2012 GMC SAVANA PASSENGER light

Black plate (85,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Vehicle Care 10-85
Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump
starting. If the other vehicle does
not have a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles
can be damaged. 2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables can reach,
but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are,
it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You
would not be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
N (Neutral) before setting the
parking brake. Notice:
If any accessories are left
on or plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible,
turn off or unplug all accessories
on either vehicle when jump
starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlet. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks
and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!

Black plate (86,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-86 Vehicle Care
4. Open the hoods and locate thepositive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations of the other
vehicle.
On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (−) terminal.
{WARNING
Using an open flame near a
battery can cause battery gas to
explode. People have been hurt
doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a flashlight if you
need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too. Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one. Negative (−) will go to
an unpainted metal part or to a
remote negative (−) terminal if
the vehicle has one. On your
van, use the unpainted radio
antenna bracket as a remote
negative (−) terminal.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the dead
battery because this can cause
sparks.

Black plate (92,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
10-92 Vehicle Care
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)–All‐Wheel‐Drive
Vehicles
The vehicle was not designed to be
towed with two wheels on the
ground. To properly tow these
vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four wheels
off the ground. Notice:
Towing an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will
damage drivetrain components.
Do not tow an all-wheel-drive
vehicle with any of its wheels on
the ground.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Notice: Do not use petroleum
based, acidic, or abrasive
cleaning agents as they can
damage the vehicle's paint, metal,
or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty.
Approved cleaning products can
be obtained from your dealer.
Follow all manufacturer
directions regarding correct
product usage, necessary safety
precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
Service and Maintenance 11-9
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required. It is recommended that
your dealer perform these
services—their trained dealer
technicians know your vehicle best.
Your dealer can also perform a
thorough assessment with a multi‐
point inspection to recommend
when your vehicle may need
attention. The following list is
intended to explain the services and
conditions to look for that may
indicate services are required. Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break‐down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion‐free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect the belts and
recommend replacement when
necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12 for GM
approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi‐point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.With a multi‐point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi‐point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money, fuel, and
can reduce the risk of tire failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
OnStar 14-1
OnStar
OnStar Overview
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services
Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-4
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
OnStar Additional Information
OnStar AdditionalInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
OnStar Overview
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. The OnStar system status light is
next to the OnStar buttons. If the
status light is:
.Solid Green: System is ready.
.Flashing Green: On a call.
.Red: Indicates a problem.
Push
Qor call 1‐888‐4‐ONSTAR
(1‐888‐466‐7827) to speak to an
Advisor.
Push
Xto:
.Make a call, end a call,
or answer an incoming call.
.Give OnStar Hands-Free Calling
voice commands.
.Give OnStar Turn-by-Turn
Navigation voice commands.
Requires the available Directions
and Connections service plan.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Additional Information,
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-17
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-21 Airbags
Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-19
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . 10-30, 9-33
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . 5-39
Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-92
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-95
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12 CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Audio System Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25, 9-28
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11, 10-14
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Shift Lock Control
Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32

Black plate (2,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
i-2 INDEX
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-36
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-23
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . 10-41
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-41
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-66
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8 Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Cautions, Danger, and
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-71
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . 5-20
Check
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
IgnitionTransmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-35
Child Restraints Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-47
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Securing . . . . . . . . . . 3-54, 3-56, 3-60
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43