Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 531for more
information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.Also look for any opened or broken airbag
covers, and have them repaired or replaced.
(The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag,
or the side impact airbag covering on the
ceiling near the side windows, the airbag may
not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both
the airbag module and the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s airbag, or
side impact airbag module and ceiling covering
for roof-mounted rollover airbags (if equipped.)
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
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Keys.............................................................111
Remote Keyless Entry System.....................112
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation......113
Doors and Locks.........................................120
Door Locks................................................120
Power Door Locks......................................121
Delayed Locking.........................................121
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.........121
Rear Door Security Locks..........................122
Lockout Protection......................................122
Liftgate/Liftglass..........................................123
Power Liftgate............................................125
Power Running Boards...............................129
Windows......................................................130
Power Windows.........................................131
Sun Visors.................................................132
Theft-Deterrent Systems..............................132
Content Theft-Deterrent..............................132
PASS-Key
®III+..........................................134
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..........................134
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle..........136
New Vehicle Break-In.................................136
Ignition Positions........................................137Retained Accessory Power (RAP)..............138
Starting the Engine.....................................138
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal...........140
Engine Coolant Heater...............................140
Displacement on Demand™ (DoD™)..........141
Automatic Transmission Operation..............142
Tow/Haul Mode..........................................145
Four-Wheel Drive.......................................146
Parking Brake............................................151
Shifting Into Park (P)..................................152
Shifting Out of Park (P)..............................154
Parking Over Things That Burn..................154
Engine Exhaust..........................................155
Running the Engine While Parked..............156
Mirrors..........................................................157
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................157
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Compass and Temperature Display.........160
Outside Manual Mirrors..............................163
Outside Trailer-Tow Mirrors........................163
Outside Power Mirrors................................164
Section 2 Features and Controls
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Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four
different positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will
only be able to remove the key when the ignition
is turned to LOCK.Notice:Using a tool to force the key from
the ignition switch could cause damage
or break the key. Use the correct key and turn
the key only with your hand. Make sure the
key is all the way in. If it is, turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers
when the engine is off.
Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as
the radio in the accessory ignition position
and the RUN position may drain the battery and
prevent your vehicle from starting. Do not
operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition
position for a long period of time.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving. It is the
position the switch returns to after the engine
starts, and you release the key.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for the
shift lever.
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission with
an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. This display will show the
position anytime the shift lever is moved out of
PARK (P).
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It
is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not
move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 152.If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 405.
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{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll — even if your shift
lever is in PARK (P) — if your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL. So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, two-wheel
high, four-wheel high or four-wheel
low — not in NEUTRAL. SeeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 152.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transmission, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 388.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your two-wheel
drive vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running at high
speed may damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting your vehicle.
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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 (56 km/h),
push your accelerator pedal about
halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 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 THIRD (3) or, if necessary, 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 355
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You can use THIRD (3) on hills. It can help control
your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than THIRD (3) without using your
brakes. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.
If you select SECOND (2) and the Tow/Haul has
not been selected, the transmission will drive
in SECOND (2) gear. You may use this feature for
reducing the speed of the rear wheels when
you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
If you select SECOND (2) and the Tow/Haul has
also been selected, the transmission operation will
be limited to FIRST (1) and SECOND (2) gears.
You may use this feature for reducing the speed of
the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed
even more than SECOND (2) without using
your brakes. You can use it on very steep hills, or
in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the
transmission will not shift into rst gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
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When Tow/Haul mode
is selected the Tow/Haul
indicator light will
come on.
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 405.
Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send
your engine’s driving power to all four wheels
for extra traction. Read the part that follows before
using four-wheel drive.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive
Low for an extended period of time may cause
premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain.
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive
Low for extended periods of time.
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically
when you shift the transfer case. Some delay for
the axle to lock or unlock is normal.
Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob
is located to the left of
the instrument panel
cluster.
Your vehicle has Four Wheel Drive with
StabiliTrak
®. For information on StabiliTrak®,
seeStabiliTrak®System on page 348.
Use this knob to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive.
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You can choose among four driving settings:
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High):This setting is
used for driving in most street and highway
situations. Your front axle is not engaged in
two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the
best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This
setting is ideal for use when road surface traction
conditions are variable. When driving your
vehicle in AUTO, the front axle is engaged, but
the vehicle’s power is sent only to the rear wheels.
When the vehicle senses a loss of traction, the
system will automatically engage four-wheel drive.
Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel
economy than Two-Wheel Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High):Use the
four-wheel high position when you need extra
traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations. This setting also engages
your front axle to help drive your vehicle. This is
the best setting to use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low):This setting also
engages your front axle and delivers extra
torque. You may never need this setting.It sends maximum power to all four wheels.
You might choose Four-Wheel Drive Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep
snow, and while climbing or descending steep
hills. StabiliTrak
®will not engage in this mode.
SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 348for
more information.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
someone else could be seriously injured.
Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL.
SeeParking Brake on page 151.
NEUTRAL (N):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case
to NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle.
SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 401or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 400for more
information.
147