uid temperature.
See “MPH (km)” later in this section for more information
on the digital speed display.
AB
300 (Trip Information):Press the top of this
button to scroll through the odometer, trip odometer A
and trip odometer B. Press and hold the bottom of
this button to reset each trip odometer back to zero.
4// (Reset):Press this button to reset certain DIC
features and to acknowledge DIC warning messages
and clear them from the DIC display.
EM (English/Metric):Press this button to change the
display from English to metric.
3-74

TRACTION ACTIVE
This message will display when the traction control
system is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The message will
stay on for a few seconds after the traction control
system stops limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9for more information.
TRANS (Transmission) HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message will display when the transmission uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it
to idle until the transmission cools down or until
this message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN
This symbol appears with
the TRUNK OPEN
message.
When this message displays, it means that the trunk
was not closed completely. You should make sure that
the trunk is closed completely.
TURN SIGNAL ON
If you drive your vehicle for more than about 1 mile
(1.6 km) with a turn signal on, this message will display
as a reminder to turn off the turn signal. A multiple
chime will sound when this message is displayed.
3-92

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read the
pages following to familiarize yourself with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a safer
driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
By taking a few moments to read this manual and get
familiar with your vehicle’s audio system, you can use it
with less effort, as well as take advantage of its features.
While your vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the tone,
and adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite stations
using the presets and steering wheel controls if the
vehicle has them.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.
Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to your
vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player, CB
radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make sure
that it can be added by checking with your dealer.
Also, check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be added, it
is very important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of your
vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems, and even
damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may interfere
with the operation of sound equipment that has
been added.
3-94

LANG (Language):To change the language displayed
on the radio, select LANGUAGE by pressing the
tune/select knob. Turn the tune/select knob to scroll
through the following available languages:
ENGLISH
GERMAN
FRENCH
SPANISH
JAPANESE
To make your selection, press the tune/select knob. If
you accidentally select a language that you did not want,
ENGLISH is always at the top of the language list.
SETUP:When you select this menu item, the following
submenu is available:
PERSONAL SETTINGS MENU
DRIVER SELECTION
DRIVER EXIT SETTINGS
CONFIGURE DISPLAY KEYS
SETUP Submenu Items
The following choices are available for programming
using the Base audio system.
PERSONAL SETTINGS MENU
This item turns the entire list of personalization features
on or off. This item allows you to program certain features
to a preferred setting for up to two people. The number of
available features varies depending upon which options
are purchased. When this item is on, a check mark will
appear after it. For more information on the PERSONAL
SETTINGS MENU item, seeVehicle Personalization on
page 2-53.
DRIVER SELECTION
When you select this item, the following submenu
appears:
DRIVER 1
DRIVER 2
RECALL DRIVER SETTINGS
STORE DRIVER SETTINGS
For more information on the DRIVER SELECTION
submenu item, see “Recalling Driver Settings”
and “Storing Driver Settings” underMemory Seat,
Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 2-70.
3-118

DRIVER EXIT SETTINGS
When you select this item, the following submenu
appears:
RECALL EXIT SETTINGS
STORE EXIT SETTINGS
For more information on the DRIVER EXIT SETTINGS
submenu item, see “Recalling Exit Settings” and
“Storing Exit Settings” underMemory Seat, Mirrors and
Steering Wheel on page 2-70.
CONFIGURE DISPLAY KEYS
(Base Audio System)
This item allows you to customize the functions of the
four con gurable keys located to the left and right of the
audio display. See “Con gurable Radio Display Keys”
underRadio with CD on page 3-96for programming
information.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of your
vehicle’s radio. The feature works automatically by
learning a portion of the Vehicle Identi cation Number
(VIN). If the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it
will not operate. If the radio is removed from your
vehicle, the original VIN in the radio can be used to
trace the radio back to your vehicle.
With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio will not operate
if stolen.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
The audio steering wheel controls may be different
depending on your vehicle’s options. Some audio
controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel. They
include the following:
0(Mute):Press this button to silence the system.
Press this button again, or any other radio button, to turn
the sound on.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch between
FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped), radio,
or CD.
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g(OnStar®/Voice Recognition):If your vehicle has
the Radio with CD or Radio with Six-Disc CD audio
system, press this button to interact with the OnStar
system. See theOnStar
®System on page 2-45in this
manual for more information.
If your vehicle has the navigation system, press this
button to initiate voice recognition. See “Voice
Recognition” in the Navigation System manual for more
information. You may be able to interact with the
OnStar system using this button. See theOnStar
®
System on page 2-45in this manual for more
information.
1-6 (Preset Stations):Press this button to play stations
that are programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons.
The radio will only seek preset stations with a strong
signal that are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press this button to go to the
next track.
When a CD is playing in the six-disc CD changer, press
this button to go to the next available CD, if multiple
CDs are loaded.
+
u— (Volume):Press this button to increase or to
decrease the volume.+
tu— (Seek):Press either arrow to go to the
next or the previous radio station and stay there.
The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal
that are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press the minus sign to go to the
start of the current track, if more than 10 seconds have
played. Press the plus sign to go to the next track. If
either the minus or the plus button are pressed more than
once, the player will continue moving backward or
forward through the CD.
Press and hold the SEEK plus or minus button, until
you hear a beep. The CD will fast forward or fast reverse
through the CD. Press either button again to play the
passage.
If you have the navigation system, some of the audio
steering wheel controls work when a DVD is playing in
the navigation radio. See the Navigation System
manual for more information.
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.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)..................4-10
Magnetic Ride Control...................................4-11
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................4-11
StabiliTrak
®System......................................4-11
Panic Brake Assist........................................4-12
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-17Competitive Driving.......................................4-18
Driving at Night............................................4-18
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-20
City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-25
Winter Driving..............................................4-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Towing..........................................................4-37
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-37
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-38
Towing a Trailer (STS Only)...........................4-40
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not 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 will not 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 ABS.
4-8