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.
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If the water is not too deep, drive slowly through it. At
faster speeds, water splashes on the ignition system and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get
the tailpipe under water. And, as long as the tailpipe is
under water, you will never be able to start the engine.
When you go through water, remember that when the
brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop.
SeeDriving in Rain and on Wet Roads on page 4-28for
more information on driving through water.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on
the underbody, chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust
system for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due
to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
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 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.
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Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-51.
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.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig and never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Since your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak®, your
trailer brakes cannot tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes, so you will be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will 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.
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Fuses Usage
CIGAR Cigarette Lighter
ECM/TCMEngine Control Module (ECM)/
Transmission Control Module (TCM)
FSCM Fuel Storage Control Module
ISRVM Inner Side Rearview Mirror)
Cluster Instrument Panel Cluster
AIR BAG Airbag System
OSRVM Outer Side Rearview Mirror
KEY CAP Key Capture Solenoid
WHL S/W Steering Wheel Switch
F/DR LCK Front Driver Door Lock
APO2 Accessory Power Outlet 2
BCM (VB3) Body Control Module (BCM) (VB3)
DR LCK Door Lock
BCM (VB6) Body Control Module (VB6)
BCM (VB4) Body Control Module (VB4)
BCM (VB5) Body Control Module (VB5)
TRL Trailer
AIRCON Air ConditionerFuses Usage
AUDIO Audio
BCM (VB7) Body Control Module (VB7)
IGN SW Ignition Switch
AIR BAG Air Bag System
WASHER Washer Pump
APO1 Accessory Power Outlet 1
FSCM Fuel Storage Control Module
RR CLR Rear Closure
BCM (VB2) Body Control Module (VB2)
DRL Daytime Running Light
BCM (VB1) Body Control Module (VB1)
ONSTAR OnStar
®
Relays Usage
RELAY
ACC/RAPAccessory, Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) Relay
RELAY
RUN/CRANKRun/Crank Relay
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Fuses Usage
ENG-3 Engine 3
ENG-2 Engine 2
ENG-1 Engine 1
HYBRID BEC Hybrid Auxiliary BEC
RUN Run
S/ROOF Sunroof Module
HTD/SEAT Heated Seat Control Module
BCM Body Control Module
STRTR Starter Motor
WPR Windshield Wiper
4WD/ESCM All-Wheel Drive System
ABS Antilock Brake System Module
A/C CLTCH Air Conditioning Compressor
BLWR MTR Blower Motor
AMP Ampli er
HORN Horn
ABS Antilock Brake System ModuleFuses Usage
I/P BECInstrument Panel Bussed Electrical
Center
FRT FOG Front Fog Lamps
I/P BECInstrument Panel Bussed Electrical
Center
DRL Daytime Running Light
T/LAMP RT Right Turn and Parking Lamps
T/LAMP LT Left Turn and Parking Lamps
TRLR T/LAMP Trailer Parking Lamps
HDLPHILTPassenger Side High-Beam
Headlamp
STOP LP Stoplamps
DEFOG Defroster Fog
HDLP LO RT Driver Side Low-Beam Headlamp
HDLP LO LTPassenger Side Low-Beam
Headlamp
HDLP RT HI Driver Side High-Beam Headlamp
OSRVM HTR Outside Rearview Mirror Heating
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Locks
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-9
Automatic Door Unlock.................................2-10
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Door ........................................................... 2-9
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door .................................................. 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-48
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-46
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-46
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-6
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-18Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-3
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-41
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-6
Manual Seats................................................... 1-4
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-33
Manual Rearview.........................................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-34
MP3 .............................................................3-64
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual......................................................3-69
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
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O
Odometer......................................................3-32
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-32
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-15
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-44
Engine.......................................................5-15
Low Oil Level Light......................................3-44
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-33
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-35
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-39
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-28
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-34
Power Mirrors.............................................2-34
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-93
Park Brake....................................................2-28
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-34
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-28
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-65
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-KEY
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-16
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-16
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.........................................5-96
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-45
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-19
Seat............................................................ 1-5
Steering Fluid.............................................5-31
Windows....................................................2-13
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-16
Navigation System.......................................7-17
OnStar.......................................................7-17
Radio Frequency Identi cation.......................7-17
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