
Programming Transmitters to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to this vehicle will
work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement
can be purchased and programmed through your
dealer/retailer. When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to this vehicle, all remaining transmitters
must also be reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work once the new
transmitter is programmed. The vehicle can have a
maximum of eight transmitters programmed to it.
See“Relearn Remote Key” underDIC Operation and
Displays (Using DIC Buttons)
on page 4‑43or DIC
Operation and Displays (Using Trip Odometer Reset
Stem)
on page 4‑50for instructions on how to program
RKE transmitters to the vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY message displays in the DIC. See
“REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY” underDIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑56for additional
information.
Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from
your body could damage the transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the notch on the side.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
3-6

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.
The transmission is also unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
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)
The following vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.OnStar®System (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof
continue to work up to 10 minutes until any door is
opened. The radio continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until the driver door is opened.
Starting the Engine
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.
Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
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3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-voltAC 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. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
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.
Active Fuel Management™
Vehicles with V8 engines may have Active Fuel
Management™. This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its cylinders, depending
on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in the
half cylinder mode, allowing the vehicle to achieve
better fuel economy. When greater power demands are
required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain
full-cylinder operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel Management™
indicator, see DIC Operation and Displays (Using DIC
Buttons)
on page 4‑43or DIC Operation and Displays
(Using Trip Odometer Reset Stem)on page 4‑50for
more information on using this display .
3-29

Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle has a Hydra-Matic®6L80 automatic
transmission, and has an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster.
The electronic shift position indicator displays when
the shift lever is moved out of P (Park).
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
Light Duty 6‐Speed Automatic Transmission Shown (Heavy Duty 6‐Speed Similar)
See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
P (Park) : This position locks your rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily. When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle has
a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the effort
to shift out of P (Park). See Torque Lock (Automatic
Transmission) under
Shifting Into Park
on page 3‑37for more information.
{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park
on page 3‑37. If you are pulling a trailer,
see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑42.
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Range Selection Mode
On vehicles with a Range Selection Mode, this feature
may be used to control the vehicle's transmission.
To use this feature, do the following:1. Move the shift lever to the M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus button, to upshift or downshift selecting the desired range of gears for current
driving conditions. When in M (Manual Mode) a number displays next
to the M, indicating the current gear that has been
selected. The number displayed in the gear indicator is
the highest gear that can be used. However, the vehicle
can automatically shift to lower gears as it adjusts to
driving conditions. This means that all gears below
that number are available. When 5 (Fifth) is selected,
1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears are automatically shifted
by the vehicle, but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used until the
plus/minus button located on the steering column lever
is used to change to the gear.
Range Selection Mode controls the vehicle and engine
speed while driving down a hill or towing a trailer,
by allowing you to select a desired range of gears.
Grade Braking is not available when the Range
Selection Mode is active. See
Tow/Haul Mode
on
page 3‑34for more information.
While using the Range Selection Mode, Cruise Control
and the Tow/Haul mode can be used.
3-33

The system can be
disabled by pressing the
rear park aid disable
button located next to the
radio.
The indicator light will come on and PARK ASSIST OFF
displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC) to
indicate that URPA is off, see DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4‑56.
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the messages PARK ASSIST OFF or PARK
ASST BLOCKED SEE OWNERS MANUAL will be
displayed on the DIC.
SERVICE PARK ASSIST : If this message occurs, take
the vehicle to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
PARK ASSIST OFF : This message occurs if the driver
disables the system. PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE OWNERS MANUAL :
This message 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
Washing
Your Vehicle on page 6‑102.
.The park assist sensors are covered by frost or
ice. Frost or ice can form around and behind the
sensors and may not always be seen; this can
occur after washing the vehicle in cold weather.
The message may not clear until the frost or ice
has melted.
.A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the liftgate during the
last drive cycle. Once the attached object is
removed, URPA will return to normal operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
.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 40 km/h (25 mph), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
3-46

Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system. Read this entire section before using the
system.
{WARNING:
SBZA is only a lane changing aid and does not
replace driver vision. SBZA does not detect:
.Vehicles outside the side blind zones which
may be rapidly approaching.
.Pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals.
Failure to use proper care when changing lanes
may result in damage to the vehicle, injury,
or death. Always check the outside and rearview
mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use the
turn signal before changing lanes.
When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind
zone, amber SBZA displays light up in the side mirrors.
This indicates that it may be unsafe to change lanes.
Before making a lane change, always check the SBZA display, check the outside and rearview mirrors, look
over your shoulder for vehicles and hazards, and use
the turn signal.
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of approximately one
lane over from both sides of the vehicle, 3.5 m (11 ft).
This zone starts at each side mirror and goes back
approximately 5.0 m (16 ft). The height of the zone is
approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft) and 2.0 m (6 ft) off
the ground.
3-47

Use caution while changing lanes when towing a trailer,
as the SBZA detection zones do not change when a
trailer is towed.
How the System Works
Left Side Mirror DisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both outside mirror displays
will briefly come on to indicate that the system is
operating. When the vehicle is moving forward, the left
or right side mirror SBZA display will light up if a vehicle
is detected in that blind zone. If the turn signal is
activated and a vehicle is also detected on the same
side, the SBZA display will flash to give you extra
warning not to change lanes.
SBZA displays do not come on while the vehicle is
approaching or passing other vehicles. At speeds
greater then 32 km/h (20 mph), SBZA displays may
come on when a vehicle you have passed remains in or
drops back into the detection zone. SBZA can be disabled through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on
page 4‑42for more information. If the SBZA is disabled
by the driver, the SBZA mirror displays will not light up
during normal driving.
When the System Does Not Seem To Work
Properly
Occasional missed alerts can occur under normal
circumstances and will increase in wet conditions.
The system does not need to be serviced due to an
occasional missed alert. The number of missed alerts
will increase with increased rainfall or road spray.
If the SBZA displays do not light up when the system is
on and vehicles are in the blind zone, the system may
need service. Take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer.
SBZA is designed to ignore stationary objects; however,
the system may occasionally light up due to guard rails,
signs, trees, shrubs, and other stationary objects.
This is normal system operation, the vehicle does not
need service.
SBZA does not operate when the left or right corners of
the rear bumper are covered with mud, dirt, snow, ice,
slush, or in heavy rainstorms. For cleaning instructions,
see Washing Your Vehicle
on page 6‑102. If the DIC still
displays the SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS. UNAVAILABLE
message after cleaning the bumper, see your dealer/
retailer.
3-48