GMC SAVANA 2021 Owner's Guide

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The windows may be temporarily disabled if
they are used repeatedly within a
short time.
Express-Down
The driver window switch has an
express-down feature that allows the
window to be lowered without holding the
switch. Press fully and release the switch
marked AUTO to activate the express-down
mode. This mode can be canceled at any
time by pulling up on the switch. To open
the window part way, lightly tap the switch
until the window is at the desired position.
Swing-Out Windows
Side Swing-Out Window
To open the side door swing-out window,
pull up on the latch at the edge of the
window. Swing the window out and push
down on the latch to lock the window into
place.
To close the window, pull the latch toward
you and push down on the latch to lock it.
Rear Swing‐Out Windows
The vehicle also has rear swing‐out
windows. The rear swing-out windows work
the same way as the side swing‐out
window, but the latch is located at the
bottom edge of the window.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 21
Enhanced Technology Glass
The vehicle may be equipped with Enhanced
Technology Glass (ETG). ETG is part of the
overall occupant protection system on cargo
vans with five seating positions and
passenger vans. ETG may help keep
passengers sitting next to these fixed
windows from being ejected through the
glass in some, but not all crashes. Even with
this glass, seat belts must still be worn at
all times.
Use only ETG glass approved for the vehicle
for replacement when damaged. Cargo vans
with five seating positions and passenger
vans will have ETG glass in the rear-most
side windows and laminated glass in the
forward window of the sliding door,
if equipped. Long wheelbase cargo vans that
do not have five seating positions may also
have ETG in the rear-most side windows.
Rear Windows
Rear Side Door Windows (Cargo
Van Only)
{Warning
The vehicle may have a partition behind
the front seats or vertical metal panels
on the inside of the rear side door
windows. These are part of the occupant
protection system. Do not remove them.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, swing down the sun
visors. You can also swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
The vehicle may have visor vanity mirrors,
with or without lamps. Lift the mirror cover
to turn the lamps on, if equipped.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
22 Seats and Restraints
Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat Belts
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . 29
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 35
Seat Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Seat Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 40
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 40
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . 41 What Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Airbag On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Front Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Head Restraints
On vehicles with factory installed seats, the
front seats have built-in head restraints that
are not adjustable in the outboard seating
positions.
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{Warning
You can lose control of the vehicle if you
try to adjust a driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat
only when the vehicle is not moving.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Seats and Restraints 23
To adjust the seat:1. Lift the bar under the front edge of the seat cushion to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure the seat is locked in place.
Power Seat Adjustment
{Warning
The power seats will work with the
ignition off. Children could operate the
power seats and be injured. Never leave
children alone in the vehicle.
To adjust a power seat, if available, use the
controls on the front of the seat:
.Move the center knob to the right or left
to move the seat forward or rearward.
.Move the center knob up or down to
raise or lower the seat.
.Move the right or left lever up or down
to raise or lower the front or rear of the
seat cushion.
Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could
move forward in a sudden stop or crash.
That could cause injury to the person
sitting there. Always push and pull on
the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever on the inboard side of the seat.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the lever to
lock the seatback in place.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
24 Seats and Restraints
3. Push and pull on the seatback to makesure it is locked.
To return the seatback to the upright
position: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the
seatback will return to the upright
position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
{Warning
Sitting in a reclined position when the
vehicle is in motion can be dangerous.
Even when buckled up, the seat belts
cannot do their job.
The shoulder belt will not be against
your body. Instead, it will be in front of
you. In a crash, you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt could go up over your
abdomen. The belt forces would be there,
not at your pelvic bones. This could cause
serious internal injuries.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
For proper protection when the vehicle is
in motion, have the seatback upright.
Then sit well back in the seat and wear
the seat belt properly.
Do not have a seatback reclined if the
vehicle is moving.
Rear Seats
Removing the Rear Seat
Disconnect the mini-latch plates for the
lap-shoulder belts on the bench seat to be
removed.
1. To do this, press the tip of a key intothe release hole of the seat belt buckle
while pulling up on the seat belt.
2. Locate the pins. On a three-passenger seat there are
two pins on the inboard sides of the rear
seats.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Seats and Restraints 25
Carpet Floor Covering
Vinyl Floor Covering
The left side pin has a gray cap with a
black “L”marked on it.
Carpet Floor Covering
Vinyl Floor Covering
The right side pin has a black cap with a
white “R”marked on it. On a four-passenger seat, each half of
the seat has a set of pins. The left side
has a set marked
“L”, and the right side
has a set marked “R”.
If the vehicle is equipped with a vinyl
floor covering, the pins are under a flap
that has been cut into the vinyl.
3. If equipped, release the pin from the lock ring by pushing down on the top of the
ring and lifting the lock tab from
the ring.
4. Pull the pin handle up to disengage the pin from the retaining clip, and then pull
the pin out.
5. Repeat this procedure for the other pins.
6. Pull the seat rearward about 5 cm (2 in), and then lift the seat from the floor
rails.
