brake GMC ENVOY DENALI 2009 Owner's Manual

Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise switch to9.
Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Headlamps
The exterior lamps knob is
located on the instrument
panel.
c(Off):Turn the knob to this symbol and release it to
turn off the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) and the
Automatic Headlamps (AHS). An indicator is lit when the
position is selected. This position is not available for
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
?(Automatic DRL/AHS):Places the system into
automatic headlamp mode.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps,
as well as the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, as well as
the following:
Parking Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
3-13

Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake does not release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means your vehicle has a brake problem. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
United States
Canada
3-35

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is
not on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilockbrakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-35.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-51for all
brake related DIC messages.
StabiliTrak®Service Light
This light will come on
briey when the engine
is started.
This light will come on if a problem is detected in the
StabiliTrak
®system.
For more information seeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6.
3-36

REAR ACCESS OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
liftgate or liftglass is open while the ignition is in
ON/RUN. Turn off the vehicle and check the liftgate and
liftglass. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass on page 2-12. Restart
the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC
display.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
passenger side rear door is not fully closed. Stop and
turn off the vehicle, check the door for obstructions, and
close the door again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your dealer/retailer inspect
the system for problems. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-31andAirbag System on page 1-55for more
information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if a problem occurs with the
brake system. If this message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the DIC display.If the message is still displayed, or appears again when
you begin driving, the brake system needs service.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE CHARGING SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a problem with
the battery charging system. Under certain conditions,
the charging system light may also turn on in the
instrument panel cluster. SeeCharging System Light on
page 3-33. The battery will not be charging at an
optimal rate and the vehicle will lose the ability to enter
the fuel economy mode. The vehicle is safe to drive,
however you should have the electrical system checked
by your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If this message displays, it means there may be a
problem with the StabiliTrak system. If this message
appears, try to reset the system by performing the
following: stop; turn off the engine; then start the engine
again. If this message still comes on, it means there
is a problem. You should see your dealer/retailer
for service. The vehicle is safe to drive, however,
you do not have the benet of StabiliTrak, so reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
3-54

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), this message displays if a part on the TPMS is
not working properly. The tire pressure light also ashes
and then remains on during the same ignition cycle. See
Tire Pressure Light on page 3-38. Several conditions may
cause this message to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 5-64for more information. If the
warning comes on and stays on, there may be a problem
with the TPMS. See your dealer/retailer.
STABILITRAK ACTIVE
This message displays anytime the StabiliTrak system
activates to maintain vehicle stability. Any combination
of engine speed management, brake traction control,
and stability control displays this message.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
This message may display if driving conditions delay
StabiliTrak system initialization. This is normal. Once the
system initializes, this message will no longer be
displayed on the DIC.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays when you press the StabiliTrak
button for more than ve seconds or when stability
control has been automatically disabled. The StabiliTrak
button is located on the transmission shift handle.
To limit wheel spin and realize the full benets of the
stability enhancement system, you should normally
leave StabiliTrak on. However, you should turn
StabiliTrak off if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow and you want to rock your vehicle to
attempt to free it, or if you are driving in extreme off-road
conditions and require more wheel spin. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-30. To turn the StabiliTrak system back on,
press the StabiliTrak button again.
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
The message may display if the brake system
warning light is on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-35.
The message displays if the vehicle is shifted
into 4LO.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
3-55

TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
This message may display and a chime may sound if
the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly. Fully
reinstall the fuel cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. This message remains on until it is
manually cleared from the DIC display. The DIC
message is also cancelled if the ignition is turned off.
The DIC message and the Service Engine Soon light
may come on again during a second trip if the fuel cap is
still not tightened properly. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-38for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when you momentarily press
the StabiliTrak button located on the transmission
shift handle. In this mode, stability control and the
brake-traction control are functional. Engine speed
management will be modied and the driven wheels can
spin more freely. For more details on this mode, see
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime sounds if a turn
signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off position.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program some features to one setting
based on your preference. All of the customizable
options listed may not be available on your vehicle.
Only the options available display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
To change feature preferences, make sure the ignition
is on and the vehicle is in P (Park). To avoid excessive
drain on the battery, it is recommended that the
headlamps are turned off.
Press
4to scroll through the available customizable
options.
After pressing
4, VEHICLE SETTINGS momentarily
displays before going to a customization option.
3-56

Notice:Contact your dealer/retailer before adding
any equipment.
Adding audio or communication equipment could
interfere with the operation of the vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone equipment.
Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment
is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not
work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
With RAP, the audio system can be played even after
the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-22for more information.Setting the Clock
The clock can be set with the ignition on or off.
The radio may have a button marked with an H or HR to
represent hours and an M or MN to represent minutes.
Press and hold the hour button until the correct hour
displays. AM or PM displays for morning or evening
hours. Press and hold the minute button until the correct
minute displays.
To synchronize the time with an FM station broadcasting
Radio Data System (RDS) information, press and hold
the hour and minute buttons at the same time until
UPDATED and the clock symbol appear on the
display. If the time is not available from the station,
NO UPDATE or NO UPDAT will appear on the display.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. After tuning
to an RDS broadcast station, it could take a few minutes
for the time to update.
3-63

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-13
Driving at Night............................................4-25Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-25
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-26
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-26
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-27
Winter Driving..............................................4-28
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-30
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-31
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-31
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-38
Towing..........................................................4-38
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-38
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-38
Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System....................................................4-45
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-46
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and
the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some
driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.
When road and weather conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits or drive more
slowly when conditions require.
Keep vehicle tires properly inated.
Combine several trips into a single trip.
Replace the vehicle’s tires with the same TPC Spec
number molded into the tire’s sidewall near the size.
Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The rst step in driving defensively is to
wear your safety belt — SeeSafety Belts: They Are for
Everyone on page 1-13.
{CAUTION:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do and be ready. In addition:
Allow enough following distance between you
and the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting in
injury or possible death. These simple defensive
driving techniques could save your life.
4-2

Drunk Driving
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your
reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision
if you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home
in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking
and driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annual
motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with
the use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured.For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
4-3