2008 GMC ENVOY four wheel drive

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will be
free to roll – even if your lever is in PARK (P) – if
your transfer case is in NEUTRAL. So be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear – not
NEUTRAL. SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-29.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pressing
the button on the console shift lever. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
PARK (P) on page 2-34.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-35

{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, it will
be free to roll — even if the shift lever is in
PARK (P) — if the transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-29.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-34.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-45.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Move the lever to the right for
nighttime use and to the left for daytime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Hold the mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. The day/night adjustment allows
you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps
behind you. Move the lever to the right for nighttime
use and to the left for daytime use.
There may also be three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for
more information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-48for more
information on the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview
mirror with a compass.
There may be three additional buttons for the OnStar
®
system. See your dealer/retailer for more information
on the system and how to subscribe to OnStar®.
SeeOnStar®System on page 2-48for more information
about the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
2-39

Security Light...............................................3-46
Cruise Control Light......................................3-46
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-46
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-47
Service Four-Wheel Drive Warning Light..........3-47
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-47
Gate Ajar Light.............................................3-48
Fuel Gage...................................................3-48
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-49
Check Gas Cap Light....................................3-49
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-50
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-53
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-58Audio System(s).............................................3-65
Setting the Clock..........................................3-66
Radio(s)......................................................3-66
Using an MP3..............................................3-82
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-86
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-87
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System...........3-87
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-100
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-101
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-101
Radio Reception.........................................3-102
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-103
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-103
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-103
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Exterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps on
page 3-14. Dome Lamp Override Button.
SeeDome Lamp Override on page 3-17. Instrument
Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-17. Fog Lamp Button
(If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on page 3-16.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. OnStar and Audio Steering Wheel Controls.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-101.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-101.
G. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-21.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-65.
I. Climate Controls. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-21.
J. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.K. Driver Information Center (DIC) Steering Wheel
Controls. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-49.
L. Transfer Case Controls. See “Automatic Transfer
Case” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-29.
M. Shift Lever and StabiliTrak
®(If Equipped) Button.
SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-34and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6.
N. Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-20.
O. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
P. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-33.
Q. Rear Window Washer/Wiper. See “Rear Window
Washer/Wiper” underWindshield Washer on
page 3-9.
R. Rear Window Defogger. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underDual Climate Control System on
page 3-21andDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-23.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-57.
3-5

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Service Four-Wheel Drive Warning
Light
This light should come on
briey when you turn on
the ignition, as a check to
show you it is working.The service four-wheel drive light comes on to indicate
that there may be a problem with the drive system
and service is required. Malfunctions can be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent,
which may prevent serious damage to the vehicle.
This system is also designed to assist your dealer
in correctly diagnosing a malfunction.
Check Gages Warning Light
The check gages light will
come on briey when you
are starting the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are
driving, check your coolant temperature and engine
oil pressure gages to see if they are in the warning
zones.
3-47

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.
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 want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance is 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 might 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 four-wheel
drive. Also, seeBraking on page 4-3. If your vehicle does
not have four-wheel drive, you should not drive off-road
unless you are on a level, solid surface.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough
terrain. As always, wear your safety belt.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some denite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.
4-13

“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, if the vehicle has them, are
properly attached.
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 inated?
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.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
{CAUTION:
Cargo on the load oor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward during
a sudden stop. You or your passengers
could be injured. Keep cargo below the
top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load oor can be
tossed about when driving over rough
terrain. You or your passengers can be
struck by ying objects. Secure the cargo
properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward
and low as possible.
4-14

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the
area around the front wheels. For four-wheel-drive
vehicles, shift into Four-Wheel High. Turn off any traction
or stability system. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that could free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out after a few
tries, it might need to be towed out. If your vehicle does
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-40.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it was designed to carry, the Tire
and Loading Information label and the Certication/
Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
4-34