
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
138 Driving and Operating
Fast Idle System
If equipped, this feature is available only
with cruise control. The manual fast idle
switch is operated using the cruise control
buttons on the left side of the steering
wheel.
This system can be used to increase engine
idle speed whenever the following
conditions are met:
.The parking brake is set.
.The brake pedal is not pressed.
.The vehicle must not be moving and the
accelerator must not be pressed.
To control the fast idle:
.To enable the Fast Idle System, press and
release the cruise control on/off button
and ensure that the switch indicator light
is lit.
.Press and release the cruise control SET-
button. Engine speed will be held at
approximately 1200 rpm.
When the fast idle is active, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display FAST
IDLE ON.
One of the following actions will turn off
the fast idle:
.Pressing the brake.
.Selecting the cruise control cancel button.
.Releasing the parking brake.
.Moving the transmission shift lever out of
P (Park) or N (Neutral).
.Selecting the cruise control on/off button
when it was previously on.
.Pressing the cruise control SET- button a
second time.
.Pressing the accelerator more than
one-quarter of the way down.
.Turning the ignition off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Engine Coolant Heater
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or
personal injury may result. Always park
the vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
The engine coolant heater can provide easier
starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below −18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles with an
engine coolant heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting.
An internal thermostat in the plug end of
the cord may exist which will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
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144 Driving and Operating
would otherwise accelerate due to steepness
of grade. When you shift to 1 (First) it
provides the lowest gear appropriate to
current road speed and continues to
downshift as the vehicle slows, eventually
downshifting to 1 (First) gear. The
transmission can be held in 1 (First) gear
using Range Selection Mode or the shift
lever. See“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode 0144.
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 the
vehicle is 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.
To disable or enable Normal Mode Grade
Braking within the current ignition key cycle,
press and hold the Tow/Haul button for
three seconds.
For other forms of grade braking, see
Tow/
Haul Mode 0145 and
Cruise Control 0149.
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, the
transmission will downshift and a number
displays in the Driver Information
Center (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 shift lever is used to change
to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when Range
Selection Mode is active. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0145.
While using Range Selection Mode, cruise
control and the Tow/Haul Mode can
be used.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
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Driving and Operating 147
Warning (Continued)
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. SeeDefensive Driving
0 126.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) temporarily prevents the
vehicle from rolling in an unintended
direction during the transition from brake
pedal release to accelerator pedal apply. The
brakes release when the accelerator pedal is
applied or automatically release after a few
seconds. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle.
HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
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 driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path. Trailer
Sway Control (TSC) is also on automatically
when the vehicle is started. See Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) 0175. If cruise control is being used and traction
control or StabiliTrak/ESC begins to limit
wheel spin, cruise control will disengage.
Cruise control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0131 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
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Driving and Operating 149
Cruise Control{
Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
If equipped with cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system begins to limit wheel spin while
using cruise control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0147.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, cruise control can be turned
back on. If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.
I:
Press to turn cruise control on or off.
The white indicator comes on in the
instrument cluster when cruise control is
turned on.
+RES : If there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume that speed or press
and hold to accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase vehicle speed.
SET− :Press briefly to set the speed and
activate cruise control. If cruise control is
already active, use to decrease vehicle
speed.
[: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If
Iis on when not in use, the SET− or
+RES button could get pressed and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep
Ioff when
cruise is not being used.
To set a speed:
1. Press
Ito turn the cruise system on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET−.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after cruise
control has been set to the desired speed.
See Instrument Cluster 071.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed
and then the brakes are applied or
[is
pressed, the cruise control is disengaged
without erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, briefly press
+RES. The vehicle returns to the previous set
speed.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
150 Driving and Operating
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
.Press and hold +RES until the desired
speed is reached, then release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in small
increments, briefly press +RES. For each
press, the vehicle goes about
1 km/h (Metric display) or 1 mph (English
display) faster.
The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 081. The increment
value used depends on the units displayed.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already
activated:
.Press and hold SET– until the desired
lower speed is reached, then release it.
.To slow down in small increments, briefly
press SET–. For each press, the vehicle
goes about 1 km/h (Metric display) or
1 mph (English display) slower.
The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) 081. The increment
value used depends on the units displayed. Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise
Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the
vehicle speed. When you take your foot off
the pedal, the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed. While pressing the
accelerator pedal or shortly following the
release to override cruise control, briefly
pressing SET–
will result in cruise set to the
current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills
depends on the vehicle speed, load, and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep
hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle
speed. When going downhill, you might
have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down.
If the brake pedal is applied, cruise control
will disengage.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press[.
.Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
.To turn off cruise control, pressI. Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased from
memory if
Iis pressed or if the vehicle is
turned off.
Driver Assistance Systems
This vehicle may have features that work
together to help avoid crashes or reduce
crash damage while driving, backing, and
parking. Read this entire section before
using these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver Assistance
Systems. These systems do not replace
the need for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or see alerts or
warnings provided by these systems.
Failure to use proper care when driving
may result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. See Defensive Driving 0126.
Under many conditions, these systems
will not:
.Detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. (Continued)

