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: StabiliTrak
®helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
If the StabiliTrak®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.
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.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
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
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-47. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-23.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.
4-58
Fuses Usage
23 Rear Windshield Washer
24Fuel Injectors, Ignition Coils
(Left Side)
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Park Lamps
27 Passenger Side Park Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30Passenger Side High-Beam
Headlamp
31 Daytime Running Lamps
32 Driver Side High-Beam Headlamps
33 Daytime Running Lamps 2
34 Sunroof
35Key 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)Fuses Usage
41 Ampli er
42 Audio System
43Miscellaneous (Ignition), Cruise
Control
44 Liftgate Release
45 Airbag System (Battery)
46 Instrument Panel Cluster
47 Power Take-Off
48Auxiliary Climate Control (Ignition),
Compass-Temperature Mirror
49Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
50 Rear Defogger
51 Heated Mirrors
52 SEO B1 Up tter Usage (Battery)
53Cigarette Lighter, Auxiliary Power
Outlet
54Automatic Level Control Compressor
Relay, SEO Up tter Usage
55 Climate Controls (Ignition)
56Engine Control Module, Secondary
Fuel Pump (Ignition)
5-122
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-72
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
Power Controls............................................. 1-4
M
Maintenance 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................................3-48
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals...................... 1-6Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-64
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-52
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-49
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-57
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-57
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-57
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-54
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-56
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-55
Outside Trailer-Tow Mirrors...........................2-54
Park Tilt.....................................................2-57
MP3 ..................................................3-103, 3-108
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual...............................3-114
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-26
8
O
Odometer......................................................3-39
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-39
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-13
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-51
Pressure Light.............................................3-52
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-51
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-60
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-64
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-33
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-22
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-57
Convex Mirror.............................................2-57
Heated Mirrors............................................2-57
Manual Mirrors............................................2-54
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-56
Power Mirrors.............................................2-55
Trailer-Tow Mirrors.......................................2-54Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-33
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-114
Park Aid........................................................2-58
Park Brake....................................................2-43
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-44
Shifting Out of............................................2-46
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-57
Parking
Assist........................................................2-58
Over Things That Burn.................................2-46
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-41
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-85
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-24
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-24
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-11
Electrical System.......................................5-117
Liftgate......................................................2-15
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-27
9
Power (cont.)
Running Boards..........................................2-18
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-39
Windows....................................................2-20
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-16
Navigation System.......................................7-17
OnStar.......................................................7-17
Radio Frequency Identi cation.......................7-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-11
R
Radio Frequency Identi cation (RFID), Privacy....7-17
Radios..........................................................3-81
Radio(s)........................................................3-84
Radios
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-114
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-125
Reception.................................................3-129
Setting the Clock.........................................3-82
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-127
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-10
Reading Lamps..............................................3-21
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.........3-33
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and
Electronic Climate Controls...........................3-35Rear Axle......................................................5-52
Locking........................................................ 4-6
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Heated Seats.........................................1-11
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-73
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-125
Rear Seat Entertainment System.....................3-115
Rear Side Window Antenna............................3-130
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-73
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-12
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-52
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display..................2-49
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-45
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation..... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-8
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-94
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-90
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-61
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-15
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-14
10