GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/2/16
Climate Controls 161
The defogger only works when the
ignition is in ON/RUN. The defogger
turns off if the ignition is in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
position.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Caution
Do not use a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear
window. Do not adhere anything
to the defogger grid lines in the
rear glass. These actions may
damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Rear Heating System
If equipped, the rear heating system
lets you adjust the amount of air
flowing into the rear of the vehicle,
from the front seating area. This
feature works with the main climate
control system in the vehicle.
AUX :The thumbwheel for this
system is on the instrument panel
below the audio system.
9: Turn the thumbwheel up or
down to increase or decrease the
amount of heated air sent to the
rear seating area.
Q: This position supplies the most
amount of heat to the rear
seating area.
c: This position supplies half the
amount of heat to the rear
seating area.
R: This position supplies the least
amount of heat to the rear
seating area.
9: This turns the rear heating
system off.
Rear Climate Control
System
If equipped with a rear heating and
air conditioning system, it controls
the temperature, fan speed, and air
delivery for the rear seat
passengers only. The front climate
control panel is in the overhead
console between the driver and
front passenger.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/2/16
Climate Controls 163
Rear Climate Control Panel
1. Fan Control
2. Air Delivery Mode Control
3. Temperature Control
For vehicles with a rear climate
control panel, it is located overhead
behind the driver and front
passenger, centered in front of the
second row. To adjust the rear
climate control panel settings by a
rear seat passenger, the front
climate control panel fan knob must
be in the AUX position. The fan
speed, air delivery mode, and
temperature can then be adjusted. AUX :
Turn the fan knob on the
front climate control panel to AUX to
let rear seat passengers use the
control panel in the rear seating
area. This disables the front control
panel. To return control to the front
panel, move the fan knob out
of AUX.
9: Turns the system off.
9:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed in the rear
seating area. Temperature Control :
Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
temperature in the rear
seating area.
The air conditioning system on the
main climate control panel must be
turned on to direct cooled air to the
rear of the vehicle. If it is not on,
then the temperature in the rear of
the vehicle remains at cabin
temperature.
Air Delivery Mode Control : Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the direction of the airflow in
the rear seating area.
To change the current mode, select
one of the following:
H: Air is directed to the upper
outlets, with some directed to the
floor outlets.
2: Air is directed to the floor
outlets.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/2/16
164 Climate Controls
Be sure to keep the area under the
front seats clear of any objects so
that the air inside of the vehicle can
circulate effectively.
For information on how to use the
main climate control system, see
Climate Control Systems0159. For
information on ventilation, see Air
Vents 0164.Air Vents
Use the outlets located near the
center and on the sides of the
instrument panel to change the
direction of airflow.
Operation Tips
.
Clear away any ice, snow or
leaves from the air inlets at the
base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
. Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors may adversely affect
the performance of the system.
. Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
Maintenance
Service
All vehicles have a label underhood
that identifies the refrigerant used in
the vehicle. The refrigerant system
should only be serviced by trained
and certified technicians. The air
conditioning evaporator should
never be repaired or replaced by
one from a salvage vehicle.
It should only be replaced by a new
evaporator to ensure proper and
safe operation.
During service, all refrigerants
should be reclaimed with proper
equipment. Venting refrigerants
directly to the atmosphere is harmful
to the environment and may also
create unsafe conditions based on
inhalation, combustion, frostbite,
or other health-based concerns.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 171
when on dry pavement. See
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)0189.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0318. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0183.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 185
Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0172.
N : In this position, the engine does
not connect with the wheels.
To restart when you are already
moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D : This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
. Going less than about 55 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down. .
Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts
down to the next gear and has
more power.
D (Drive) can be used when towing
a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
or driving on steep hills. You might
want to shift the transmission to a
lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control 0168.
The vehicle has a shift stabilization
feature that adjusts the transmission
shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid
upshifts and downshifts. This shift
stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an
upshift, if the engine is able to
maintain vehicle speed by analyzing
things such as vehicle speed,
throttle position, and vehicle load.
If the shift stabilization feature
determines that a current vehicle
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 187
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Normal Mode Grade Braking
This mode is enabled when the
vehicle is started, but is not enabled
in Range Selection Mode. It assists
in maintaining desired vehicle
speeds when driving on downhill
grades by using the engine and
transmission to slow the vehicle.
The first time the system activates
for each ignition key cycle, a DIC
message will be displayed. See
Transmission Messages0118.
To disable or enable Normal Mode
Grade Braking within the current
ignition key cycle, press and hold
the Tow/Haul button for three seconds. A DIC message
displays. See
Transmission
Messages 0118.
For other forms of grade braking,
see Tow/Haul Mode 0188 and
Cruise Control 0192.
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
If equipped, Range Selection Mode
helps control the vehicle's
transmission and vehicle speed
while driving downhill or towing a
trailer by letting you select a desired
range of gears.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to M (Manual Mode). 2. Press the +/−
buttons on the
shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current
driving conditions.
When M (Manual Mode) is selected
a number displays in the DIC next to
the M indicating the current gear.
This number is the highest gear that
can be used. However, the vehicle
can automatically shift to lower
gears as it adjusts to driving
conditions. This means that all
gears below that number are
available. When 5 (Fifth) is selected,
1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears are
automatically shifted by the vehicle,
but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used until
the +/− button on the steering
column lever is used to change to
the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0188.
While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul
Mode can be used.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/6/16
188 Driving and Operating
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
Low Traction Mode can assist in
vehicle acceleration when road
conditions are slippery. While the
vehicle is at a stop, select the
second gear range using Range
Selection Mode. This will limit
torque to the wheels after it detects
wheel slip, preventing the tires from
spinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
If equipped, Tow/Haul Mode adjusts
the transmission shift pattern to
reduce shift cycling, providing
increased performance, vehicle
control, and transmission cooling
when towing or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and off
by pressing the button on the
instrument panel. When Tow/Haul is
on, a light on the instrument cluster
will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light 0105.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment 0211.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is
only enabled while the Tow/Haul
Mode is selected and the vehicle is
not in the Range Selection Mode.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode0187.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
assists in maintaining desired
vehicle speeds when driving on
downhill grades by using the engine
and transmission to slow the
vehicle.
To disable or enable Tow/Haul Mode
Grade Braking within the current
ignition key cycle, press and hold
the Tow/Haul button for
three seconds. A DIC message will
be displayed. See Transmission
Messages 0118.
See Towing Equipment 0211.
For other forms of grade braking,
see Automatic Transmission 0184
and Cruise Control 0192.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9967828) -
2017 - crc - 5/6/16
198 Driving and Operating
How the System Works
RPA comes on automatically when
the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single beep sounds
to indicate the system is working.
RPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle detection is indicated
by beeps. The time between beeps
gets shorter as the vehicle
approaches the obstacle. Repeated
beeps are 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) 0108. RPA defaults to the on setting each
time the vehicle is started.
Turn RPA off when towing a trailer.
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).
PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE
OWNERS MANUAL : This
message can occur under the
following conditions:
. The sensors are not clean. Keep
the rear bumper free of mud,
dirt, snow, ice, slush, and frost.
The message may not clear until
frost or ice has melted all around
and inside the sensor. .
A trailer is attached to the
vehicle, or a bicycle or an object
hanging out of the rear door
during the current or last drive
cycle. RPA will return to normal
operation after it is determined
the object is removed. This
could take a few drive cycles.
. A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
Other conditions may affect system
performance, such as vibrations
from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very
large truck.