instrument panel GMC SAFARI 2005 Owner's Guide

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system
for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on
the airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 1-58.
This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and
it will ash for a few seconds. Then the light should
go out. This means the system is ready.If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start
your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem. United States
Canada
3-28

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
See “Driving on Grades” later in this section for
more information.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is designed to assist while your vehicle is
pulling a large or heavy load or trailer. Tow/haul is most
useful while pulling such a load in rolling terrain, in
stop-and-go traffic, or when you need improved
low-speed control, such as when parking. The purpose
of the tow/haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts,
provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy load as when the vehicle is unloaded, and
improve control of vehicle speed while requiring less
throttle pedal activity.
Press the button on the end of the shift lever to turn
tow/haul mode on and off. While activated, the indicator
light on the instrument panel will be on. Tow/haul
mode will turn off automatically when the ignition is
turned off. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-37.
Tow/haul is most effective when the vehicle and trailer
combined weight is at least 75 percent of the vehicle’s
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight
of the Trailer” later in this section.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy load will
cause reduced fuel economy and unpleasant engine
and transmission driving characteristics, but will
not cause damage.
4-34

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring (included in the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
4-40

Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-69
Wheel Replacement......................................5-69
Tire Chains..................................................5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-71
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-72
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-73
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-76
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-82
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-84
Appearance Care............................................5-84
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-85
Vinyl...........................................................5-86
Leather.......................................................5-87
Instrument Panel..........................................5-87
Interior Plastic Components............................5-87
Glass Surfaces.............................................5-87
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-88
Weatherstrips...............................................5-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-89
Finish Care..................................................5-89Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-90
Aluminum Wheels.........................................5-90
Tires...........................................................5-91
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-91
Finish Damage.............................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance................................5-92
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-92
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-92
Vehicle Identication......................................5-93
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-93
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-94
Electrical System............................................5-94
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-94
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-94
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-95
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-96
Underhood Fuse Block..................................5-98
Capacities and Specications........................5-101
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........5-102
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle with
this symbol on it. It is
located inside the
vehicle on the lower
driver’s side of
the instrument panel.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release.
3. Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its
retainer and put the hood prop into the slot marked
PROP ROD.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop and remove the hood prop from the slot in
the hood. Return the prop to its retainer and pull
the hood down. Then close the hood rmly.
5-11

2. Remove the instrument panel extension by
removing the two nuts that secure it in place. The
nuts are located at the bottom of the extension
on the driver’s and passenger’s side corners.3. Remove the screws located near the top on each
side of the extension. Grasp the extension from
both sides and gently remove it.
5-19

6. Loosen the two bolts on the engine cover. The
bolts are not supposed to come out of the cover,
only from the front of the dash.
When removing the cover, be careful not to damage
the instrument panel or the trim.
7. Disconnect the AM radio ground strap.8. Grasp the bottom of the cover and slide it rearward.
Then, lift it up and out of the vehicle.
If the seal does not release, use the pull strap on
the driver’s side above the rear mount.
5-21

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-31.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.The radiator pressure cap
is located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-31.
5-29

Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let
the leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish, or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt is allowed to work into the nish,
it can harm the leather.
Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones
or waxes may cause annoying reections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth
or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface nish.
Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a
liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust lms on interior glass. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-92.
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when cleaning
glass surfaces on your vehicle, you could scratch
the glass and/or cause damage to the rear window
defogger and the integrated radio antenna. When
cleaning the glass on your vehicle, use only a soft
cloth and glass cleaner.
5-87

Description Usage
Swirl Remover PolishRemoves swirl marks, ne
scratches and other light
surface contamination.
Cleaner WaxRemoves light scratches
and protects nish.
Foaming Tire Shine
Low GlossCleans, shines and
protects in one easy step,
no wiping necessary.
Wash Wax ConcentrateMedium foaming
shampoo. Cleans and
lightly waxes.
Biodegradable and
phosphate free.
Spot LifterQuickly and easily
removes spots and stains
from carpets, vinyl and
cloth upholstery.
Odor EliminatorOdorless spray odor
eliminator used on fabrics,
vinyl, leather and carpet.
See your General Motors parts department for these
products.Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certication and Service Parts
labels and the certicates of title and registration.
5-93