8-42 Driving and Operating
The TCS off light comes on and
“Traction Control Off”is displayed
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) to indicate that the traction
control system has been turned off.
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 4‑33.
On AWD vehicles, when TCS is
turned off, the system may still
make noise. This is normal and
necessary with AWD hardware.
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See
If the Vehicle is Stuck
on page 8‑22for more information. See also
Winter Drivingon page 8‑20for
information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
Traction control can be turned off by
pressing and releasing the TCS/
StabiliTrak button, on the console,
until the TCS/StabiliTrak light comes
on the instrument panel and
“Traction Control Off” appears in the
DIC. Press the button again to turn
the system back on. For information
on turning StabiliTrak off and on,
see “StabiliTrak System” following in
this section.
Adding non‐GM accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 9‑3for more information.
StabiliTrak System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended direction.
8-44 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control shuts off.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®
system and begins to limit wheel
spin while using cruise control, the
cruise control automatically
disengages. SeeStabiliTrak System
on page 8‑42orTraction Control
System (TCS)on page 8‑41. When
road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, the cruise control can
be turned back on.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads. Setting Cruise Control{WARNING
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.
Driving and Operating 8-45
5(On/Off):Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
\(Cancel): Press to cancel cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
RES/+ (Resume/Accel): Move the
thumbwheel up to resume a set
speed or to accelerate to a higher
speed.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Press the
thumbwheel to set a speed or move
the thumbwheel down to decrease
the speed. To set a speed:
1. Press
5.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Press the thumbwheel and release it. The desired set speed
briefly appears in the instrument
panel cluster.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the
cruise control shuts off.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied while the
cruise control is at a set speed, the
cruise control disengages. But it
does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. The vehicle returns to the
speed selected previously and stays
there. Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a
higher speed. Disengage the cruise
control, but do not turn it off.
.If the cruise control system is
already engaged, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
and hold it until the vehicle
accelerates to the desired
speed, and then release it.
.To increase the speed in small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
up toward RES/+ briefly and
then release it. Each time this is
done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.
8-46 Driving and Operating
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already engaged,
.Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/−and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in very small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
toward SET/− briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower. Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle's speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the previously
set cruise control speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle's
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills,
you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle's speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to maintain the
vehicle's speed. When the brakes
are applied the cruise control
shuts off. Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to disengage
the cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal
or clutch; when cruise control
disengages, the indicator light
will go off.
.Press\.
.Press5to turn the cruise
control system off completely.
The cruise control cannot be
resumed.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed
memory is erased when the cruise
control or the ignition is turned off.
Driving and Operating 8-49
System Settings
Each time the vehicle is started
URPA defaults to the On setting.
Use theVehicle Personalization
on
page 4‑36menu to
configure URPA.
The settings are:
.On: Turns URPA on
.Off: Turns URPA off
.Tow Bar: Use when a tow bar is
attached to the vehicle
Tow Bar
When the tow bar setting is used,
an area of 16 cm (6 in) around the
hitch is not detected by the system.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
If the URPA system does not
activate due to a temporary
condition, the message Park Assist
Off displays on the DIC and a red
light is shown on the rear URPA
display when the shift lever is
moved into R (Reverse). This can
occur under the following
conditions:
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 9‑85.
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or an object was
hanging out of the liftgate during
the last drive cycle, a red light
may come on in the rear display.
Once the attached object is
removed, URPA will return to
normal operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle and the tow bar setting is
not being used, or an odd
shaped tow bar is attached to
the vehicle and the tow bar
setting is being used.
.The vehicle's bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer to repair the
system.
.Other conditions may affect
system performance, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after
driving forward at least 25 km/h
(15 mph), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
8-58 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer/retailer or
trailering retailer for assistance with
preparing the vehicle for towing a
trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see“Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips”.
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see “Trailer Towing”.
.For information on equipment to
tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment”.
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see Towing the Vehicle
on
page 9‑81. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another vehicle
—such as a motorhome,
see Recreational Vehicle Towing
on
page 9‑81.
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 when
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. For trailering
capacity, see
“Trailer Towing”
following in this section. 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.
Driving and Operating 8-59
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.
.The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often.
.Do not use the Fuel Saver Mode
when towing.
.Obey speed limit restrictions.
Do not drive faster than the
maximum posted speed for
trailers, or no more than 90 km/h
(55 mph), to reduce wear on the
vehicle.
.For vehicles with the Ultra Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system,
turn the system off when towing
a trailer. If the tow bar is
installed while not towing a
trailer, change the URPA system
to the“Tow Bar” setting. See
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on
page 8‑47for more information.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer
weight. The vehicle is now longer
and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires
and mirror adjustments. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working.
During the trip, check regularly to be
sure that the load is secure, and the
lamps and trailer brakes are working
properly.
Driving and Operating 8-61
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long
or steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down,
the brakes might have to be used
so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
will boil at a lower temperature than
at normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle may show
signs similar to engine overheating.To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission in
P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 9‑20.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.