service CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2009 Owners Manual

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-16

OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you subscribe to the
OnStar services, please refer to the OnStar Terms and
Conditions for information on data collection and
use. See alsoOnStar
®System on page 2-68in this
manual for more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation system, use of the
system may result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other trip
information. Refer to the navigation system operating
manual for information on stored data and for deletion
instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some vehicles for functions
such as tire pressure monitoring and ignition system
security, as well as in connection with conveniences
such as key fobs for remote door locking/unlocking and
starting, and in-vehicle transmitters for garage door
openers. RFID technology in GM vehicles does not use
or record personal information or link with any other
GM system containing personal information.
7-18

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power............................................2-28
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Active Fuel Management™...............................2-31
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-39
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-114
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-30
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-96
Airbag System
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-88
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-90
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-96
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-87
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-88
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-86
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-83Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-38
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
System Check.............................................1-81
Antenna
Rear Side Window.....................................3-140
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-140
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-41
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-112
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-109
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-113
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-110
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-108
Finish Care...............................................5-110
Finish Damage
..........................................5-113
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-109
Interior Cleaning........................................5-106
Leather....................................................5-108
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-113
Tires........................................................5-112
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-113
1

Climate Control System...................................3-22
Dual Automatic............................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System......3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System,
Electronic................................................3-32
Clock, Setting.................................................3-84
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compass.......................................................3-61
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-22
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-42
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-34
Cooled Seats................................................... 1-8
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Courtesy Transportation Program......................7-10
Cruise Control................................................3-12
Light..........................................................3-49
Cupholders....................................................2-78
Customer Assistance......................................... 7-6
Offices......................................................... 7-6
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................... 7-6
Customer Information
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
Customer Satisfaction Procedure........................ 7-2D
Damage Repair, Collision.................................7-11
Data Recorders
Event.........................................................7-17
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
DIC Compass.................................................3-61
Disc, MP3..........................................3-105, 3-109
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp Override......................................3-19
Dome Lamps .................................................3-18
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Locks...............................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-51
DIC Operation and Displays..................3-52, 3-58
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-74
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-64
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-25
Before a Long Trip......................................4-27
Better Fuel Economy..................................... 4-2
4

Driving (cont.)
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunk.......................................................... 4-3
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-27
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-28
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-26
Loss of Control...........................................4-11
Off-Road ....................................................4-13
Off-Road Recovery......................................4-11
Recovery Hooks..........................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-32
Winter........................................................4-29
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-24
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System..................3-127
E
E85 Fuel......................................................... 5-7
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical Equipment
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-114
Electrical System
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-118
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-115
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-116
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-115
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-119Electrical System (cont.)
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-115
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-24
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-24
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-43
Compartment Overview................................5-14
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-30
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-42
Cooling System...........................................5-28
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-50
Fan Noise..................................................5-37
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-37
Overheating................................................5-35
Starting......................................................2-28
Engine Oil
Life System................................................5-18
Entry Lighting.................................................3-19
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-19
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-53
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
5

M
Maintenance
Footnotes..................................................... 6-8
Schedule, Additional Required Services............ 6-6
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
Maintenance Record....................................6-17
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-15
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services.........................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Lamp...............................3-43
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-6
Manual Seats................................................... 1-4
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals...................... 1-8
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-64Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-52
Manual Rearview.........................................2-52
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-54
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-55
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-55
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-52
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-54
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-53
Outside Towing Mirrors.................................2-53
Park Tilt.....................................................2-55
MP3 ..................................................3-105, 3-109
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.....................................................3-115
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-26
9

O
Object Detection, Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)...............................................2-58
Odometer......................................................3-36
Trip ...........................................................3-36
Off-Road .......................................................4-13
Driving.......................................................4-13
Recovery....................................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System.................................5-18
Pressure Gage............................................3-46
Pressure Light.............................................3-48
Older Children, Restraints................................1-54
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-68
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-72
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-20
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-54
Convex Mirror.............................................2-55
Heated Mirrors............................................2-55
Manual Mirrors............................................2-52Outside (cont.)
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-54
Power Mirrors.............................................2-53
Towing Mirrors............................................2-53
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-37
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian.............................................. iii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-113
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-47
Shifting Out of............................................2-49
Park Aid........................................................2-56
Park Tilt Mirrors..............................................2-55
Parking
Assist........................................................2-56
Brake........................................................2-45
Over Things That Burn.................................2-49
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-38
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-90
Passing.........................................................4-11
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-24
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-24
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
10

Rear Seat Entertainment System.....................3-127
Rear Side Window Antenna............................3-140
Rear Storage.................................................2-80
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)..............................2-62
Rear Window Washer/Wiper.............................3-11
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-52
Automatic Dimming......................................2-52
Reclining Seatbacks........................................1-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-32
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-43
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility................. 7-7
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-8
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-92
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-87
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-58
Replacement Parts
Maintenance...............................................6-15
Reporting Safety Defects
General Motors...........................................7-15
U.S. Government.........................................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-98
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-99Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-28
Roadside Assistance Program............................ 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-32
Roof
Sunroof......................................................2-81
Running the Vehicle While Parked.....................2-51
S
Safety Belts
Care of ....................................................5-109
Extender....................................................1-53
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-37
Lap Belt.....................................................1-52
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-45
Reminders..................................................3-36
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-32
Use During Pregnancy.................................1-52
Safety Defects Reporting
General Motors...........................................7-15
U.S. Government.........................................7-14
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iv
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
Scheduling Appointments.................................7-10
12

Seats
60/40 Split Bench Seat.................................1-14
Bucket Seats, Rear......................................1-20
Center Seat................................................1-13
Head Restraints............................................ 1-2
Heated and Cooled Seats.............................. 1-8
Heated Seats............................................... 1-7
Heated Seats - Rear....................................1-14
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-6
Memory, Mirrors and Pedals........................... 1-8
Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-6
Power Seats................................................. 1-5
Reclining Seatbacks.....................................1-10
Third Row Seat...........................................1-27
Secondary Latch System.................................5-99
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-77
Rear Seat Position......................................1-73
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-77
Security
Light..........................................................3-48
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Lamp......................................3-43
Parts Identication Label.............................5-114
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Scheduling Appointments..............................7-10Service (cont.)
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-96
Setting the Clock............................................3-84
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-113
Shifting
Out of Park................................................2-49
Shifting Into Park............................................2-47
Side Blind Zone Alert......................................2-58
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-7
Snow Plow....................................................4-39
Spare Tire....................................................5-106
Installing....................................................5-92
Removing
...................................................5-87
Storing.....................................................5-102
Specications and Capacities..........................5-122
Speedometer..................................................3-36
Split Bench Seat (60/40)..................................1-14
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light...............................3-42
StabiliTrak®System.......................................... 4-6
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-8
Starting the Engine.........................................2-28
Steering.......................................................... 4-9
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-138
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-6
Steps
Power Assist...............................................2-18
Storage Areas
Center Console...........................................2-79
Cupholders.................................................2-78
Glove Box..................................................2-78
13

Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-82
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-82
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-77
Tow/Haul Mode ...............................................2-38
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-49
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-43
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-50
Trailer Recommendations..............................4-72
Your Vehicle...............................................4-43
Traction
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-6
Trailer
Towing Recommendations.............................4-72
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic..................................5-22, 5-25
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-32
Transportation Program, Courtesy......................7-10
Trip Odometer................................................3-36
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............2-56
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-81
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-71
Operation...................................................2-72
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Loading......................................................4-33
Remote Start................................................ 2-8
Running While Parked..................................2-51
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-74
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-16
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-114
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-114
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-30
Visors...........................................................2-21
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-39
15