2011 Chevrolet Suburban Owners Manual

assists in vehicle acceleration when road conditions are slippery, such as with ice or snow. While the

vehicle is at a stop, select the second gear range using Range Selection Mode. This will limit torque to the wheels after it detects wheel slip, preventing the tires from spinning.

Tow/Haul Mode

The vehicle has a Tow/Haul Mode. The selector button is located on the end of the column shift lever. You can use this feature to assist when towing or hauling a heavy load or if there is a need to charge a battery installed in a trailer. See Towing Equipment on page 9‑82 for more information.

When Tow/Haul Mode is selected the tow/haul indicator light will come on. The Tow/Haul Mode works with the Autoride® feature, if the vehicle has this, to enhance the ride when trailering or with a loaded vehicle. See Continuous Damping Control (CDC) on page 9‑54.

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Driving and Operating

Grade Braking (Hydra-Matic® 6-Speed Automatic Transmission) The Grade Braking shift modes can be activated by pressing the button on the end of the shift control lever. While in Range Selection Mode, Grade Braking is deactivated allowing the driver to select a desired range of gears. Grade Braking is only active while the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and you are not in the Range Selection Mode. See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed previously and Manual Mode on page 9‑40 for more information on the Range Selection Mode. Grade Braking assists in maintaining desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by automatically implementing a shift schedule that utilizes the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces wear on the braking system and increases control of the vehicle.

Grade Braking monitors vehicle speed, acceleration, engine torque and brake pedal usage. Using this information, it detects when the truck is on a downhill grade and the driver desires to slow the vehicle by pressing the brake. Also see Towing Equipment on page 9‑82 for more information. Cruise Grade Braking (Hydra-Matic® 6-Speed Automatic Transmission) Cruise Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill grade. It maintains vehicle speed by automatically implementing a shift schedule that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle. Cruise Grade Braking operates while Cruise Control is engaged in Tow/Haul Mode to assist in maintaining vehicle speed under loaded vehicle conditions. It utilizes

vehicle acceleration and deviation from desired speed to determine the correct gear for the operating condition. If vehicle speed is above the desired speed the transmission will downshift to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is near or below desired speed the trans will upshift, allowing vehicle speed to increase. While in the Range Selection Mode, Cruise Grade Braking is not available. See “Range Selection Mode” under Manual Mode on page 9‑40.

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Drive Systems

Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic Transfer Case) If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send the engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. Read the following before using four-wheel drive. Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive Low for an extended period of time may cause premature wear on the vehicle's powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive Low for extended periods of time.

While driving on clean dry pavement and during tight turns, you may experience a vibration in the steering system. The vehicle has StabiliTrak®. Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive Low will turn Traction Control and StabiliTrak off. See StabiliTrak® System on page 9‑52. Front Axle The front axle engages and disengages automatically when you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to engage or disengage is normal.

Automatic Transfer Case

The transfer case knob is located to the left of the instrument panel cluster. Use this dial to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. You can choose among five driving settings: Indicator lights in the switches show you which setting you are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and the last chosen setting will stay on.

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Driving and Operating

If the lights do not come on, you should take the vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will flash while shifting. It will stay on when the shift is completed. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting. 2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High): This setting is used for driving in most street and highway situations. The front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best fuel economy. AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are variable. When driving the vehicle in AUTO, the front axle is engaged, and the vehicle's power is sent to the front and rear wheels automatically based on driving conditions. Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than Two-Wheel Drive High.

4 m (Four-Wheel Drive High): Use the Four-Wheel Drive High position when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting also engages your front axle to help drive the vehicle. This is the best setting to use when plowing snow. 4 n (Four-Wheel Drive Low): This setting also engages the front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel Drive Low if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills. The vehicle has StabiliTrak. Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive Low will turn Traction Control and StabiliTrak off. See StabiliTrak® System on page 9‑52.

{ WARNING

Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in N (Neutral). See Parking Brake on page 9‑51.

N (Neutral): Shift the vehicle's transfer case to N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 10‑87 or Towing the Vehicle on page 10‑87 for more information. If the SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE message stays on, you should take the vehicle to your dealer for service. See “SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE” message under Transmission Messages on page 5‑44.

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Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive High or AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel Drive High or AUTO position. This can be done at any speed, except when shifting from Four-Wheel Drive Low. The indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is completed.

