2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN lights

Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-2
Front Seats
............................................... 1-4
Rear Seats
..............................................1-14
Safety Belts
.............................................1-32
Child Restraints
.......................................1-54
Airbag System
.........................................1-81
Restraint System Check
............................1-98
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-22
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-26
Mirrors
....................................................2-52
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-56
OnStar
®System
......................................2-68
Universal Home Remote System
................2-71
Storage Areas
.........................................2-78
Sunroof
..................................................2-81Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-34
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-51
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-83
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-43
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-51
Front Axle
...............................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-53
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-59
Tires
......................................................5-61
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban Owner ManualM

The vehicle may have additional features to adjust your
vehicle’s power seat:
To raise the height of the lumbar support, press
and hold the top of the control.
To lower the height of the lumbar support, press
and hold the bottom of the control.
Release the control when the lower seatback reaches
the desired level of lumbar support.
Your vehicle may have a memory function which allows
seat settings to be saved and recalled. SeeMemory
Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals on page 1-8for more
information.
Keep in mind that as your seating position changes, as
it may during long trips, so should the position of
your lumbar support. Adjust the seat as needed.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats, the controls are
located on the driver and passenger doors.
I(Heated Seatback):Press to turn on the heated
seatback.
J(Heated Seat and Seatback):Press to turn on the
heated seat and seatback.
The light on the button will come on to indicate that the
feature is working. Press the button to cycle through
the temperature settings of high, medium, and low and
to turn the heat to the seat off. Indicator lights will
show the level of heat selected: three for high, two for
medium, and one for low.
The heated seats will be canceled 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off. To use the heated seat feature
after restarting the vehicle, press the heated seat
or seatback button again.
1-7

K(Unlock):Press once to unlock only the driver
door. If
Kis pressed again within three seconds, all
remaining doors unlock. The interior lamps may come
on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
If enabled through the DIC, the turn signal lamps ash
twice to indicate unlocking has occurred. SeeDIC
Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-74.
If enabled through the DIC, the exterior lights turn on
briey if it is dark enough outside. See “APPROACH
LIGHTING” underDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-74.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter disarms the content
theft-deterrent system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-22.
m(Liftglass):For vehicles with a liftglass, press and
hold to unlock the liftglass.
&(Power Liftgate):For vehicles with a power
liftgate, press and hold to open and close the liftgate.
The taillamps ash and a chime sounds to indicate when
the liftgate is opening and closing.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):Press and release
to locate the vehicle. The turn signal lamps ash and
the horn sounds three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than two seconds to
activate the panic alarm. The turn signal lamps ash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for 30 seconds.
The alarm turns 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

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 1-7for 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

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 you shift the transmission out of PARK (P) while the
power function is in progress, the liftgate power function
will continue to completion. If you shift the transmission
out of PARK (P) and accelerate before the power
liftgate latches closed, the liftgate may reverse to the
open position. Cargo could fall out of the vehicle. Always
make sure the power liftgate is closed and latched
before you drive 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
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle during a power
open or close cycle, a warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse direction to the full
closed or open position. After removing the obstruction,
the power liftgate operation can be used again. If the
liftgate encounters multiple obstacles on the same power
cycle, the power function will deactivate, and you must
manually open or close the liftgate. The REAR ACCESS
OPEN warning message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC) will indicate that the liftgate is open. 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 will now resume normal
power operation.
Your vehicle has pinch sensors located on the side
edges of the liftgate. If an object is caught between the
liftgate and the body and presses against this sensor,
the liftgate will reverse direction and open fully.
The liftgate will remain open until it is activated again
or closed manually. Do not force the liftgate open
or closed during a power cycle.
2-17

Manual Operation of Power Liftgate
To change the liftgate to manual operation, press the
switch on the overhead console to the OFF position.
With the power liftgate disabled and all of the doors
unlocked, the liftgate can be manually opened and
closed.
To open the liftgate, press the touchpad on the handle
on the outside of the liftgate, and lift the gate open.
To close the liftgate, use the pull cup to lower the liftgate
and close. The liftgate latch will power close. Always
close the liftgate before driving.
If the RKE button or the power close button on the liftgate
is pressed while power operation is disabled, the lights
will ash three times, but the liftgate will not move.
It is not recommended that you drive with the liftgate
open, however, if you must drive with the liftgate open,
the liftgate should be set to manual operation by
pressing the OFF switch on the center console.
The liftgate has an electric latch. If the battery is
disconnected or has low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume operation when the battery
is reconnected and charged.
If the battery is properly connected with adequate
voltage, the switch is not disabled, and the liftgate still will
not function, your vehicle should be taken to a dealer/
retailer for service.
Power Assist Steps
Your vehicle may have power assist steps.
The power assist steps automatically extend from
beneath the vehicle on the side in which the door has
been opened. Once the door is closed, the assist steps
automatically move back under the vehicle after a
brief delay. The vehicle must not be moving for the
assist steps to extend or retract.
The switch used to disable
the power assist steps is
located on the center
console below the climate
control system.
The assist steps cannot be disabled in the extended
position.
2-18

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,
they do not make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent alarm
system.
This is the security light.To arm the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter or the power door lock switch.
The security light will come on to inform the driver
the system is arming. If a door is open when the
doors are locked, the security light will ash.
If the delayed locking feature is turned on, the
theft-deterrent system will not start the arming
process until the last door is closed and the delay
timer has expired. SeeDelayed Locking on
page 2-11.
3. Close all doors. The security light should go off
after about 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed
until the security light goes off.
If a locked door is opened without using the RKE
transmitter, a ten second pre-alarm will occur. The horn
will chirp and the lights will ash. If the key is not placed
in the ignition and turned to START or the door is not
unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter during the ten second pre-alarm, the alarm will
go off. Your vehicle’s headlamps will ash and the horn
will sound for about 30 seconds, then will turn off to save
the battery power.
2-22

A (LOCK/OFF):This position locks the ignition. It also
locks the transmission on automatic transmission
vehicles. The key can be removed in LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the shift
lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch
to LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in
the ignition could cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is
all the way in, and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by hand, see your
dealer/retailer.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets things like
the radio and the windshield wipers operate while
the engine is off. Use this position if the vehicle must
be pushed or towed.C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
The transmission is also unlocked in this position
on automatic transmission vehicles.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/
RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be
drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.
2-27