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250 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
.Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
. Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
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 may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle
may not pass a smog-check test.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0140. 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
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see “Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0249.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER detergent gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0249. If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Filling the Tank
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
. To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the
fuel pump island.
. Turn off the engine when
refueling.
. Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
(Continued)
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254 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust
0 209.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the sound of the
stability control system might be
heard. The system is reacting to the
vehicle movement caused by the
trailer, which mainly occurs during
cornering. This is normal when
towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid situations
that require heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because the
rig is longer, it is necessary to go
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 your 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 Turns
Caution
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.
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Driving and Operating 255
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal so the
trailer will not strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Use the turn signal well in
advance and avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The turn signal indicators on the
instrument cluster flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps also flash, telling other
drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. 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, thebrakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Use a lower gear if the transmission
shifts too often.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See
Tow/Haul Mode 0216.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, engine coolant
boils 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 could 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 0276.
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.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb
the load.
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256 Driving and Operating
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Thenapply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule 0341.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
0 276.
Trailer Towing
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0200.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
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Driving and Operating 261
.Black: Ground
. White/Green: Back-up Lamps
. Red/Green: Battery Feed
. Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuse for this circuit is installed
in the engine compartment fuse
block, but the wires are not
connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center.
If the back-up lamp circuit is not
functional, contact your dealer.
If a remote (non-vehicle) battery is
being charged, press the Tow/Haul
Mode button, if equipped on the
center stack. This will boost the
vehicle system voltage and properly
charge the battery. If the trailer is
too light for Tow/Haul Mode, turn on
the headlamps (non-HID only) as a
second way to boost the vehicle
system and charge the battery. Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
These wiring provisions for an
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The body
harness, inside the front driver side
instrument panel, contains blunt cut
wires below the headlamp switch for
the electric trailer brake controller.
The harness contains the following
wires:
.
Blue: “To Trailer”
. Red/Black or Red/Blue:
Battery Feed
. White/Blue: Brake Apply Signal
. Black: Ground
The electric trailer brake controller
should be installed by your dealer or
a qualified service center.Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC)
is used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0140.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
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Vehicle Care 263
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 264
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 265
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 270
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 272
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 276
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Battery - North America . . . . . . 280
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 281
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 281
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 283
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 285
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 286
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 286
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 314
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 323Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 327
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268 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0272.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0268.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0268.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 272.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0279.
6. Battery - North America 0280.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0272.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting - North
America 0324.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 277.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0287.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0324.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0270.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0267 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
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Vehicle Care 269
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see
Capacities and
Specifications 0353.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 267 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap. Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0349.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.