Black plate (2,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
9-2 Driving and Operating
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
.Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
Black plate (3,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Driving and Operating 9-3
{WARNING
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for
more information on using that
system, including pairing and using
a cell phone.
If equipped, refer to the navigation
manual for information on that
system, including pairing and using
a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3‑8.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{WARNING
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious
—or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Black plate (46,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
9-46 Driving and Operating
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑83.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. Make sure
the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑17.
{WARNING
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately. Notice:
If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may
not fit properly. This may cause
the malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑17.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
.Use approved fuel
containers.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
.Place the container on the
ground.
.Place the nozzle inside the fill
opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
.Do not smoke, light matches,
or use lighters while
pumping fuel.
.Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Black plate (1,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Customer Information 13-1
Customer
Information
Customer Information
Customer SatisfactionProcedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Assistance Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-3
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . 13-4
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . 13-4
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Scheduling Service Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Collision Damage Repair . . . . 13-9
Service Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . 13-11
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects tothe United States
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . 13-13
OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-14
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Customer Information
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are
important to your dealer and to
GMC. Normally, any concerns with
the sales transaction or the
operation of the vehicle will be
resolved by your dealer's sales or
service departments. Sometimes,
however, despite the best intentions
of all concerned, misunderstandings
can occur. If your concern has not
been resolved to your satisfaction,
the following steps should be taken:
STEP ONE: Discuss your concern
with a member of dealership
management. Normally, concerns
can be quickly resolved at that level.
If the matter has already been
reviewed with the sales, service,
or parts manager, contact the owner
of your dealership or the general
manager.
Black plate (2,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
13-2 Customer Information
STEP TWO:If after contacting a
member of dealership management,
it appears your concern cannot be
resolved by your dealership without
further help, in the U.S., call
1-800-462-8782. In Canada, call
General Motors of Canada
Customer Care Centre at
1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call the
toll-free number in order to give your
inquiry prompt attention. Have the
following information available to
give the Customer Assistance
representative:
.Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). This is available
from the vehicle registration or
title, or the plate at the top left of
the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.
.Dealership name and location.
.Vehicle delivery date and
present mileage. When contacting GMC, remember
that your concern will likely be
resolved at a dealer's facility. That is
why we suggest following Step One
first.
STEP THREE
—U.S. Owners:
Both General Motors and your
dealer are committed to making
sure you are completely satisfied
with the new vehicle. However,
if you continue to remain unsatisfied
after following the procedure
outlined in Steps One and Two, you
can file with the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) Auto Line
®Program
to enforce your rights.
The BBB Auto Line Program is an
out-of-court program administered
by the Council of Better Business
Bureaus to settle automotive
disputes regarding vehicle repairs or
the interpretation of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Although you may
be required to resort to this informal
dispute resolution program prior to
filling out a court action, use of the
program is free of charge and your
case will generally be heard within 40 days. If you do not agree with the
decision given in your case, you
may reject it and proceed with any
other venue for relief available
to you.
You may contact the BBB Auto Line
Program using the toll-free
telephone number or write them at
the following address:
BBB Auto Line Program
Council of Better Business
Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Telephone: 1-800-955-5100
www.dr.bbb.org/goauto
This program is available in all
50 states and the District of
Columbia. Eligibility is limited by
vehicle age, mileage, and other
factors. General Motors reserves
the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or discontinue its
participation in this program.
Black plate (3,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Customer Information 13-3
STEP THREE—Canadian
Owners: In the event that you do
not feel your concerns have been
addressed after following the
procedure outlined in Steps One
and Two, General Motors of Canada
Limited wants you to be aware of its
participation in a no-charge
Mediation/Arbitration Program.
