
When the fuel tank is low on fuel,
a Fuel Level Low message will
appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). For more information
seeFuel System Messages on
page 4-33.
Here are some situations that can
occur with the fuel gage. None of
these indicate a problem with
the fuel gage.
•At the gas station, the fuel pump
shuts off before the gage
reads full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel to
fill up than the fuel gage indicated.
For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank’s capacity
to fill the tank.
•The pointer on the fuel gage is on
empty when the ignition is off.
Engine Oil
Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage, located in
front of the shifter, shows the engine
oil pressure in psi (pounds per
square inch) when the engine is
running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above the low
pressure zone indicate the normal
operating range. When the oil
pressure reaches the low pressure
zone, a message appears in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). United States
Canada
4-12 Instruments and Controls

OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature
of OnStar Hands-Free Calling
that uses minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic
reports, and stock quotes. Press
the phone button and give a
few simple voice commands to
browse through the various topics.
See the OnStar Owner’s Guide
for more information. This feature is
only available in the continental U.S.
OnStar Steering Wheel
Controls
This vehicle may have a Talk/Mute
button that can be used to interact
with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeSteering Wheel Controls on
page 4-6for more information.
On some vehicles, the mute button
can be used to dial numbers into
voice mail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s
Guide for more information.
How OnStar Service Works
The OnStar system can record
and transmit vehicle information.
This information is automatically
sent to an OnStar Call Center when
the OnStar button is pressed, the
emergency button is pressed,
or if the airbags or AACN system
deploy. This information usually
includes the vehicle’s GPS location
and, in the event of a crash,
additional information regarding
the crash that the vehicle was
involved in (e.g. the direction from
which the vehicle was hit). When the
Virtual Advisor feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling is used,
the vehicle also sends OnStar the
vehicle’s GPS location so they
can provide services where
it is located.
OnStar service cannot work unless
the vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for servicein that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless the vehicle is in
a place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired for that
area has coverage, network capacity
and reception when the service is
needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service.
Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote
or enclosed areas, or at all times.
Location information about the
vehicle is only available if the GPS
satellite signals are unobstructed
and available.
The vehicle must have a working
electrical system, including adequate
battery power, for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar
from providing OnStar service at
any particular time or place.
4-44 Instruments and Controls

Rocking the Vehicle to
Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth between
R (Reverse) and a forward gear,
or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator pedal
while shifting, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get the
vehicle out after a few tries, it might
need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle on page 9-87.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle
show how much weight it
may properly carry, the Tire
and Loading Information label
and the Certification label.{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.
8-12 Driving and Operating

Tire and Loading Information
Label
A vehicle specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the vehicle’s center
pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s
door open, you will find the label
attached near the door lock post.The Tire and Loading Information
label shows the number of
occupant seating positions (A),
and the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (B) in kilograms
and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
tire size of the original equipment
tires (C) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (D).
For more information on tires and
inflation seeTires on page 9-48
andTire Pressure on page 9-54.
There is also important loading
information on the Certification
label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front
and rear axle. See “Certification
Label” later in this section.Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.Locate the statement
“The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on your vehicle
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
Label Example
Driving and Operating 8-13

5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
SeeTrailer Towing on page 8-53
for important information on
towing a trailer, towing safety
rules and trailering tips.
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
68 kg (150 lbs)×2=136 kg
(300 lbs).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight=317 kg
(700 lbs).
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2=453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
68 kg (150 lbs)×5=340 kg
(750 lbs).
C.Available Cargo
Weight=113 kg (250 lbs).
Example 1Example 2
8-14 Driving and Operating

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

Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{WARNING
The driver can lose control
when pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well — or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your dealer/
retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.The vehicle can tow a trailer if it
is equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of the vehicle,
seeTrailer Towing on page 8-53.
Trailering changes handling,
acceleration, braking, durability
and fuel economy. With the added
weight, the engine, transmission,
wheel assemblies and tires are
forced to work harder and under
greater loads. The trailer also adds
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements. For safe
trailering, correctly use the proper
trailering equipment.
The following information has
important trailering tips and rules
for your safety and that of your
passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
•There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements with state or
provincial police.
•Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 1 600 km (1,000 miles)
the new vehicle is driven.
The engine, axle or other
parts could be damaged.
•During the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This reduces wear
on the vehicle.
Driving and Operating 8-49

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer
is an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes
the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. SeeVehicle
Load Limits on page 8-12for more
information about the vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.The trailer tongue (A) should weigh
10 to 15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B).
After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your
Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure the vehicle’s tires are
inflated to the upper limit for cold
tires. These numbers can be found
on the Tire-Loading Information
label. SeeVehicle Load Limits on
page 8-12. Make sure not to go
over the GVW limit for the vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
8-54 Driving and Operating