
Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-17
6:Slow wipes.
?:Fast wipes.
L:Push this paddle to spray
washer fluid on the windshield.
Rear Wiper Window Wiper/Washer
To turn the rear wiper on, slide the
lever to a wiper position.
9: Turns the wiper off.
5: Turns on the rear wiper delay.
Z:Turns on the rear wiper.
=:Press the button on the end of
the lever to spray washer fluid on
the rear window.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5 andRear Window Wiper/
Washer on page 5‑5.
Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
these systems.
If this vehicle is a hybrid, see the hybrid supplement for more information.
Climate Control System
A. Fan Control
B. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
C. Recirculation
D. Air Delivery Mode Control
E. Air Conditioning F. Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls
G. Rear Window Defogger
See Climate Control Systems on
page 8‑1.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
1-18 In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
A. Fan Control
B. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
C. Defrost
D. Recirculation
E. REAR (Rear Climate Control)
F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Driver Temperature Control
H. Display
I. Power Button
J. Rear Window Defogger K. Air Conditioning
L. PASS
M. Passenger Temperature Control
See
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4 (If Equipped).
For vehicles with rear heating and
air conditioning controls, see Rear
Climate Control System (Rear
Climate Control Only) on page 8‑10
or Rear Climate Control System
(Rear Climate with Rear Seat Audio)
on page 8‑11.
Transmission
Range Selection Mode
Base Trim Shown (Uplevel Similar)
The Range Selection Mode switch
is located on the shift lever.
1. To enable the Range Selection feature, move the column shift
lever to the M (Manual) position.
The current range will appear
next to the M. This is the
highest attainable range with
all lower gears accessible. As
an example, when 5 (Fifth) gear
is selected, 1 (First) through
5 (Fifth) gears are available.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-5
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with aflat, thin object, such as a flat
head screwdriver.
.Carefully insert the tool into
the notch located along
the parting line of the
transmitter. Do not insert
the tool too far. Stop as
soon as resistance is felt.
.Twist the tool until the
transmitter is separated.
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.
Remote Vehicle Start
If available, this feature allows you
to start the engine from outside of
the vehicle. It may also start up the
vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger.
Normal operation of the system will
return after the key is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
If the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system, the climate
control system will default to a
heating or cooling mode depending
on the outside temperatures. If the
vehicle does not have an automatic
climate control system, the system
will turn on at the setting the vehicle
was set to when the vehicle was
last turned off. During a remote start, if the vehicle
has an automatic climate control
system and heated seats, the
heated seats will turn on during
colder outside temperatures and
will shut off when the key is turned
to ON/RUN. If the vehicle does
not have an automatic climate
control system, during remote start,
manually turn the heated seats on
and off. See
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats on page 3‑9 for
additional information.
Laws in some communities may
restrict the use of remote starters.
For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote
start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements
on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature
if the vehicle is low on fuel. The
vehicle may run out of fuel.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
Open the rear doors to access the
security locks on the inside edge of
each door.
To set the locks, insert a key into
the slot and turn it to the horizontal
position. The door can only be
opened from the outside with the
door unlocked. To return the door to
normal operation, turn the slot to the
vertical position.
Doors
Liftgate (Manual)
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to drive
with the liftglass or liftgate open
because carbon monoxide (CO)
gas can come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If you must drive with the liftglass
or liftgate open, or if electrical
wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal
between the body and the
liftglass or liftgate:
.Make sure all other windows
are shut.
.Turn the fan on your heating
or cooling system to its
highest speed with the(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
recirculation mode off. That
will force outside air into your
vehicle. SeeClimate Control
Systems on page 8‑1 orDual
Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑4.
.If you have air outlets on or
under the instrument panel,
open them all the way.
.If your vehicle has a power
liftgate, disable the power
liftgate function.
See Engine Exhaust on
page 9‑29.
Press
Kon the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or use the
power door lock switches to unlock
the liftgate. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-15
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑19.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Voltmeter Gauge
When the engine is not running, but
the ignition is on, this gauge shows
the battery's state of charge in
DC volts.
When the engine is running, the
gauge shows the condition of the
charging system. The charging system regulates voltage based on
the state of the battery for improved
fuel economy and battery life.
The gauge may 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 gauge may also read
low during the fuel economy mode,
this is normal.
Readings in the low warning zone
may 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 full
power. If there is a problem with the
battery charging system, this light
will come on or the SERVICE
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM
DIC message will display. See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages on page 5‑18
and
Charging System Light on
page 5‑18 for more information.
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver safety belt
reminder light on the instrument
panel cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their safety belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-37
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.
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.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
ENGINE HOT A/C (Air
Conditioning) TURNED OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge on page 5‑14. To avoid
added strain on a hot engine,
the air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the
coolant temperature returns to
normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You
can continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5‑14.
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 10‑21 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
5-38 Instruments and Controls
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑19 for more information.
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the engine cooling system
reaches unsafe temperatures for
operation. Stop and turn off the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so to avoid severe damage. This
message clears when the engine
has cooled to a safe operating
temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
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 10‑9 for
information on how to reset the
message. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑7 andMaintenance
Schedule on page 11‑3 for more
information.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil becomes hotter than the
normal operating temperature. Stop
and allow the vehicle to idle until it
cools down. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑14.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine oil pressure is
low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do
not drive the vehicle until the
cause of the low oil pressure is
corrected. See Engine Oil on
page 10‑7 for more information.
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑7.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-39
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime
sounds when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the
engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. See
Engine Overheating on page 10‑19
for further information.
This message also displays when
the engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the fuel level is low. Refuel
as soon as possible. SeeFuel
Gauge on page 5‑12 andFuel on
page 9‑60 for more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on the
instrument panel cluster if the fuel
cap is not tightened properly. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑18. Reinstall the fuel cap
fully. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 9‑63. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with
the cap properly installed should
turn this light and message off.
Key and Lock Messages
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” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Lamp Messages
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds if a turn signal is left on for
1.2 km (0.75 mile). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off
position.