
XM Radio Messages
Radio Display Message Condition Action Required
XL (Explicit Language
Channels)XL on the radio display,
after the channel name,
indicates content with
explicit language.These channels, or any others, can be blocked at a
customer’s request, by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
XM Updating Updating encryption code The encryption code in the receiver is being updated, and
no action is required. This process should take no longer
than 30 seconds.
No XM Signal Loss of signal The system is functioning correctly, but the vehicle is in a
location that is blocking the XM™ signal. When you move
into an open area, the signal should return.
Loading XM Acquiring channel audio
(after four second delay)The audio system is acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This message should
disappear shortly.
Channel Off Air Channel not in service This channel is not currently in service. Tune to another
channel.
Channel Unavail Channel no longer
availableThis previously assigned channel is no longer assigned.
Tune to another station. If this station was one of the
presets, choose another station for that preset button.
No Artist Info Artist Name/Feature
not availableNo artist information is available at this time on this channel.
The system is working properly.
No Title Info Song/Program Title
not availableNo song title information is available at this time on this
channel. The system is working properly.
No CAT Info Category Name
not availableNo category information is available at this time on this
channel. The system is working properly.
No Information No Text/Informational
message availableNo text or informational messages are available at this time
on this channel. The system is working properly.
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Radio Display Message Condition Action Required
CAT Not Found No channel available for
the chosen categoryThere are no channels available for the selected category.
The system is working properly.
XM Theft Locked Theftlock
®active The XM™ receiver in the vehicle may have previously been
in another vehicle. For security purposes, XM™ receivers
cannot be swapped between vehicles. If this message
displays after having your vehicle serviced, check with your
dealer.
XM Radio ID Radio ID label (channel 0) If tuned to channel 0, this message alternates with the
XM™ Radio eight digit radio ID label. This label is needed
to activate the service.
Unknown Radio ID not known
(should only be if
hardware failure)If this message is received when tuned to channel 0, there
could be a receiver fault. Consult with your dealer.
Check XM Receivr Hardware failure If this message does not clear within a short period of time,
the receiver could have a fault. Consult with your dealer.
XM Not Available XM™ Not Available If this message does not clear within a short period of time,
the receiver could have a fault. Consult with your dealer.
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 and
LOCK or LOCKED will appear on the display.With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio will not
operate if stolen.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 238
Defensive Driving...................................... 238
Drunken Driving........................................ 239
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 242
Braking...................................................... 242
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 243
Braking in Emergencies............................. 245
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 246
Steering.................................................... 248
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 251
Passing..................................................... 251
Loss of Control.......................................... 253
Driving at Night......................................... 254
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 256
City Driving............................................... 258Freeway Driving........................................ 259
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 260
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 261
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 262
Winter Driving........................................... 264
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 268
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 269
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 269
Towing........................................................ 274
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 274
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 274
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transaxle)......... 276
Towing a Trailer
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 277
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
237

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
Modifications on page 289.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will
come on brie y
when you start your
vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your ABS will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may even
notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a
little. This is normal.
243

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.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
feel a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some
noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down — may be the wrong thing to do.
Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to your steering.Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That
could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease
off the brake pedal. This will help you retain
steering control. If you do have ABS, it is different.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 243.
In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
245

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control. SeeEnhanced Traction System
(ETS) on page 246.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.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
your 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-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 289.
249