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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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.
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.
The transmission torque converter clutch operation
is restricted during cold operation. When the
startup transmission temperature is approximately
64°F (18° C) your torque converter clutch will
temporarily not operate. Once the transmission
temperature rises above 68° F (20° C), normal
operation will resume.Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle has a Tow/Haul mode. The selector
button is located on the end of the column
shift lever. You can use this feature to assist when
towing or hauling a heavy load or if there is a
need to charge a battery installed in a trailer.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 405for more
information.
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
Automatic Transmission
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the LOCK
position. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 142.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way up into PARK (P) as you maintain brake
application. Then, move the shift lever into
the gear desired.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
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Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed
of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, cruise control
is turned off.If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®™ system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 348. When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control
back on.
The cruise control
buttons are located on
left side of the
steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and
turn off the system. The indicator light is on
when cruise control is on and turns off when cruise
control is off.
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The ultrasonic sensors are not kept clean.
So, be sure to keep your vehicle’s rear bumper
free of mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush. For
cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 532. If the DIC still displays the
PARKING ASSIST OFF message after
cleaning the bumper and driving forward at a
speed of at least 15 mph (25 km/h), see your
dealer.
Other conditions that may affect system
performance include vibrations from a
jackhammer or the compression of air brakes
on a very large truck or other mechanical
devices that interfere with URPA performance.
When URPA is disabled without driver action
and the driver attempts to turn URPA back on
using the Driver Information Center (DIC), the
PARKING ASSIST ON option will not be
selectable if the necessary conditions stated
above for normal system operation are not met.
As always, drivers should use care when backing
up a vehicle. Always look behind you, being
sure to check for other vehicles, obstructions and
blind spots.For Driver Information Center messages related to
URPA, seeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 254.
If the bumper is damaged, your URPA system
may not work properly. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With accessory power outlets you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
Your vehicle will have two accessory power
outlets under the climate controls, one on the back
of the oor console and a additional accessory
power outlet in the rear cargo area on the
passenger side.
To use the power outlet, lift the spring cap and
insert electrical 12V device plug. To close
the power outlet, remove 12V electrical device
plug and the spring cap will close.
Certain power accessory plugs may not be
compatible to the accessory power outlet and
could result in blown adapter or vehicle fuses.
208
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning
light will come on when you set the parking brake.
If you try to drive with the parking brake engaged,
a chime will sound when the vehicle speed is
greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds
there could be a brake problem. Have your brake
system inspected right away.
This light may also come on due to low brake uid.
SeeBrakes on page 463for more information.This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or 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 400.
{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.
United StatesCanada
232
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and may
stay on for several
seconds.
That’s 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, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. You will
also hear a chime sound when the light is on
steady. 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. In addition to both lights, you will also hear
a chime sound on the rst occurrence of a
problem and each time the vehicle is shut off and
then restarted. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 232.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on brie y when you turn the ignition
key to RUN. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
233
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
battery charging system, this message will display.
Under certain conditions, the battery warning
light may also turn on in the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 230.
Driving with this problem could drain the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Have
the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
See your GM dealer.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will display along with the brake system
warning light. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 232. If this message appears, stop
as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message on
the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the
brake system needs service as soon as possible.
See your GM dealer.
SERVICE BRAKES SOON
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will display. If this message appears,
stop as soon as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the
brake system needs service. See your GM dealer.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system, this message will display
if there is a problem with the URPA system. Do not
use this system to help you park. SeeUltrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 205for more
information. See your GM dealer for service.
260