2021 GMC SAVANA warning light

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
78 Instruments and Controls
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. SeeParking Brake
0 146 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 floor. It could take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. See Towing the Vehicle
0 239.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
been pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This warning light should come on briefly
when the vehicle is turned on. 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, safely
stop as soon as it is possible and turn off
the vehicle. Then turn on the vehicle again
to reset the system.
If the ABS warning light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. A chime may also sound when the
light stays on. If the ABS warning light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but ABS is
not functioning.
If both the ABS warning light and the brake
system warning light are on, ABS is not
functioning and there is a problem with the
regular brakes. See your dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light 077.
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 0145.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Instruments and Controls 79
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Light
This light is green if LDW is on and ready to
operate.
This light changes to amber and flashes to
indicate that the lane marking has been
crossed without using a turn signal in that
direction.
SeeLane Departure Warning (LDW) 0157.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will display green
when a vehicle is detected ahead and amber
when you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 154.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while starting
the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
This light comes on when the StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
turned off. If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the
Traction Control System (TCS) is also off.
If the StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling the
vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak/
ESC systems and the warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0147.
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the engine
is started.
If the light 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 is on and not flashing, the TCS
and potentially the StabiliTrak/ESC system
have been disabled. A Driver Information
Center (DIC) message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which feature(s)
is no longer functioning and whether the
vehicle requires service.
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS and/
or the StabiliTrak/ESC system is actively
working.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0147.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
80 Instruments and Controls
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this light comes on briefly
when the engine is started. It provides
information about tire pressures and
the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires
are significantly underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire
pressure message may also display. Stop as
soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeTire Pressure
0 216.
When the Light Flashes First and Then Is On
Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute and
then stays on, there may be a problem with
the TPMS. If the problem is not corrected, the light will come on at every ignition
cycle. See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 217.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. Driving with the
engine oil low can also damage the
engine. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check the oil
level as soon as possible. Add oil if
required, but if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil pressure is
still low, have the vehicle serviced.
Always follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This 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 light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not flowing through the engine
properly. The vehicle could be low on oil
and might have some other system
problem. See your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
English Shown, Metric Similar
A Low Fuel Warning Light near the fuel
gauge comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show it is working.
It also comes on, and a chime sounds when
the fuel gauge indicator nears empty. The
light turns off when fuel is added. If it does
not, have the vehicle serviced.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Instruments and Controls 81
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. SeeImmobilizer
Operation 016.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the high-beam
headlamps are in use. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
0 91.
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 Control0149.
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 compass
direction 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.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
90 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . 91
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . 91
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . 92
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . 95
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
wheel.
There are four positions:
O: Briefly turn the control to this position
to turn the automatic headlamps and
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) off or
back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off
position only works for vehicles that are
shifted into the P (Park) position.
AUTO : Automatically turns the exterior
lamps on and off, depending on outside
lighting.
;: Turns on the parking lamps including
all lamps, except the headlamps.
2: Turns on the headlamps together with
the parking lamps and instrument panel
lights.
If the headlamps are turned on while the
vehicle is on, the headlamps turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition
is turned off. If the headlamps are turned on
while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
continue to stay on. To prevent the battery
from being drained, turn the control to the
Oposition.
A warning chime sounds if the driver door is
opened while the ignition switch is off and
the headlamps are on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to
high beam, pull the turn signal lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime sounds
when the headlamps or parking lamps are
manually turned on and the key is out of
the ignition. To turn off the chime, turn the
headlamp switch to
Oor AUTO and then
back on, or close and re-open the door. In

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
92 Lighting
The vehicle has a light sensor on the top of
the instrument panel. Do not cover the
sensor; otherwise the system will come on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps
when driving through a parking garage or
tunnel.
There is a delay in the transition between
the daytime and nighttime operation of the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) and the
automatic headlamp system so that driving
under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL
and automatic headlamp system are only
affected when the light sensor sees a
change in lighting lasting longer than the
delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on
immediately. Once the vehicle leaves the
garage, it takes approximately 30 seconds
for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During
that delay, the instrument cluster may not
be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is in the
full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Illumination Control 093. To idle the vehicle with the automatic
headlamp system off, turn the control off.
The headlamps will also stay on after
exiting the vehicle. This feature may be
programmable. See
Vehicle Personalization
0 86.
If the feature is not programmable, exit
lighting is automatic. When it is dark
enough outside, the exterior lamps remain
on for 30 seconds after the ignition is
turned off.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are activated in
daylight with the engine on, and the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO, the
headlamps, parking lamps, and other
exterior lamps come on. The transition time
for the lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are not
operating, these lamps turn off. Move the
exterior lamp control to
Por;to
disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|: Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off.
This warns others that you are having
trouble. Press again to turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on,
the vehicle's turn signals will not work.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Driving and Operating 129
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues—such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road. There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
See
Tires 0211.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Driving and Operating 131
Warning (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.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 0141.
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.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
147.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the
Vehicle 0239.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it was designed to carry, the
Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)