Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The passenger compartment air
filter removes most of the pollen
and dust from the air that enters
the vehicle. The filter will need
to be replaced periodically.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 10-2.
Using the climate control system
without an air filter installed is
not recommended. Water or other
debris could enter the system
and result in leaks or noises.
Always install a new filter when
removing the old filter.
Air Vents
Use the air outlets located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel to direct the
airflow. Use the thumbwheels
near the center air outlets to
direct airflow to the left or right.
Operation Tips
•In defog or defrost mode, warm
air flows from the some air
outlets. To improve side window
defogging or defrosting, direct
side air outlets towards the side
windows.
•Clear away any ice, snow, or
leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that
could block the flow of air into
the vehicle.
•Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of
the vehicle more effectively.
•Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to
the outside of the vehicle.
Climate Controls 7-3
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the road,
creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 0°C (32°F) when
freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in even less traction. Avoid driving on
wet ice or in freezing rain until roads
can be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8-31improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
a slippery roads, but apply the
brakes sooner than when on
dry pavement.Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can occur
on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid
sudden steering maneuvers 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. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-6.
To get help and keep everyone
in the vehicle safe:
•Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
•Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
•Clear away snow from
around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that
is blocking the exhaust pipe.
•Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
•Open a window about 5 cm
(two inches) on the side of
the vehicle that is away from
the wind to bring in fresh air.
(Continued)
8-10 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
If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, remove the
plug covering the hole below the
ignition lock. Insert a screwdriver into
the opening as far as it will go and
remove the key from the ignition.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows
The power windows will continue to
work for up to 10 minutes or until any
door is opened. The radio will work
when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the radio will continue to work for
10 minutes, or until the driver door
is opened or the key is removed
from the ignition.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
vehicle when it is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
N (Neutral) and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
down to the floor and start the
engine. The vehicle will not start
if the clutch pedal is not all the
way down.Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking
for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine
does not start and the key
is held in START for many
seconds, cranking stops
after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage.
Driving and Operating 8-19
Active Fuel
Management™
Vehicles with V8 engines and an
automatic transmission have Active
Fuel Management™. This system
allows the engine to operate on
either all or half of its cylinders,
depending on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing
the vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing, or
merging onto a freeway, the system
will maintain full-cylinder operation.
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.
•The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
•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.
Driving and Operating 8-25
If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when the vehicle:
•Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
•Stops after high-speed driving.
•Idles for long periods in traffic.
•Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows
as necessary.3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle
in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays,
the vehicle can be driven. Continue
to drive the vehicle slow for about
10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle
distance from the car in front of you.
If the warning does not come back
on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located under the engine cover on
the driver side toward the front of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in
the system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
Vehicle Care 9-25
3. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull
the bulb straight out of the
lamp socket.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Push the bulb straight into the
socket and turn clockwise to
reinstall.
6. Reinstall the license plate lamp
by lifting it through the facia
opening until the clip is in place.Replacement Bulbs
Exterior LampBulb
Number
Daytime Running
Lamp (Up-level
vehicles)P13W
Fog Lamp PS24W
Front Park and Turn
Signal Lamp3457NAK
Halogen Headlamp H13
License Plate Lamp W5W
Rear Turn Signal
and Taillamps3157K
For replacement bulbs not listed
here, contact your dealer/retailer.
Electrical System
Electrical System
Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit
breakers to protect against an
electrical system overload.
When the current electrical load
is too heavy, the circuit breaker
opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the current load returns
to normal or the problem is fixed.
This greatly reduces the chance of
circuit overload and fire caused by
electrical problems.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect
the following in the vehicle:
•Headlamp Wiring
•Windshield Wiper Motor
•Power Windows and other Power
Accessories
Vehicle Care 9-41
J-CaseFuses Usage
6 Wiper
12 Starter
22 Brake
Vacuum PumpJ-Case
Fuses Usage
25 Power
Windows Rear
26 Power Windows
Front
27 Rear Defog
J-Case Fuses Usage
41 Cooling Fan High
42 Front Heater,
Ventilation and
Air Conditioning
43 Antilock Brake
System Pump
44 Cooling Fan Low
Mini Fuses Usage
1 Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
2 Transmission
Control Module
5 Engine Control
Module Main
7 Pre-Catalytic
Converter
Oxygen Sensor
8 Post-Catalytic
Converter
Oxygen Sensor
9 Fuel
Injectors – Even
10 Fuel Injectors – Odd
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
Vehicle Care 9-43