GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Instruments and Controls 113
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)
0 114.
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
0 37.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0126.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on when the cruise
control is set.
This light goes out when the cruise
control is canceled. See Cruise
Control 0194.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
114 Instruments and Controls
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
This vehicle has a DIC.
All messages will appear in the DIC
display at the bottom of the
instrument cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is on. After a short delay, the DIC
will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
If the vehicle has these features, the
DIC also displays the compass
direction and the outside air
temperature when viewing the trip
and fuel information. The compassdirection appears on the top right
corner of the DIC display. The
outside air temperature
automatically appears in the bottom
right corner of the DIC display.
If there is a problem with the system
that controls the temperature
display, the numbers will be
replaced with dashes. If this occurs,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons on the instrument
panel, next to the instrument cluster.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle
information, customization, and set/
reset buttons. The button functions
are detailed in the following pages.
3:
Press this button to display
the odometer, trip odometers, fuel
range, average economy, fuel used,
timer, average speed, and digital
tachometer.
T: Press this button to display the
oil life, rear park assist, units, tire
pressure readings for vehicles with
the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), engine hours, Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Instruments and Controls 115
programming for vehicles with the
TPMS and without a Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, and
compass zone and compass
calibration on vehicles with this
feature.
U:Press this button to customize
the feature settings on the vehicle.
See Vehicle Personalization 0119
for more information.
V: Press this button to set or reset
certain functions and to turn off or
acknowledge messages on the DIC.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
3: Press this button to scroll
through the following menu items:
Odometer
Press
3until XX km (mi)
displays. This display shows the
distance the vehicle has been
driven in either kilometers (km) or
miles (mi). Trip Odometers
Press
3until A or B displays.
This display shows the current
distance traveled in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi) since
the last reset for each trip odometer.
Both trip odometers can be used at
the same time.
Each trip odometer can be reset to
zero separately by pressing
Vwhile
the desired trip odometer is
displayed.
The trip odometer has a feature
called the retro-active reset. This
can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of kilometers (miles)
driven since the ignition was last
turned on. This can be used if the
trip odometer is not reset at the
beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold
Vfor at least
four seconds. The trip odometer
will display the number of
kilometers (km) or miles (mi) driven
since the ignition was last turned on
and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins moving, the trip
odometer will accumulate mileage.
For example, if the vehicle was
driven 8 km (5 miles) before it is
started again, and then the
retro-active reset feature is
activated, the display will show 8 km
(5 miles). As the vehicle begins
moving, the display will then
increase to 8.1 km (5.1 miles),
8.2 km (5.2 miles), etc.
If the retro-active reset feature is
activated after the vehicle is started,
but before it begins moving, the
display will show the number of
kilometers (km) or miles (mi) that
were driven during the last ignition
cycle.
Fuel Range
Press
3until FUEL RANGE
displays. This display shows the
approximate number of remaining
kilometers (km) or miles (mi) the
vehicle can be driven without
refueling.
The fuel range estimate is based on
an average of the fuel economy
over recent driving history and the
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
116 Instruments and Controls
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. This estimate will change if
driving conditions change. For
example, if driving in traffic and
making frequent stops, this display
may read one number, but if the
vehicle is driven on a freeway, the
number may change even though
the same amount of fuel is in the
fuel tank. This is because different
driving conditions produce different
fuel economies. Generally, freeway
driving produces better fuel
economy than city driving.
If the vehicle is low on fuel, the
FUEL LEVEL LOW message will be
displayed.
Average Economy
Press
3until AVG ECONOMY
displays. This display shows the
approximate average liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number is
calculated based on the number of
L/100 km (mpg) recorded since the
last time this menu item was reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY, press and
hold
V. The display will return
to zero.
Fuel Used
Press
3until FUEL USED
displays. This display shows the
number of liters (L) or gallons (gal)
of fuel used since the last reset of
this menu item. To reset the fuel
used information, press and hold
V
while FUEL USED is displayed.
Timer
Press
3until TIMER displays.
This display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press
Vwhile
TIMER is displayed. The display will
show the amount of time that has
passed since the timer was last
reset, not including time the ignition
is off. Time will continue to be
counted as long as the ignition is
on, even if another display is being
shown on the DIC. The timer will
record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes
and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after
which the display will return to zero. To stop the timer, press
Vbriefly
while TIMER is displayed.
To reset the timer to zero, press and
hold
Vwhile TIMER is displayed.
Average Speed
Press
3until AVERAGE SPEED
displays. This display shows the
average speed of the vehicle in
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset of this value. To reset the
value, press and hold
V. The
display will return to zero.
Digital Tachometer
Press
3until
Tachometer ##00 RPM displays.
This display shows the engine
speed in revolutions per
minute (RPM).
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
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Driving and Operating 165
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 169
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 170
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 172
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 176
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 181
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 186
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 192
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 197
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 198
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . 206
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 207
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 226
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Driving and Operating 171
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes
should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
0190.
. 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 0339. 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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0185.
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-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Driving and Operating 175
Example 3
1. Maximum Vehicle CapacityWeight for Example 3 =
453 kg (1,000 lbs)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 91 kg (200 lbs) × 5 =
453 kg (1,000 lbs)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 0 kg (0 lbs)
Refer to the vehicle tire and
loading information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the rear
edge of the driver door. The
label may show the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. This is called
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also
may show the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual
loads on the front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh the vehicle.
Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out the
load equally on both sides of the
centerline.{Warning
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
(Continued)
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Driving and Operating 179
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position.
If the key is left in ON/RUN with the
engine off, the battery could drain
and the vehicle may not start.
3 (START) :This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
returns to ON/RUN for driving.
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.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 227.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
while starting the vehicle, damage
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
may occur to the hydraulic power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
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.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light
is on and the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message is displayed in
the Driver Information Center
(DIC), the Computer-Controlled
Cranking System is disabled to
prevent possible vehicle
component damage. When this