
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
Lighting 95
Dome Lamp Override
The dome lamp override sets the dome
lamps to remain off or come on
automatically when a door is opened, the
remote unlock is pressed, or when the
ignition is switched off.
EDOME OFF :Press this button in and the
dome lamps remain off when a door is
opened, the remote unlock is pressed, or the
ignition is switched off. Press the button
again to return it to the extended position
so that the dome lamps come on when a
door is opened, the remote unlock is
pressed, or when the ignition is
switched off.
Reading Lamps
If equipped with reading lamps, press the
button next to each lamp to turn it on
or off.
To operate, the ignition must be on, in ACC/
ACCESSORY, or using Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).
The vehicle may also have reading lamps in
other locations. The lamps cannot be
adjusted.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
The interior lamps turn on when pressingK
on the remote key or opening any doors,
and the dome lamp control is not in the
E
DOME OFF position.
Some exterior lamps also turn on when
pressing
Kon the remote key or opening
any doors. Low-Beam lamps will only turn
on briefly at night, or in areas with limited
lighting.
All lamps will gradually fade out after about
30 seconds. Entry lighting can be disabled manually by
closing all doors, pressing
Qon the remote
key, or starting the vehicle.
This feature can be changed. See “Exit
Lighting” underVehicle Personalization 086.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior lamps turn
on when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The exterior and interior lamps remain on
for a set amount of time, then automatically
turn off. If equipped with Keyless Access,
the exterior lamps automatically turn on
when the driver door is opened after the
ignition is turned off.
The interior lights turn on when the ignition
is turned off.
The exterior lamps turn off immediately by
turning the exterior lamp control off.
This feature can be changed. See Vehicle
Personalization 086.
Battery Load Management
The vehicle may have Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates the
battery's temperature and state of charge.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
96 Lighting
It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the
battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly
bring the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the
vehicle has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory
power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of
the battery. It does this by balancing the
generator's output and the vehicle'selectrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power
demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or
levels, without being noticeable. In rare
cases at the highest levels of corrective
action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message might be displayed, such as
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM. If this
messages displays, it is recommended that
the driver reduce the electrical loads as
much as possible.
Battery Power Protection
This feature helps prevent the battery from
being drained, if the interior courtesy lamps
or reading lamps are accidentally left on.
If any of these lamps are left on, they
automatically turn off after 10 minutes,
if the ignition is off. The lamps will not
come back on again until one of the
following occurs:
.The ignition is turned on.
.The doors are closed and then re-opened.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off, if the parking
lamps or headlamps have been manually
left on. This protects against draining the
battery. To restart the 10-minute timer, turn
the exterior lamp control to the
Oposition
and then back to the
;or2position.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
104 Infotainment System
BAND :If equipped, press to listen to the
radio when a portable audio device is
playing. The portable audio device continues
playing.
CD/AUX : If equipped, press to play a CD
when a portable audio device is playing.
Press again and the system begins playing
audio from the connected portable audio
player. If a portable audio player is not
connected, “No Input Device Found” displays.
SRCE : If equipped, press to listen to the
radio when a portable audio device is
playing. The portable audio device continues
playing.
Press to play a CD when a portable audio
device is playing. Press again and the
system begins playing audio from the
connected portable audio player. If a
portable audio player is not connected, “No
Input Device Found” displays.
Using the USB Port
Radios with a USB port can control a USB
storage device or an iPod using the radio
buttons and knobs. USB Support
Caution
To avoid vehicle damage, unplug all
accessories and disconnect all accessory
cables from the vehicle when not in use.
Accessory cables left plugged into the
vehicle, unconnected to a device, could be
damaged or cause an electrical short if
the unconnected end comes in contact
with liquids or another power source such
as the accessory power outlet.
