Stop Tabs
If your vehicle has a sunroof, it will have a
crossrail stop tab placed in the siderail. This tab
prevents you from moving the crossrails past
the opening of the sunroof and loading cargo too
far forward.
Your vehicle may have cargo tie downs. Once you
load the cargo onto the crossrails, secure it by
tying it down to the cargo tie downs. Do not load
cargo directly on the roof of your vehicle. See
Cargo Tie Downs on page 146for more
information.
Rear Storage Area
Your vehicle has a rear storage area located on
the passenger’s side of the cargo area. To
open, pull the two tabs out and open lid.
Convenience Net
Your vehicle may have a convenience net in the
rear of the vehicle. Put small loads behind the net.
The net is not for heavier loads. Store them as
far forward as you can.
Cargo Cover
Notice:If you put items onto the cargo cover,
the weight of the items could cause the
attachment clips to break. You would no longer
be able to attach and use the cargo cover.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Never put anything on top of
the cargo cover.
If your vehicle has a cargo cover, you can use it
to cover items in the rear of the vehicle. Remove
the cover from its pouch and place the loops
found on each corner of the cover, over the
two pegs in each corner of the rear if the vehicle.
When it is not in use, fold up the cover and
return it to the pouch.
Cargo Tie Downs
Your vehicle may have four cargo tie-downs.
These tie-downs are located in tracks on the roof
of the vehicle. Each tie-down can be moved to
anywhere on the track. To loosen, turn the
tie-down counterclockwise until it moves freely in
the track. To tighten, turn the tie-down clockwise.
146
{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.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), this light
will come on brie y when
you start your engine
to show it is working.
Then it will turn off.
This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. 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. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 182.
The ABS warning light should come on brie y
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
183
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. The messages are
displayed for four seconds each.
Some messages may not require immediate
action, but you should press and release the trip
odometer reset stem to acknowledge that you
received the messages and to clear them from the
display. Each message must be acknowledged
individually.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be
cleared. You should 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.
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too high and the air conditioning in
your vehicle needs to be turned off. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 338andClimate Control
System on page 170for more information.
This message displays along with the ENG HOT
message.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) FAULT
This message displays if there is a problem
with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Check the
ABS as soon as possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer. SeeBrakes on page 347
andAnti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on
page 183for more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
196
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 234
Defensive Driving...................................... 234
Drunken Driving........................................ 235
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 238
Braking...................................................... 238
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 239
Braking in Emergencies............................. 241
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 241
Locking Rear Axle..................................... 243
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 244
Steering.................................................... 245
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 247
Passing..................................................... 247
Loss of Control.......................................... 249
Off-Road Driving........................................ 250
Assist Steps.............................................. 271
Driving at Night......................................... 272Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 273
City Driving............................................... 276
Freeway Driving........................................ 277
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 278
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 279
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 279
Winter Driving........................................... 281
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 286
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 286
Recovery Loops........................................ 287
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 289
Towing........................................................ 294
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 294
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 295
Towing a Trailer........................................ 297
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 310
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
233
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle ever loses electrical power while you
are driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push
down. If your vehicle loses electrical power, you will
still have some power brake assist. But you will use
it when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop, the brake pedal will
be harder to push, and you may experience longer
pedal travel.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 314Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this
test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 183.
239
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 wheel.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.
240
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 and also reduces engine power. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
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 159.
241
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
This off-road guide is meant to provide advice
for when you drive your vehicle off paved roads.
Also, seeBraking on page 238.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some de nite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you have left the great
North American road system behind. Traffic
lanes are not marked. Curves are not banked.There are no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery,
rough, uphill or downhill. In short, you have
gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And
that is why it is very important that you read
this guide. You will nd many driving tips and
suggestions. These will help make your off-road
driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary
maintenance and service work done. Check to
make sure all underbody shields are properly
attached. Make sure any equipment you
may need — rst aid kit, cell phone, ashlight,
etc. — is securely stored in the vehicle.
Be sure you read all the information about your
four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully in ated?
Are the uid levels up where they should be?
What are the local laws that apply to off-roading
where you will be driving? If you do not know, you
should check with law enforcement people in
the area. Will you be on someone’s private land?
If so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
250