
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

B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is the position in which
you can operate things like the radio and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off.
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.
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.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows (if equipped)
These features will work when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned
from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, power to the radio will
continue to work 10 minutes or until the driver door is
opened. The power windows will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes or until any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
2-20

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

Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps control is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
•Headlamps
•Taillamps
•Parking Lamps
•License Plate Lamps
•Instrument Panel LightsThe exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off):Briefly turn the control to this position to turn the
automatic headlamps and daytime running lamps (DRL)
off or back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off position only
works for vehicles that are shifted into the P (Park)
position.
AUTO (Automatic):Turns on the headlamps
automatically at normal brightness, together with the
following:
•Parking Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
3-13

;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps together
with the following lamps listed below.
•Parking Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
If the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is on,
the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off. If the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
continue to stay on. To prevent the battery from
being drained, turn the control to the
Oposition.A warning chime sounds if the driver door is opened
while the ignition switch is off and the headlamps are on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
the instrument panel.
Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime sounds when the
headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned on and
the key is out of the ignition. To turn off the chime, turn
the headlamp switch to off or auto and then back on, or
close and re-open the door. In the auto mode, the
headlamps turn off once the ignition is in LOCK/OFF or
may remain on until the headlamp delay ends, if enabled
in the Driver Information Center (DIC). See “Exit Lighting”
underDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-59.
3-14

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on in daylight when the
following conditions are met:
•The ignition is on.
•The exterior lamps control is in the AUTO position.
•The shift lever is not in P (Park).
•The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps, sidemarker,
instrument panel and other lamps will not be on.
The automatic headlamp system automatically switches
from DRL to the headlamps depending on the darkness
of the surroundings.
To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior lamp control to the
off position and then release it. For vehicles first sold
in Canada, the transmission must be in the P (Park)
position, before the DRL can be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the headlamp
switch is in AUTO, the automatic headlamp system turns
on the headlamps, along with the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, roof marker lamps, and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then
release. For vehicles first sold in Canada, the
transmission must be in the P (Park) position, before
the automatic headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the sensor or the
system will come on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and
nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
and the automatic headlamp systems so that driving
under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not
affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp
system is only affected when the light sensor sees a
change in lighting lasting longer than the delay.
3-15

If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately
30 seconds for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-16.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The knob for this feature is located next to the exterior
lamps control.
D(Instrument Panel Lights):Push knob to extend
and then turn clockwise or counterclockwise to brighten
or dim the instrument panel lights and the radio display.
This only works if the headlamps or parking lamps are on.
To turn on the dome lamps, with the vehicle doors
closed, turn the knob all the way clockwise.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps come on when any door is opened.
They turn off after all the doors are closed.
The dome lamps can also be turned on by turning the
instrument panel brightness knob, located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column,
clockwise to the farthest position. In this position, the
dome lamps remain on whether a door is opened or
closed.
Dome Lamp Override
The dome lamp override button is located next to the
exterior lamps control.
The dome lamp override sets the dome lamps to remain
off or come on automatically when a door is opened.
E(Dome Lamp Override):Press the button in
and the dome lamps remain off when a door is opened.
Press the button again to return it to the extended
position so that the dome lamps come on when a door
is opened.
3-16