light GMC SAVANA 2001 User Guide

2-28
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle. Always check to be sure
your parking brake is fully released before
you drive.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.

2-35 Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers may not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and a blown
fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the multifunction lever all the way toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.

2-36 Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield
wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The
closer to LOW, the shorter the delay.For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band to the
LOW position. For high
-speed wiping, turn the
band further, to HIGH. To stop the wipers, move the
band to OFF.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they are frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. The
windshield wiper motor is protected from overload by a
circuit breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice the wiper will stop until the motor
cools. Although the circuit is protected from electrical
overload, overload due to heavy snow or ice may cause
wiper linkage damage. Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using your windshield wipers.

2-39
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the button at the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll now
cruise at the higher speed.

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch. To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. If the steepness
of the hill causes the vehicle speed to drop more than
15 mph (24 km/h) below the set speed, your cruise control
will automatically disengage. When going downhill, you
may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. Of course, applying the brake takes you out
of cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too much
trouble and don't use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal; or

move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-40
Exterior Lamps
Your parking lamp/headlamp switch is on the driver's
side of your instrument panel.
Your instrument panel dimmer thumbwheel has
two detent positions.
When the thumbwheel is moved to the first detent
position, the radio display and transmission selection
display will go to full intensity. The rest of the
instrument panel light will be lit dimly. Moving the
thumbwheel up one more detent will activate the
interior dome lamps.The vehicle is also equipped with a DOME OVERRIDE
button. For more information on this feature see
ªDome Lampsº in the Index.
The delayed entry feature will allow you to enter or exit
your vehicle with the lights on for about 20 seconds,
after the door is closed or the ignition is cycled.
Turn the knob clockwise to the parking lamp symbol to
turn on the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

Ashtray Lamp
Turn the knob clockwise again to the master lighting
symbol to turn on all the lamps listed above as well as
the headlamps.
Turn the knob counterclockwise to OFF to turn off your
lamps and lights.

2-41
You can switch your headlamps from high to low beam
by pulling on the turn signal/high beam lever.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will flicker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this happens.
Headlamps On Reminder
A tone will sound when your headlamps are turned on
and your ignition is in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY.
If you need to use your headlamps when the ignition
switch is in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY, the tone
can be turned off by moving the thumbwheel next to the
parking lamp/headlamp switch all the way down.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.The DRL system will make your headlamps come
on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

The headlamp switch is off, and

The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, your DRL indicator light
is a reminder to turn your headlamp switch on. The
other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go off, and your headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the engine on and the DRL off,
set the parking brake. The DRL will stay off until you
release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-45
Heated Outside Rearview Mirrors (If Equipped)
Your outside mirrors can be
defrosted by pressing the
button near the fan control.
An indicator light on the button will be lit anytime the
heated outside rearview mirrors are activated.
Your rear window defogger will be on anytime the
heated mirrors are on. If your vehicle has a rear window
defogger, see ªRear Window Defoggerº in the Index.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror may be convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
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 your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.

2-47
Storage Compartments
Your front storage compartment is at the center of the
instrument panel extension, by the floor. To open the
compartment, press down on inside portion of the
handle and the compartment will open automatically.
Storage compartments may also be included on the
inside of each front door.
Cigarette Lighter/Ashtray
The front ashtray is located on the instrument panel
extension, at the center of the instrument panel.
Lift up on the ashtray door to open it.
NOTICE:
If you store paper and other things that burn in
your ashtrays, they could be set on fire by
cigarettes or other smoking materials. That could
cause a fire and possibly damage your vehicle.
Do not store papers and other things that burn in
your ashtrays.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way and let
go. When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.

2-48
NOTICE:
Holding a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating can make it overload,
damaging the lighter and the heating element.
Just push the lighter all the way in and let go.
When it's done, it will pop back by itself.
To remove the front ashtray, pull up on the tab with a
key or screwdriver inserted in the tab, and lift the
ashtray out.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them from side to side.
Visor Vanity Mirror (Option)
Some visors have mirrors built in, with or without
lamps. Just lift the mirror cover on each visor to turn the
lamps on, if you have them.

2-51
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Lamp Controls
B. Air Vents
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Comfort Controls System
E. Audio System
F. Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverG. Horn
H. Convenience Tray
I. Cigarette Lighter
J. Cupholder
K. Ashtray