A.Outlet Adjustment on page 4-17.
B.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4-37.
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4-4.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4-3.
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4-21.
F. Shift Lever. SeeStarting the Engine on page 3-23.
G.Climate Control System on page 4-15.
H.Audio System(s) on page 4-59.
I.Exterior Lamps on page 4-9.
J.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4-12.
K.Cruise Control on page 4-6. Fast Idle System
(If Equipped). See Duramax Diesel Manual for more
information.L.Tilt Wheel on page 4-3.
M.Horn on page 4-3.
N.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4-77.
O. Tow/Haul Mode Button. See “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing a Trailer on page 5-26.
P.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 4-14.
Q.StabiliTrak
®System on page 5-5(If Equipped).
R.Airbag Off Switch on page 2-69.
S.Storage Areas on page 3-42.
T.Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-26.
U.Rear Heating System on page 4-18(If Equipped).
1-3
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS).
The Tire Pressure Monitor
alerts you when a
significant reduction in
pressure occurs in one or
more of the vehicle’s tires
by illuminating the low tire
pressure warning light on
the instrument cluster.
The warning light will remain on until the tire pressure is
corrected. The proper tire pressures for your vehicle
are listed on the Tire and Loading Information label
located on the driver side center pillar (B pillar). See
Loading the Vehicle on page 5-17.
You may notice during cooler conditions that the low tire
pressure warning light will appear when the vehicle is
first started and then turn off as you drive. This may be
an early indicator that your tire pressures are getting
low and the tires need to be inflated to the proper
pressure.Note:The Tire Pressure Monitor can alert you about
low tire pressure, but it does not replace normal monthly
tire maintenance. It is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressures.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 6-65and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation on page 6-66.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates engine oil life
based on vehicle use and displays a DIC message when
it is necessary to change the engine oil and filter. The
oil life system should be reset to 100% only following an
oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN, with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three
times within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 6-18.
1-17
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on
(may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the right front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system has allowed the
airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay
lit to remind you that the airbag is active.
For some children, including those in child restraints, and
for very small adults, the passenger sensing system may
or may not turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag,
depending upon the person’s seating posture and body
build. Everyone in your vehicle who has outgrown child
restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether
or not there is an airbag for that person.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel
cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag system.
If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in
the right front passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-23for more on this, including
important safety information.
2-74
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This is the position in which
you can operate things like the radio and the windshield
wipers when the engine is off.
C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle if the
battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows (if equipped)
These features will work when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned
from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, power to the radio will
continue to work 10 minutes or until the driver door is
opened. The power windows will continue to work for up
to 10 minutes or until any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The
engine will not start in any other position. To restart
the engine when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
3-23
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord for the engine coolant heater is located on
the driver side of the engine compartment and is
attached to the hose for the power steering reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts and prevent damage.The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in
the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
Automatic Transmission Operation
(Six Speed Automatic Transmission)
Vehicles with a six speed automatic transmission
have a shift position indicator within the instrument
panel cluster.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because the
vehicle cannot move easily. When parked on a hill,
especially when the vehicle has a heavy load, you might
notice an increase in the effort to shift out of P (Park).
See Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) under
Shifting Into Park on page 3-36for more information.
3-26
2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use the brakes off and on.
You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle from a
stop on slippery road surfaces.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You
can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission will not shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair
will not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you
are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a
hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Tow/Haul Mode
Vehicles with an automatic transmission have a tow/haul
mode. The tow/haul mode adjusts the transmission shift
pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing increased
performance, vehicle control, and transmission cooling
when towing or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the tow/haul mode on and off by pressing the
button, located to the right of the steering wheel on
the instrument panel. When tow/haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
3-33
Instrument Panel Overview...............................4-3
Hazard Warning Flashers................................4-3
Horn .............................................................4-3
Tilt Wheel.....................................................4-3
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................4-4
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................4-4
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................4-5
Flash-to-Pass.................................................4-5
Windshield Wipers..........................................4-5
Windshield Washer.........................................4-6
Cruise Control................................................4-6
Exterior Lamps...............................................4-9
Headlamps on Reminder................................4-11
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................4-11
Automatic Headlamp System..........................4-11
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................4-12
Dome Lamps ...............................................4-12
Dome Lamp Override....................................4-13
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................4-13
Reading Lamps............................................4-13Electric Power Management...........................4-13
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................4-14
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................4-14
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................4-15
Climate Controls............................................4-15
Climate Control System.................................4-15
Outlet Adjustment.........................................4-17
Rear Heating System....................................4-18
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.......4-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............4-20
Instrument Panel Cluster................................4-21
Speedometer and Odometer...........................4-22
Trip Odometer..............................................4-22
Safety Belt Reminders...................................4-23
Airbag Readiness Light
..................................4-23
Airbag Off Light............................................4-24
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................4-26
Charging System Light..................................4-27
Voltmeter Gage............................................4-27
Section 4 Instrument Panel
4-1
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G:Turn and Lane Change Signals.
53:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
N:Windshield Wipers.
L:Windshield Washer.
Flash-to-Pass Feature.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
G:An arrow on the instrument panel cluster flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to flash. The turn signal automatically
flashes three times and if the tow-haul mode is active it
flashes six times. Holding the turn signal lever for
more than one second causes the turn signals to flash
continually until the lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting position when released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow
flashes rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb may
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 6-104.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than1.2 km (3/4 mi),
a chime sounds at each flash of the turn signal and
the message TURN SIGNAL ON also appears in
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 4-44. To turn off the chime
and message, move the turn signal lever to the
off position.
4-4