To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold
the release button in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
Release the parking brake
before driving the vehicle.
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking takes some of
the energy from the moving
vehicle and turns it back into
electrical energy. This energy is
then stored back into the vehicle’s
hybrid battery system, contributing
to increased fuel efficiency.
The system works whenever you
take your foot off the accelerator
pedal while the vehicle is moving in a
forward gear. This causes the
vehicle to slow down more quickly. It
may feel like the brake pedal is being
pressed, even when it is not.
Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-26.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-22for
more information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
by pressing the button on the
shift lever and pushing the lever
all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
Features and Controls 2-23
ProCarManuals.com
Shifting Out of Park
The vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift
lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released.
Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless
the ignition is in ON/RUN and the
regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less
than 9 volt) battery.If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-28for more information.
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever
button.
2. Hold the brake pedal down and
press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{CAUTION
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or
other things that can burn.
Features and Controls 2-25
ProCarManuals.com
OnStar Steering Wheel
Controls
This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to
interact with OnStar Hands-Free
Calling. SeeAudio Steering Wheel
Controls on page 3-82for more
information.
OnStar voice command does not
work unless Personal Calling
is activated. To activate Personal
Calling, see the OnStar Owner’s
Guide.
On some vehicles, the mute button
can be used to dial numbers
into voice mail systems, or to dial
phone extensions. See the OnStar
Owner’s Guide for more
information.
How OnStar Service Works
The OnStar system can record and
transmit vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to
an OnStar Call Center when the
OnStar button is pressed, the
emergency button is pressed, or if
the airbags or AACN system deploy.
This information usually includes
the vehicles GPS location and,
in the event of a crash, additional
information regarding the crash that
the vehicle was involved in (e.g.
the direction from which the vehicle
was hit). When the Virtual Advisor
feature of OnStar Hands-Free
Calling is used, the vehicle also
sends OnStar the vehicles
GPS location so they can provide
services where it is located.
OnStar service cannot work unless
the vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless the vehicle is ina place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network
capacity and reception when
the service is needed, and
technology that is compatible with
the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere,
particularly in remote or enclosed
areas, or at all times.
Location information about the
vehicle is only available if the GPS
satellite signals are unobstructed
and available.
The vehicle must have a working
electrical system, including adequate
battery power, for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar from
providing OnStar service at any
particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important
parts of the vehicle in a crash, hills,
tall buildings, tunnels, weather or
wireless phone network congestion.
Features and Controls 2-31
ProCarManuals.com
Universal Home Remote
System Operation
If there is one triangular Light
Emitting Diode (LED) indicator light
above the Universal Home
Remote buttons, follow the
instructions below.
This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate devices
such as garage door openers,
security systems, and home
automation devices.Do not use the Universal Home
Remote with any garage door
opener that does not have the stop
and reverse feature. This includes
any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
Universal Home Remote. Because of
the steps involved, it may be helpful
to have another person available to
assist you in the programming the
Universal Home Remote.
Keep the original hand-held
transmitter for use in other vehicles
as well as for future Universal
Home Remote programming. It is
also recommended that upon
the sale of the vehicle, the
programmed Universal Home
Remote buttons should be erased
for security purposes. See “Erasing
Universal Home Remote Buttons”
later in this section.When programming a garage door,
park outside of the garage. Park
directly in line with and facing
the garage door opener motor-head
or gate motor-head. Be sure that
people and objects are clear of the
garage door or gate that is being
programmed.
It is recommended that a new
battery be installed in your
hand-held transmitter for quicker
and more accurate transmission of
the radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal
Home Remote System
For questions or help programming
the Universal Home Remote
System, call 1-800-355-3515
or go to homelink.com.
Programming a garage door opener
involves time-sensitive actions,
so read the entire procedure before
starting. Otherwise, the device
will time out and the procedure will
have to be repeated.
Features and Controls 2-33
ProCarManuals.com
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers. . .3-5
Horn...................................3-5
Tilt Wheel...........................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................3-6
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................3-6
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........3-7
Flash-to-Pass......................3-7
Windshield Wipers..............3-7
Rainsense™ II Wipers........3-8
Windshield Washer.............3-8
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer.............................3-9
Cruise Control....................3-9
Exterior Lamps..................3-12
Wiper Activated
Headlamps......................3-12
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)..................3-13
Automatic Headlamp
System............................3-13
Instrument Panel
Brightness.......................3-14
Dome Lamp......................3-14
Entry Lighting....................3-14
Reading Lamps.................3-14
Electric Power
Management...................3-14
Battery Run-Down
Protection........................3-15
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)..........................3-16
Climate ControlsAutomatic Climate
Control System................3-17
Outlet Adjustment.............3-22
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .3-23
Speedometer and
Odometer........................3-24
Trip Odometer..................3-24
Tachometer.......................3-24
Safety Belt Reminders......3-24
Airbag Readiness Light.....3-25
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................3-26
Charging System Light......3-27
Brake System Warning
Light................................3-27
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......3-28
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
..................3-28
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
................................3-29
Instrument Panel 3-1
ProCarManuals.com
Instrument Panel
Brightness
This feature controls the brightness
of the instrument panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is
located on the left side of the
steering wheel next to the exterior
lamps control.
Turn the thumbwheel to the right or
left to brighten or dim the lights.
Dome Lamp
*
(Dome Lamp Override):Press
this button to keep the dome
lamps and other interior lamps
turned off while any door is open.
Press this button again to return it to
the out position and the lamps
automatically come on when any
door is opened.
+(On/Off):Press this button to
turn the dome lamps on and off
while the doors are closed.
Entry Lighting
If the dome lamp override button is
in the out position, the lamps
inside the vehicle automatically
come on when any door is opened
or when the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) unlock button is
pressed. After the door is opened
the lights remain on and stay on for
20 seconds after the doors are
closed, or until the key is put into
the ignition and turned to theACC/ACCESSORY position. The
lights will then gradually dim until it
is no longer lit.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on
the overhead console.
To turn the reading lamps on or off,
press the button located next to
each lamp.
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 bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent
overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display
3-14 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com
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 are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, 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. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce
the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-42.Battery Run-Down
Protection
The battery saver feature is
designed to protect the vehicle’s
battery.
If any interior or exterior lamp is left
on and the ignition is turned off, the
battery rundown protection system
automatically turns the lamp off after
10 minutes.
Instrument Panel 3-15
ProCarManuals.com
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlets can be
used to connect electrical equipment,
such as a cellular phone.
The accessory power outlets are
located on the rear of the center
storage console and in the
rear cargo compartment. There may
be a power outlet located inside
the instrument panel storage
area below the climate controls.
To use the outlets, remove the cover.
When not in use, always cover the
outlet with the protective cap.Notice:Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended
periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical
equipment when not in use and
do not plug in equipment that
exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain electrical accessories may
not be compatible with the
accessory power outlet and could
result in blown vehicle or adapter
fuses. If you experience a problem,
see your dealer/retailer for
additional information on the
accessory power outlet.
Notice:Adding any electrical
equipment to your vehicle
may damage it or keep other
components from working as they
should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding electrical
equipment.When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the installation
instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the
power outlet can cause damage
not covered by the warranty.
Do not hang any type of
accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the
power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only.
3-16 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com