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178 Driving and Operating
2. Push plastic hooks back to engage grilleslats. It is recommended to start with
the lower hooks at the center of the
grille.
3. Repeat for all hooks to fully engage cover to grille.
For vehicles equipped with a front license
plate bracket, only the outer clips will be
engaged on the upper row. Ensure the
top center portion of the cover is
positioned securely behind the license
plate bracket.
4. Make sure all clips remain engaged during installation. Cover should be
stretched to a tight fit when properly
installed.
Engine Heater
The engine heater, if available, can help in
cold weather conditions at or below
−18 °C (0 °F) for easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine warm-up. Plug
in the engine heater at least four hours
before starting the vehicle. An internal
thermostat in the plug end of the cord will
prevent engine heater operation at
temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
{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.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The cord is located on the
passenger side of the compartment near
the air cleaner/filter. 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.
(Continued)
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Driving and Operating 179
Warning (Continued)
.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.
.Before starting the vehicle, unplug the
cord, reattach the cover to the plug,
and securely fasten the cord. Keep the
cord away from any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was
before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should remain
plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a
dealer in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the vehicle 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 vehicle is
on or in accessory mode:
.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
Shifting Into Park
To shift into P (Park): 1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the Electric Parking Brake (EPB). See Electric
Parking Brake 0187.
2. Press the button on top of the shift lever to shift into P (Park). See Automatic
Transmission 0181.
3. The P indicator on the shift lever will turn red when the vehicle is in P (Park). If the vehicle is shifted into P (Park) on a
hill, the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) may
apply automatically. You may not be
able to release the EPB using the EPB
switch. It should automatically release
when the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine
Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle
with the engine running. It could
overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle
if the vehicle is not in P (Park) with the
Electric Parking Brake (EPB) set. The
vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine
is running. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the EPB and shift the vehicle
(Continued)
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252 Driving and Operating
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. To move the trailer to the left,
move that hand to the left. To move the
trailer to the right, move that hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider arcs
when towing a trailer to prevent damage
to your vehicle. Making very sharp turns
could cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so the trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine
Overheating 0271.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible. When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into the desired gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
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Driving and Operating 253
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0330. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0271.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle. Trailering is different than just driving the
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are important
for your safety and that of your passengers.
Read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of the front of the
trailer, and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined weight
of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and
trailer contents must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for the vehicle
including:
.Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.Gross Axle Weight Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch Adjustment”
under Towing Equipment 0256 to
determine if equalizer bars are required to
obtain the maximum trailer weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0256 to determine if brakes are
required based on the trailer weight.
The only way to be sure the weight is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
the tow vehicle and trailer combination,
fully loaded for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
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260 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 261
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 261
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 263
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 266
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 267
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 281
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 284
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . 290
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 295
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 298 Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 300
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 301
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 302
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . 304
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . 315
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . 317
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
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Vehicle Care 269
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, seeEngine Overheating 0271.
What to Use
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or pouring into sewers, streams, or bodies of
water. Have the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when
checking the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level mark is not at
or above the indicated mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done. See
Engine Overheating 0271.
The coolant surge tank is in the engine
compartment on the driver side of the
vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview
0 263.
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270 Vehicle Care
How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.The coolant surge tank pressure cap can be
removed when the cooling system, including
the surge tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise. If a hiss is heard, wait
for that to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.
3. If topping off the level in the coolantsurge tank, add the proper mixture until
the level reaches the mark on the front
of the tank and replace the cap. Operate
the vehicle. Repeat steps 1–3, as
necessary.
If filling the system (such as after
servicing), follow the Automatic Coolant
Service Fill Instructions.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
Instructions
This feature assists in filling and removing
air from the cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is added after
being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal process:
1. With a cold system, add coolant to the indicated mark on the surge tank.
2. Replace the cap on the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
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Vehicle Care 271
4. Turn the ignition to Service Mode. SeeIgnition Positions 0174.
5. Turn off the air conditioning.
6. Set the parking brake.
7. At the same time, press the accelerator and the brake for automatic transmission
vehicles for two seconds, then release.
At the end of the cycle, check the coolant
level in the surge tank and add coolant if it
is low. Turn off the vehicle, allow the
Electronic Control Module (ECM) to go to
sleep, about 2 minutes, and repeat Steps 3-7.
Listen for pump activation and movement of
the control valves while watching the level
of the coolant in the surge tank. If the tank
empties, turn the ignition off, carefully
remove the surge tank cap, refill to the
indicated mark, and repeat Steps 3-6. The fill
and air removal process will run for
approximately 10 minutes.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of
the engine overheating. There is an engine coolant temperature
gauge on the instrument cluster. See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 099. The
vehicle may also display a message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, get service help
right away. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 343.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface. Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it
is not, do not continue to run the engine.
Have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed
but no steam can be seen or heard, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no
sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.