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
The 8th digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle’s engine.
The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identi cation Number (VIN) on
page 11-1.
Recommended Fuel
If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine
(VIN Code V), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is
less than 87, you might notice an
audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine
needs service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code W) or the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code J), use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. For best
performance, use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93. You can also use
regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly
reduced, and you might notice aslight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as a spark
knock. If the octane is less than 87,
you might notice a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine
needs service.
Gasoline Speci cations
At a minimum, gasoline
should meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada.
Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeFuel
Additives on page 8-45for
additional information.
8-44 Driving and Operating
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications.
See the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California emissions
standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control
system performance might be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
might fail a smog-check test.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-19. If this occurs, return
to your authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of
fuel used, repairs might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If you plan on driving in another
country outside the United States
or Canada, the proper fuel might
be hard to find. Never use leaded
gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused by
use of improper fuel would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask
an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
Fuel Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now required
to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits
from forming, allowing the emission
control system to work properly.
In most cases, you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. However,
some gasolines contain only theminimum amount of additive
required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean, or if the vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Look for the
TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to
ensure gasoline meets enhanced
detergency standards developed
by the auto companies. A list of
marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found
at www.toptiergas.com.
For customers who do not use
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment PLUS, added
to the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help clean deposits
from fuel injectors and intake valves.
GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive
recommended by General Motors.
It is available at your dealer/retailer.
Driving and Operating 8-45
Engine (cont.)
Coolant
Temperature Gage.........4-14
Cooling System................9-17
Cooling System
Messages....................4-32
Cover............................... 9-9
Drive Belt Routing.............11-4
Exhaust...........................8-25
Oil Pressure Gage............4-12
Overheating.....................9-24
Power Messages..............4-33
Pressure Light..................4-25
Running While Parked.......8-26
Starting...........................8-19
Engine Oil
Life System.....................9-13
Messages........................4-32
Temperature Gage............4-13
Entry Lighting........................ 5-6
Equipment, Towing...............8-55
Event Data Recorders.........12-14
Extender, Safety Belt............2-20
Exterior Lamp Controls........... 5-1F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner............9-16
Flashers, Hazard Warning....... 5-4
Flash-to-Pass........................ 5-3
Flat Tire..............................9-69
Flat Tire, Changing...............9-77
Fluid
Automatic Transmission.....9-14
Brakes............................9-28
Power Steering.................9-25
Washer...........................9-26
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement.............9-40
Front................................ 5-5
Light...............................4-26
Front Seats
Adjustment........................ 2-3
Heated............................. 2-6
Fuel...................................8-43
Additives.........................8-45
Economy Driving................ 8-2
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container.....................8-48Fuel (cont.)
Filling the Tank.................8-46
Fuels in Foreign
Countries.....................8-45
Gage ..............................4-11
Gasoline Specifications......8-44
Management, Active..........8-25
Recommended.................8-44
Requirements, California....8-45
System Messages.............4-33
Fuses
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-42
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................9-42
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...........................9-45
Rear Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-46
G
Gages
Engine Coolant
Temperature.................4-14
Engine Oil Pressure..........4-12
Engine Oil Temperature.....4-13
i-4 INDEX