
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-24
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-49
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-57
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-36
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-29
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-39
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-55
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-61
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-78
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-97

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_: Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14 Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-22
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-23
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-25
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Universal Remote System . . . 1-25
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-27
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-28 Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
1-12 In Brief
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly.
.Safety Belts on page 3‑24.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑27.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑33.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3‑65.
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag
The passenger sensing system,
if equipped, will turn off the right
front passenger frontal airbag under
certain conditions. The driver airbag,
seat‐mounted side impact airbags
(if equipped), and roof‐rail airbags
are not affected by this.
If the vehicle has one of the
indicators pictured in the following
illustrations, then the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position.
The passenger airbag status
indicator, if equipped, will be visible
on the overhead console when the
vehicle is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
See Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑49 for important information.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
2-8 Keys, Doors and Windows
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your
doors can help prevent this
from happening.
There are several ways to lock and
unlock the vehicle.
From outside, use the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or
the key in the driver door. From inside, use the power door
locks or manual door locks. To lock
or unlock the door with the manual
locks, push down or pull up on the
manual lock knob.
Power Door Locks
With power door locks, the switches
on the front doors can be used to
lock and unlock the vehicle.
K(Unlock):
Press to unlock the
doors.
Q(Lock): Press to lock the doors.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-4
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Rear Seats
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Second Row Seats (60/40Split Bench Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Second Row Seats (Bucket Seats) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Third Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-40
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-43
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-45
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-54 Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-54
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-56
Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-61
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-63
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-65
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-73
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) . . . . . . . . 3-74
Securing Child Restraints (Center Front Seat
Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77
Securing Child Restraints (Right Front Seat
Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-7
.On vehicles with four-way
lumbar, press and hold the front
or rear of the control to increase
or decrease lumbar support. To
raise or lower the height of the
support, press and hold the top
or bottom of the control.
Reclining Seatbacks
{WARNING
Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the safety belts cannot do
their job when reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its
job because it will not be against
your body. Instead, it will be in
front of you. In a crash, you could
go into it, receiving neck or other
injuries.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
The lap belt cannot do its job
either. In a crash, the belt could
go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at
your pelvic bones. This could
cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
safety belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
3-12 Seats and Restraints
Manual Fold and Tumble
Feature
Folding and Tumbling the Seat
To fold and tumble the seat:
1. Make sure that there is nothingunder, in front of, or on the seat.
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
2. Lift the lever, on the outboard side of the seat, to release the
seatback.The seatback will fold forward to
create a flat load floor.
If the seatback cannot fold flat,
try moving the front seat forward
and/or put the front seatback in
the upright position.