REMOTE START
If the vehicle has this feature, it allows you to turn
the remote start feature off or on. The remote
start feature allows you to start the engine from
outside of the vehicle using your Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. See “Remote Vehicle
Start” underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 96for more information.
Press the customization button until REMOTE
START appears on the DIC display. Press
the set/reset button to access the settings for
this feature. Then press the menu up/down button
to scroll through the following settings:
OFF:The remote start feature will be disabled.
ON (default):The remote start feature will
be enabled.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this
feature. The current setting will remain.
Choose one of the available settings and press
the set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC
to select it.
FACTORY SETTINGS
This feature allows you to set all of the
customization features back to their factory
default settings.
Press the customization button until FACTORY
SETTINGS appears on the DIC display. Press the
set/reset button to access the settings for this
feature. Then press the menu up/down button
to scroll through the following settings:
RESTORE ALL (default):The customization
features will be set to their factory default settings.
DO NOT RESTORE:The customization features
will not be set to their factory default settings.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
set/reset button while it is displayed on the DIC
to select it.
267
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
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 353.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You might hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you might even notice that the
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 230.
307
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
The controller receives input from two height
sensors to determine the proper system response.
If the controller detects a problem with the system,
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. If this
message appears, have your vehicle serviced at
your dealership.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have this feature. The
StabiliTrak®system is an advanced computer
controlled system that helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving
conditions. This is accomplished by selectively
applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes and
reducing engine power.
The StabiliTrak
®system comes on automatically
whenever you start your vehicle. The system
cannot be turned off.The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control
system and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will be on after rst driving
the vehicle and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for
30 seconds. The StabiliTrak
®system is off until the
light has turned off. This could take up to
15 minutes.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®
warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
ash when the system is operating. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 232andStabiliTrak
®Indicator Light on
page 232for more information. You may also feel
or hear the system working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be
displayed and the traction control system
and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on if there is a problem with
the system. When this light and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
311
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
Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can cause
problems, too. The water may affect your
brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot, try
to slow down before you hit them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can
build up under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water. This can happen if the road is wet
enough and you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact
with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if
your tires do not have much tread or if the
pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a
lot of water is standing on the road. If you can
see re ections from trees, telephone poles,
or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just is not a hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down
when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water, water can
come in through the engine’s air intake
and badly damage the engine. Never drive
through water that is slightly lower than the
underbody of your vehicle. If you cannot avoid
deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through owing
water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried away.
As little as six inches of owing water can
carry away a smaller vehicle. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warning
signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
321