2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN heating

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature. This
feature allows you to start the engine from outside of the
vehicle. It may also start up the vehicle’s heating or
air conditioning systems and rear window defogger.
Normal operation of the system will return after the key
is turned to the ON/RUN position.
If your vehicle has an automatic climate control system,
the climate control system will default to a heating or
cooling mode depending on the outside temperatures.
If your vehicle does not have an automatic climate control
system, the system will turn on at the setting the vehicle
was set to when the vehicle was last turned off.
During a remote start, if your vehicle has an automatic
climate control system and heated seats, the heated
seats will turn on during colder outside temperatures
and will shut off when the key is turned to ON/RUN.
If your vehicle does not have an automatic climate
control system, during remote start, you will need to
manually turn the heated seats on and off. SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-5for additional information.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require a
person using the remote start to have the vehicle in
view when doing so. Check local regulations for
any requirements on remote starting of vehicles.Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range
of operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-4for additional
information.
/(Remote Start):This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button.
The vehicle’s doors will lock. Immediately press and
hold the transmitter’s remote start button until the
turn signal lights ash. If you cannot see the vehicle’s
lights, press and hold the remote start button for
two to four seconds. Pressing the remote start
button again after the vehicle has started will turn
the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running.
If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has
been done.
2-8

When you want to open a rear door when the security
lock is on, do the following:
1. Unlock the door by lifting the rear door manual lock,
using the power door lock switch, or the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, if the vehicle
has one.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the vertical position.
Lockout Protection
This feature protects you from locking the key in the
vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a front door
is open.
If the driver’s side power door lock switch is pressed
when the driver’s door is open and the key is in
the ignition, all of the doors will lock and then the driver’s
door will unlock.
If the passenger’s side power door lock switch is
pressed when the front passenger’s door is open and
the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the front passenger’s door will unlock.
Liftgate/Liftglass
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftglass
or liftgate open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You
cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftglass or liftgate
open, or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftglass or liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the
recirculation mode off. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. SeeClimate
Control System on page 3-22orDual
Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-24.
CAUTION: (Continued)
2-12

Both the liftglass and liftgate have an electric latch. If
the battery is disconnected or has low voltage, the
liftglass and liftgate will not open. The liftglass
and liftgate will resume operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected and has adequate
voltage, and the liftgate or liftglass still will not function,
your vehicle should be taken to a dealership for
service.
Power Liftgate
Power Liftgate Operation
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 with the
recirculation mode off. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See Climate
Control System in the index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If your vehicle has a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
SeePower Liftgate on page 2-14.
On vehicles with a power liftgate the button is located
on the overhead console.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) to use the power
liftgate feature.
&:Press the top of the button to open or close the
power liftgate.
2-14

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-11
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-16
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-17
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-18
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-18
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-18
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-19
Entry Lighting...............................................3-19
Exit Lighting.................................................3-19
Reading Lamps............................................3-19
Electric Power Management...........................3-19Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-20
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Climate Control System.................................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.......3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
and Electronic Climate Controls...................3-32
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-35
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-36
Trip Odometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-36
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-37
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-38
Charging System Light..................................3-40
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-40
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-42
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-43
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-44
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-44
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Certain accessory plugs may not be compatible to the
accessory power outlet and could result in blown
adapter or vehicle fuses. If you experience a problem,
see your dealer/retailer for additional information on
the accessory power plugs.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to the
vehicle can damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating of
20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment. Do not use equipment exceeding the
maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
The front ashtray is located near the center of the
instrument panel or on the front console, if equipped.
Pull on the ashtray door to open it.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other ammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
To remove the front ashtray pull the ashtray up.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and
let go. When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating does not let the lighter back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
3-21

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, defrost, defog and ventilation of
your vehicle can be controlled with this system.
Manual Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airow inside of the vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets and to the oor outlets. The
ow can be divided between vent and oor outlets
depending upon where the knob is placed between the
settings. A little air is directed towards the windshield
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to
the upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the oor
outlets, with some of the air directed to the windshield,
side window outlets, and second row oor outlets. In this
mode, the system will automatically select outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected when in Floor Mode.The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging and
Defrosting” later in this section.
By positioning the right knob between two modes, a
combination of those two modes is selected.
The air conditioning compressor will be on unless the
outside temperature is close to freezing.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob all the way counterclockwise to turn the
front system off.
?(Recirculation):Press this button to turn the
recirculation mode on. When the button is pressed, an
indicator light will come on.
This mode keeps outside air from entering the vehicle.
It can be used to reduce outside air and prevent
odors from entering the vehicle. Recirculation may also
help cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly once
the temperature inside the vehicle is less than the
outside temperature.
The recirculation mode cannot be used with oor,
defrost, or defogging modes. If you try to select
recirculation in one of those modes, the indicator will
ash three times and turn off. The air conditioning
compressor will also come on when this mode is
activated. While in recirculation mode the windows may
3-22

fog when the weather is cold and damp. To clear the
fog, select either the defog or defrost mode and increase
the fan speed. Recirculation mode can be turned off
by pressing the button again, or turning off the engine.
AUX (Auxiliary):Pressing this button will turn the
rear heating and air conditioning on. SeeRear Air
Conditioning and Heating System on page 3-31orRear
Air Conditioning and Heating System and Electronic
Climate Controls on page 3-32for more information.
Temperature Control:Rotate the thumbwheels up or
down to increase or decrease the temperature on
the driver’s side or the passenger side of the vehicle for
the dual zone system, if equipped. Otherwise, turn
the center knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button on the left
knob to turn the air conditioning system on or off. When
A/C is pressed, an indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning has been activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to clear
fog or frost from your windshield. Turn the right knob
clockwise to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):The defog mode is used to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
This mode directs air to the windshield, oor outlets,
and side window vents. When this mode is selected,
the system turns off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature
is close to freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the defog mode. Do not drive the
vehicle until all the windows are clear.
0(Defrost):The defrost mode is used to remove fog
or frost from the windshield more quickly. This mode
directs a portion of the air to the windshield and
side window vents and some to the oor vents. In this
mode, the system will automatically force outside air into
the vehicle. The recirculation mode cannot be selected
while in the defrost mode. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically in this setting, unless
the outside temperature is close to freezing. Do not
drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
3-23

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button on
the right knob to turn on the rear window defogger.
The system will automatically turn off several minutes
after it has been activated. The defogger can also
be turned off by pressing the button again or by turning
off the engine. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors,
the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirror when the rear window defog button
is pressed.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not attach
a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or
anything similar to the defogger grid.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in your vehicle can
be controlled with this system. Your vehicle also has
a ow-through ventilation system described later in this
section.
If your vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
Different climate control settings can be selected for the
driver and passengers.
3-24