2013 GMC SAVANA park assist

Black plate (1,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-6
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-14
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission(Six Speed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Automatic Transmission (Four Speed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-37
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-42
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-43
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 9-44
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46

Black plate (15,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Driving and Operating 9-15
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTrailer Towing
on page 9‑49 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal applied.
1 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/
OFF): When the vehicle is stopped,
turn the ignition switch to LOCK/
OFF to turn the engine off. Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9‑19.
This position locks the ignition and
transmission.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags. If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park) to
turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑31.

Black plate (16,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
9-16 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
Notice: Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
2 (ACC/ACCESSORY): This is the
position in which you can operate
things like the radio and the
windshield wipers when the engine
is off. 3 (ON/RUN):
This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running.
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.
4 (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.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
To place the transmission in the
proper gear:
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.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as your engine gets
warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.

Black plate (37,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Driving and Operating 9-37
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
If available, the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system uses
sensors on the rear bumper to
assist with parking and avoiding
objects while in R (Reverse).
{WARNING
The URPA system does not
detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects
below the bumper or that are too
close or too far from the vehicle.
It is not available at speeds
greater than 8 km/h (5 mph). To
prevent injury, death, or vehicle
damage, even with URPA, always
check the area around the vehicle
and check all mirrors before
backing.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when
the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The time between the beeps
gets shorter as the vehicle
approaches the obstacle.
A continuous tone is heard when
the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in).
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below rear door level. Objects
must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from
the rear bumper. This distance may
be less during warmer or humid
weather.
Turning the System On and Off
The system can be disabled through
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See“Park Assist” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑24.
URPA defaults to the on setting
each time the vehicle is started.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The following messages may be
displayed on the DIC:
SERVICE PARK ASSIST: If this
message occurs, take the vehicle to
your dealer for repair.
PARK ASSIST OFF: This message
occurs if the driver disables the
system or if the vehicle is driven
above 8 km/h (5 mph) in
R (Reverse).

Black plate (39,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Driving and Operating 9-39
2. Press MENU to enter theconfigure menu options. Turn
the Multifunction knob until the
Display feature is highlighted
and press the Multifunction
knob. Or press the Display
screen button
3. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen displays.
4. Select the Video screen button. When the Video screen button is
highlighted the RVC
system is on.
The delay that is received after
shifting out of R (Reverse) is
approximately 10 seconds. The
delay can be canceled by
performing one of the following:
.Pressing a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shifting into P (Park).
.Reach a vehicle speed of
8 km/h (5 mph). Symbols
The navigation system may have a
feature that allows for viewing
parking assist symbols on the
navigation screen while using the
RVC. The Ultrasonic Rear Park
Assist (URPA) system must not be
disabled to use the caution symbols.
If URPA has been disabled and the
symbols have been turned on, the
Rear Parking Assist Symbols
Unavailable error message may
display. See
Ultrasonic Parking
Assist on page 9‑37.
The symbols appear near objects
detected by the URPA system. The
symbol may cover the object when
viewing the navigation screen.
To turn the symbols on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park).
3. Press MENU to enter the configure menu options. Turn
the Multifunction knob until the
Display feature is highlighted and press the Multifunction
knob. Or press the Display
screen button
4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen displays.
5. Touch the Symbols screen button. The screen button will be
highlighted when on.
Guidelines
The RVC system may have a
guideline overlay that can help the
driver align the vehicle when
backing into a parking spot.
To turn the guidelines on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park).
3. Press MENU to enter the configure menu options. Turn
the Multifunction knob until the
Display feature is highlighted
and press the Multifunction
knob. Or press the Display
screen button

Black plate (56,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
9-56 Driving and Operating
* If the vehicle is a cutaway with
trailer provisions, a 15 amp fuse will
be shared for both left/stop trailer
turn and right/stop trailer turn
signals. However, the cutaway
lighting connector will have a
10 amp fuse for each signal.
** If the vehicle is a cutaway with
trailer provisions, a 15 amp fuse will
be shared for trailer park lamps and
cutaway rear lighting connector park
lamps. Also, a 10 amp fuse will be
shared for trailer back-up lamps and
cutaway rear lighting connector
back-up lamps.
Tow/Haul Mode
This button is on the instrument
panel, to the right of the steering
wheel.
Pressing this button turns on and off
the Tow/Haul Mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
cluster comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑29.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” inTrailer
Towing on page 9‑49. Tow/Haul is
most useful under the following
driving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in stop and
go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
10-20 Vehicle Care
8. Replace the pressure cap. Atany time during this procedure if
coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the
pressure cap.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the vehicle's
instrument cluster. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge on
page 5‑12. If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
but instead get service help right
away, see
Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑5.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
See if the engine cooling fan speed
increases when idle speed is
doubled by pushing the accelerator
pedal down. If it does not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Notice: Running the engine
without coolant may cause
damage or a fire. Vehicle damage
would not be covered by the
warranty.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
OnStar 14-7
OnStar Personal Identification
Number (PIN)
A PIN is needed to access some of
the OnStar services, like Remote
Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle
Assistance. You will be prompted to
change the PIN the first time when
speaking with an Advisor. To
change the OnStar PIN, call OnStar
and provide the Advisor with the
current number.
Warranty
OnStar equipment may be
warranted as part of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. The
manufacturer of the vehicle
furnishes detailed warranty
information.
Languages
The vehicle can be programmed to
respond in French or Spanish.
Press
Qand ask an Advisor.
Advisors can speak French or
Spanish.
Potential Issues
Some OnStar services are disabled
after five days. OnStar cannot
perform Remote Door Unlock or
Stolen Vehicle Assistance after the
vehicle has been off continuously
for five days. After five days, OnStar
can contact Roadside Assistance
and a locksmith to help gain access
to the vehicle.
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
.Obstruction of the GPS can
occur in a large city with tall
buildings; in parking garages;
around airports; in tunnels,
underpasses, or parking
garages; or in an area with very
dense trees. If GPS signals are
not available, the OnStar system
should still operate to call
OnStar. However, OnStar could
have difficulty identifying the
exact location.
.In emergency situations, OnStar
can use the last stored GPS
location to send to emergency
responders.
.A temporary loss of GPS can
cause loss of the ability to send
a Turn-by-Turn Navigation route.
The Advisor may give a verbal
route or may ask for a call back
after the vehicle is driven into an
open area.
Cellular and GPS Antennas
Avoid placing items over or near the
antenna to prevent blocking cellular
and GPS signal reception. Cellular
reception is required for OnStar to
send remote signals to the vehicle.
Unable to Connect to OnStar
Message
If there is limited cellular coverage
or the cellular network has reached
maximum capacity, this message
may come on. Press
Qto try the
call again or try again after driving a
few miles into another cellular area.