
The liftgate can also be closed by
pressing the power liftgate button
next to the liftgate latch. Press the
button a second time during liftgate
operation to reverse that operation.
The power liftgate may be
temporarily disabled under extreme
temperatures, or under low battery
conditions. If this occurs, the liftgate
can still be operated manually.If the transmission is shifted out of
P (Park) while the power function
is in progress, the liftgate power
function will continue to completion.
If the transmission is shifted out
of P (Park) and is accelerated before
the power liftgate latches closed,
the liftgate may reverse to the open
position. Cargo could fall out of
the vehicle. The power liftgate must
be closed and latched before
driving away.
If you power open the liftgate and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the lights will ash and a
chime will sound. The liftgate will
stay open temporarily, then slowly
close. See your dealer/retailer for
service before using the liftgate.Obstacle Detection Features
A warning chime sounds and the
liftgate automatically reverses
direction to the full closed or open
position if an obstruction is in
the way. After removing the
obstruction, the power liftgate
feature can be used again.
If the liftgate comes across more
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function deactivates,
and you must manually open
or close the liftgate. A message
displays, LIFTGATE OPEN to
indicate that the liftgate is open.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-41for more information.
After removing the obstructions,
manually open the liftgate to the full
open position or close the liftgate
to the fully closed and latched
position. The liftgate resumes
normal power operation. Power Liftgate Button Near
Liftgate Latch
2-12 Features and Controls

If the PASS-Key®III+ key is lost or
damaged, see your dealer/retailer
or a locksmith to have a new
key made.
The SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM message displays on
the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when there is a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-48for additional information.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does
not need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
If you have all-wheel drive,
keep your speed at 55 mph
(88 km/h) or less for the
rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km)
or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-24for the
trailer towing capabilities
of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
2-20 Features and Controls

Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle’s speed while
driving down hill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic
shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. When
using the ERS Mode a number will
display next to the L, indicating
the current gear that has been
selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to L (Low).
2. Press the plus/minus button
located on the shift lever, to
increase or decrease the gear
range available.
When you shift from D (Drive) to
L (Low), the transmission will shift to
a pre-determined lower gear range.
The highest gear available for
this pre-determined range is
displayed next to the L in the DIC.SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-41andDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-41for more
information. The number displayed
in the DIC is the highest gear
that the transmission will be allowed
to operate in. This means that all
gears below that number are
available. For example, when
4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L,
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears
are automatically shifted by
the vehicle. The transmission will
not shift into 5 (Fifth) until the
+ (Plus) button is used or you shift
back into D (Drive).
While in L (Low), the transmission
will prevent shifting to a lower
gear range if the engine speed is
too high. You have a brief period of
time to slow the vehicle. If vehicle
speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range
shift will not be completed. You must
further slow the vehicle, then
press the−(Minus) button to the
desired lower gear range.Automatic Engine Grade braking is
not available when the ERS is
active. It is available in D (Drive) for
both normal and Tow/Haul mode.
While using the ERS, cruise control
and the tow/haul mode can be
used. See Tow/Haul Mode following.
Tow/Haul Mode
_
(Tow/Haul):The vehicle may
have a Tow/Haul mode.
The button is located on the
instrument panel under the climate
controls.
Push the button to activate the
system. Push it again to deactivate
the system. You can use this
feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load.
When Tow/Haul is activated the
Tow/Haul symbol will come on the
instrument panel cluster. See
“Tow/Haul Mode” underTowing a
Trailer on page 4-24for more
information.
2-26 Features and Controls

Automatic Engine Grade
Braking
Automatic Engine Grade Braking
assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine and
the transmission to slow the vehicle.
The system will automatically
command downshifts to reduce
vehicle speed, until the brake pedal
is no longer being pressed.
While in the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the
driver to select a range and limiting
the highest gear available. Grade
braking is available for normal
driving and in Tow/Haul mode.
SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning Light
on page 3-33.Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
To release the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal down,
then push down momentarily on
the parking brake pedal until
you feel the pedal release. Slowly
pull your foot up off the park
brake pedal. If the parking brake is
not released when you begin to
drive, the brake system warning light
will be on and a chime will sound
warning you that the parking
brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-24.
Features and Controls 2-27

OnStar service is provided subject
to the OnStar Terms and Conditions
included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.
Some services such as Remote
Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle
Location Assistance may not be
available until the owner of the
vehicle registers with OnStar.
After the rst prepaid year, contact
OnStar to select a monthly or
annual subscription payment plan.
If a payment plan is not selected,
the OnStar system and all services,
including airbag noti cation and
emergency services, may be
deactivated and no longer available.
For more information visit
onstar.com (U.S.) or onstar.ca
(Canada), or press the OnStar
button to speak with an advisor.
Not all OnStar services are available
on all vehicles. To check if this
vehicle is able to provide the
services described below, or for a
full description of OnStar services
and system limitations, see theOnStar Owner’s Guide in the glove
box or visit onstar.com (U.S.) or
onstar.ca (Canada), contact
OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) or TTY
1-877-248-2080, or press the
OnStar button to speak with an
OnStar advisor 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
OnStar Services Available
with the Safe & Sound Plan
Automatic Noti cation of
Airbag Deployment
Advanced Automatic Crash
Noti cation (AACN) (If equipped)
Link to Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location
Assistance
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle
Alert
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostic Email
GM Goodwrench On Demand
Diagnostics
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with
30 trial minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor
(U.S. Only)
OnStar Services Included with
Directions & Connections Plan
All Safe and Sound Plan Services
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
(If equipped) or Driving
Directions - Advisor delivered
RideAssist
Information and Convenience
Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows
eligible OnStar subscribers to
make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling
is fully integrated into the vehicle,
and can be used with OnStar
Pre-Paid Minute Packages. Most
vehicles include 30 trial minutes
good for 60 days. Hands-Free
Calling can also be linked to a
2-42 Features and Controls

OnStar service cannot work unless
the vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless the vehicle is in
a place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network
capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and
technology that is compatible with
the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere,
particularly in remote or enclosed
areas, or at all times.
Location information about the
vehicle is only available if the GPS
satellite signals are unobstructed
and available.
The vehicle must have a working
electrical system, including adequate
battery power, for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannotcontrol that may prevent OnStar
from providing OnStar service at
any particular time or place.
Some examples are damage to
important parts of the vehicle in a
crash, hills, tall buildings, tunnels,
weather or wireless phone network
congestion.
Your Responsibility
Increase the volume of the radio if
the OnStar advisor cannot be heard.
If the light next to the OnStar
buttons is red, the system may not
be functioning properly. Press
the OnStar button and request a
vehicle diagnostic. If the light
appears clear (no light is appearing),
your OnStar subscription has
expired and all services have been
deactivated. Press the OnStar
button to con rm that the OnStar
equipment is active.Universal Home
Remote System
The Universal Home Remote
System provides a way to
replace up to three hand-held
Radio-Frequency (RF) transmitters
used to activate devices such
as garage door openers, security
systems, and home lighting.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.
2-44 Features and Controls