Shifting Into Two-Wheel Drive High Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel Drive High position. This can be done at any speed, except when shifting from Four-Wheel Drive Low. See “Shifting Out of Four-Wheel Drive Low” in this section for more information.

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Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive Low When Four-Wheel Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed should be kept below 72 km/h (45 mph). Extended high-speed operation in 4L may damage or shorten the life of the drivetrain. To shift to the Four-Wheel Drive Low position, the ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method for shifting into Four-Wheel Drive Low is to have the vehicle moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph). Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel Drive Low position. You must wait for the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop flashing and remain on before shifting the transmission into gear. Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light has

stopped flashing could damage the transfer case. To help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the transmission into gear. The vehicle may have significant engagement noise and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Drive Low and Four-Wheel Drive High ranges or from N (Neutral) while the engine is running. If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel Drive Low position when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving more than 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph), the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light will flash for 30 seconds and not complete the shift. After 30 seconds the transfer case will shift to Four-Wheel Drive High mode. With the vehicle moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) and the transmission in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.

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Driving and Operating

Shifting Out of Four-Wheel Drive Low To shift from Four-Wheel Drive Low to Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO, or Two-Wheel Drive High, the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the ignition in ON/RUN. The preferred method for shifting out of Four-Wheel Drive Low is to have your vehicle moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph). Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO, or Two-Wheel Drive High position. You must wait for the Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO, or Two-Wheel Drive High indicator light to stop flashing and remain on before shifting the transmission into gear. Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light has stopped flashing could damage the transfer case. To help avoid

damaging the vehicle, always wait for the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the transmission into gear. The vehicle may have significant engagement noise and bump when shifting between Four-Wheel Drive Low and Four-Wheel Drive High ranges or from N (Neutral) while the engine is running. If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO, or Two-Wheel Drive High switch position when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving more than 1.6 to 3.2 km/h (1 to 2 mph), the Four-Wheel Drive High, AUTO or Two-Wheel Drive High indicator light will flash for 30 seconds but will not complete the shift. With the vehicle moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph) and the transmission is in N (Neutral), attempt the shift again.

Shifting into Neutral To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following: 1. Make sure the vehicle is parked

so that it will not roll.

2. Set the parking brake and apply

the regular brake pedal. See Parking Brake on page 9‑51 for more information.

3. Start the vehicle or turn the

ignition to ON/RUN.

4. Put the transmission in

N (Neutral).

5. Shift the transfer case to

Two-Wheel Drive High.

6. Turn the transfer case dial

clockwise to N (Neutral) until it stops and hold it there until the N (Neutral) light starts blinking. This will take at least 10 seconds. Then slowly release the dial to the Four‐Wheel Drive Low position. The N (Neutral) light will come on when the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.

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Driving and Operating

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3. Turn the transfer case dial to the

5. Start the engine and shift the

desired transfer case shift position (Two-Wheel Drive High, Four-Wheel Drive High, or AUTO). After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral), the N (Neutral) light will go out.

4. Release the parking brake prior

to moving the vehicle.

Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light has stopped flashing could damage the transfer case. To help avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the Four-Wheel Drive Low indicator light to stop flashing before shifting the transmission into gear.

transmission to the desired position.

Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the different modes may cause the transfer case to enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer case from possible damage and will only allow the transfer case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for up to three minutes.

Four-Wheel Drive (Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case) If the vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send the engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. Read the following before using four-wheel drive.

7.

If the engine is running, verify that the transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission to R (Reverse) for one second, then shift the transmission to D (Drive) for one second.

8. Turn the ignition to ACC/

ACCESSORY, which will turn the engine off.

9. Place the transmission shift

lever in P (Park).

10. Release the parking brake prior

to moving the vehicle.

11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.

Shifting Out of Neutral To shift out of N Neutral do the following: 1. Set the parking brake and apply

the regular brake pedal.

2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with

the engine off, and shift the transmission to N (Neutral).

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Driving and Operating

Notice: Driving on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive High for an extended period of time may cause premature wear on the vehicle's powertrain. Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive High for extended periods of time. While driving on clean dry pavement and during tight turns, you may experience a vibration in the steering system. Front Axle The front axle engages and disengages automatically when you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to engage or disengage is normal.

Automatic Transfer Case

The transfer case knob is located to the left of the instrument panel cluster. Use this dial to shift into and out of four-wheel drive. The vehicle has Four-Wheel Drive with StabiliTrak®. For information on StabiliTrak, see StabiliTrak® System on page 9‑52.

