Check XM Receivr:If this message
does not clear within a short
period of time, the receiver could
have a fault. Consult with your
dealer/retailer.
XM Not Available:If this message
does not clear within a short
period of time, the receiver could
have a fault. Consult with your
dealer/retailer.
Bluetooth®
Vehicles with a Bluetooth system can
use a Bluetooth capable cell phone
with a Hands Free Pro le to make
and receive phone calls. The system
can be used while the key is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY
position. The range of the Bluetooth
system can be up to 30 ft. (9.1 m).
Not all phones support all functions,
and not all phones are guaranteed to
work with the in-vehicle Bluetooth
system. See gm.com/bluetooth for
more information on compatible
phones.
Voice Recognition
The Bluetooth system uses voice
recognition to interpret voice
commands to dial phone numbers
and name tags.
Noise:Keep interior noise levels to
a minimum. The system may not
recognize voice commands if there
is too much background noise.
When to Speak:A short tone
sounds after the system responds
indicating when it is waiting for
a voice command. Wait until
the tone and then speak.
How to Speak:Speak clearly in a
calm and natural voice.
Audio System
When using the in-vehicle Bluetooth
system, sound comes through
the vehicle’s front audio system
speakers and overrides the audio
system. Use the audio system
volume knob, during a call,
to change the volume level. The
adjusted volume level remainsin memory for later calls. To prevent
missed calls, a minimum volume
level is used if the volume is turned
down too low.
Bluetooth Controls
Use the buttons located on the
steering wheel to operate the
in-vehicle Bluetooth system. See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 3-82for more information.
J/0(Push To Talk):Press to
answer incoming calls, con rm
system information, and to start
speech recognition.
−/
K(Phone On Hook):Press
to end a call and to cancel an
operation.
Pairing
A Bluetooth enabled cell phone
must be paired to the in-vehicle
Bluetooth system rst and then
connected to the vehicle before it
can be used. See the cell phone
manufacturers user guide for
3-72 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com
This device complies with RSS-210
of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two
conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modi cations to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to
discourage theft of the vehicle’s
radio by learning a portion of
the Vehicle Identi cation Number
(VIN). The radio does not operate if
it is stolen or moved to a different
vehicle.
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls
Some audio controls can be
adjusted at the steering wheel. They
include the following:
+/−(Next/Previous):Press and
release to go to the next or the
previous preset radio station or CD
track.
K(End Call):For vehicles with
the OnStar®system, press to end a
Hands-Free call, an OnStar®call,
cancel an incoming call, or end
the Advisor Playback.For vehicles with Bluetooth
®, press
to end a call, or cancel an
incoming call.
v+v−(Volume):Move the
thumbwheel up or down to increase
or to decrease the volume.
J0(Call / Mute):Press and
release to mute the system. Press it
again to turn the sound back on.
For vehicles with OnStar
®or
Bluetooth systems, press and hold
for longer than two seconds to
interact with those systems. See
OnStar
®System on page 2-29and
Bluetooth®on page 3-72in this
manual for more information.
3-82 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com
Driver Behavior
The single most important thing is
this: everyone in the vehicle,
including the driver, should buckle
up. SeeSafety Belts: They Are
for Everyone on page 1-10. In fact,
most serious injuries and fatalities
to unbelted occupants can be
reduced or prevented by the use of
safety belts. In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is signi cantly
more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden
or abrupt turns, and drunken or
aggressive driving can help make
trips safer and avoid the possibility
of a crash, especially a rollover
crash. This section provides many
useful tips to help you drive
more safely.
Driving Environment
You can also help avoid a rollover
or other type of crash by being
prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during
other times where visibility or
traction may be limited, such as on
curves, slippery roads, or hilly
terrain. Unfamiliar surroundings can
also have hidden hazards.
To help you learn more about driving
in different conditions, this section
contains information about city,
freeway, and off-road driving, as well
as other hints for driving in various
weather conditions.
