2019 GMC SAVANA ABS

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
192 Driving and Operating
If you are towing a trailer and are
parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
0 210.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
If equipped, this feature will prevent
the vehicle from rolling when it
attempts to move on a moderate to
steep hill. During the transition when
the brake pedal is released and the
accelerator pedal is pressed, HSA
uses braking pressure to hold the
vehicle stationary for a few seconds
depending on the steepness of the
hill. After this transition or after the
accelerator pedal is pressed, the
brake will automatically release.
HSA only activates when the driver
door is closed. HSA will not activate
in a forward drive gear when facing
downhill, or in R (Reverse) when
facing uphill. If the brake pedal is
released and then reapplied while
HSA is activated, the brake pedal
may feel firmer with less pedal
travel.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
an electronic stability control
system. These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses any of the
drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Driving and Operating 213
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downhill grade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency. The vehicle 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.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower 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, 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
0248.Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible. When parking your vehicle and your
trailer 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, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply 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.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
214 Driving and Operating
3. Drive slowly until the trailer isclear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks
Launching and Retrieving
a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out
of the vehicle before
backing onto the sloped part
of the ramp. Lower the
driver and passenger side
windows before backing
onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape
in the unlikely event the
vehicle slides into the water.
. If the boat launch surface is
slippery, have the driver
remain in the vehicle with
the brake pedal applied
while the boat is being
launched. The boat launch
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the
ramp was previously
submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to
launch the boat if you are
not sure the vehicle can
maintain traction.
. Do not move the vehicle if
someone is in the path of
the trailer. Some parts of the
trailer might be underwater
and not visible to people
who are assisting in
launching the boat.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before backing the trailer into the
water to prevent damage to the
electrical circuits on the trailer.
Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the
water. If the trailer has electric
brakes that can function when the
trailer is submerged, it might help to leave the electrical trailer connector
attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water:
1. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating,
but no further than necessary.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into
P (Park) yet.
3. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the
vehicle.
4. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to
absorb the load of the trailer.
5. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park). If equipped
with a manual transmission,
turn off the engine and move
the shift lever into 1 (First) gear.
6. Release the brake pedal.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
252 Vehicle Care
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0232 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: .
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0109.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0319.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0232.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
264 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The fuse block is in the engine
compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle.
Vehicles with Upfitter Content
See www.gmupfitter.com for upfitter
provisions and best practices.
Caution
Spilling liquid on any electrical
component on the vehicle may
damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical
component.
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Fuses Usage
1 ABS motor
2 ABS module

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
296 Vehicle Care
absorber bracket in order to
avoid any interference with the
exhaust pipe (2).
{Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack you could
be badly injured or killed. Never
get under a vehicle when it is
supported only by a jack.
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is
enough room for the spare tire
to fit.6. Remove all the wheel nuts.
7. Take the flat tire off of the
mounting surface.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
8. Remove any rust or dirt fromthe wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Vehicle Care 307
Dolly Towing
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)
To tow the vehicle from the rear:1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0191.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park). 5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels
are locked into the straight
position.
7. Turn the ignition to off.
If the tow vehicle will not be
started or driven for six weeks
or more, remove the battery
cable from the negative
terminal (post) of the battery to
prevent the battery from
draining while towing.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0327.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Index 361
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 227
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 242
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 162
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 62
Airbags
Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Airbags (cont'd)
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Servicing Airbag-Equipped
Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Alert
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 202
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Antenna Fixed Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 190 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Audio Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 133
Audio Players CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141