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/retailer.
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.Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition
is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 119for more information.
Setting the Time
Radio with a Single CD or a Six-Disc
Player
Your vehicle has an analog clock as well as the
digital radio clock. At the time of new vehicle
delivery, the digital radio clock display should be
disabled. If you decide to use the digital radio clock
as well as the analog clock, you can change the
setting to enable the radio clock display.
269
Storing a Radio Station as a Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up their radio station
favorites while the vehicle is in PARK (P). Tune
to your favorite stations using the presets, favorites
button, and steering wheel controls, if the vehicle
has this feature. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 302.
FAV (Favorites):A maximum of 36 stations
can be programmed as favorites using the
six pushbuttons positioned below the radio station
frequency labels and by using the radio favorites
page button (FAV button). Press the FAV button to
go through up to six pages of favorites, each having
six favorite stations available per page. Each page
of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM,
or XM™ (if equipped) stations. To store a station as
a favorite, perform the following steps:
1. Tune to the desired radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to display the page
where you want the station stored.3. Press and hold one of the six pushbuttons
until a beep sounds. When that pushbutton
is pressed and released, the station that was
set, returns.
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton radio
station you want stored as a favorite.
The number of favorites pages can be setup
using the MENU button. To setup the number of
favorites pages, perform the following steps:
1. Press the MENU button to display the radio
setup menu.
2. Press the pushbutton located below the
FAV 1-6 label.
3. Select the desired number of favorites pages
by pressing the pushbutton located below the
displayed page numbers.
4. Press the FAV button, or let the menu time
out, to return to the original main radio screen
showing the radio station frequency labels and
to begin the process of programming your
favorites for the chosen amount of numbered
pages.
276
Navigation/Radio System
Your vehicle may have a navigation radio system.
The navigation system has built-in features
intended to minimize driver distraction. Technology
alone, no matter how advanced, can never replace
your own judgment. See the Navigation System
manual for some tips to help you reduce
distractions while driving.
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 does 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 does not
operate if stolen.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
The audio steering
wheel controls could
be different depending
on your vehicles
options. Some audio
controls can be adjusted
at the steering wheel.
They include the
following:
xw(Next/Previous):Press the down or up
arrow to go to the next or to the previous preset
radio station.
When a CD is playing, press the down or up
arrow to go to the next or previous track.
296
g(Mute/Voice Recognition):Press and hold
this button to interact with the OnStar®system.
If your vehicle is also equipped with the navigation
system, push this button to initiate voice
recognition and say, “OnStar” to enter OnStar
®
mode, see theOnStar®System on page 139
in this manual for more information.
If your vehicle does not have OnStar
®, press this
button to silence the system. Press this button
again or turn the volume knob to turn the sound on.
If your vehicle has the navigation system, press
this button to initiate voice recognition. See “Voice
Recognition” in the index of your vehicle’s
navigation system manual for more information.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch
between AM, FM, or XM (if equipped), radio, or CD.+
e−e(Volume):Press the plus or minus
button to increase or to decrease the volume.
¨(Seek):Press the seek arrow to go to the next
radio station and stay there. The system only
seeks radio stations with strong frequencies.
When the seek arrow is pressed and held for
two seconds, the system scans the radio stations
that are in the selected band. If listening to a
CD, the system advances to the next CD when
multiple discs are inserted.
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.
297
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 the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You might hear the anti-lock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the front wheels are spinning too much or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power (by closing the throttle and managing engine
spark) to limit wheel spin.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®
warning light will ash when the traction control
system is limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 232and
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light on page 232for more
information. You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 176orAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 179for more information.
309
Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle may have a panic brake assist
system that monitors the intention of the driver
while braking. If the system senses that the driver
has applied hard/fast pressure to the brake
pedal, the system will generate additional
pressure, making it easier for the driver to maintain
brake application. When this happens the brake
pedal will feel easier to push. Just hold the
brake pedal down rmly and let the system work
for you. You may feel the brakes vibrate, or
you may notice some noise but this is normal. The
brakes will return to normal operation after the
brake pedal has been released.
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.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering System
This system continuously adjusts the effort you
feel when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides
ease when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at
highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is 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 is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
312
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 309.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease
up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
If you have StabiliTrak
®, the system may be
active. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 311.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions.
Under less favorable conditions you will want to
go slower.If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modi cations on page 353.
313