
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
running. The doors will be
locked. The airbag readiness
light will be on during a remote
start. It should turn off when
the ignition is turned to ON/
RUN. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light 098.
The engine will continue to run
for 10 minutes. After
30 seconds, repeat the steps if
a 10-minute extension is
desired. Remote start can be
extended only once.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
The maximum number of remote
starts between ignition cycles with
the key is two.
If the remote start procedure is used
again before the first 10 minute time
frame has ended, the first
10 minutes will immediately expire
and the second 10 minute time
frame will start.
After the engine has been remote
started two times, the ignition switch
must be turned to ON/RUN and then back to LOCK/OFF using the key
before the remote start procedure
can be used again.
To cancel a remote start do any of
the following:
.
Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the ignition on and then
back off.
The remote vehicle start feature will
not operate if:
. The key is in the ignition.
. The hood is open.
. The hazard warning flashers
are on.
. There is an emission control
system malfunction. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0100.
. The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
. The oil pressure is low. .
Two remote vehicle starts have
already been provided.
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.
. Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by
(Continued)

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
86 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 87
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 87
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 88
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . 96
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 98
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . 98 Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 100
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 100
Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 103
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 103
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 104
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 105
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 106
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Brake System Messages . . . . . 111
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 111
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 111 Engine Cooling System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 113
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 113
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 113
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . 114
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Airbag System Messages . . . . . 115
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 116
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 117
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 118

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
96 Instruments and Controls
.The gauge does not go back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
Metric
English
The oil pressure gauge shows the
engine oil pressure in psi (pounds
per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals)
when the engine is running.
Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and oil
viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the
normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone
may be caused by a dangerously
low oil level or other problem
causing low oil pressure.
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
104 Instruments and Controls
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0188.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service. If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak system
is actively working.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0188.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. See Tire Messages 0116.
Stop as soon as possible, and
inflate the tires to the pressure value shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Tire
Pressure 0256.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0259.Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
(Continued)

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Instruments and Controls 105
Caution (Continued)
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
English Shown, Metric Similar
This light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition is turned
on as a check to indicate it is
working. If it does not come on,
have it fixed.
The low fuel warning light comes on
and a chime sounds when the
vehicle is low on fuel. The light turns
off when fuel is added to the
fuel tank.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0106.
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. See Immobilizer
Operation 033.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Instruments and Controls 113
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. SeeEngine
Oil Life System 0219 for
information on how to reset the
message. See Engine Oil0217 and
Maintenance Schedule 0294.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
If the vehicle has an oil level sensor,
this message displays if the oil level
in the vehicle is low. Check the oil
level and correct it as necessary.
You may need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to
be sure this message clears. See
Engine Oil 0217.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
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 0217.
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 0228 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. See
Fuel
Gauge 095 and Fuel 0197 for
more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on the
instrument cluster if the fuel cap is
not tightened properly. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 0100. Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. See Filling the Tank
0 199. 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.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
198 Driving and Operating
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle may not pass a smog-check
test. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0100.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer for diagnosis. If it
is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If planning to drive in countries
outside the U.S. or Canada, the
proper fuel might be hard to find.
Check regional auto club or fuel
retail brand websites for availability
in the country where driving. Never
use leaded gasoline, fuel containing
methanol, manganese, or any other
fuel not recommended. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper
fuel would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0197.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of Fuel
System Treatment PLUS added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change can help. Fuel System
Treatment PLUS is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer. Do not use additives with E85 or
FlexFuel.
E85 or FlexFuel
Vehicles with a yellow fuel cap can
use either unleaded gasoline or fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
All other vehicles should use only
the unleaded gasoline as described
in
Fuel 0197.
The use of E85 or FlexFuel is
encouraged when the vehicle is
designed to use it. E85 or FlexFuel
is made from renewable sources.
To help locate fuel stations that
carry E85 or FlexFuel, the U.S.
Department of Energy has an
alternative fuels website. See
www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/
stations.
E85 or FlexFuel should meet ASTM
Specification D 5798 or CAN/
CGSB–3.512 in Canada. Do not use
the fuel if the ethanol content is
greater than 85%. Fuel mixtures that
do not meet ASTM or CGSB
specifications can affect driveability
and could cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to come on.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9159232) -
2016 - crc - 11/11/15
Driving and Operating 203
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering. When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear
before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0186. When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, see
Engine Overheating 0228.Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.