You can choose among three driving settings: Indicator lights in the switch show you which setting you are in. The indicator lights will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and the last chosen setting will stay on. If the lights do not come on, you should take the vehicle to your dealer for service. An indicator light will flash while shifting. It will stay on when the shift is completed. If for some reason the transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting. 2 m (Two-Wheel Drive High): This setting is used for driving in most street and highway situations. The front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best fuel economy.

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AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are variable. When driving the vehicle in AUTO, the front axle is engaged, and the vehicle's power is sent to the front and rear wheels automatically based on driving conditions. Driving in this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than Two-Wheel Drive High. 4 m (Four-Wheel Drive High): Use the Four-Wheel Drive High position when you need extra traction, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations. This setting also engages the front axle to help drive the vehicle. This is the best setting to use when plowing snow.

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Service Four‐Wheel Drive If the SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE message stays on, you should take the vehicle to your dealer for service. See “SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE” message under Transmission Messages on page 5‑44.

Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive High or AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel Drive High or AUTO position. This can be done at any speed. The indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is completed.

Shifting Into Two-Wheel Drive High Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel Drive High position. This can be done at any speed. The indicator light will flash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is completed. Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the different modes may cause the transfer case to enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer case from possible damage and will only allow the transfer case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for up to three minutes.

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Driving and Operating

Brakes

Antilock Brake System (ABS) This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid. When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.

If there is a problem with ABS, this warning light stays on. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light on page 5‑24.

If driving safely on a wet road and it becomes necessary to slam on the brakes and continue braking to avoid a sudden obstacle, a computer senses that the wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel. ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as required, faster than any driver could. This can help the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that vehicle

suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS. Using ABS Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let ABS work. You might hear the ABS pump or motor operating and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal. Braking in Emergencies ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than even the very best braking.

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Parking Brake

Set the parking brake by holding the regular brake pedal down, then pushing down the parking brake pedal. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on. See Brake System Warning Light on page 5‑23.

Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the brake system and cause premature wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure that the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off before driving. To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal down, then push down momentarily on the parking brake pedal until you feel the pedal release. Slowly pull your foot up off the parking brake pedal. If the parking brake is not released when you begin to drive, the brake system warning light will flash and a chime will sound warning you that the parking brake is still on. If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips on page 9‑73.

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Brake Assist This vehicle has a brake assist feature designed to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the stability system hydraulic brake control module to supplement the power brake system under conditions where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control module increases brake pressure at each corner of the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal pulsation or pedal movement during this time is normal and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal as the driving situation dictates. The brake assist feature will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased.

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Driving and Operating

Ride Control Systems

StabiliTrak® System The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement system called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer-controlled system that assists the driver with directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a discrepancy between the intended path and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's brakes to assist the driver with keeping the vehicle on the intended path. When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the system performs several diagnostic checks to insure there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt while it is working. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem with the vehicle. The

system should initialize before the vehicle reaches 32 km/h (20 mph). In some cases, it may take approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) of driving before the system initializes. If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrak activates, the cruise control automatically disengages. The cruise control can be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 9‑55. If the system fails to turn on or activate, the StabiliTrak light along with one of the following messages will be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC): TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE STABILITRAK. If these DIC messages appear, make sure the StabiliTrak system has not been turned off using the StabiliTrak on/ off button. Then turn the vehicle off, wait 15 seconds, and then turn it back on again to reset the system. If any of these messages still

appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC), the vehicle should be taken in for service. For more information on the DIC messages, see Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑27.

The StabiliTrak light will flash on the instrument panel cluster when the system is both on and activated. The system may be heard or felt while it is working; this is normal.

The traction control disable button is located on the instrument panel.

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The traction control part of StabiliTrak can be turned off by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if both systems (traction control and StabiliTrak) were previously on. To disable both TCS and StabiliTrak, press and hold 5 until F illuminates and the appropriate DIC message displays. Traction control and StabiliTrak can be turned on by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if they are not automatically shut off for any other reason. When the traction control system (TCS) or StabiliTrak system is turned off, the StabiliTrak light and the appropriate TCS off or StabiliTrak off message will be displayed on the DIC to warn the driver. The vehicle will still have brake-traction control when traction control is off, but will not be able to use the engine speed management system. See “Traction Control Operation” next for more information.

