Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM)
that estimates the battery’s temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When the
state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage
or a voltage display on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power, whenever needed.
It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or
Service Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver reduce the
electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-51.
3-18
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever the cruise
control is set.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Fuel Gage
When the indicator nears
empty, you still have a little
fuel left, but you should get
more soon.
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left when the ignition is on.
Here are four things some owners ask about. All these
things are normal and do not indicate that anything is
wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
It takes a little more (or less) fuel to ll up than the
gage reads. For example, the gage read half full, but
it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s capacity
to ll it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering, braking
or speeding up.
The gage may not indicate empty when the ignition is
turned off.
3-42
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. The engine coolant temperature
warning light also appears on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-37for more information.
To avoid added strain on the engine, turn off the air
conditioner if it is on. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air conditioner can be turned
back on.
This message displays only when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. A chime sounds continuously when this
message is displayed. Press any of the DIC buttons to
acknowledge this message and to clear it from the
screen.This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays when the amount of available
light outside of the vehicle is low, or the windshield wipers
have been on for about 30 seconds, and the exterior
lamps control is off or in the park lamps position. This
message informs the driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13for more information.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-55
LEFT FRONT TURN LAMP OUT
This message displays when the left front turn signal
bulb needs to be replaced. SeeHeadlamps and
Sidemarker Lamps on page 5-42.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
LEFT REAR TURN LAMP OUT
This message displays when the left rear turn signal
bulb needs to be replaced. SeeTaillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps on page 5-44.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
LIFT GATE AJAR
This message displays when the liftgate is not closed
completely. Make sure that the liftgate is closed
completely. SeeLiftgate on page 2-22.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
A chime sounds when the gear position is shifted out of
P (Park). Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the condition still
exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-57
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible when this message is displayed.
This message displays only when the ignition is
in ON/RUN. A chime sounds continuously when this
message is displayed.
This message cannot be acknowledged and cleared
from the screen. This message re-displays for a
few seconds if the condition still exists when the engine
is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
PARKING BRAKE ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
vehicle’s parking brake is on, the ignition is in ON/RUN,
and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Release the parking brake before driving. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-38for more information.
The brake system warning light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster when this message appears on
the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-35.A chime sounds continuously while this message is
displayed if driving above 5 mph (8 km/h). Press any of
the DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and
to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is turned
off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists when
the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
PARK LAMPS ON
This message displays to alert the driver when the
headlamps or parking lamps are on while the ignition is
off and the driver’s door is opened. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13for more information. A chime
sounds continuously while this message is displayed.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
3-59
REMOTE START DISABLED
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this
message displays if a remote start attempt is
unsuccessful. This may be caused if any of the following
conditions are true when a remote start attempt is made:
The remote start system is disabled through the DIC.
The key is in the ignition.
The hood or the doors are not closed.
There is an emission control system malfunction.
The engine coolant temperature is too high.
The oil pressure is low.
The hazard warning ashers are turned on.
The maximum number of remote starts or remote
start attempts between ignition cycles has been
reached.
The content theft-deterrent alarm is on while
attempting to remote start the vehicle.
See “REMOTE START” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-68and
“Remote Vehicle Start” underRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-5for more
information.
REMOTE START ON
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, this
message displays when a remote start is initiated.
See “Remote Vehicle Start” underRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-5for more
information.
RIGHT FRONT TURN LAMP OUT
This message displays when the right front turn signal
bulb needs to be replaced. SeeHeadlamps and
Sidemarker Lamps on page 5-42.
This message displays while the ignition is in ON/RUN.
Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge this
message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds if it
has not been acknowledged when the engine is turned
off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the message has
been acknowledged, but the condition still exists when
the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
3-62
Entering the Personal Program Menu
1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehicle in
P (Park).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the menu button until PERSONAL
PROGRAM displays.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), PERSONAL
PROGRAM ONLY IN PARK will display.
If the vehicle is not able to enter the personal
program menu, PERSONAL PROGRAM NOT
AVAILABLE will display.
3. Press the set/reset button to begin.
4. The DIC will then display an instruction screen.
Press the menu button to display the modes that
are available to program.
Press the set/reset button to change the setting of
each mode.
Customization Menu Items
The following are customization features that allow you
to program settings to the vehicle:
FACTORY DEFAULTS
This feature allows you to set all of the customization
and personalization features back to their factory default
settings.
Press the menu button until FACTORY DEFAULTS
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
to scroll through the following choices:
NO (default):The customization and personalization
features will not be set to their factory default settings.
YES:The customization and personalization features
will be set to their factory default settings.
If YES is selected, the keys will need to be personalized
again to be recognized as key 1 or 2. See
“PERSONALIZE KEY” later in this section for more
information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the menu button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
3-69
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.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is 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.
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.
4-12