2009 HUMMER H3 brake

brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-27.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37for all brake related DIC
messages.
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The StabiliTrak system or the
Traction Control System (TCS)
indicator/warning light comes
on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.The indicator/warning light ashes
while the StabiliTrak or TCS system
is working to control the vehicle
on a low traction surface.
If the TCS warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, the
vehicle needs service.
The light comes on when the TCS
and the StabiliTrak system is
turned off. If the TCS is off, wheel
spin is not limited. If the StabiliTrak
system is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the
StabiliTrak system and the warning
light turns off.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7for more
information
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is in the shaded
area of the gage, the engine is
too hot. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the
vehicle has been operating under
normal driving conditions, pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27for more information.
United StatesCanada
Instrument Panel 3-29

RFA 3:This mode ashes the
parking lamps and sounds the horn
when you press the lock or
unlock buttons on the RKE
transmitter.
RFA 4:This mode disables RKE
feedback. There will be no feedback
when you press the lock or unlock
buttons on the RKE transmitter.
DIC Warnings and
Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status
of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear one
after another. The messages are
displayed for several seconds each.
Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you should
press and release the trip odometer
reset stem to acknowledge that
you received the messages and toclear them from the display. Each
message must be acknowledged
individually.
Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display because
they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they
can be cleared. You should take
any messages that appear on
the display seriously and remember
that clearing the messages only
makes the messages disappear, not
correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed
and some information about them.
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when
the engine coolant temperature is
too high and the air conditioning
in the vehicle needs to be turned off.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27andClimate Control
System on page 3-19for more
information. This message displays
along with the ENG HOT message.
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
FAULT
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Check the ABS as
soon as possible and have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30andAntilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Light on
page 3-28for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
BRAKES
This message displays if there is a
problem with the brakes. Check
the brakes as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30andBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-27for
more information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the
display.
Instrument Panel 3-37

CHANGE OIL
This message displays when the oil
needs to be changed. Check the
oil in the vehicle as soon as possible
and have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer. SeeEngine Oil
on page 5-13andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information. Press and release
the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the
display.
DOORS
This message displays when one or
more of the doors is ajar. Check
all the doors on the vehicle to make
sure they are closed. The message
clears from the display after all
of the doors are closed.
ENG (Engine) HOT
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is
hot. Check the engine coolant
temperature gage. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-29. Have the vehicleserviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible if you suspect
the engine is overheating. See
Engine Overheating on page 5-27
for more information.
FLUID
This message displays if the brake
uid is low. Check the brake
uid as soon as possible and have
the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and
clear it from the display.
FUEL CAP
This message displays if the
vehicle’s fuel cap is either off or
loose. Pull over as soon as possible
and check to see if the fuel cap is
secure. You may also see the check
engine light on the instrument
panel cluster. If the check engine
light does come on when the
fuel cap was loose, it may take a
few driving trips before the lightturns off. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-30for more
information if the light still remains
on. Press and release the reset
stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
HSA (Hill Start Assist) ON
This message displays when the Hill
Start Assist is enabled. See
Braking on page 4-3for more
information.
LOW FUEL
This message displays if the level of
fuel in the vehicle is low. Also
check the fuel gage. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-33for more information.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as
possible.
LOW TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a low tire
pressure is detected in any of the
vehicle’s tires. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge the
3-38 Instrument Panel

message and clear it from the
display. The message appears at
each ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination
pressure. SeeTires on page 5-44
andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-51for more information on
tires and the correct ination
pressures.
OIL
This message displays when the oil
pressure is low. SeeOil Pressure
Light on page 3-32andEngine
Oil on page 5-13for more
information.
PARK BRK (Brake)
This message displays when the
parking brake is set. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-28andBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-27
for more information. The message
clears from the display after the
parking brake is released or by
pressing and releasing the
reset stem.
REDUCED POWER
This message displays when the
vehicle’s engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can
affect the vehicle’s ability to
accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in
performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may
be reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be
driven at a reduced speed while this
message is on, but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your
dealer/retailer for service as soon as
possible. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the
display.
SERV (Service) 4WD
(Four-Wheel Drive)
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transfer
case control system. Check the
transfer case on the vehicleand have it serviced by your
dealer/retailer. SeeFull-Time
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-24for
more information about the
transfer case. Press and release the
reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the
display.
SERV (Service) TPM
(Tire Pressure Monitor)
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
TPMS is not working properly.
The tire pressure light also ashes
and then remains on during the
same ignition cycle. SeeTire
Pressure Light on page 3-30.
Several conditions may cause this
message to appear. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-54for more information. If
the warning comes on and stays on,
there may be a problem with the
TPMS. See your dealer/retailer.
Instrument Panel 3-39

