Page 89 of 570

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
of the vehicle that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of theCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 536.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
the instrument panel, or airbag wiring can
affect the operation of the airbag system. If
you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 536.
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Page 104 of 570

Liftgate (SUV)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with
the liftgate open because carbon
monoxide (CO) gas can come into your
vehicle. You can not see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the liftgate
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or
cooling system to its highest speed
and select the control setting that will
force outside air into your vehicle.
SeeDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 197.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 137.To lock and unlock the liftgate, use any of the
power door lock switches or the remote keyless
entry (RKE) transmitter.
To open the liftgate, do the following:
1. Move the spare tire carrier out of the way.
See “Opening the Spare Tire Carrier” under
Tailgate/Spare Tire Carrier on page 108.
2. Pull the handle located in the center of
the door.
To close the liftgate, do the following:
1. Pull the liftgate down until it latches.
2. Move the spare tire carrier back into place.
See “Closing the Spare Tire Carrier” under
Tailgate/Spare Tire Carrier on page 108.
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Midgate®(SUT)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the
cargo area covered and the tailgate and
the Midgate
®open because carbon
monoxide (CO) gas can come into your
vehicle. You can not see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the cargo
covers on and the tailgate and Midgate
®
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the Midgate
®:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or
cooling system to its highest speed
on the setting that brings in outside
air. This will force outside air into your
vehicle. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 197.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the
way. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 137.
The Midgate
®allows you to extend the length of
your vehicle’s cargo area into the cab.
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Page 207 of 570

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there
is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensors, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on page 77.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not in ate in
a crash, or they could even in ate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Page 361 of 570

Never use the front mounted receiver to tow
a trailer.
You can use the front mounted receiver to tow
your vehicle behind another. SeeRecreational
Vehicle Towing on page 369.
Power Winch Platform
You can use the power winch platform
(if equipped) with an aftermarket winch.
Connect the winch to the platform and wiring to
the vehicle following the winch manufacturer’s
guidelines.
Notice:Do not use the winch platform to
winch at a tension of more than 9,000 lbs.
(4 082 kg). This would damage your vehicle’s
frame. This damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty.If you are using a winch to pull out another
vehicle, follow the winch manufacturer’s guidelines
and observe the following to prevent damage to
your vehicle:
If possible, have your vehicle anchored from
the opposite side of the winch to a solid,
immovable object.
If winching from the front, use both of the rear
recovery loops. If winching from the rear,
use both of the front recovery loops.
Put your transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
Use your regular brakes to hold your vehicle
in place and block the wheels to keep the
vehicle from moving.
Notice:Using a power winch with the
transmission in gear to pull out another vehicle
may damage the transmission. When operating
a power winch, always leave the transmission
in NEUTRAL (N).
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Page 386 of 570

Trailer Wiring Harness
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
Your vehicle is equipped with a trailer towing
harness. This harness with a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector is attached to a
bracket on the hitch platform.
The trailer towing harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Light Blue: Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
A jumper harness for an electric trailer brake
controller and a trailer battery feed fuse may be
included with this trailering package. See
“Instrument Panel Jumper Wiring Harness” later in
this section.
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a
standard four-way, round pin connector, an
adapter may be included. See “Four-Wire Harness
Adapter” later in this section.
Instrument Panel Jumper Wiring Harness
Notice:If your vehicle has factory or
dealer-installed HUMMER off-road lamps, the
place where an electric trailer brake connection
must be made is already in use. Do not attempt
to double-up or “piggyback” the connection,
because this could cause a failure or damage to
your vehicle, the electric trailer brake system,
or both. If you want to connect a trailer with
electric brakes to your vehicle, see your dealer
to disconnect the off-road lamps. Also, read
Add-On Electrical Equipment on page 503for
more information.
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Page 387 of 570
This harness may be included with your vehicle as
part of the heavy-duty trailer wiring package.
{CAUTION:
Be sure to use only the correct trailer
brake harness, the one intended for use
on your vehicle. If you use some other
trailer brake harness, even if it seems to
t, your trailer brakes may not work at all.
You could have a crash in which you or
others could be injured. Use only the
trailer brake harness intended for your
vehicle. If it is no longer available to you,
be sure to get a proper replacement from
your dealer.
This harness is for an electric brake controller and
includes a trailer battery feed fuse. It should be
installed by your dealer or a quali ed service
center.
387
Page 504 of 570

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected
from short circuits by a combination of fuses,
circuit breakers and fusible thermal links.
This greatly reduces the chance of res
caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse.
Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and
don’t have a spare fuse, you can borrow one
that has the same amperage. Just pick some
feature of your vehicle that you can get along
without – like the radio or cigarette lighter – and
use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The fuse block access
door is located on the
driver’s side edge of
the instrument panel.
Pull off the cover to
access the fuse block.
To remove fuses if you don’t have a fuse extractor,
hold the end of the fuse between your thumb
and index nger and pull straight out.
You may have spare fuses located behind the
fuse block access door. These can be used
to replace a bad fuse. However, make sure it is
of the correct amperage.
504