If equipped, the USB port is on the
instrument panel and uses the USB 2.0
standard. USB-Supported Devices
.USB flash drive
.Portable USB hard drive
.Fifth generation or later iPod
.iPod nano
.iPod touch
.iPod classic
Not all iPods and USB drives are compatible
with the USB port.
Make sure the iPod has the latest firmware
from Apple for proper operation. iPod
firmware can be updated using the latest
iTunes application. See www.apple.com/
itunes.
For help with identifying the iPod, go to
www.apple.com/support.
Radios that have a USB port can
play .mp3 and .wma files that are stored on
a USB storage device as well as AAC files
that are stored on an iPod.
USB-Supported File and Folder Structure
The radio supports:
.Up to 700 folders.
.Up to eight folders in depth.
.Up to 65,535 files.
.Folder and file names up to 64 bytes.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
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120 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 121
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 133
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 136
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 137
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . 152
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 155
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 171

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
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130 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTrailer Towing 0159 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the vehicle and
more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
On new vehicles, the various mechanical and
electrical systems experience a “break-in”
period during the first 6,400 km
(4,000 miles) of routine driving. As the
vehicle is driven, the mechanical systems
adjust to provide optimal fuel economy and
transmission shift performance.
Electrical systems will adapt and calibrate
during the break-in period. A one-time
occurrence of clicks and similar vehicle
noises is normal during this process.
Normal driving charges the vehicle’s battery
to achieve the best operation of the vehicle,
including fuel economy.
Ignition Positions
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be
in ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be
applied. 0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF) :
This
position turns off the vehicle. It also locks
the ignition, the transmission, and the
steering column, if equipped with a locking
steering column.
To turn off the vehicle:
1. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
0 141.
4. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column (1), then turn the key to
LOCK/OFF (2).
5. Remove the key.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
Driving and Operating 131
6. Release the brake pedal.
See your dealer if the key can be removed
in any other position.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 133.
A warning chime will sound when the driver
door is opened and the key is in the
ignition.
If equipped with a locking steering column,
the steering can bind with the front wheels
turned off center, which may prevent key
rotation out of LOCK/OFF. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right to left
while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this does not work, then the vehicle needs
service.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, turn off the
vehicle only in an emergency. In an emergency, if the vehicle cannot be
pulled over and must be turned off while
driving:
1. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the key to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
2. Brake using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
3. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the vehicle is moving.
Continue braking and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
4. Come to a complete stop.
5. Shift to P (Park).
6. Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
0 141.
7. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column, then turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF.
8. Remove the key.
9. Release the brake pedal.
Caution
Use the correct key, make sure it is all
the way in —or pushed all the way in
toward the steering column when turning
off the vehicle —and turn it only with
your hand.
1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) : This position allows
features such as the infotainment system to
operate while the vehicle is off. It also
unlocks the steering column, if equipped
with a locking steering column. Use this
position if the vehicle must be pushed or
towed. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 133.
From ON/RUN, push the key all the way in
toward the steering column, then turn the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If the key is left in ACC/ACCESSORY with the
engine off, the battery could drain and the
vehicle may not start.
A warning chime will sound when the driver
door is opened and the key is in the
ignition.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be used to
operate the electrical accessories and to
display some instrument cluster warning
and indicator lights. This position can also

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
132 Driving and Operating
be used for service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may be
required for emission inspection purposes.
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 0171.
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 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 happens, hold the ignition
switch in the START position to continue
engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the ignition to the
START position immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat and
damage the cranking motor, and drain
the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-15555961) -
2022 - CRC - 4/14/22
134 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
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.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The cord for the engine coolant heater is
on the driver side of the engine
compartment.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is
damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
or extension cord, could make it
overheat and cause a fire, property
damage, electric shock, and injury.
.Do not operate the vehicle with the
heater cord permanently attached to
the vehicle. Possible heater cord and
thermostat damage could occur.
.While in use, do not let the heater
cord touch vehicle parts or sharp
edges. Never close the hood on the
heater cord.
(Continued)