General Motors of Canada Limited
has committed to binding arbitration
of owner disputes involving
factory-related vehicle service
claims. The program provides for
the review of the facts involved by
an impartial third party arbiter, and
may include an informal hearing
before the arbiter. The program is
designed so that the entire dispute
settlement process, from the time
you file your complaint to the final
decision, should be completed in
approximately 70 days. We believe
our impartial program offers
advantages over courts in most
jurisdictions because it is informal,
quick, and free of charge. For further information concerning
eligibility in the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP),
call toll-free 1-800-207-0685, or call
the General Motors Customer Care
Centre, 1-800-263-3777 (English),
1-800-263-7854 (French),
or write to:
Mediation/Arbitration Program
c/o Customer Care Centre
General Motors of Canada Limited
Mail Code: CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
The inquiry should be accompanied
by the Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).Customer Assistance
Offices
GMC encourages customers to call
the toll-free number for assistance.
However, if a customer wishes to
write or e-mail GMC, the letter
should be addressed to:
United States and Puerto Rico
GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
www.GMC.com
1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782)
1-800-462-8583 (For Text
Telephone Devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance:
1-888-881-3302
From U.S. Virgin Islands:
1-800-496-9994
Black plate (4,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
13-4 Customer Information
Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Care Centre, Mail
Code: CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
www.gmc.ca
1-800-263-3777 (English)
1-800-263-7854 (French)
1-800-263-3830 (For Text
Telephone Devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance:
1-800-268-6800
All Overseas Locations
Please contact the local General
Motors Business Unit.
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users
To assist customers who are deaf,
hard of hearing, or speech impaired
and who use Text Telephones
(TTYs), GMC has TTY equipment
available at its Customer AssistanceCenter. Any TTY user can
communicate with GMC by
dialing: 1-800-462-8583. TTY users
in Canada can dial 1-800-263-3830.
Online Owner Center
Online Owner Experience
(U.S.) my.gmc.com
The GMC online owner experience
is a one-stop resource that allows
interaction with GMC and keeps
important vehicle-specific
information in one place.
Membership Benefits
E(Vehicle Information):
Download owner manuals and view
vehicle-specific how-to videos.
G(Maintenance Information):
View maintenance schedules,
required alerts, OnStar onboard
vehicle diagnostic information, and
schedule service appointments.
I(Service History): View
printable dealer-recorded service
records and self-recorded service
records.
D(Preferred Dealer
Information): Select a preferred
dealer and view dealer location,
maps, phone numbers, and hours.
J(Warranty Tracking
Information): Track the vehicle’s
warranty information.
J(Recall Information): View
active recalls or search by Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN). See
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
on page 12‑1.
H(Other Account Information):
View GM Card, SiriusXM Satellite
radio, and OnStar account
information.
F(Live Chat Support): Chat live
with online help representatives.
Visit my.gmc.com to register your
vehicle.
Black plate (5,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Customer Information 13-5
GMC Owner Centre (Canada)
gmcowner.ca
Take a trip to the GMC Owner
Centre:
.Chat live with online help
representatives.
.Use the Vehicle Tools section.
.Access third party enthusiast
sites and social media networks.
.Locate owner resources such as
lease-end, financing, and
warranty information.
.Retrieve your favorite articles,
quizzes, tips and multimedia
galleries organized into the
Features and Auto Care
Sections.
.Download the owner manual for
your vehicle, quickly and easily.
.Find the GMC-recommended
maintenance services for your
vehicle.
GM Mobility
Reimbursement Program
This program is available to
qualified applicants for cost
reimbursement of eligible
aftermarket adaptive equipment
required for the vehicle, such as
hand controls or a wheelchair/
scooter lift for the vehicle.
For more information on the limited
offer, visit www.gmmobility.com or
call the GM Mobility Assistance
Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text
Telephone (TTY) users, call
1-800-833-9935.General Motors of Canada also has
a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for
details. TTY users call
1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance
Program
For U.S.-purchased vehicles, call
1-888-881-3302; (Text Telephone
(TTY): 1-888-889-2438).
For Canadian-purchased vehicles,
call 1-800-268-6800.
Service is available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
Calling for Assistance
When calling Roadside Assistance,
have the following information
ready:
.Your name, home address, and
home telephone number
.Telephone number of your
location
.Location of the vehicle