Vehicle Design
According to the U.S. Department
of Transportation, utility vehicles
have a signi cantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.Utility vehicles do have higher
ground clearance and a narrower
track or shorter wheelbase than
passenger cars, to make them more
capable for off-road driving.
Speci c design characteristics like
these give the driver a better view of
the road, but also give utility
vehicles a higher center of gravity
than other types of vehicles.
This means that you should not
expect a utility vehicle to handle the
same way a vehicle with a lower
center of gravity, like a car, would in
similar situations.
But driver behavior factors are far
more often the cause of a utility
vehicle rollover than are
environmental or vehicle factors.
Safe driver behavior and
understanding the environment in
which you will be driving can help
avoid a rollover crash in any type of
vehicle, including utility vehicles.
4-2 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
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,
and it might even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. 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 antilock pump
or motor operating might be
heard and the brake pedal might be
felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help more
than even the very best braking.
4-6 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the
vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock” the
vehicle to attempt to free it.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system. The
TCS/StabiliTrak warning light will be
on solid to warn the driver that
StabiliTrak is disabled and requires
service. If the problem does not clear
itself after restarting the vehicle, see
your dealer/retailer for service.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be
re-engaged when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-9.Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
The vehicle has a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature as part of the
StabiliTrak system. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer and the system
detects that the trailer is swaying, the
vehicle’s brakes are applied without
the driver pressing the brake pedal.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
will ash on the instrument panel
cluster to notify the driver to reduce
speed. If the trailer continues to
sway, StabiliTrak will reduce engine
torque to help slow the vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for
more information.
Traction Control System
(TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that one or
both of the front wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, TCS applies the
brakes to limit wheel spin and also
reduces engine power. The system
may be heard or felt while it is
working, but this is normal.
This light will ash when TCS is
limiting wheel spin.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow, and
you want to “rock” the vehicle to
4-8 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com
attempt to free it. SeeRocking Your
Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-17
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-17for
more information.
The TCS/StabiliTrak
®button is
located on the instrument panel.
Press and release this button to turn
off TCS. The TCS warning light
will be displayed on the instrument
panel. The traction control system
can be turned back on by pressing
the TCS/StabiliTrak button.
If the system is limiting wheel spin
when the button is pressed, the
system will not turn off until there is
no longer a current need to limit
wheel spin. The system can
be turned back on at any time by
pressing the button again. If the
TCS light does not come on,TCS may not be functioning
properly and the vehicle should be
serviced at your dealer/retailer.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for
more information.Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while driving, the
power steering assist system will
continue to operate until you
are able to stop the vehicle. If power
steering assist is lost because the
electric 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 maynotice a reduced amount of power
steering assist. The normal
amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric 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 you can control.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve,
while the front wheels are straight.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-9
ProCarManuals.com
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.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and
nd a truck stopped in your lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere,
or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of
you. These problems can be avoided
by braking — if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot stop in
time because there is no room.
That is the time for evasive
action — steering around the
problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First apply
the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 4-5. It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from acollision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just
as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear
safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
4-10 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com
Ease off the accelerator and then, if
there is nothing in the way, steer so
that the vehicle straddles the edge
of the pavement. Turn the steering
wheel 3 to 5 inches, 8 to 13 cm,
(about one-eighth turn) until the right
front tire contacts the pavement
edge. Then turn the steering wheel
to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane road can be dangerous.
To reduce the risk of danger
while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides,
and to crossroads for situations
that might affect a successful
pass. If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines that could
indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or
double-solid line on your
side of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle
you want to pass. Doing so can
reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow
vehicle.
When you are being passed,
ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when
the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do
not have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control
of the vehicle. Defensive drivers
avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the steering
or cornering skid, too much speed or
steering in a curve causes tires to
slip and lose cornering force. And in
the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
Remember: Any traction control
system helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. If the traction
control system is off, then an
acceleration skid is best handled
by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-11
ProCarManuals.com