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256 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
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 or trailer tires. See
Towing Equipment0252 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).
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is used for
vehicle service and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 0109. 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 064 and Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 064.
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Vehicle Care 257
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 258
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 260
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Sidemarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . 276
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 279
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 284
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 289
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 295
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 299
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 301
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 301
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 302
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . 311
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . 313
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
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258 Vehicle Care
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit your
dealer. You will receive genuine GM parts
and GM-trained and supported service
people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications,
such as airbag initiators, seat belt
pretensioners, and lithium batteries
contained in electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials. Perchlorate Material–special handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or making
modifications to the vehicle can affect
vehicle performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, Driver Assistance
Systems, and electronic systems like antilock
brakes, 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 using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 064.
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 0345.
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Vehicle Care 259
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
seeServicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 64.
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 014.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 333.
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.
To open the hood: 1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the lower left side
of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle 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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260 Vehicle Care
Engine Compartment Overview
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1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0264.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil0261.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil0261.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0265.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid
0 270.
6. Battery - North America 0271.
7. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling System 0265.
8. Positive (+) Battery Terminal. See Jump
Starting - North America 0311.
9. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid 0269.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0279.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North America 0311.
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. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0263.
.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 Overview 0260
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
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the
dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
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262 Vehicle Care
(1 qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an
explanation of what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities
and Specifications 0335.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil levels above
or below the acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful to the
engine. If the oil level is above the
operating range (i.e., the engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range), the engine could be
damaged. Drain the excess oil or limit
driving of the vehicle, and seek a service
professional to remove the excess oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0260
for the location of the engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the
dipstick all the way back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil depends on
both the proper oil specification and
viscosity grade. See Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants 0331.
Specification
Ask for and use full synthetic engine oils
that meet the dexos1 specification. Engine
oils that have been approved by GM as
meeting the dexos1 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
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 dexos1
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
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Vehicle Care 263
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.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that
indicates when to change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a combination of
factors which include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. Based
on driving conditions, the mileage at which
an oil change is indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system has
calculated that oil life has been diminished,
a CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comeson to indicate that an oil change is
necessary. Change the oil as soon as
possible within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might indicate
that an oil change is not necessary for up to
a year. The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and, at this
time, the system must be reset. For vehicles
without the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed when the
OIL LIFE REMAINING percentage is near 0%.
Your dealer has trained service people who
will perform this work and reset the system.
It is also important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain interval and
keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the
oil must be changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is
changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System
Reset the system whenever the engine oil is
changed so that the system can calculate
the next engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the
engine oil life system: 1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the
DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base and Midlevel) 0117 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 119.
2. Press and hold
Vfor several seconds.
The oil life will change to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base and Midlevel) 0117 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 119.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows 100%, the
system is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message and it comes back on when
the vehicle is started and/or the OIL LIFE
REMAINING is near 0%, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat the
procedure.