Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between thetires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet icecan occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rainbegins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can betreated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerategently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quicklycauses the wheels to spin and makes the surface underthe tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate toofast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surfaceunder the tires even more.
TheStabiliTrak®Systemo n p a g e 6!6improves theability to accelerate on slippery roads, but slow downand adjust your driving to the road conditions. Whendriving through deep snow, turn off the traction controlpart of the StabiliTrak®System to help maintain vehiclemotion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)o n p a g e 6!5improves vehicle stability during hard stops on aslippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than whenon dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery roadand watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur onotherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surfaceof a curve or an overpass can remain icy when thesurrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Staywith the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,use theRoadside Serviceo n p a g e 9!8. To get helpand keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on theHazard Warning Flashersonp a g e 4!3.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
6-28
Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained andsupported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modifications
When non!dealer/non!retailer accessories are added tothe vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance andsafety, including such things as airbags, braking,stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems likeantilock brakes, traction control, and stability control.Some of these accessories could even causemalfunction or damage not covered by the vehiclewarranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from theinstallation or use of non!GM certified parts, includingcontrol module modifications, is not covered under theterms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remainingwarranty coverage for affected parts.
7-4
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system considers over adozen critical specifications that impact the overallperformance of your vehicle, including brake systemperformance, ride and handling, traction control, and tirepressure monitoring performance. GM's TPC Specnumber is molded onto the tire's sidewall near the tiresize. If the tires have an all!season tread design, theTPC spec number will be followed by an MS for mudand snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labelingon page 7!60foradditional information.
GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four. This isbecause uniform tread depth on all tires will help keepyour vehicle performing most like it did when the tireswere new. Replacing less than a full set of tires canaffect the braking and handling performance of yourvehicle. SeeTire Inspection and Rotationon page 7!71for information on proper tire rotation.
{WARNING:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes, brands,
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle
might not handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes, brands,
or types could also cause damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same size, brand, and type
tires on all wheels.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare than
the road tires (those originally installed on your
vehicle). When new, your vehicle included a spare
tire and wheel assembly with a similar overall
diameter as your vehicle's road tires and wheels,
so it is all right to drive on it. Because this spare
was developed for use on your vehicle, it will not
affect vehicle handling.
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{WARNING:
If you use bias-ply tires on the vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use
only radial-ply tires with the wheels on the
vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle's tires with those thatdo not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they arethe same size, load range, speed rating, andconstruction type (radial and bias!belted tires) as yourvehicle's original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring systemmay give an inaccurate low!pressure warning ifnon!TPC spec rated tires are installed on your vehicle.Non!TPC Spec rated tires may give a low!pressurewarning that is higher or lower than the proper warninglevel you would get with TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTirePressure Monitor System on page 7!67.
Your vehicle's original equipment tires are listed on theTire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading theVehicleon page 6!32, for more information about theTire and Loading Information Label and its location onyour vehicle.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size thanyour original equipment wheels and tires, this couldaffect the way your vehicle performs, including itsbraking, ride and handling characteristics, stability, andresistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle haselectronic systems such as anti!lock brakes, rolloverairbags, traction control, and electronic stability control,the performance of these systems can be affected.
{WARNING:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not recommended
for those wheels are selected. You may increase
the chance that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM specific wheel and tire
systems developed for your vehicle, and have
them properly installed by a GM certified
technician.
SeeBuying New Tireson page 7!73andAccessoriesand Modificationso n p a g e 7!4for additionalinformation.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction–AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
7-76
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)sensors, replace them only with new GM originalequipment parts. This way, you will be sure to havethe right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMSsensors for your vehicle.
{WARNING:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts,
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problemswith bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer orodometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chainclearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tireon page 7!80for moreinformation.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING:
Putting a used wheel on the vehicle is dangerous.
You cannot know how it has been used or how
far it has been driven. It could fail suddenly and
cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel,
use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING:
Do not use tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without
the proper amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension, or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and you or others may be injured in a
crash. Use another type of traction device only if
its manufacturer recommends it for use on the
(Continued)
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WARNING: (Continued)
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, re!adjust or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and do not spin the
wheels. If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,especially if you maintain your vehicle's tires properly.If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak outslowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, here area few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates a drag that pullsthe vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off theaccelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently braketo a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like askid and may require the same correction you woulduse in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot fromthe accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control bysteering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may bevery bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gentlybrake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{WARNING:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it is designed
only for changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack.
If a jack is provided with the vehicle, only use
it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use thejacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
7-79
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
Towing
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42
Trailer Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
Traction
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Road Sensing Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Trailer
Towing Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-24
Transmission Operation, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-76
Universal Home Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
V
Vehicle
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-57
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-107
Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-107
Vehicle Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-57
Ventilation Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-86
i - 15