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy...........................4-1
Defensive Driving................4-2
Drunk Driving.....................4-2
Control of a Vehicle............4-3
Braking...............................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)...................4-5
Braking in Emergencies......4-6
StabiliTrak®System............4-6
Traction Control
System (TCS)...................4-7
Locking Rear Axle..............4-8
Locking Front Axle..............4-9
Steering............................4-10
Off-Road Recovery............4-11
Passing.............................4-12
Loss of Control.................4-12
Off-Road Driving...............4-13
Assist Steps......................4-28
Driving at Night.................4-28
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................4-29
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................4-30
Highway Hypnosis.............4-30
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .4-30
Winter Driving...................4-31
If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow
...................4-33
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................4-34
Recovery Loops................4-34
Loading the Vehicle..........4-35
Truck-Camper Loading
Information......................4-39
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........4-40
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................4-40
Towing a Trailer................4-42
Trailer
Recommendations...........4-53
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Keep vehicle tires properly
inated.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

Police records show that almost
40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these
deaths are the result of someone
who was drinking and driving.
In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related
deaths have been associated
with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is
against the law in every U.S. state
to drink alcohol. There are good
medical, psychological, and
developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the
leading highway safety problem
is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can
make crash injuries worse,
especially injuries to the brain,
spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who hasbeen drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been
drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems
help to control the vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering,
and accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy
to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose
control of the vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-7.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding
to push the brake pedal is
perception time. Actually doing
it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long as
two or three seconds or more
with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part. So
do alcohol, drugs, and frustration.
But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph
(100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough
space between the vehicle
and others is important.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-3

And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of
the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force
applied.
Avoid needless heavy
braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration
followed by heavy braking — rather
than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might
not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster with a lot of heavy
braking. Keeping pace with
the traffic and allowing realistic
following distances eliminates a lot
of unnecessary braking. That
means better braking and longer
brake life.
If the vehicle ever loses electrical
power while it is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. If the brakes are pumped,the pedal could get harder to push
down. If the vehicle loses electrical
power, there will still be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop, the brake
pedal will be harder to push,
and you might experience longer
pedal travel.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Hill Start Assist
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist
(HSA) feature, which may be
useful when the vehicle is stopped
on a grade. This feature is
designed to prevent the vehicle from
rolling, either forward or rearward,
during vehicle drive off. After
the vehicle is stopped on an incline,
push the brake pedal completely
to the oor to activate Hill StartAssist. When the system activates,
a chime will sound and the HSA
ON message will be displayed.
Letting off the brake pedal slightly or
applying the accelerator pedal to
disengage Hill Start Assist gives the
driver two seconds to pull forward
or back up before the vehicle
starts to roll. Lightly ease off the
brake pedal to disengage Hill
Start Assist. The brakes will
automatically be held for a maximum
of two seconds while the driver
switches from applying the brakes
to pushing the accelerator pedal.
When Hill Start Assist is active, the
driver might experience a “hard
pedal.” This is normal and does not
affect safe brake operation.
On steeper hills, Hill Start Assist will
only activate if the driver tries to
move the vehicle up the hill. It will
not activate if the vehicle is in a
drive gear and facing downhill or if
the vehicle is facing uphill and
in R (Reverse).
4-4 Driving Your Vehicle

Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away,
ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise might
be heard while this test is going on.
This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 3-28.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you. You
slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot
up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, there will not be enough
time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work. The brakes might
vibrate or some noise might be
heard, but this is normal.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-5