analyzing things such as vehicle speed, throttle positionand vehicle load. If the shift stabilization featuredetermines that a current vehicle speed cannot bemaintained, the transmission does not upshift andinstead holds the current gear. In some cases, this mayappear to be a delayed shift, however the transmissionis operating normally.
The vehicle's transmission uses adaptive shift controlsthat compares key shift parameters to pre-programmedideal shifts stored in the transmissions computer. Thetransmission constantly makes adjustments to improvevehicle performance according to how the vehicle isbeing used, such as with a heavy load or whentemperature changes. During this adaptive shift controlsprocess, shifting may feel different as the transmissiondetermines the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Hydra-Matic®
6L80 automatic transmission's gear shifting may bedelayed providing more stable shifts until the enginewarms up. Shifts may be more noticeable with a coldtransmission. This difference in shifting is normal.
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
The vehicle has Driver Shift Control (DSC). DSCcontrols the vehicle's transmission and vehicle speedwhile driving down hill or towing a trailer by allowing youto select a desired range of gears.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshiftselecting the desired range of gears for currentdriving conditions.
3-35
Also see“Tow Haul Mode”underTowing a Traileronpage 6!42for more information.
The tow/haul mode works with the Autoride®feature,if the vehicle has this, to enhance the ride whentrailering or with a loaded vehicle. SeeAutoride®onpage 6!42.
Grade Braking
The Grade Braking shift modes can be activated bypressing the button on the end of the shift control lever.While in Range Selection Mode , Grade Braking isdeactivated allowing the driver to select a desired rangeof gears.
Grade Braking is only active while the Tow/Haul Modeis selected and you are not in the Range SelectionMode. See“Tow/Haul Mode listed previously andAutomatic Transmission Operationon page 3!32formore information on the Range Selection Mode. GradeBraking assists in maintaining desired vehicle speedswhen driving on downhill grades by automaticallyimplementing a shift schedule that utilizes the engineand transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces wearon the braking system and increases control of thevehicle. Grade Braking monitors vehicle speed,acceleration, engine torque and brake pedal usage.
Using this information, it detects when the vehicle is ona downhill grade and the driver desires to slow thevehicle by pressing the brake.
Also seeTowing a Traileron page 6!42for moreinformation.
Cruise Grade Braking
Cruise Grade Braking assists when driving on adownhill grade. It maintains vehicle speed byautomatically implementing a shift schedule that usesthe engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle.Cruise Grade Braking operates while Cruise Control isengaged in Tow/Haul mode to assist in maintainingvehicle speed under loaded vehicle conditions.It utilizes vehicle acceleration and deviation fromdesired speed to determine the correct gear for theoperating condition. If vehicle speed is above thedesired speed the transmission will downshift to slowthe vehicle. If vehicle speed is near or below desiredspeed the trans will upshift, allowing vehicle speedto increase.
While in the Range Select Mode (RSM) mode, cruisegrade braking is not available.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 3!32.
3-37
Shifting Into Park
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly 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 Traileron
page 6!42.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set theparking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) position bypulling the shift lever toward you and moving it upas far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you canleave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand,the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the
engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brakeis firmly set. After the shift lever is moved into P (Park),hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you canmove the shift lever away from P (Park) without firstpulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the shiftlever was not fully locked into P (Park).
3-39
Parking Over Things That Burn
{WARNING:
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.
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or sounds strange
or different.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
.The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion
or damage.
.The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modified, damaged or improperly repaired.
.There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modifications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
3-41
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if youever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation. For more
information, seeEngine Exhaust on page 3!41.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. 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, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will notmove. SeeShifting Into Park on page 3!39.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing aTrailer on page 6!42.
3-42
Section 4 Instrument Panel
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34Engine Coolant Temperature Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-39Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-39Lights On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-39Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-39Highbeam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40Fuel Gage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
Driver Information Center (DIC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41DIC Operation and Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41DIC Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-47DIC Warnings and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-48DIC Vehicle Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-57
Audio System(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-67Bluetooth®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-67Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System(Overhead) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-77Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System(Headrest DVD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-86Rear Seat Audio (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-103Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-105Audio Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-105Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-107Rear Side Window Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-108XM™Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . . . . . . 4-108
4-2
Headlamps on Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime sounds when theheadlamps or parking lamps are manually turned onand the key is out of the ignition. To turn off the chime,turn the headlamp switch to off or AUTO and then backon, or close and re-open the door. In the AUTO mode,the headlamps turn off once the ignition is in LOCK/OFFor remains on until the headlamp delay ends (if enabledin the DIC). See“Exit Lighting”underDIC VehicleCustomization on page 4!57.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier forothers to see the front of your vehicle during the day.Fully functional daytime running lamps are required onall vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when the followingconditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
.The engine is running.
.The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL system is on, only the DRL lamps areon. The taillamps, sidemarker, instrument panel lights,and other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlampsystem switches from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lampscontrol to the OFF position and then release. Forvehicles first sold in Canada, the transmission must bein the P (Park) position, before the DRL lamps can beturned off.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automaticheadlamp system turns on the headlamps at the normalbrightness, along with the taillamps, sidemarker, parkinglamps, and the instrument panel lights. The radio lightswill also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn theexterior lamps switch to the off position and thenrelease it. For vehicles first sold in Canada, thetransmission must be in the P (Park) position, beforethe automatic headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of theinstrument panel in the defroster grille that regulateswhen the automatic headlamps turn on. Do not coverthe sensor or the headlamps will come on whenever theignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps whendriving through a parking garage, heavy overcastweather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
4-15
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) thatestimates the battery's temperature and state of charge.It then adjusts the voltage for best performance andextended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage israised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.When the state of charge is high, the voltage is loweredslightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has avoltmeter gage or a voltage display on the DriverInformation Center (DIC), you may see the voltagemove 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 electricalloads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This isbecause the generator (alternator) may not be spinningfast enough at idle to produce all the power that isneeded for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of thefollowing are on, such as: headlamps, high beams, foglamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at highspeed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads,and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of thebattery. It does this by balancing the generator's outputand the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increaseengine idle speed to generate more power, wheneverneeded. It can temporarily reduce the power demandsof some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, withoutbeing noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels ofcorrective action, this action may be noticeable to thedriver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) messagemight be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVERACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOWBATTERY. If this message is displayed, it isrecommended that the driver reduce the electrical loadsas much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4!48.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome lamps if they areleft on for more than 10 minutes when the ignition is inLOCK/OFF. This helps to prevent the battery fromrunning down.
4-18