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
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Driving and Operating 155
occurs, the brake system may prepare for
driver braking to occur more rapidly which
can cause a brief, mild deceleration.
Continue to apply the brake pedal as
needed. Cruise control may be disengaged
when the Collision Alert occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The vehicle ahead indicator will display
amber if following a detected vehicle ahead
much too closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert button is on the center
stack. Press
[to set the alert timing to
far, medium, near, or off. The first button
press shows the current control setting on
the DIC. Additional button presses will
change this setting. The chosen setting will
remain until it is changed and will affect
both the Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both alerts will
vary based on vehicle speed. The faster the
vehicle speed, the farther away the alert will occur. Consider traffic and weather
conditions when selecting the alert timing.
The range of selectable alert timings may
not be appropriate for all drivers and driving
conditions.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may provide unnecessary alerts to
turning vehicles, vehicles in other lanes,
objects that are not vehicles, or shadows.
These alerts are normal operation and the
vehicle does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to operate
properly, cleaning the outside of the
windshield area in front of the camera
sensor may correct the issue.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
If equipped, the SBZA system is a
lane-changing aid that assists drivers with
avoiding crashes that occur with moving
vehicles in the side blind zone, or blind spot
areas. The SBZA warning display will light
up in the corresponding outside side mirror
and will flash if the turn signal is on.
{Warning
SBZA does not alert the driver to vehicles
rapidly approaching outside of the side
blind zones, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. It may not provide alerts
when changing lanes under all driving
conditions. Failure to use proper care
when changing lanes may result in injury,
death, or vehicle damage. Before making
a lane change, always check mirrors,
glance over your shoulder, and use the
turn signals.
SBZA Detection Zones

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
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Driving and Operating 161
.State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. Even if not
required, you should install extended side
view mirrors if your visibility is limited or
restricted while towing.
.Do not tow a trailer during the first
800 km (500 mi) of vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle, or other
parts.
.It is recommended to perform the first oil
change before heavy towing.
.During the first 800 km (500 mi) of trailer
towing, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts at full
throttle.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Tow/Haul
Mode is recommended for heavier trailers.
SeeTow/Haul Mode 0145. If the
transmission downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected using Manual
Mode. See Manual Mode 0144.
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned off when towing
a trailer:
.Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.Super Cruise Control
.Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
.Park Assist
.Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned to alert or off
when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert (LCA),
the LCA detection zones that extend back
from the side of the vehicle do not move
further back when a trailer is towed. Use
caution while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA), use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA detection zones
that extend out from the back of the vehicle
do not move further back when a trailer is
towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death from
carbon monoxide (CO), when towing a
trailer: (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not drive with the liftgate, trunk/
hatch, or rear-most window open.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to a
setting that brings in only outside air.
See“Climate Control Systems” in the
Index.
For more information about carbon
monoxide, see Engine Exhaust 0141.
Towing a trailer requires experience. The
combination of the vehicle and trailer is
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle
itself. Get used to the handling and braking
of the combination by driving on a level
road surface before driving on public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and the
brakes must be all be rated to carry the
intended cargo. Inadequate trailer
equipment can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer hitch parts
and attachments, safety chains, electrical
connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. See
Towing Equipment 0172. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the combination

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Index 283
CompartmentsStorage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Control Traction and Electronic Stability . . . . . . . 147
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 122
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . 267
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Customer Information Publications Ordering Information . . . . . 269
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . 262
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Devices Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Door Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Rear Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sliding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Driving
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . 160
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
E
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Electrical SystemEngine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 206
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Check Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . 76
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 73