
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle.
If you need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push
the accelerator all the way down.
Drive (D) can be used when towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills,
or for off-road driving. You may want to shift the
transmission to a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding
underLoss of Control on page 357.
When temperatures are very cold, the
Hydra-Matic
®Automatic Transmission’s gear
shifting may be delayed providing more stable
shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts may
be more noticeable with a cold transmission.
This difference in shifting is normal.MANUAL MODE (M):This position lets drivers
select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If your vehicle has this feature,
see “Driver Shift Control” later in this section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only
the accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. If you are stuck, do not spin
the tires. When stopping on a hill, use
the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Your vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current
driving conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts
and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is
designed to determine, before making an upshift,
if the engine will be able to maintain vehicle
speed by analyzing things such as throttle position,
vehicle load, and hill grade. If the shift stabilization
feature determines that a current vehicle speed
cannot be maintained, the transmission does
not upshift and instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this may appear to be a delayed
shift, however the transmission is operating
normally.
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When in the MANUAL MODE (M) a number will
display next to the M, indicating the current gear
that has been selected. The number displayed in
the gear indicator is the highest gear that can be
used. However, your vehicle can automatically shift
to lower gears as it adjusts to driving conditions.
This means that all gears below that number are
available. When FIFTH (5) is selected, FIRST (1)
through FIFTH (5) gears are automatically shifted
by the vehicle, but SIXTH (6) cannot be used until
the plus/minus button located on the steering
column lever is used to change to the gear.
The DSC controls the vehicle and engine speed
while driving down a hill or towing a trailer, by
allowing you to select a desired range of gears.
The transmission will prevent a gear range until a
speed that is appropriate for current driving
conditions is achieved. If shifting is prevented for
any reason, the currently selected gear will
ash multiple times in the instrument panel cluster.
Grade Braking is not available when the Driver
Shift Control is active. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 150for more information.
While using the DSC, Cruise Control and the
Tow/Haul mode can be used.Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The tow/haul
mode adjusts the transmission shift pattern to
reduce shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and transmission
cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.
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Press the button located on the end of the shift
lever to turn the tow/haul on or off. When the
tow/haul is on, a light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 242for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer
on page 400for more information.
The tow/haul mode works with the Autoride
®
feature, if the vehicle has this, to enhance the ride
when trailering or with a loaded vehicle. See
Autoride
®on page 399.
Grade Braking
Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains the vehicle’s speed by
automatically implementing a shift schedule that
uses the engine and the transmission to slow
the vehicle. This reduces wear on the brakes
system and increases control of the vehicle. The
system constantly monitors the vehicle’s speed,
acceleration, throttle position, and whether
the brake pedal is being pressed, and determines
when to keep the current vehicle speed or to
slow down. The system will then automatically
command downshifts that reduces the vehicles
speed, until the brake pedal is no longer
being pressed. This indicates the desired vehicle
speed has been reached.
The tow/haul mode and grade braking shift
modes can be activated by pressing the button on
the end of the shift control stalk. While in the
DSC mode, grade braking is deactivated, allowing
the driver to select a gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 145for more information.
151

OnStar®System
OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and
live advisors to provide you with a wide range
of safety, security, information, and convenience
services. If your airbags deploy, the system is
designed to make an automatic call to OnStar
®
Emergency where we can request emergency
services be sent to your location. If you lock
your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar
®at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal
to unlock your doors. If you need roadside
assistance, press the OnStar
®button and they
can contact Roadside Service for you.A complete OnStar
®Owner’s Guide and the
Terms and Conditions of the OnStar®Subscription
Service Agreement are included in the vehicle’s
OnStar
®Subscriber Information packet located
in your vehicle. For more information, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, contact
OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827), or
press the OnStar®button to speak with an
OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OnStar®Services
For new vehicles equipped with OnStar®, the Safe
& Sound Plan is included for one year from the
date of purchase. You can extend this plan beyond
the rst year, or upgrade to the Directions &
Connections Plan to meet your needs. For more
information, press the OnStar
®button to speak
with an advisor.
164