GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner ’s
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
u:
Air Conditioning System
G: Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!: Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly
P: Do Not Apply High Pressure
Water
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
H:Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
6 Introduction
1.Air Vents 0148.
2. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons (Out of View). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
099.
3. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 112.
Windshield Wiper/Washer 080.
4. Horn 080.
5. Hazard Warning Flashers
0112.
6. Instrument Cluster 086.
7. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0170.
Manual Mode 0173 (If
Equipped).
8. Climate Control Systems
0143.
9. Infotainment 0116.
10. Power Outlets 083.
11. USB Port (If Equipped). See Auxiliary Devices 0130. 12. Power Outlet 110/120 Volt
Alternating Current. See Power
Outlets 083.
13. Rear Heating System 0145 (If
Equipped).
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) 0189 (If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0185 (If Equipped).
14. Passenger Airbag On-Off Switch (If Equipped). See
Airbag On-Off Switch 050.
15. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0177.
16. Tow/Haul Mode Button (If Equipped). See Tow/Haul
Mode 0174.
17. Steering Wheel Controls 079
(If Equipped).
18. Steering Wheel Adjustment
079 (Out of View), (If
Equipped).
19. Parking Brake Release. See Parking Brake 0176. 20.
Cruise Control 0179 (If
Equipped).
Fast Idle System 0165 (If
Equipped).
21. Parking Brake 0176.
22. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 092.
23. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0113.
Dome Lamp Override. See
Dome Lamps 0113.
24. Exterior Lamp Controls 0109.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
50 Seats and Restraints
inflate. The feature may also
activate, without airbag inflation,
after an event that exceeds a
predetermined threshold. After
turning the ignition off and then on
again, the fuel system will return to
normal operation; the doors can be
locked, the interior lamps can be
turned off, and the hazard warning
flashers can be turned off using the
controls for those features. If any of
these systems are damaged in the
crash they may not operate as
normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
. Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts. .
The vehicle has a crash
sensing and diagnostic
module which records
information after a crash. See
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy 0331 and
Event Data Recorders 0332.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Airbag On-Off Switch
If the instrument panel has one of
the switches pictured in the
following illustrations, the vehicle
has an airbag on-off switch that you
can use to manually turn on or off
the front outboard passenger airbag.
No other airbag is affected by the
airbag on-off switch.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
78 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 79
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 79
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 80
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . 88
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . 90
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 92
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . 92
Brake System Warning Light . . . 94
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 96
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . 96
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . 97
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 98
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 104
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 104
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 104
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
94 Instruments and Controls
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation. SeeAdd-On
Electrical Equipment 0212. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
. The light is on when the engine
is running. .
The light does not come on
when the ignition is on while the
engine is off.
. Critical emission control systems
have not been completely
diagnosed. If this happens, the
vehicle would not be ready for
inspection and might require
several days of routine driving
before the system is ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the 12-volt battery has recently
been replaced or run down, or if
the vehicle has been recently
serviced.
See your dealer if the vehicle will
not pass or cannot be made ready
for the test.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working. If the warning light comes on, there
could be a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away.
MetricEnglish
This light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. If it
does not come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes on
when the parking brake is set. See
Parking Brake 0176 for more
information. The light stays on if the
parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, it means the
vehicle has a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully.
The pedal might be harder to push,
or the pedal might go closer to the
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Instruments and Controls 95
floor. It could take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle0290.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
See Brake System Warning Light
0 94.Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul
Mode feature, this light comes on
when the Tow/Haul Mode has been
activated.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0174.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
104 Instruments and Controls
.Brakes
. Steering
. Ride Control Systems
. Driver Assistance Systems
. Cruise Control
. Lighting and Bulb Replacement
. Wiper/Washer Systems
. Doors and Windows
. Seat Belts
. Airbag Systems
. Engine and Transmission
. Tire Pressure
. Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle’s propulsion power is
reduced. A reduction in propulsion
power can affect the vehicle's ability
to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be driven
while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, or displays
repeatedly, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Under certain operating conditions
propulsion will be disabled. Try
restarting after the vehicle has been
off for 30 seconds.
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX
KM/H (MPH)
This message shows that the
vehicle speed has been limited to
the speed displayed. The limited
speed is a protection for various
propulsion and vehicle systems,
such as lubrication, thermal,
suspension, or tires.
Vehicle
Personalization
This vehicle may have
customization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to
one preferred setting. Customization
features can only be programmed to
one setting on the vehicle and
cannot be programmed to a
preferred setting for two different
drivers.
All of the customization options may
not be available on your vehicle.
Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the
customization features were set
when the vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their
default state since then.
The customization preferences are
automatically recalled.
To change customization
preferences, use the following
procedure.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13882574) -
2020 - CRC - 11/1/19
Driving and Operating 149
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 154
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 155
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 157
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 161
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 166
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 170
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 176
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 181
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 183
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . 191
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 191
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194