2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE Owners Manual

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions
will work up to 195 feet (60 m) away, however, the
operating 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 2-4.The following functions may be available if your vehicle
has the RKE system:/(Remote Vehicle Start):If your vehicle has this
feature, press
/to start the engine from outside
the vehicle using the RKE transmitter. SeeRemote
Vehicle Start on page 2-8for additional information.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all the doors.
If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC),
the turn signal lamps will ash once to indicate locking
has occurred. If enabled through the DIC, the horn will
chirp when the lock button is pressed again within three
seconds of the previous press of the lock button. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-67
for additional information.
Pressing
Qwill arm the content theft-deterrent system.
SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-21.
With Remote Start and
Liftglass (Without
Remote Start Similar)
With Remote Start and
Power Liftgate and
Liftglass (Without
Remote Start Similar)
2-5

"(Unlock):Press to unlock the driver’s door. If"is
pressed again within three seconds, all remaining doors
will unlock.
If it is dark enough outside, your interior lamps will come
on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the turn signal
lamps will ash twice to indicate unlocking has occurred.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-67. If enabled through the DIC, the exterior lights
will turn on briey if it is dark enough outside. See
“APPROACH LIGHTING” underDIC Vehicle
Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-67.
Pressing
"on the RKE transmitter will disarm the content
theft-deterrent system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-21.
m(Liftglass):For vehicles with a liftglass, press and
hold
mto open the liftglass.
&(Power Liftgate):For vehicles with a power
liftgate, press and hold
&to open and close the
liftgate. The taillamps will ash and a chime will sound to
indicate when the liftgate is opening and closing.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):Press and release
to locate your vehicle. The turn signal lamps will
ash and the horn will sound three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than two seconds to activate
the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps will ash and the
horn will sound repeatedly for 30 seconds. The alarm will
turn off when the ignition is moved to ON/RUN or
Lis
pressed again. The ignition must be in LOCK/OFF for the
panic alarm to work.
2-6

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter
is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased
through your dealer/retailer. All transmitters need to be
re-coded to match the new transmitter. The lost
transmitter will no longer work after the new transmitters
are re-coded. The vehicle can have a maximum of
eight transmitters matched to it. See “Relearn Remote
Key” underDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-51orDIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons) on page 3-56for instructions
on how to match RKE transmitters to your vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY message displays in the DIC. See
“REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-59for additional
information.Notice:When replacing the battery, do not to touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from
your body could damage the transmitter.
To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter:
1. Separate the halves of the transmitter with a at,
thin object inserted into the notch on the side.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down.
Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Put the transmitter back together tightly.
2-7

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

3. If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has been
driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is still
running, to extend the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, insert
and turn the key to RUN to drive the vehicle.
To manually shut off a remote start, do any of the
following:
Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
the remote start button until the parking lamps
turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Turn the ignition switch on and then off.
The vehicle can be remote started two separate times
between driving sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run time by another
10 minutes within the rst 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if the lock button and then the remote
start buttons are pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for ve minutes, 10 minutes are
added, allowing the engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional ten minutes are considered a second
remote vehicle start.Once two remote starts, or a single remote start with
one time extension has been done, the vehicle must be
started with the key.
After the key is removed from the ignition, the vehicle
can be remote started again.
The vehicle cannot be remote started if the key is in the
ignition, the hood is not closed, or if there is an
emission control system malfunction and the check
engine light comes on.
Also, the engine will turn off during a remote vehicle
start if the coolant temperature gets too high or if the oil
pressure gets low.
Vehicles that have the remote vehicle start feature are
shipped from the factory with the remote vehicle
start system enabled. The system may be enabled or
disabled through the DIC. See “REMOTE START” under
DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-67for additional information. If your vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, see your dealer/retailer to
enable or disable the remote vehicle start system.
Remote Start Ready
If your vehicle does not have the remote vehicle start
feature, it may have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer/retailer to add the
manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature.
See your dealer/retailer if you would like to add the
manufacturer’s remote vehicle start feature to your
vehicle.
2-9

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle
will not open it. You increase the chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or the key in the driver’s door.
From the inside, use the power door locks or manual
door locks. To lock or unlock the door with the manual
locks, push down or pull up on the manual lock knob.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock switches are located on the
front doors.
K(Unlock):Press to unlock the doors.
Q(Lock):Remove the key from the ignition and
press to lock the doors.
2-10

Delayed Locking
When locking the doors with the power lock switch and
a door or the liftgate is open, the doors will lock ve
seconds after the last door is closed. You will hear
three chimes to signal that the delayed locking feature
is in use.
Pressing the power lock switch twice or the lock button
on the RKE transmitter twice will override the delayed
locking feature and immediately lock all the doors.
This feature will not operate if the key is in the ignition.
You can program this feature using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See DELAY DOOR LOCK
underDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-67.
Programmable Automatic Door
Locks
Vehicles with an automatic lock/unlock feature enable
you to program the vehicle’s power door locks. You can
program this feature through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-67for more information on DIC
programming.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle has rear door security locks. These
prevent passengers from opening the rear doors
from the inside.
The rear door security
locks are located on the
inside edge of each
rear door.
The rear doors must be open to access them.
The label showing lock and unlock positions is
located near the lock.
To set the locks, do the following:
1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.
2-11

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