Instrument Panel Overview........................ 138
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 140
Other Warning Devices............................. 140
Horn.......................................................... 140
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel............ 140
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 141
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 142
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 142
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 142
Windshield Wipers..................................... 143
Windshield Washer.................................... 144
Cruise Control........................................... 145
Headlamps................................................ 148
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 148
Headlamps Off in PARK (P)...................... 149
Delayed Headlamps.................................. 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 149
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 150
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 151
Dome Lamp.............................................. 151
Entry/Exit Lighting...................................... 151
Parade Dimming........................................ 152
Overhead Console Reading Lamps........... 152Trunk Lamp............................................... 152
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 152
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 153
Climate Controls......................................... 154
Automatic Climate Control System............. 154
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 160
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 161
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 162
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 163
Trip Odometer........................................... 163
Tachometer............................................... 163
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 163
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 164
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 164
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 165
Charging System Light.............................. 167
Brake System Warning Light..................... 168
Antilock Brake System Warning Light........ 169
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light.............. 170
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 170
Electronic Stability Control
Indicator Light........................................ 171
Section 3 Instrument Panel
135
To tilt and telescope the steering wheel, pull down
the lever. Then move the steering wheel up or
down or backward or forward into a comfortable
position. Pull the lever up to lock the steering
wheel in place.
Do not adjust the tilt and telescope lever while
driving.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. See
Turn and Lane-Change Signals on page 142.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 142.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on
page 142.
OExterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps on
page 148.
141
Cruise Control
Cruise control lets you 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 25 mph (40 km/h).
{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.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when
you are not using cruise, you might hit a
button and go into cruise when you do not
want to. You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise control switch
off until you want to use cruise control.
The cruise control
buttons are located on
the steering wheel.
I(On/Off):PressIto turn the cruise control
system on and off.
145
Outlet Adjustment
There are four main air outlets on the instrument
panel. Use the lever located in the center of
each outlet by moving it either side-to-side or up
and down, to change the direction and amount
of air ow in the vehicle. The center thumbwheel
does not control the main outlets.
Dedicated Rear Seat Air Outlet
For vehicles with this feature, the dedicated rear
seat air outlet is located in the center of the
instrument panel above the two main center
outlets. This outlet is aimed to provide comfort to
the rear seat passengers, especially while
using air conditioning in warm weather.
Use the thumbwheel in the center of the outlet to
turn the air ow on or off. This can be adjusted
to improve front seat passenger comfort if
there are no rear seat passengers. The direction
of air ow cannot be adjusted since it is directed
towards the rear seat passengers.
Do not attempt to move the horizontal vent vane,
as breakage can occur.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
can block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Do not use non-GM approved hood de ectors
as they could adversely affect the performance
of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside of
your vehicle more effectively.
When an objectionable odor outside the
vehicle is encountered, use the recirculation
mode, with the temperature knob at a
comfortable setting to prevent the odor from
entering the vehicle through the ventilation
system. This can be helpful when driving
through a long tunnel with poor ventilation.
However, extended usage of this mode in cold
or cool weather can cause window fogging.
160
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, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
216
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 the 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 antilock work for you.
You might hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake pedal pulsate, 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 may have 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 one or
both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
reduces engine power and may also upshift
the transmission to limit wheel spin. You may feel
or hear the system working, but this is normal.
Also, the traction control system activates
the appropriate corner brakes to gain even quicker
control to limit wheel spin. The LOW TRACTION
message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when the traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system 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 145.
217
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 the 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 toomuch of those places. You can lose control. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 217
andElectronic Stability Control on page 219.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or 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
the 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-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modi cations on page 253.
222
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps
avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction
control system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
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.
226