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When the traction control system has been turned off, system noises may still be heard as a result of the brake-traction control coming on. It is recommended to leave the system on for normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle to attempt to free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high wheel spin is required. See If the Vehicle is Stuck on page 9‑21. When the transfer case is in 4LO, the stability system is automatically disabled, the StabiliTrak light comes on, and the STABILITRAK OFF message will appear on the DIC. Both traction control and StabiliTrak are automatically disabled in this condition.

Traction Control Operation The traction control system is part of the StabiliTrak system. Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing engine power to the wheels (engine speed management) and by applying brakes to each individual wheel (brake-traction control) as necessary. The traction control system is enabled automatically when the vehicle is started. It will activate and the StabiliTrak light will flash if it senses that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving. If traction control is turned off, only the brake-traction control portion of traction control will work. The engine speed management will be disabled. In this mode, engine power is not reduced automatically and the driven wheels can spin more freely. This can cause the brake-traction control to activate constantly.

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Driving and Operating

Notice: If the wheel(s) of one axle is allowed to spin excessively while the StabiliTrak®, ABS, brake warning lights, and any relevant DIC messages are displayed, the transfer case could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin the wheel(s) excessively while these lights and messages are displayed. The traction control system may activate on dry or rough roads or under conditions such as heavy acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the transmission. When this happens, a reduction in acceleration may be noticed, or a noise or vibration may be heard. This is normal. If cruise control is being used when the system activates, the StabiliTrak light will flash and cruise control will automatically disengage. Cruise control may be reengaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 9‑55.

StabiliTrak may also turn off automatically if it determines that a problem exists with the system. If the problem does not clear itself after restarting the vehicle, see your dealer for service.

Locking Rear Axle Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more traction on snow, mud, ice, sand, or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low, this feature will allow the rear wheel with the most traction to move the vehicle.

Continuous Damping Control (CDC) This vehicle may have a continuous damping control system called Autoride®. With this feature, improved vehicle ride and handling is provided under a variety of passenger and loading conditions.

Autoride is fully automatic and uses a computer controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel to body position, lift/dive, and steering position of the vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock absorber to independently adjust the damping level to provide the optimum vehicle ride. Autoride also interact with the tow/ haul mode that, when activated, will provide additional control of the shock absorbers. This additional control results in better ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer. See “Tow/Haul Mode” under Trailer Towing on page 9‑77 for more information.

Automatic Level Control The automatic level control rear suspension is available on light‐duty vehicles and comes as a part of the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension, if equipped.

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This type of level control is fully automatic and will provide a better leveled riding position as well as better handling under a variety of passenger and loading conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle to maintain proper vehicle height. The system is activated when the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN and will automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter. The system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up to ten minutes after the ignition key has been turned off. You may hear the air compressor operating when the height is being adjusted. If a weight‐distributing hitch is being used, it is recommended to allow the shocks to inflate, thereby leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the hitch.

Cruise Control

{ WARNING

Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic. Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.

With cruise control, a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be maintained without keeping your foot on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work at speeds below about 40 km/h (25 mph). When the brakes are applied, cruise control is turned off.

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If the vehicle has StabiliTrak and the system begins to limit wheel spin, cruise control will automatically disengage. See StabiliTrak® System on page 9‑52. When road conditions allow the cruise control to be safely used again, it can be turned back on.

The cruise control buttons are located on left side of the steering wheel.

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Driving and Operating

I (On/Off): Press to turn the system on or off. The indicator light is on when cruise control is on and turns off when cruise control is off. +RES (Resume/Accelerate): Press briefly to make the vehicle resume to a previously set speed, or press and hold to accelerate. SET− (Set/Coast): Press to set the speed and activate cruise control or make the vehicle decelerate. [ (Cancel): Press to disengage cruise control without erasing the set speed from memory.

Setting Cruise Control If the cruise button is on when not in use, it could get bumped and go into cruise when not desired. Keep the cruise control switch off when cruise is not being used.

The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster comes on after the cruise control has been set to the desired speed. 1. Press the I button. 2. Get up to the desired speed. 3. Press the SET− button located

on the steering wheel and release it.

4. Take your foot off the

accelerator.

Resuming a Set Speed If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then the brakes are applied, the cruise control is disengaged without erasing the set speed from memory.

Once the vehicle speed reaches about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more, press the +RES button on the steering wheel. The vehicle returns to the previous set speed and stays there.