7. Remove the seat from the vehicle.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
26 Seats and Restraints
8. For the second and third row seats, stowthe seat belt latch by attaching the clip
on the seat belt latch to the trim just
inside the side door.
For the last row of seats, stow the seat
belt latch plate on the clip at the
window trim. Roll the mini-latch into the
seat belt webbing and then hook the
seat belt latch plate on the clip.
Reinstalling the Rear Seats
{Warning
A seat that is not locked into place
properly can move around in a collision
or sudden stop. People in the vehicle
could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat
into place properly when installing it.
{Warning
A seat belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted will not
provide the protection needed in a crash.
The person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the rear
seatback, always check to be sure that
the seat belts are properly routed and
attached, and are not twisted. 1. Position the seat into the open slots in
both rails. Push the seat forward in the
rail, hooking both seat bases onto the
pins inside of the rails.
2. Locate the hole in the rail to install the locking pins at the rear of the seat base.
If the vehicle is equipped with a vinyl
floor covering, pull the flap that has
been cut into the vinyl.
3. Insert the locking pins into the seat base and push the seat to line up the pins
with the base.
On a three-passenger seat, the pin with
the black cap marked “R”must be
installed on the right side and the pin
with the gray cap marked “L”must be
installed on the left side.
On a four-passenger seat, the pins
marked “R”must be installed on the half
of the seat on the right side. The pins
marked “L”must be installed on the half
of the seat on the left side.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Seats and Restraints 27
Carpet Floor Covering
Vinyl Floor Covering4. Push the pin(s) marked
“R”down until
they are in the retaining clip. If equipped
with a locking ring, ensure the ring is
open, place the pin inside the ring, and
secure the pin with the lock ring.
5. Pull on the pin to ensure the lock ring is closed.
Carpet Floor Covering
Vinyl Floor Covering
6. Push the pin(s) marked “L”down until
they are in the retaining clip. If equipped
with a locking ring, ensure the ring is
open, place the pin inside the ring, and
secure the pin with the lock ring.
7. Pull on the pin to ensure the lock ring is closed.
8. If the vehicle is equipped with a vinyl floor covering, put the vinyl back to its
original position.
9. Repeat this procedure for the other seat base.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
28 Seats and Restraints
10. Connect the mini-latch plates for thelap-shoulder belts by inserting the latch
plates into the mini-buckles attached at
the outboard positions of the bench seat.
Do not twist the belts.
11. Check that all locking pins are locked into place before operating the vehicle.
Seat Belts
This section describes how to use seat belts
properly, and some things not to do.
{Warning
Do not let anyone ride where a seat belt
cannot be worn properly. In a crash,
if you or your passenger(s) are not
wearing seat belts, injuries can be much
worse than if you are wearing seat belts.
You can be seriously injured or killed by
hitting things inside the vehicle harder or
by being ejected from the vehicle. In
addition, anyone who is not buckled up
can strike other passengers in the vehicle.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, passengers riding in these
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow passengers
to ride in any area of the vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and check that
all passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to
buckle the seat belts. See Seat Belt
Reminders 074.
Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel as fast
as the vehicle does. If the vehicle stops
suddenly, you keep going until something
stops you. It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the seat belts!
When you wear a seat belt, you and the
vehicle slow down together. There is more
time to stop because you stop over a longer
distance and, when worn properly, your
strongest bones take the forces from the
seat belts. That is why wearing seat belts
makes such good sense.
Questions and Answers About Seat Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a
crash if I am wearing a seat belt?
A: You could be— whether you are
wearing a seat belt or not. Your chance
of being conscious during and after a
crash, so you canunbuckle and get out,
is much greater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear seat belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental systems only.
They work withseat belts —not instead
of them. Whether or not an airbag is
provided, all occupants still have to
buckle up to get the most protection.

GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14583543) -
2021 - crc - 7/10/20
Seats and Restraints 29
Also, in nearly all states and in all
Canadian provinces, the law requires
wearing seat belts.
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly
Follow these rules for everyone's protection.
There are additional things to know about
seat belts and children, including smaller
children and infants. If a child will be riding
in the vehicle, seeOlder Children046 or
Infants and Young Children 047. Review
and follow the rules for children in addition
to the following rules.
It is very important for all occupants to
buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted
people are hurt more often in crashes than
those who are wearing seat belts.
There are important things to know about
wearing a seat belt properly.
.Sit up straight and always keep your feet
on the floor in front of you (if possible).
.Always use the correct buckle for your
seating position.
.Wear the lap part of the belt low and
snug on the hips, just touching the
thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the
strong pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap belt.
If you slid under it, the belt would apply
force on your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
.Wear the shoulder belt over the shoulder
and across the chest. These parts of the
body are best able to take belt
restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks
if there is a sudden stop or crash.
{Warning
You can be seriously injured, or even
killed, by not wearing your seat belt
properly.