The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very
high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can
increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action
may be noticeable to the driver.Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed
to protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition
is turned off, the battery rundown protection
system automatically turns the lamp off after
20 minutes. This prevents draining of the battery.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone
or CB radio.
The accessory power outlet is located in the
center console, rearward of the shift lever.
To use the outlet, remove the cover. When not in
use, always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in
use and do not plug in equipment that exceeds
the maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
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h(Recirculate):Press this button to prevent
outside air and odors from entering the vehicle or
to help heat or cool the air inside the vehicle more
quickly. An indicator light above the button will
come on in this mode. The air conditioning
compressor also comes on. This mode is not
available for oor, defog and defrost modes. When
the recirculation button is pressed, the recirculate
indicator light will ash ve times and outside air will
be delivered. Operation in this mode during periods
of high humidity and cool outside temperatures may
result in increased window fogging. If window
fogging is experienced, select the defrost mode.
Outside Air:This mode allows outside air to
circulate through the vehicle. This mode is
automatically active if recirculate is not
selected. There is no button for outside air.
#(Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has
air conditioning, press this button to turn the
air conditioning system on or off. When this button
is pressed, an indicator light above the button
will come on to let you know the air conditioning
is activated.On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside
air escape; then close them. This helps to reduce
the time it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It
also helps the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select air conditioning.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of
time may cause the air inside of the vehicle to
become too dry. To prevent this from happening,
after the air in the vehicle has cooled, turn off the
recirculation by pressing the button again.
The air conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may sometimes notice a
small amount of water dripping underneath your
vehicle while idling or after turning off the
engine. This is normal.
The air conditioning compressor cannot be
turned on when the fan is off.
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Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid
to remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when
the ignition is in RUN.
<(Rear):Press the button to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as
much snow from the rear window as possible.
An indicator light above the button will come on
to let you know that the rear window defogger
is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off about
15 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned
on again, the defogger will only run for about
seven minutes before turning off. If the vehicle
is moving faster than 50 mph (80 kph), the
rear defogger will stay on. The defogger can
also be turned off by pressing the button again
or by turning off the engine.Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do, you could
cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license,
tape, a decal or anything similar to the
defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheels located next to and below
the air outlets to change the direction of the air ow
and to open and close the outlets.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood de ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside of your
vehicle more effectively.
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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to
cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying
attention to the warning lights and gages could also
save you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or
is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As the details show on the next few pages,
some warning lights come on brie y when you
start the engine just to let you know they are
working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Often gages and warning lights work together
to let you know when there is a problem with
your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as you are driving, or when one of
the gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about it.
Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
So please get to know your vehicle’s warning
lights and gages. They can be a big help.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Your vehicle’s odometer works together with the
driver information center. You can set a Trip A and
Trip B odometer. See “Trip Information” under
DIC Operation and Displays on page 181.
The odometer mileage can be checked without
the vehicle running. Simply open the driver’s door
and the mileage will be displayed brie y.
If your vehicle ever needs a new odometer
installed, the new one will be set to the correct
mileage total of the old odometer.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your
vehicle could be damaged, and the damages
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
in the shaded warning area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind you and
your passengers to buckle your safety belts.
The driver safety belt light will also come on and
stay on for several seconds, then it will ash for
several more.
You should buckle your
seat belt.
If the vehicle is equipped with the passenger
sensing system, this chime and light will be
repeated if the driver remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s belt
is buckled, neither the chime nor the light will
come on. SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 77for more information.
166
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together,
it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 167.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on brie y
when you turn on the
ignition, and the engine
is not running, as a
check to show you
it is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. Have it checked by your
dealer/retailer. Driving while this light is on
could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
170
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 264.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning
light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may
have an Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS)
warning light.
The ABS warning light will come on brie y when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with
your regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 171.
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