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control If the cruise control system is already activated, . Press and hold the +RES button

on the steering wheel until the desired speed is reached, then release it. To increase vehicle speed in small amounts, press the +RES button. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.

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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control If the cruise control system is already activated, . Press and hold the SET– button

on the steering wheel until the desired lower speed is reached, then release it. To slow down in small amounts, press the SET– button on the steering wheel briefly. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.

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Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow down to the previous set cruise speed.

Using Cruise Control on Hills How well the cruise control will work on hills depends upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle speed down. When the brakes are applied the cruise control is disengaged.

Ending Cruise Control There are three ways to end cruise control:

To disengage cruise control, step lightly on the brake pedal.

. Press the [ on the steering

wheel. To turn off the cruise control, press I on the steering wheel.

Erasing Speed Memory The cruise control set speed is erased from memory by pressing the I button or if the ignition is turned off.

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Driving and Operating

Object Detection Systems

Ultrasonic Parking Assist For vehicles with the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system, it operates at speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph), and assists the driver with parking and avoiding objects while in R (Reverse). The sensors on the rear bumper are used to detect the distance to an object up to 2.5 m (8 ft) behind the vehicle, and at least 25.4 cm (10 in) off the ground.

{ WARNING

The Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system does not replace driver vision. It cannot detect:

. Objects that are below the

bumper, underneath the vehicle, or too close or far from the vehicle.

. Children, pedestrians,

bicyclists, or pets.

If you do not use proper care before and while backing, vehicle damage, injury, or death could occur. Even with URPA, always check behind the vehicle before backing up. While backing, be sure to look for objects and check the vehicle's mirrors.

How the System Works URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is moved into R (Reverse). A single tone sounds to indicate the system is working. URPA operates only at speeds less than 5 mph (8 km/h). An obstacle is indicated by audible beeps. The interval between the beeps becomes shorter as the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle. When the distance is less than 30 cm (12 in) the beeps are continuous. To be detected, objects must be at least 25.4 cm (10 in) off the ground and below liftgate level. Objects must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from the rear bumper. This distance may be less during warmer or humid weather.

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The system can be disabled by pressing the rear park aid disable button located next to the radio. The indicator light will come on and PARK ASSIST OFF displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC) to indicate that URPA is off, see Object Detection System Messages on page 5‑41. When the System Does Not Seem to Work Properly If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary condition, the messages PARK ASSIST OFF or PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE OWNERS MANUAL will be displayed on the DIC.

If this

SERVICE PARK ASSIST: message occurs, take the vehicle to your dealer to repair the system. PARK ASSIST OFF: This message occurs if the driver disables the system. PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE OWNERS MANUAL: This message can occur under the following conditions:

The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the vehicle's rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see “Washing the Vehicle” under Exterior Care on page 10‑93. The park assist sensors are covered by frost or ice. Frost or ice can form around and behind the sensors and may not always be seen; this can occur after washing the vehicle in cold weather. The message may not clear until the frost or ice has melted.

. A trailer was attached to the

vehicle, or a bicycle or an object was hanging out of the liftgate during the last drive cycle. Once the attached object is removed, URPA will return to normal operation.

. A tow bar is attached to the

vehicle. The vehicle's bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle to your dealer to repair the system.

. Other conditions may affect

system performance, such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the compression of air brakes on a very large truck.

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Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) The vehicle may have a Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) system. Read this entire section before using the system.

{ WARNING

SBZA is only a lane changing aid and does not replace driver vision. SBZA does not detect: . Vehicles outside the side blind zones which may be rapidly approaching.

. Pedestrians, bicyclists,

or animals.

Failure to use proper care when changing lanes may result in damage to the vehicle, injury, or death. Always check the outside and rearview mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and use the turn signal before changing lanes.

When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone, amber SBZA displays light up in the side mirrors. This indicates that it may be unsafe to change lanes. Before making a lane change, always check the SBZA display, check the outside and rearview mirrors, look over your shoulder for vehicles and hazards, and use the turn signal.

each side mirror and goes back approximately 5.0 m (16 ft). The height of the zone is approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft) and 2.0 m (6 ft) off the ground. Use caution while changing lanes when towing a trailer, as the SBZA detection zones do not change when a trailer is towed.

