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334 Driving and Operating
trailer wiring package. The
harness contains the following
circuits:Electric
Trailer Brakes Blue
Battery Feed Red/Green or
Red/Blue
Brake Apply
Signal White/Blue
Ground Black or
White
Refer to the aftermarket
electric trailer brake controller
owner's manual to determine
wire color coding of the
electric trailer brake controller.
The wire colors on the brake
controller may be different
from the vehicle. The electric
trailer brake controller should
be installed by your dealer or a
qualified service center.
If equipped, there are four
blunt cut wires inside the front
driver side instrument panel.
It will be necessary to have a technician connect the 12-volt
power to the engine
compartment fuse block.
Trailer Lamps
Always check that all trailer
lamps are working at the
beginning of each trip, and
periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When
Towing a Trailer
When properly connected, the
trailer turn signals will
illuminate to indicate the
vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster will
illuminate even if the trailer is
not properly connected or the
bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) have a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature. Trailersway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer
while towing. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer and the TSC
detects that sway is
increasing, the vehicle brakes
are selectively applied at each
wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway.
If equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake
system, StabiliTrak/ESC may
also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak/ESC warning light
will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed
by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator.
If trailer sway continues,
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Driving and Operating 335
StabiliTrak/ESC can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0271.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a
crash and in serious injury or
death, even if the vehicle is
equipped with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot
from the accelerator. Then
pull over to check the trailer
and vehicle to help correct
possible causes, including an
improperly or overloaded
trailer, unrestrained cargo,
improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment0331 for trailer
ratings and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ
from vehicle tires. Trailer tires
are designed with stiff
sidewalls to help prevent sway
and to support heavy loads.
These features can make it
difficult to determine if the
trailer tire pressures are low
only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip
when the tires are cool. Low
trailer tire pressure is a
leading cause of trailer tire
blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over
time. The trailer tire sidewall
will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured.
Many trailer tire manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs.
Never load your trailer with
more weight than the tires are
designed to support. The load
rating is located on the trailer
tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum
speed rating for the trailer
tires before driving. This may
be significantly lower than the
vehicle tire speed rating. The
speed rating may be on the
trailer tire sidewall. If the
speed rating is not shown, the
default trailer tire speed rating
is 105 km/h (65 mph).
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336 Driving and Operating
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector
(DLC) is used for vehicle
service and Emission
Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)0129. A device
connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet
or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could
affect vehicle operation and
cause a crash. Such devices
may also access information
stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment
can damage the vehicle or
cause components to not
work and would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always check with
your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain
the vehicle's 12-volt battery,
even if the vehicle is not
operating.
The vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to the
vehicle, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 079
and Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 080.
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Vehicle Care 339
traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even
cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to suspension
components caused by
modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to vehicle
components resulting from
modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including
control module or software
modifications, is not covered
under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage
for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed
to complement and function
with other systems on the
vehicle. See your dealer to
accessorize the vehicle usinggenuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer
technician.
Also, see Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0
80.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work
on your vehicle if you do not
have the proper knowledge,
service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow
owner’s manual procedures
and consult the service
manual for your vehicle
before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own
service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you
much more about how to service the vehicle than this
manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering
Information
0452.
This vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 079.
If equipped with remote
vehicle start, open the hood
before performing any service
work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote
Vehicle Start 019.
Keep a record with all parts
receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service
work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0436.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause
damage to vehicle systems.
(Continued)
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340 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
Do not allow contaminants
to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work
on your vehicle if you do not
have the proper knowledge,
service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow
owner’s manual procedures
and consult the service
manual for your vehicle
before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own
service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you
much more about how to
service the vehicle than this
manual can. This vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
079.
If equipped with remote
vehicle start, open the hood
before performing any service
work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote
Vehicle Start 019.
Keep a record with all parts
receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service
work performed.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause
damage to vehicle systems.
Do not allow contaminants
to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto
engine stop/start, turn the
vehicle off before opening
the hood. If the vehicle is on,
the engine will start when
the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood
can get hot from running the
engine. To help avoid the
risk of burning unprotected
skin, never touch these
components until they have
cooled, and always use a
glove or towel to avoid
direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening.
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Vehicle Care 341
To open the hood:1. Pull the hood release handle with the
i
symbol. It is on the lower
left side of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of thevehicle and locate the
secondary release lever
under the front center of
the hood. Push the
secondary hood release
lever to the right to
release. 3. After you have partially
lifted the hood, the gas
strut system will
automatically lift the hood
and hold it in the fully open
position.
To close the hood: 1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly, and all tools are
removed.
2. Pull the hood down until the strut system is no
longer holding up the hood.
3. Allow the hood to fall. Check to make sure the
hood is latched completely.
Repeat this process with
additional force if
necessary.
{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if
the hood is not latched
completely. The hood could
open fully, block your vision,
and cause a crash. You or
others could be injured.
Always close the hood
completely before driving.
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Vehicle Care 345
8. Positive (+) BatteryTerminal (Under Cover).
See Jump Starting - North
America 0409.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0357.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0368.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See
Jump Starting - North
America 0409.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life,
careful attention must be paid
to engine oil. Following these
simple, but important steps
will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to
the proper specification and
of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the
Right Engine Oil” in this
section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and
“When to Add Engine Oil” in
this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine
Oil Life System 0348.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do
with Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level
regularly, every 650 km
(400 mi), especially prior to a
long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment
Overview0342 for the
location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick
handle may be hot; it could
burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick
handle.
If a low oil Driver Information
Center (DIC) message displays,
check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading,
park the vehicle on level
ground. Check the engine oil
level after the engine has
been off for at least two
hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or
too soon after engine
shutoff can result in
incorrect readings. Accuracy
improves when checking a
cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and
check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours,
the engine must be off for at
least 15 minutes if the
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Vehicle Care 347
specification are marked with
the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or
equivalent can result in
engine damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
For the 2.0L L4 engine, use
SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil.
For the 3.6L V6 engine, use
SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil. Cold Temperature
Operation: In an area of
extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below −29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be used. An oil of this
viscosity grade will provide
easier cold starting for the
engine at extremely low
temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an
oil of the correct specification.
See
“Specification” earlier in
this section.Engine Oil Additives/
Engine Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils
meeting the dexos
specification are all that is
needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are
not recommended and could
cause engine damage not
covered by the vehicle
warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains
certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do
not let used oil stay on your
skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of
clothing or rags containing
used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings
about the use and disposal of
oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change
your own oil, be sure to drain
all the oil from the filter before
disposal. Never dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash or
pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by
taking it to a place that
collects used oil.