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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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 174
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 176
Other Warning Devices............................. 177
Horn.......................................................... 177
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 177
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 178
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 178
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 179
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 180
Windshield Wipers..................................... 180
Windshield Washer.................................... 181
Rear Window Wiper/Washer (SUV)........... 182
Cruise Control........................................... 183
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 186
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 188
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 188
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 189
Off-Road Lamps........................................ 190
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 191
Dome Lamps............................................. 191
Dome Lamp Override................................ 191Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 191
Reading Lamps......................................... 192
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 192
Rear Vision Camera.................................. 192
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 196
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 197
Climate Controls......................................... 197
Dual Automatic Climate Control System....... 197
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 203
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators........ 204
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 205
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 206
Trip Odometer........................................... 206
Tachometer............................................... 206
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 206
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 207
Airbag Off Light......................................... 208
Charging System Light.............................. 209
Voltmeter Gage......................................... 210
Brake System Warning Light..................... 211
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 212
Section 3 Instrument Panel
171
Cruise Control
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this
symbol to make the vehicle accelerate or resume
to a previously set speed.
T(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
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).If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will
shut off.
{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.
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DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the
driver that the status of the vehicle has changed
and that some action may be needed by the driver
to correct the condition. Multiple messages may
appear one after another.
Some messages may not require immediate
action. Press any of the DIC buttons on the
steering wheel or the trip odometer reset stem
located on the instrument panel cluster to
acknowledge that you received the messages and
to clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the
display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be
removed from the DIC display. Take any messages
that appear on the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages will only make the
messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can
be displayed and some information about them.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
This message displays if the battery is not
charging during operation. Driving with this
problem could drain the battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible by your
dealer. SeeCharging System Light on page 209
andVoltmeter Gage on page 210for more
information. Press any of the DIC buttons, or the
trip stem, to acknowledge this message and
clear it from the DIC display.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message displays when the engine oil needs
to be changed. See “Engine Oil Life System”
underDIC Operation and Displays on page 222
andEngine Oil Life System on page 407for
information on how to reset the message. Also,
seeEngine Oil on page 404for more information.
This message clears itself after 10 seconds
until the next ignition cycle.
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio
controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel.
They include the following:
g(OnStar®/Mute):Press this button to interact
with the OnStar system. See theOnStar®System
on page 144in this manual for more information.
PROG (Program):Press this button to play the
stations that are programmed on the radio preset
pushbuttons. The radio will go to the rst preset
station, play for a few seconds, then go to the next
preset station. Press this button again to stop
scanning. The radio will only scan preset stations
with a strong signal that are in the selected band.When a cassette tape is playing, press this button
to play the other side of the tape.
When a CD is playing in the CD changer, press this
button to go to the next available CD, if multiple
CDs are loaded.
QSOURCER:Press this button to switch
between FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1, or XM2
(if equipped), or a cassette tape or CD. The
cassette or CD must be loaded to play. Available
loaded sources are shown on the display as a
tape or a CD symbol.
QSEEKR:Press the up or the down arrow to
go to the next or to the previous radio station
and stay there. The radio will only seek stations
with a strong signal that are in the selected band.
When a cassette tape or CD is playing, press
the up or the down arrow to fast forward or
reverse.
QVOLR(Volume):Press the up or the down
arrow to increase or to decrease the volume.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at both rear wheels.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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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 the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only
if it senses that any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system applies the brakes to limit wheel spin.
The Traction Control System may operate on dry
roads under some conditions. When this happens,
you may notice a reduction in acceleration or a
pumping sound. This is normal and doesn’t mean
there’s a problem with your vehicle. Examples of
these conditions include hard acceleration in a turn,
an abrupt upshift or downshift of the transmission or
driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage
the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on page 183.
309
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 309.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease
up on the 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
Modi cations on page 392.
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