How the System Works

Left Side Mirror

Right Side Mirror

Display

Display

When the vehicle is started, both outside mirror displays will briefly come on to indicate that the system is operating. When the vehicle is moving forward, the left or right side mirror SBZA display will light up if a vehicle is detected in that blind zone. If the turn signal is activated and a vehicle is also detected on

SBZA Detection Zones The SBZA sensor covers a zone of approximately one lane over from both sides of the vehicle, 3.5 m (11 ft). This zone starts at

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the same side, the SBZA display will flash to give you extra warning not to change lanes. SBZA displays do not come on while the vehicle is approaching or passing other vehicles. At speeds greater then 32 km/h (20 mph), SBZA displays may come on when a vehicle you have passed remains in or drops back into the detection zone. SBZA can be disabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑27 for more information. If the SBZA is disabled by the driver, the SBZA mirror displays will not light up during normal driving.

When the System Does Not Seem To Work Properly Occasional missed alerts can occur under normal circumstances and will increase in wet conditions. The system does not need to be serviced due to an occasional

missed alert. The number of missed alerts will increase with increased rainfall or road spray. If the SBZA displays do not light up when the system is on and vehicles are in the blind zone, the system may need service. Take the vehicle to your dealer. SBZA is designed to ignore stationary objects; however, the system may occasionally light up due to guard rails, signs, trees, shrubs, and other stationary objects. This is normal system operation, the vehicle does not need service. SBZA does not operate when the left or right corners of the rear bumper are covered with mud, dirt, snow, ice, slush, or in heavy rainstorms. For cleaning instructions, see “Washing the Vehicle” under Exterior Care on page 10‑93. If the DIC still displays the SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS. UNAVAILABLE message after cleaning the bumper, see your dealer.

The SBZA displays may remain on if a trailer is attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or object is extending out to either side of the vehicle. When SBZA is disabled for any reason other than the driver turning it off, the driver will not be able to turn SBZA back on using the DIC. The SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT ON option will not be selectable if the conditions for normal system operation are not met. Until normal operating conditions for SBZA are met, you should not rely upon SBZA while driving.

SBZA Error Messages The following messages may appear in the DIC: SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM OFF: This message indicates that the driver has turned the system off.

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Driving and Operating

SIDE BLIND ZONE SYS. UNAVAILABLE: This message indicates that the SBZA system is disabled either because the sensor is blocked and cannot detect vehicles in your blind zone, or the vehicle is passing through an open field of view area, such as the desert, where there is insufficient data for operation. The sensor may be blocked by mud, dirt, snow, ice, slush, or even heavy rainstorms. This message may also activate during heavy rain or due to road spray. The vehicle does not need service. For cleaning, see “Washing the Vehicle” under Exterior Care on page 10‑93. SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM: appears, both SBZA displays will remain on indicating there is a problem with the SBZA system. If these displays remain on after continued driving, the system needs service. Take the vehicle to your dealer.

If this message

FCC Information See Radio Frequency Statement on page 13‑18 for information regarding Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and Industry Canada Standards RSS-210/220/310. Frequency of operation: 24.05GHz – 24.25GHz Field Strength: Not greater than 2.5V/m peak (0.25V/m average) at a distance of 3m The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Rear Vision Camera (RVC) This vehicle may have a Rear Vision Camera system. Read this entire section before using it.

{ WARNING

The Rear Vision Camera (RVC) system does not replace driver vision. RVC does not:

. Detect objects that are

outside the camera's field of view, below the bumper, or underneath the vehicle.

. Detect children, pedestrians,

bicyclists, or pets.

Do not back the vehicle by only looking at the RVC screen, or use the screen during longer, higher speed backing maneuvers or where there could be cross-traffic. (Continued)

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WARNING (Continued)

Your judged distances using the screen will differ from actual distances. If you do not use proper care before backing up, you could hit a vehicle, child, pedestrian, bicyclist, or pet, resulting in vehicle damage, injury, or death. Even though the vehicle has the RVC system, always check carefully before backing up by checking behind and around the vehicle.

Vehicles Without Navigation System The rear vision camera system is designed to help the driver when backing up by displaying a view of the area behind the vehicle.

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When the key is in the ON/RUN position and the driver shifts the vehicle into R (Reverse), the video image automatically appears on the inside rear view mirror. Once the driver shifts out of R (Reverse), the video image automatically disappears from the inside rear view mirror.

