
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The vehicle may have a Driver
Information Center (DIC). The DIC
displays information about your
vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. SeeVehicle Messages on
page 4-37for more information.
All messages appear in the
DIC display located in the center
of the instrument panel cluster.
The vehicle may also have features
that can be customized through the
controls on the radio. SeeVehicle
Personalization on page 4-38
for more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by using
the DIC buttons located on the
turn signal lever located on the
left side of the steering wheel.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, vehicle
system information, and warning
messages if a system problem
is detected.
The bottom of the DIC display shows
what position the shift lever is in
(Automatic Transmission Only),
the odometer, and the direction the
vehicle is driving.DIC Buttons
MENU:Press this button to get to
the Trip/Fuel Menu and the Vehicle
Information Menu.
wx(Thumbwheel):Use the
thumbwheel to scroll through the
items in each menu.
SET (Set/Clear):Use this button to
set or clear the menu item when
it is displayed.
Instruments and Controls 4-27

Trip/Fuel Menu Items
Press the MENU button on the
turn signal lever until Trip/Fuel
Information Menu is displayed.
Use the thumbwheel to scroll
through the following menu items:
•Digital Speedometer
•Trip 1
•Trip 2
•Fuel Range
•Average Fuel Economy
•Average Vehicle Speed
•OnStar Turn by Turn
•Blank
Digital Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either miles
per hour (mph) or kilometers per
hour (km/h). The speedometer
cannot be reset.Trip 1 and Trip 2
The Trip display shows the current
distance traveled, in either miles (mi)
or kilometers (km), since the last
reset for the trip odometer. The trip
odometer can be reset to zero by
pressing the trip reset stem or the
SET button while the trip odometer
display is showing.
Fuel Range
The Fuel Range display shows the
approximate distance the vehicle
can be driven without refueling.
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. Fuel range cannot
be reset.Average Fuel Economy
The Average Fuel Economy 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 fuel
economy can be reset by pressing
the SET button while the Average
Fuel Economy display is showing.
Average Vehicle Speed
The Average Vehicle Speed 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 average speed can be reset by
pressing the SET button while the
Average Vehicle Speed display is
showing.
4-28 Instruments and Controls

Oil Pressure Low – Stop
Engine
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
Engine Power Messages
Engine Power Is Reduced
This message displays when the
vehicle’s engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this
message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance
may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed whilethis message is on, but maximum
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as
soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
Fuel Level Low
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel
as soon as possible
Tighten Gas Cap
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Change Fuel Filter
This message displays when the
fuel needs to be replaced. Take the
vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service.
Key and Lock Messages
Number Of Keys Programmed
This message displays when
programming new keys to the
vehicle.
Replace Battery In Remote Key
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter needs to be
replaced.
Lamp Messages
Automatic Light Control On
This message is displayed when the
automatic light control has been
turned on. SeeAutomatic Headlamp
System on page 5-3.
Instruments and Controls 4-33

Driving and
Operating
Driving InformationDriving for Better Fuel
Economy............................8-2
Defensive Driving..................8-2
Drunk Driving.......................8-3
Control of a Vehicle...............8-3
Braking................................8-4
Steering...............................8-5
Off-Road Recovery................8-6
Loss of Control.....................8-6
Competitive Driving................8-7
Driving on Wet Roads............8-8
Highway Hypnosis.................8-9
Hill and Mountain Roads........8-9
Winter Driving.....................8-10
If the Vehicle is Stuck..........8-11
Vehicle Load Limits..............8-12
Starting and OperatingNew Vehicle Break-In...........8-16
Ignition Positions.................8-17
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-19
Starting the Engine..............8-19Engine Heater.....................8-20
Shifting Into Park.................8-21
Shifting Out of Park.............8-22
Parking..............................8-24
Parking Over Things
That Burn.........................8-24
Active Fuel Management™. . . .8-25
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust...................8-25
Running the Vehicle While
Parked.............................8-26
Automatic TransmissionAutomatic Transmission........8-26
Manual Mode......................8-29
Manual TransmissionManual Transmission...........8-30
BrakesAntilock Brake
System (ABS)...................8-31
Parking Brake.....................8-32
Brake Assist.......................8-33
Ride Control SystemsTraction Control
System (TCS)...................8-34
StabiliTrak System...............8-36
Competitive
Driving Mode.....................8-37
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..........8-38
Cruise ControlCruise Control.....................8-38
Object Detection SystemsUltrasonic Parking Assist......8-41
FuelFuel...................................8-43
Recommended Fuel.............8-44
Gasoline Specifications.........8-44
California Fuel
Requirements....................8-45
Fuels in Foreign Countries.....8-45
Fuel Additives.....................8-45
Filling the Tank...................8-46
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container..........................8-48
TowingGeneral Towing Information. . . .8-48
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips......................8-49
Trailer Towing.....................8-53
Towing Equipment...............8-55
Conversions and Add-OnsAdd-On Electrical
Equipment........................8-55
Driving and Operating 8-1

Driving Information
Driving for Better
Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
•Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
•Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
•Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
•When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control, if equipped.
•Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
•Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
•Combine several trips into a
single trip.
•Replace the vehicle’s tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire’s sidewall
near the size.
•Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
your safety belt, seeSafety Belts on
page 2-6.
{WARNING
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
•Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
•Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
8-2 Driving and Operating

WARNING (Continued)
•Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument panel.
•Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System
in the Index.
For more information about carbon
monoxide, seeEngine Exhaust on
page 8-25.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can cause
deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome
you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know
it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that
is blocking the exhaust.Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm the
vehicle and then shut the engine off
and close the window most of the
way to save heat. Repeat this until
help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold.
Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with
the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.
If the Vehicle is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn
the traction system off and use
the rocking method.
{WARNING
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin
at high speed, they can explode,
and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing
an engine compartment fire or
other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going
above 55 km/h (35 mph) as shown
on the speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 9-68.
Driving and Operating 8-11

A.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3=453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
91 kg (200 lbs)×5=453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle’s Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle’s capacity weight andseating positions. The combined
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certi cation Label
A vehicle specific Certification
label is attached to the driver side
center pillar. The label tells you
the gross weight capacity of the
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR).The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel,
and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for the vehicle, or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front
or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy
load, you should spread it out.
See “Steps for Determining
Correct Load Limit” earlier in
this section.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on
the vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your
vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Example 3
Label Example
Driving and Operating 8-15

Avoid downshifting to brake
or slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 RPM.
Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine in high
gear at low speeds. With a
manual transmission, shift to
the next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
Do not participate in racing
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during this
break-in period.
Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may
be higher than normal during
the rst 2 414 km/1,500 miles.
To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid
hard cornering for the rst
322 km/200 miles. New tires do
not have maximum traction and
may tend to slip.
New brake linings also need a
break-in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the rst
322 km/200 miles. This is
recommended every time
brake linings are replaced.
Should the vehicle be used for
racing or competitive driving
(after break-in), the rear axle
lubricant must be replaced
beforehand.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand,
see your dealer/retailer.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply
the brake pedal.
Driving and Operating 8-17