CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2009 Owners Manual

Parking Brake
For vehicles with a release handle, 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. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-40.A chime sounds and the warning light ashes when the
parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at
least 5 mph (8 km/h).
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then pull the bottom edge of the lever with
the parking brake symbol, located above the parking
brake pedal.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light goes off.
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.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-50.
2-45

For vehicles without a release handle, 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. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-40.
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 park brake pedal. If the parking
brake is not released when you begin to drive, the
brake system warning light will ash 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
Towing a Trailer on page 4-50.
2-46

Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. 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, use the steps that follow.
With four-wheel drive, if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free to roll, even if
the shift lever is in P (Park). So, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral). If you
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-50.1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-45for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) position by
pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up
as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not
in N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
2-47

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and the transfer case is
in N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free to roll, even if
the shift lever is in P (Park). So be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave the
vehicle with the engine running unless you have to.If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake
is rmly set before you leave it. After you move the shift
lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of P (Park). This is called torque lock.
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park
on page 2-47.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, then
you will be able to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
2-48

Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
P (Park), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-44for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever all the way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have the
vehicle serviced soon.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
2-49

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
2-50

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-50.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle
when the engine is running unless you have to.
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 parking brake and move the shift lever to
P (Park).
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
automatic transmission shift lever is in P (Park). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
N (Neutral). Always set the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-47.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-50.
2-51

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move
it for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.
Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three additional control
buttons for the OnStar®system. See your dealer/retailer
for more information about OnStar®and how to
subscribe to it. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-68for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature on
or off.
The vehicle may also have a Rear Vision Camera (RVC).
SeeRear Vision Camera (RVC) on page 2-62for more
information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
O(On/Off) button for turning
the automatic dimming feature on or off will not be
available.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare from the
headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator light illuminates
each time the ignition is turned to start.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror.
Use a soft towel dampened with water.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirror so that the side of the vehicle
and the area behind are seen.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold, push
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return to its original position.
Using hood-mounted air deectors and add-on convex
mirror attachments could decrease mirror performance.
2-52

Outside Towing Mirrors
If the vehicle has towing mirrors, they can be adjusted
for a clearer view of the objects behind you. Manually
pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer.
Manually fold the mirrors forward or rearward. The lower
portion of the mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved to see more from the driver seat.
The convex mirror can be adjusted manually to
the driver preferred position for better vision.
The mirror may have a turn signal arrow that ashes in
the direction of the turn or lane change.
Outside Power Mirrors
Vehicles with outside
power mirrors have the
controls on the driver door
armrest.
To adjust each mirror:
1. Press (A) or (B) to select the driver or passenger
side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the
vehicle and the area behind it can be seen.
4. Press either (A) or (B) again to deselect the mirror.
The mirrors may also include a memory function that
works with the memory seats. SeeMemory Seat,
Mirrors, and Pedals on page 1-8for more information.
2-53

Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage when
going through an automatic car wash. To fold, push the
mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return to its original position.
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
Vehicles with outside
power foldaway mirrors
have the controls located
on the driver door
armrest.
Mirror Adjustment
1. Press (C) to fold the mirrors out to the driving
position.
2. Press (D) to fold the mirrors in to the folded
position.
Resetting the Power Foldaway Mirrors
Reset the power foldaway mirrors if:
The mirrors are accidentally obstructed while
folding.
They are accidentally manually folded/unfolded.
The mirrors will not stay in the unfolded position.
The mirrors shake and utter at normal driving
speeds.
Fold and unfold them one time using the mirror controls
to reset them to their normal position.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may have a turn signal indicator on the
mirror. An arrow on the mirror ashes in the direction of
the turn or lane change.
Ground Illumination Lamps
The mirrors may also include ground illumination lamps in
the base of the mirror. These lamps help to see the area
near the base of the front doors when it is dark out.
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
Vehicles with this feature have a driver outside
mirror that adjusts for the glare of headlamps behind
you. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview Mirror on
page 2-52for more information.
2-54