
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER
ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW
BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical loads
as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑56.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, and reading lamps if
they are left on for more than 10 minutes when the
ignition is off. This will keep the battery from
running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone.
There are two under the climate controls, one inside the
center floor console, one on the rear of the center floor
console and one accessory power outlet in the rear
cargo area on the passenger side.
To use an accessory power outlet, remove the
protective cap. When not in use, always cover the
accessory power outlet with the protective cap.
The accessory power outlets are powered, even with
the ignition off. Continuing to use accessory power
outlets while the ignition is in LOCK/OFF may cause the
vehicle's battery to run down.
Notice:If electrical devices are left plugged into a
power outlet, the battery may drain causing the
vehicle not to start or damage to the battery. This
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always unplug all electrical devices when turning
off the vehicle.
4-16

Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not
running, but the ignition is
on, this gage shows the
battery's state of charge
in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage can
transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher
reading. This is normal. Readings between the low and
high warning zones indicate the normal operating
range. The voltmeter gage can also read lower when in fuel
economy mode. This is normal.
Readings in the low warning zone can occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a short time with the
reading in either warning zone. If the vehicle must be
driven, turn off all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
4-31

.Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel.
Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to run
as efficiently as designed and can cause:
stalling after start-up, stalling when the vehicle
is changed into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away once the engine
is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change
the fuel brand used. It will require at least one full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 6‑6.
If none of the above have made the light turn off, your
dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix
any mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
.The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on with the engine running,
or if the key is in ON/RUN and the light is not on.
.The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD II (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if the battery has
recently been replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take several days of
routine driving. If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD II system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
4-37

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
Some messages may not require immediate action, but
you can press any of the DIC buttons on the instrument
panel or the trip odometer reset stem on the instrument
panel cluster to acknowledge that you received the
messages and to clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be cleared.
You should take any messages that appear on the
display seriously and remember that clearing the
messages will only make the messages disappear,
not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
BATTERY LOW START VEHICLE
When the vehicle’s battery is severely discharged, this
message will display and four chimes will sound. Start
the vehicle immediately. If the vehicle is not started and
the battery continues to discharge, the climate controls,
heated seats, and audio systems will shut off and the
vehicle may require a jump start. These systems will
function again after the vehicle is started.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the engine oil needs to be
changed. When you change the engine oil, be sure to
reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message.
See Engine Oil Life System
on page 6‑18for
information on how to reset the message. See Engine
Oil
on page 6‑15and Scheduled Maintenanceon
page 7‑3for more information.
4-56

REAR ACCESS OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
liftgate or liftglass is open while the ignition is in ON/
RUN. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate and
liftglass. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display.
REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays while you are matching a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your
vehicle. See“Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle”
under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 3‑4and“DIC Operation and Displays
(Using DIC Buttons)” earlier in this section for more
information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter battery is low. The battery needs to
be replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery
Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 3‑4.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
passenger side rear door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and close the
door again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your dealer/retailer inspect the
system for problems. See Airbag Readiness Light
on
page 4‑28and Airbag Systemon page 2‑75for more
information.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
On some vehicles, this message displays if there is a
problem with the battery charging system. Under certain
conditions, the charging system light may also turn on
in the instrument panel cluster. See Charging System
Light
on page 4‑30. Driving with this problem could
drain the battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories.
Have the electrical system checked as soon as
possible. See your dealer/retailer.
4-60

DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program certain features to one preferred
setting. Customization features can only be
programmed to one setting on the vehicle and cannot
be programmed to a preferred setting for two different
drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the following
procedure.
Entering the Feature Settings Menu
1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehicle inP (Park).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the customization button to scroll through the available customizable options.
Feature Settings Menu Items
The following are customization features that allow you
to program settings to the vehicle:
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH
This feature will only display if a language other than
English has been set. This feature allows you to change
the language in which the DIC messages appear to
English.
Press the customization button until the PRESS
VTO
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH screen appears on the DIC
display. Press the set/reset button once to display all
DIC messages in English.
4-66

For optimal sound quality, increase the portable audio
device's volume to the loudest level.
It is always best to power the portable audio device
through its own battery while playing.
O(Power/Volume):Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
volume of the portable player. Additional volume
adjustments might have to be made from the portable
device if the volume is not loud or soft enough.
BAND : Press to listen to the radio when a portable
audio device is playing. The portable audio device also
continues to play.
CD/AUX (CD/Auxiliary) : Press to play a CD when a
portable audio device is playing. Press again and the
system begins playing audio from the connected
portable audio player. If a portable audio player is not
connected, “No Input Device Found” displays.
DVD/CD AUX (CD/Auxiliary) : Press this button to
cycle through DVD, CD, or Auxiliary when listening to
the radio. The DVD/CD text label and a message
showing track or chapter number displays when a disc
is in either slot. Press this button again and the system automatically searches for an auxiliary input device,
such as a portable audio player. If a portable audio
player is not connected,
“No Aux Input Device”displays.
If a disc is in both the DVD slot and the CD slot the
DVD/CD AUX button cycles between the two sources
and does not indicate “No Aux Input Device”. If a front
auxiliary device is connected, the DVD/CD AUX button
cycles through all available options, such as: DVD slot,
CD slot, Front Auxiliary, and Rear Auxiliary (if available).
See “Using the Auxiliary Input Jack(s)” later in this
section, or “Audio/Video (A/V) Jacks” under,Rear Seat
Entertainment (RSE) System
on page 4‑120for more
information.
Using the USB Port
Radios with a USB port can control a USB storage
device or an iPod®using the radio buttons and knobs.
See Using an MP3 (Radios with CD)on page 4‑94orUsing an MP3 (Radios with CD and DVD)on
page 4‑101for information about how to connect and
control a USB storage device or an iPod.
4-93

Connecting a USB Storage Device
or iPod®
The USB Port can be used to control an iPod or a USB
storage device.
To connect a USB storage device, connect the device to
the USB port located on the instrument panel or in the
center console.
To connect an iPod, connect one end of the USB cable
that came with the iPod to the iPod’s dock connector
and connect the other end to the USB port located in
the center console. If the vehicle is on and the USB
connection works, “OK to disconnect” and a GM logo
may appear on the iPod and iPod appears on the
radio's display. The iPod music appears on the radio’s
display and begins playing.
The iPod charges while it is connected to the vehicle if
the vehicle is in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position. When the vehicle is turned off, the iPod
automatically powers off and will not charge or draw
power from the vehicle's battery.
If you have an older iPod model that is not supported, it
can still be used by connecting it to the Auxiliary Input
Jack using a standard 3.5 mm (1/8 in) stereo cable.
See “Using the Auxiliary Input Jack” earlier for more
information.
Using the Radio to Control a USB
Storage Device or iPod
The radio can control a USB storage device or an iPod
using the radio buttons and knobs and display song
information on the radio’s display.
f(Tune): Turn to select files.
©SEEK:Press to go to the start of the track, if more
than ten seconds have played. Press and hold or press
multiple times to continue moving backward through
tracks.
¨SEEK: Press to go to the next track. Press and hold
or press multiple times to continue moving forward
through tracks.
sREV (Reverse): Press and hold to reverse
playback quickly. Sound is heard at a reduced volume.
Release
sREV to resume playing. The elapsed time
of the file displays.
\FWD (Fast Forward): Press and hold to advance
playback quickly. Sound is heard at a reduced volume.
Release
\FWD to resume playing. The elapsed time
of the file displays.
4(Information): Press to display additional information
about the selected track.
4-98