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. 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 Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving This off-road guide is for vehicles that have all-wheel
drive. If your vehicle does not have all-wheel drive or if it
has 20-inch tire/wheel assemblies, you should not
drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.
See Tires on page 5-56 .
4-12
Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals. When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-26
Before Leaving on a Long Trip To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?
Lamps: Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires: Are treads good? Are tires in ated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps? Highway Hypnosis Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle
instruments often.
4-28
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns. Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-53
Fuses Usage
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park Lamps
27 Passenger Side Park Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30 Passenger Side High-Beam Headlamp
31 Daytime Running Lamps
32 Driver Side High-Beam Headlamp
33 Daytime Running Lights 2
34 Sunroof
35 Key Ignition System, Theft Deterrent
System
36 Windshield Wiper
37 SEO B2 Up tter Usage (Battery)
38 Electric Adjustable Pedals
39 Climate Controls (Battery)
40 Airbag System (Ignition)
41 Ampli er
42 Audio System Fuses Usage
43 Miscellaneous (Ignition),
Cruise Control
44 Liftgate Release
45 Airbag System (Battery)
46 Instrument Panel Cluster
47 Power Take-Off
48 Auxiliary Climate Control (Ignition),
Compass-Temperature Mirror
49 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
50 Rear Defogger
51 Heated Mirror
52 SEO B1 Up tter Usage (Battery)
53 Cigarette Lighter, Auxiliary Power
Outlet
54 Automatic Level Control Compressor
Relay, SEO Up tter Usage
55 Climate Controls (Ignition)
56 Engine Control Module, Secondary
Fuel Pump (Ignition)
5-113
Loss of Control ............................................... 4-11
Luggage Carrier .............................................. 2-61
Lumbar
Power Controls ............................................. 1-3
MMaintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month ................................ 6-10
At Least Once a Year .................................. 6-10
Introduction .................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record .................................... 6-17
Maintenance Replacement Parts .................... 6-15
Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-13
Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4
Using .......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-43
Manual, Using .................................................... iii
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals ...................... 1-6
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-53 Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Mirror with Intellibeam™,
OnStar ®
, Compass, and Temperature
Display ................................................... 2-41
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar ®
,
Compass and Temperature Display ............. 2-43
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors .................... 2-45
MP3 ............................................................. 3-90
MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-4
N Navigation System, Privacy .............................. 7-17
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual ................................. 3-95
New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-24
O Odometer ...................................................... 3-35
Odometer, Trip ............................................... 3-35
Off-Road Driving ............................................. 4-12
Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-11
Oil
Engine ....................................................... 5-14
Pressure Light ............................................. 3-46
Oil, Engine Oil Life System .............................. 5-16
Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-50
Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-4
8
OnStar, Privacy .............................................. 7-17
OnStar ®
System, see OnStar ®
Manual ............... 2-50
Operation, Universal Home Remote System ........ 2-54
Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-31
Outlets
Accessory Power ......................................... 3-24
Outside
Power Foldaway Mirrors ............................... 2-45
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode .......................................... 5-28
Owner Checks and Services .............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii
PPaint, Damage .............................................. 5-105
Park Aid ........................................................ 2-48
Park Brake .................................................... 2-35
Park (P)
Shifting Into ................................................ 2-36
Shifting Out of ............................................ 2-37
Parking
Assist ........................................................ 2-48
Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ..................... 3-37 Passenger Sensing System .............................. 1-85
Passing ......................................................... 4-11
PASS-Key ®
III+ .............................................. 2-22
PASS-Key ®
III+ Operation ................................ 2-23
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California ...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks ................................................. 2-10
Electrical System ....................................... 5-108
Liftgate ...................................................... 2-14
Lumbar Controls ........................................... 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-7
Retained Accessory (RAP) ............................ 2-26
Running Boards .......................................... 2-17
Seat ............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid ............................................. 5-34
Windows .................................................... 2-19
Privacy .......................................................... 7-15
Event Data Recorders .................................. 7-16
Navigation System ....................................... 7-17
OnStar ....................................................... 7-17
Radio Frequency Identi cation ....................... 7-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................. 2-11
9