Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
Introduction v
Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel OverviewInstrument Panel Overview......4-4
ControlsSteering Wheel Adjustment.....4-6
Steering Wheel Controls.........4-6
Horn....................................4-7
Windshield Wiper/Washer.......4-7
Compass.............................4-8
Clock...................................4-8
Power Outlets.......................4-9
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.....................4-9
Instrument Cluster...............4-10
Speedometer......................4-11
Odometer...........................4-11
Trip Odometer.....................4-11
Tachometer........................4-11
Fuel Gage..........................4-11
Engine Oil Pressure Gage......4-12Engine Oil
Temperature Gage.............4-13
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage.............4-14
Transmission
Temperature Gage.............4-14
Voltmeter Gage...................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders..........4-16
Airbag Readiness Light.........4-17
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator...........................4-18
Charging System Light.........4-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp..................4-19
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-22
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light...........4-23
Traction Off Light.................4-23
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light.......4-24
Traction Control System
(TCS) OFF/StabiliTrak
®OFF
Light................................4-24
Tire Pressure Light..............4-24
Engine Oil Pressure Light.....4-25
Immobilizer Light.................4-26
Fog Lamp Light...................4-26
Taillamp Indicator Light.........4-26
Cruise Control Light.............4-26
Information DisplaysDriver Information
Center (DIC).....................4-27
Vehicle MessagesBattery Voltage and
Charging Messages............4-30
Brake System Messages......4-31
Compass Messages.............4-31
Cruise Control Messages......4-31
Door Ajar Messages............4-31
Engine Cooling System
Messages.........................4-32
Engine Oil Messages...........4-32
Engine Power Messages......4-33
Fuel System Messages........4-33
Key and Lock Messages......4-33
Lamp Messages..................4-33
Object Detection System
Messages.........................4-34
Ride Control System
Messages.........................4-34
Airbag System Messages......4-35
Safety Belt Messages...........4-35
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages.........................4-35
Service Vehicle Messages.....4-35
Tire Messages....................4-36
Transmission Messages........4-36
Vehicle Reminder
Messages.........................4-37
Instruments and Controls 4-1
Brake System
Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts.
If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop the
vehicle. For good braking both parts
need to work well.
If the warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
If the vehicle has antilock brakes,
this light should come on when
the key is turned to START. If it
does not come on, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes on
when parking brake is set. The light
stays on if the parking brake does
not fully release. If it stays on after
the parking brake is fully released,
it means the vehicle has a brake
problem.
If, while driving, the light comes on
and a brake message comes on
the Driver Information Center (DIC),
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal could be harder to
push or the pedal can go closer
to the floor. It could take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-23
andDriving Characteristics and
Towing Tips on page 8-49.
{WARNING
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
The Brake message remains on
until the menu button is pressed.
The brake light remains until
the problem is fixed. SeeBrake
System Messages on page 4-31
for more information. United States
Canada
4-22 Instruments and Controls
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
it fixed so it will be ready to warn
if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system.If the ABS light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle
needs service. A chime may also
sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes,
but the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both lights are on, the vehicle’s
antilock brakes are not functioning
and there is a problem with the
regular brakes. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 4-22.
SeeBrake System Messages on
page 4-31for all brake related
DIC messages.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on when the
Traction Control System (TCS) has
been turned off by pressing and
releasing the traction control button.
This light also comes on and the
system turns off if the there is
a problem with the TCS.
If the light comes on and stays on for
an extended period of time while the
system is turned on, the vehicle
needs service.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 8-34andStabiliTrak
System on page 8-36for more
information.
Instruments and Controls 4-23
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
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your driving
to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces
because stopping distance is longer
and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only
the braking skid.Competitive Driving
Competitive driving may affect the
vehicle warranty. See the warranty
book before using the vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving.
The new vehicle break-in must be
performed before the vehicle is used
for competitive driving. SeeNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 8-16.
Notice:If you use your vehicle
for competitive driving, the engine
may use more oil than it would
with normal use. Low oil levels
can damage the engine. Be sure
to check the oil level often during
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near the upper mark
that shows the proper operating
range on the engine oil dipstick.
For information on how to add oil,
seeEngine Oil on page 9-10.For competitive driving, it is
recommended that the brake fluid be
replaced with a high performance
brake fluid that has a dry boiling point
greater than 279°C (534°F). After
conversion to the high performance
brake fluid, follow the brake fluid
service recommendations outlined
by the fluid manufacturer. Do not
use silicone or DOT-5 brake fluids.
If the vehicle is used for racing,
competitive driving, sustained high
speed, or events that generate
excessive wheel slip, the rear axle
fluid temperatures will be higher
than would occur in normal driving.
We recommend that the rear axle
fluid be drained and refilled with
new fluid after every six hours of
racing or competitive driving.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7for what
fluid to use.
Driving and Operating 8-7
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
One to Four Shift Light
Message (V8 Only)
When this message comes on,
you can only shift from 1 (First) to
4 (Fourth) instead of 1 (First) to
2 (Second). The message will be
displayed in the Driver Information
Center.You must complete the shift into
4 (Fourth) to turn off this feature.
This helps you get the best possible
fuel economy.
After shifting to 4 (Fourth), you may
downshift to a lower gear if you
prefer.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever
into any gear except 4 (Fourth)
when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT message
comes on may damage the
transmission. Shift only from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) when the
message comes on.
This message will come on when:•The engine coolant temperature
is higher than 76°C (169°F),
•The vehicle is going 24 to
31 km/h (15 to 19 mph) and
•The vehicle is at 21 percent
throttle or less.
Brakes
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. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 4-23. Driver Information Center
Driving and Operating 8-31