
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

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

;(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

9:Turns the system off.
9(Fan Control):Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed in the
rear-seating area.
Temperature Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature in the rear-seating area.
The air-conditioning system on the main climate control
panel must be turned on to direct cooled air to the
rear of the vehicle. If it is not on, then the temperature
in the rear of the vehicle remains at cabin temperature.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the airflow
in the rear seating area.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the upper outlets, with
some directed to the floor outlets.
2(Floor):Air is directed to the floor outlets.
Be sure to keep the area under the front seats clear of
any objects so that the air inside of the vehicle can
circulate effectively.For information on how to use the main climate control
system, seeClimate Control System on page 3-19.
For information on ventilation, seeOutlet Adjustment on
page 3-21.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briefly when the engine is started
to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
3-24

Light (cont.)
Brake System Warning.................................3-33
Charging System.........................................3-31
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Highbeam On.............................................3-41
Oil Pressure...............................................3-40
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-30
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-27
Security.....................................................3-41
StabiliTrak
®Indicator....................................3-34
Tire Pressure..............................................3-35
Tow/Haul Mode ...........................................3-41
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-17
Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-18
Locking Rear Axle............................................ 4-8
Lockout Protection............................................ 2-9
Locks
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-8
Cargo Door Relocking.................................... 2-7
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Door ........................................................... 2-6
Lockout Protection......................................... 2-9Locks (cont.)
Power Door .................................................. 2-6
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-10
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.............1-41M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)......................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-17
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp...............................3-36
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Windows............................................2-13
7

V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Loading......................................................4-18
Running While Parked..................................2-31
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-59
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-16
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)............................................5-103
Service Parts Identification Label..................5-103
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-21
Visors...........................................................2-16
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-32
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-24
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iiiWheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-76
Different Size..............................................5-73
Replacement...............................................5-76
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-39
Windows.......................................................2-13
Manual......................................................2-13
Power ........................................................2-14
Swing-Out Windows.....................................2-15
Windows, Enhanced Technology Glass...............2-16
Windshield
Washer........................................................ 3-9
Washer Fluid..............................................5-35
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-53
Wiper Blades, Cleaning..............................5-100
Wiper Fuses.............................................5-104
Wipers......................................................... 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-15
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
12