tow CHEVROLET UPLANDER 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

Automatic Transmission Operation
Maximum engine speed is limited when you are in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline
components from improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This gear position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fullyapply your regular brakes rst before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the
shift lever and push the shift lever all the way in
for PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and move the shift lever into
another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-40.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
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). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-38. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-26.
2-35

REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-18.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The vehicle will shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see Skidding underLoss of
Control on page 4-11
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly or not shift gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive your vehicle that way, you
could damage the transmission. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. You can drive in SECOND (2)
when you are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and
DRIVE (D) for higher speeds until then.
2-36

Warm-Up Shift
Your vehicle has a computer controlled transmission
designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside
temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice
that the transmission will shift at a higher vehicle speed
until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal
condition designed to provide heat to the passenger
compartment and defrost the windows more quickly. See
Climate Control System on page 3-22andDual
Climate Control System on page 3-25for more
information.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving.
It reduces vehicle speed more than DRIVE (D) without
using your brakes. You might choose THIRD (3) instead
of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding roads,
when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed more
than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes. You can use
SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would
also want to use your brakes off and on.Notice:Driving in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km) or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transmission. Also, shifting into
SECOND (2) at speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h) can
cause damage. Drive in THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D)
instead of SECOND (2).
Notice:If your vehicle seems to start up rather
slowly, or if it seems not to shift gears as you go
faster, something may be wrong with a transmission
system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you can
use SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for higher speeds.
FIRST (1):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than SECOND (2) without using your brakes.
You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or
mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the
vehicle is moving forward, the transmission will not shift
into rst gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by your warranty. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-37

Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located under the
instrument panel on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down on the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-35.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot while you push down on
the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you
lift your left foot from the parking brake pedal, it will pop
up to the released position.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 4-26.
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. If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-26.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-38
2-38

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the
shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your 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. 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.If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
vehicle into PARK (P) 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 PARK (P). This is called torque lock.
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park on
page 2-38.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) 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, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-39

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 ExhaustEngine Exhaust on page 2-41.
{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. 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-38.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-26.
2-42

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the 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.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver’s door.
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Move the selector switch located above the four-way
control pad to the left or right to choose either the
driver’s side 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.
Keep the selector switch in the center position when not
adjusting either outside mirror.
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 Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are. If
you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could hit
a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver’s seat.
2-43

URPA can be turned off by
pressing the rear park aid
disable switch located
in the overhead console
switchbank.
While the system is disabled, an indicator light will be lit
on the switch. You will not see any lights on the rear
display if the switch is in the off position.When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
The driver disabled the system.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean, a red URPA
display light may illuminate when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse). Keep the rear bumper free of
mud, dirt, snow, ice and slush. For cleaning
instructions, seeWashing Your Vehicle on
page 5-93.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the liftgate during the
last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate.
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/retailer 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.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-46

Convenience Center
{CAUTION:
If any removable convenience item is not secured
properly, it can move around in a collision or
sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be
injured. Be sure to secure any such item properly.
Your vehicle may have a convenience center. It provides
extra storage space for the rear of the vehicle.
To open the convenience center, pull up on the door
latch located on the front of the cover. The convenience
center cover has two automatic prop rods to hold it
up and in place.
To close the convenience center cover, you must pull
one of the prop rod linkages toward you while holding
onto the door latch and lower the convenience
center cover to close it.
Removing the Convenience Center
1. Make sure that all items are off the convenience
center and that it is empty.
2. Turn the hand knob, located at the rear of the
convenience center, counterclockwise until the
knob is loose.
3. Lift up on the hand knob, then grip and pull up on
the convenience center to remove it from the
vehicle.
2-61

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G:Turn and Lane-Change Signals
53: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
N:Windshield Wipers
L:Windshield Washer
Z:Rear Window Wiper
=:Rear Window Washer
Flash-to-Pass Feature.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrowGon the instrument panel cluster will ash
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed.
The lever returns to its starting position whenever it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane change the arrow
ashes rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb may
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeBulb Replacement on page 5-41
andFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-98.
For vehicles with the trailer towing option with added
wiring for the trailer lamps, the signal indicator ashes at
a normal rate even if a turn signal bulb is burned out.
Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly
to make sure they are working.
3-7