Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface
ProCarManuals.com
The main components of the
instrument panel are the:
A.Exterior Lamps Controls on
page 5-1.
B. Outlets.Outlet Adjustment on
page 7-4.
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 4-4.
D.DIC Operation and Displays
(Uplevel DIC and Audio) on
page 4-26orDIC Operation and
Displays (Base Level DIC and
Audio) on page 4-32andAudio
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 6-23. (If Equipped)
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on
page 4-12.F.Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 6-23. (If Equipped)
G.Windshield Wipers on page 4-8.
H.Heated Seats on page 1-6.
(If Equipped)
I.StabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-19. (If Equipped)
J.Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 4-25. (If Equipped)
K.Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 4-4.
L.Power Door Locks on page 2-6.
M. Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder.Safety Belt
Reminders on page 4-13.
N. Front Passenger Airbag.
Airbag System on page 1-24.O.Fog Lamps on page 5-2.
(If Equipped)
P.Instrument Panel Brightness
on page 5-3.
Q.Hood Release on page 9-5.
R.Tilt Wheel on page 4-4.
S.Horn on page 4-4.
T.Ignition Positions on page 8-2.
U.Climate Control System on
page 7-1.
V.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 4-10. (Covered)
W.Audio System(s) on page 6-1.
X.Glove Box on page 3-1.
Instruments and Controls 4-3
ProCarManuals.com
Trip Computer
The vehicle may have a trip
computer. The trip computer
provides information on driving data.
This information is continually
recorded and evaluated
electronically. If power has been
interrupted or if the battery voltage
has dropped too low, the values
stored in the trip computer will
be lost.
The trip computer main page
provides information on range and
instantaneous consumption.
To access other trip computer
vehicle data, do one of the following:
Press the BC button on the
audio system, if your vehicle has
this feature.
Press the left thumbwheel, if your
vehicle has this feature, on the
steering wheel.
Select the trip computer menu
front display.The functions are displayed in the
following order:
Range
This display shows the approximate
number of remaining miles (mi)
or kilometers (km) the vehicle can
be driven without refueling.
The message “Range” displays if
less than 31 miles (50 km) can
be driven with the fuel remaining
in the tank.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
(Base and Uplevel Systems) on
page 4-36for information on
acknowledging the message.
The fuel range estimate is based on
an average of the vehicle’s fuel
economy over recent driving history
and the amount of fuel remaining
in the fuel tank. This estimate
will change if driving conditions
change. For example, if driving in
traffic and making frequent
stops, this display may read one
number, but if the vehicle is drivenon a freeway, the number may
change even though the same
amount of fuel is in the fuel tank.
This is because different driving
conditions produce different
fuel economies. Generally, freeway
driving produces better fuel
economy than city driving.
Fuel range cannot be reset.
Instantaneous Consumption
This display shows the current fuel
economy at a particular moment and
will change frequently as driving
conditions change. This display
shows the instantaneous fuel
economy in miles per gallon (mpg) or
liters per 100 kilometers (l/100 km).
The metric display changes
depending on speed:
Below 8 mph (13 km/h),
displays in l/h.
Above 8 mph (13 km/h),
displays in l/100 km.
This screen cannot be reset.
Instruments and Controls 4-29
ProCarManuals.com
Trip Computer
The vehicle may have a trip
computer. The trip computer
provides information on driving data.
This information is continually
recorded and evaluated
electronically. If power has been
interrupted or if the battery voltage
has dropped too low, the values
stored in the trip computer will
be lost.
To access trip computer vehicle
data, do one of the following:
Press the BC button on the audio
system.
Press the left thumbwheel, if your
vehicle has this feature, on the
steering wheel.
Once an audio function has been
selected, the rows of the trip
computer function are displayed.The functions are displayed in the
following order:
Instantaneous Consumption
This display shows the current fuel
economy at a particular moment and
will change frequently as driving
conditions change. This display
shows the instantaneous fuel
economy in miles per gallon (mpg) or
liters per 100 kilometers (l/100 km).
The metric display changes
depending on speed:
Below 8 mph (13 km/h),
displays in l/h.
Above 8 mph (13 km/h),
displays in l/100 km.
This screen cannot be reset.
Average Consumption
This display shows the approximate
average miles per gallon (mpg) or
liters per 100 kilometers (l/100 km).
This number is calculated based on
the number of mpg (l/100 km)
recorded since the last time this
menu item was reset.The measurement can be reset to
zero at any time and restarted.
See “Reset” later in this section.
Trip Consumption
This display shows the number of
gallons (gal) or liters (l) of fuel
used since the last reset.
The measurement can be reset to
zero at any time and restarted.
See “Reset” later in this section.
Average Speed
This display shows the average
speed of the vehicle in miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers per
hour (km/h). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset of this value.
The measurement can be reset to
zero at any time and restarted.
See “Reset” later in this section.
4-34 Instruments and Controls
ProCarManuals.com
Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-3
Engine Heater....................8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-6
Manual Transmission
Operation..........................8-9
Parking Brake...................8-10
Shifting Into Park..............8-11
Shifting Out of Park..........8-12
Parking the Vehicle...........8-13
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-13
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-14
Driving Your Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy.........................8-15
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
StabiliTrak®System..........8-19
Steering............................8-20
Off-Road Recovery............8-21
Passing.............................8-22
Loss of Control.................8-22
Driving at Night.................8-23
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-24
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-25
Highway Hypnosis.............8-25
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-29
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-34
Gasoline Octane...............8-34
Gasoline Speci cations.....8-34
California Fuel..................8-34
Additives...........................8-34
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-35
Filling the Tank.................8-36
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-37
Driving and Operating 8-1
ProCarManuals.com
Thegswitch is located on the
instrument panel below the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
To turn off StabiliTrak, press and
hold the
gswitch until the light in the
switch illuminates.
To turn StabiliTrak on again, press
the
gswitch again or restart the
vehicle.
A light in the switch should come on
brie y when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN as a check that
the light is working.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3for
more information.
Steering
If the engine stalls while driving, the
power steering assist system
should continue to operate until you
are able to stop the vehicle. If
power steering assist is lost because
the power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel
in the stopped position for an
extended amount of time, you may
notice a reduced amount of
power steering assist. The normal
amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you
suspect steering system problems
and/or the Service Vehicle Soon light
comes on, contact your dealer/
retailer for service repairs.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the
road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve,
while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you
can drive through the curve.
Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until out
of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
8-20 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com