
Setting the Tone
(Bass/Midrange/Treble)
AUDIO:Press and turn to adjust the Tone.
1. Push and release until BASS, MID (midrange)
(without Bose
®), or TREB (treble) displays.
2. Turn to increase or to decrease the tone.
The display shows the bass, midrange (without Bose
®),
or treble level. If a station is weak or has static,
decrease the treble.
To adjust the bass, midrange (without Bose
®), or treble
to the middle position while it is displayed, push and
hold AUDIO. The radio produces one beep and adjusts
the display level to the middle position.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle
position, push and hold AUDIO when no tone or speaker
controls displays. ALL CENTERED displays and a
beep is heard.
AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalization):Press to
select customized equalization settings designed for
country/western, jazz, talk, pop, rock, and classical.
To return the bass and treble to the manual mode,
push and release this button until CUSTOM displays.
The radio saves separate AUTO EQ settings for
each preset and source.
If the radio has the Bose
®audio system, the equalization
settings are either CUSTOM or TALK.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
AUDIO:Press and turn to adjust the speakers.
To adjust the balance between the right and the left
speakers:
1. Push and release until BAL (balance) displays.
2. Turn to move the sound toward the right or the left
speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and rear speakers:
1. Push and release this knob until FADE or FAD
displays.
2. Turn to move the sound toward the front or the rear
speakers.
To adjust the balance or the fade to the middle position
while it is displayed, push and hold the AUDIO knob.
On some radios, push the AUDIO knob, then push
it again and hold it until one beep is heard.
To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle
position, push and hold the AUDIO knob when no tone
or speaker controls display. ALL CENTERED displays
and a beep is heard.
3-68

Problem Recommended Action
Sometimes the wireless
headphone audio cuts out
or buzzes.Check for obstructions,
low batteries, reception
range, and interference
from cellular telephone
towers or by using a
cellular telephone in
the vehicle.
Check that the
headphones are facing
the front of the vehicle.
I lost the remote and/or
the headphones.See your dealer/retailer
for assistance.
The DVD is playing, but
there is no picture or
sound.Check that the DVD
player is in DVD mode.
The audio/video skips or
jumps.The DVD or CD could
be dirty, scratched,
or damaged.
The audio from the radio
for the Radio with
Six-Disc CD and XM™
has taken over the audio
from the DVD or CD
when using the wired
headphones.The RSE is working
correctly.
Use the wireless
headphones or have the
front seat passengers
listen to another audio
source.DVD Messages
The following errors can display on the video screen:
Disc Format Error:This message displays if a disc is
inserted upside down, if the disc is not readable, or
if the format is not compatible with the DVD player.
Load/Eject Error:This message displays if the disc is
not properly loaded or ejected.
Disc Play Error:This message displays if the DVD
player cannot play the disc. Scratched or damaged discs
cause this error.
Region Code Error:This message displays if the
region code of the DVD is not compatible with the region
code of the DVD player.
No Disc:This message displays if any of the buttons
on the DVD faceplate or remote control are pressed and
no disc is present in the DVD player.
DVD Distortion
There can be an experience with audio distortion in the
wireless headphones when operating cellular phones,
scanners, CB radios, Global Positioning Systems (GPS)*,
two-way radios, mobile fax, or walkie talkies.
It might be necessary to turn off the DVD player when
operating one of these devices in or near the vehicle.
* Excludes the OnStar
®System.
3-107

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-10
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Competitive Driving.......................................4-14
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-27Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-27
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-28
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-29
Winter Driving..............................................4-30
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-32
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-33
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-39
Towing..........................................................4-40
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-40
Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System....................................................4-47
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-48
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-32.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction system
in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off and use
the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-81.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
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. For vehicles with StabiliTrak
®,
turn the traction control part of the system off. Shift back
and forth between R (Reverse) 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
shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when
the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions causes a rocking
motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the
vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out.
Recovery hooks can be used, if the vehicle has them.
If the vehicle does need to be towed out, seeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-40.
Recovery Hooks
{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of force.
Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never pull on
the hooks at a sideways angle. The hooks could
break off and you or others could be injured from
the chain or cable snapping back.
4-32

Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
For vehicles with recovery hooks at the front of the
vehicle, you can use them if you’re stuck off-road and
need to be pulled to some place where you can continue
driving.
Loading the 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 Certi cation/Tire
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the 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 the
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 the vehicle.
4-33

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-48for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
4-35

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer/
retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 4-28.
4-40

All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
(TrailBlazer SS)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with
all four wheels on the ground, or even with
only two of its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an
all-wheel-drive vehicle with any of its wheels
on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with any
of its wheels on the ground. If the vehicle must be
towed, see “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in this
section.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed
with all four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles, they
should be placed on a atbed truck or trailer.
4-41