Turning the Rear Vision Camera System Off or On To turn off the rear vision camera system, press and hold z, located on the inside rearview mirror, until the left indicator light turns off. The rear camera vision display is now disabled. To turn the rear vision camera system on again, press and hold z until the left indicator light illuminates. The rear vision camera system display is now enabled and the display will appear in the mirror normally.

Vehicles With Navigation System The rear vision camera system is designed to help the driver when backing up by displaying a view of the area behind the vehicle. When the driver shifts the vehicle into R (Reverse), the video image automatically appears on the navigation screen. Once the driver shifts out of R (Reverse), the navigation screen will go back to the last screen that had been displayed, after a delay.

Turning the Rear Vision Camera System On or Off To turn the rear vision camera system on or off: 1. Shift into P (Park). 2. Press the MENU button to enter the configure menu options, then press the MENU hard key to select Display or touch the Display screen button.

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Driving and Operating

3. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera Options screen will display.

4. Select the Video screen button.

When the Video screen button is highlighted the RVC system is on.

The delay that is received after shifting out of R (Reverse) is approximately 10 seconds.

The delay can be cancelled by performing one of the following: . Pressing a hard key on the

navigation system.

. Shifting in to P (Park). . Reach a vehicle speed of

5 mph (8 km/h).

There is a message on the rear vision camera screen that states “Check Surroundings for Safety.”

Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast of the Screen To adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen, press the MENU button while the rear vision camera image is on the display. Any adjustments made will only affect the rear vision camera screen. ] (Brightness): Touch the + (plus) or – (minus) screen buttons to increase or decrease the brightness of the screen.

_ (Contrast): Touch the + (plus) or – (minus) screen buttons to increase or decrease the contrast of the screen.

Symbols The navigation system may have a feature that lets the driver view symbols on the navigation screen while using the rear vision camera. The Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist (URPA) system must not be disabled to use the caution symbols. If URPA has been disabled and the symbols have been turned on, the Rear Parking Assist Symbols Unavailable error message may display. See Ultrasonic Parking Assist on page 9‑58. The symbols appear when an object has been detected by the URPA system. The symbol may cover the object when viewing the navigation screen.

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Rear Vision Camera Error Messages Service Rear Vision Camera System: This message can display when the system is not receiving information it requires from other vehicle systems. If any other problem occurs or if a problem persists, see your dealer. Rear Vision Camera Location

The camera uses a special lens. The distance of the image that appears on the screen differs from the actual distance. The area displayed by the camera is limited. The camera does not display objects which are close to either corner of the bumper or under the bumper. The area displayed on the screen can vary according to vehicle orientation or road conditions.

To turn the symbols on or off: 1. Make sure that URPA has not

been disabled.

2. Shift into P (Park). 3. Press the MENU hard key to

enter the configure menu options, then press the MENU hard key repeatedly until Display is selected or touch the Display screen button.

4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera Options screen will display. 5. Touch the Symbols screen

button. The screen button will be highlighted when on.

The image is provided by the camera located above the license plate.

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Driving and Operating

The following illustration shows the field of view that the camera provides.

A. View displayed by the camera. B. Corner of the rear bumper.

When the System Does Not Seem To Work Properly The rear vision camera system might not work properly or display a clear image if:

The RVC is turned off. See “Turning the Rear Camera System On or Off” earlier in this section. It is dark. The sun or the beam of headlights is shining directly into the camera lens. Ice, snow, mud, or anything else builds up on the camera lens. Clean the lens, rinse it with water, and wipe it with a soft cloth. The back of the vehicle is in an accident, the position and mounting angle of the camera can change or the camera can be affected. Be sure to have the camera and its position and mounting angle checked at your dealer.

The rear vision camera system display in the rearview mirror may turn off or not appear as expected due to one of the following conditions. If this occurs the left indicator light on the mirror will flash. . A slow flash may indicate a loss

of video signal, or no video signal present during the reverse cycle.

. A fast flash may indicate that the

display has been on for the maximum allowable time during a reverse cycle, or the display has reached an Over Temperature limit. The fast flash conditions are used to protect the video device from high temperature conditions. Once conditions return to normal the device will reset and the green indicator will stop flashing.

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During any of these fault conditions, the display will be blank and the indicator will continue to flash as long as the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or until the conditions return to normal. Pressing and holding z when the left indicator light is flashing will turn off the video display along with the left indicator light.

Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance, we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets enhanced detergency standards developed by auto companies. A list of marketers providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found at www.toptiergas.com.

The eighth digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies the vehicle's engine. The VIN is at the top left of the instrument panel. See Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on page 12‑1. Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).

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Driving and Operating

See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 9‑69. For all other vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Recommended Fuel on page 9‑68.

Recommended Fuel Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, an audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine needs service.

Gasoline Specifications (U.S. and Canada Only) At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification D 4814
in the United States or CAN/ CGSB‐3.5 or 3.511 in Canada.

Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of gasolines containing MMT. See Fuel Additives on page 9‑68 for additional information.

California Fuel Requirements If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. See the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California Emissions Standards, the vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog‐check test. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑20. If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer for diagnosis.

If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

Fuels in Foreign Countries Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you will be driving.

Fuel Additives To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing the emission control system to work properly. In most cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.

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However, some gasolines contain only the minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean and avoid problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets enhanced detergency standards developed by the auto companies. A list of marketers providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found at www.toptiergas.com. For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended by General Motors. It is available at your dealer.

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines, if they comply with the specifications described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels. Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under the vehicle warranty. Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline whether the

fuel contains MMT. We recommend against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce spark plug life and affect emission control system performance. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer for service.

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel cap can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). For all other vehicles, use only the unleaded gasoline described under Recommended Fuel on page 9‑68. We encourage the use of E85 in vehicles that are designed to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable” fuel, meaning it is made from renewable sources such as corn and other crops. Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol fuel (E85) pump available. The U.S. Department of Energy has an alternative fuels

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Driving and Operating

website (www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ locator/stations/) that can help you find E85 fuel. Those stations that do have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content is greater than 85%. At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specification D 5798. By definition, this means that fuel labeled E85 will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet ASTM specifications can affect driveability and could cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on. To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel must be formulated properly for your climate according to ASTM specification D 5798. If you have trouble starting on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not properly formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve starting. For good starting

and heater efficiency below 0°C (32°F), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain no more than 70% ethanol. It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as possible — do not add less than 11 L (3 gal) when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least 11 km (7 mi) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in ethanol concentration. E85 has less energy per liter (gallon) than gasoline, so you will need to refill the fuel tank more often when using E85 than when you are using gasoline. See Filling the Tank on page 9‑70. Notice: Some additives are not compatible with E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle's fuel system. Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused by additives would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under the vehicle warranty.

Filling the Tank

{ WARNING

Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the fuel pump island. Turn off the engine when refueling. Do not smoke near fuel or when refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended

(Continued)

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E85 or gasoline can be used. See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 9‑69.

WARNING (Continued)

when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.

To open the fuel door, push the rearward center edge in and release and it will open. To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is released too soon, it will spring back to the right. While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the hook on the fuel door.

The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel door on the driver side of the vehicle. If the vehicle has E85 fuel capability, the fuel cap will be yellow and state that

{ WARNING

Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.

Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill the tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Exterior Care on page 10‑93. When replacing the fuel cap, insert the tether in its hole before tightening the cap. Turn the fuel cap clockwise until it clicks. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on the last turn as you tighten it. Make sure the cap is fully installed.

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Driving and Operating

The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑20. If the vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC), the TIGHTEN GAS CAP message displays if the fuel cap is not properly installed.

{ WARNING If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station attendant. Leave the area immediately.

Notice: If a new fuel cap is needed, be sure to get the right type of cap from your dealer. The wrong type of fuel cap might not fit properly, might cause the malfunction indicator lamp to light, and could damage the fuel tank and emissions system. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 5‑20.

Filling a Portable Fuel Container

{ WARNING

Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be badly burned

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

and the vehicle damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

. Dispense fuel only into

approved containers.

. Do not fill a container while it

is inside a vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed, or on any surface other than the ground.

. Bring the fill nozzle in contact

with the inside of the fill opening before operating the nozzle. Contact should be maintained until the filling is complete.

. Do not smoke while

pumping fuel.

. Do not use a cellular phone

while pumping fuel.

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Towing

General Towing Information Only use towing equipment that has been designed for the vehicle. Contact your dealer or trailering dealer for assistance with preparing the vehicle for towing a trailer. See the following trailer towing information in this section:

For information on driving while towing a trailer, see “Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.” For maximum vehicle and trailer weights, see “Trailer Towing.” For information on equipment to tow a trailer, see “Towing Equipment.”

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