
Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-6
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-30
Airbag System
.........................................1-58
Restraint System Check
............................1-78
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-6
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-19
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
Storage Areas
.........................................2-34
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-24
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-43
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-65
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-24Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-44
Rear Axle
...............................................5-45
Front Axle
...............................................5-46
Noise Control System
...............................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-53
Tires
......................................................5-54
Appearance Care
.....................................5-96
Vehicle Identification
...............................5-103
Electrical System
....................................5-104
Capacities and Specifications
...................5-110
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2009 GMC Savana Owner ManualM

Outside Heated Mirrors
Vehicles with outside
heated mirrors can be
defrosted by pressing the
mirror button located
near the fan control.
An indicator light in the button lights when the outside
heated mirrors are activated.
The rear window defogger comes on when the outside
heated mirrors are on. If the vehicle has a rear
window defogger, see “Rear Window Defogger” in
Climate Control System on page 3-19for more
information.
Storage Areas
Your vehicle may have a front storage compartment. It is
located at the center of the instrument panel extension,
by the floor. To open the compartment, pull up on the
latch. The compartment will open automatically.
Storage compartments may also be included on the
inside of each front door.
2-34

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-16
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-16
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-17
Reading Lamps............................................3-17
Electric Power Management...........................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-19Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Rear Heating System....................................3-22
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System....................................................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-25
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-26
Trip Odometer..............................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-27
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-27
Airbag Off Light............................................3-28
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-31
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light........................................................3-34
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-35
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
B.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-43.
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-25.
F. Shift Lever. SeeStarting the Engine on page 2-20.
G.Climate Control System on page 3-19.
H.Audio System(s) on page 3-65.
I.Exterior Lamps on page 3-13.
J.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
K.Cruise Control on page 3-10. Fast Idle System
(If Equipped). See Duramax Diesel Manual for more
information.L.Tilt Wheel on page 3-6.
M.Horn on page 3-6.
N.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-85.
O. Tow/Haul Mode Button. See “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-26.
P.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-18and
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19.
Q.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped).
R.Airbag Off Switch on page 1-68.
S.Storage Areas on page 2-34.
T.Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-30.
U.Rear Heating System on page 3-22(If Equipped).
3-5

Entry/Exit Lighting
The vehicle has an illuminated entry/exit feature.
The dome lamps come on if the dome override button is
in the out position, when a door is opened or the key
is removed from the ignition.
Reading Lamps
For vehicles with reading lamps, press the button
located next to each lamp to turn it on or off.
The vehicle may also have reading lamps in other
locations. The lamps cannot be adjusted.
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 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, rear
window defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
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.
3-17

Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
If your vehicle has this feature it is located in the center
console or on the instrument panel. Pull up on the
ashtray door to open it if it is in the console or pull the
door open it if it is on the instrument panel.
Notice:If papers, pins, or other ammable items
are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage the vehicle. Never put ammable items
in the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray, pull it out from the console or
from the slide out door. To reinstall the ashtray,
slide it back to the original position.
To use the cigarette lighter, if the vehicle has one, push
it in all the way, and let go. When it is ready for use,
it will pop back out by itself.
Do not use the lighter to plug in accessory devices.
Use the power outlets provided.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating does not let the lighter back away from the
heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating can occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
D. Rear Window Defogger
9(Fan Control):Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
9(Off):Turns the system off.
Temperature Control:Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.Vehicles Without Air Conditioning
3-19

Rear Heating System
For vehicles with a rear heating system, it lets you adjust
the amount of air flowing into the rear of the vehicle, from
the front-seating area. This feature works with the main
climate-control system in the vehicle.
AUX:The thumbwheel for this system is located in the
switchbank below the audio system.
9(Fan):Turn the thumbwheel up or down to increase
or decrease the amount of heated air sent to the
rear-seating area.
Q(High):This position supplies the most amount of
heat to the rear-seating area.
c(Medium):This position supplies half the amount of
heat to the rear-seating area.
R(Low):This position supplies the least amount of
heat to the rear-seating area.
9(Off):Turns the rear heating system off.
3-22

Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System
For vehicles with a rear heating and air-conditioning
system, it maintains the temperature, fan speed and air
delivery for the rear-seat passengers only. It also works
with the main climate-control system in the vehicle.
Use this control panel to maintain a separate
temperature setting. Adjust the direction of the airflow or
adjust the fan speed for the rear seat passenger(s).A. Fan Control
B. Air Delivery Mode Control
C. Temperature Control
If the vehicle has a 135 inch (343 cm) wheelbase, a
rear control panel for this system is located in the
second row behind the driver in the rear of the vehicle.
The temperature, air delivery mode, and the fan
speed can be adjusted for the rear seating area by a
rear seat passenger.
AUX (Auxiliary):Turn the fan knob on the front climate
control panel to AUX to let rear seat passengers use
the control panel in the rear seating area. This disables
the front control panel. To return control to the front
panel, move the fan knob out of AUX. Front Climate Control Panel
Rear Climate Control Panel
3-23