brakes GMC SAVANA PASSENGER 2015 User Guide

Black plate (26,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
9-26 Driving and Operating
three seconds. A DIC message
displays. SeeTransmission
Messages on page 5-35.
For other forms of grade braking,
see Tow/Haul Mode on page 9-27
and Cruise Control on page 9-32.
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
If equipped, Range Selection Mode
helps control the vehicle's
transmission and vehicle speed
while driving downhill or towing a
trailer by letting you select a desired
range of gears.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to
M (Manual Mode). 2. Press the +/−
buttons on the
shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving
conditions.
When M (Manual Mode) is selected
a number displays in the DIC next to
the M indicating the current gear.
This number is the highest gear that
can be used. However, the vehicle
can automatically shift to lower
gears as it adjusts to driving
conditions. This means that all
gears below that number are
available. When 5 (Fifth) is selected,
1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears are
automatically shifted by the vehicle,
but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used until
the +/− button on the steering
column lever is used to change to
the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9-27.
While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul
Mode can be used.
{Caution
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
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
Low Traction Mode can assist in
vehicle acceleration when road
conditions are slippery. While the
vehicle is at a stop, select the
second gear range using Range
Selection Mode. This will limit
torque to the wheels after it detects
wheel slip, preventing the tires from
spinning.

Black plate (28,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
9-28 Driving and Operating
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has ABS, an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
might be heard while this test is
going on, and it might even be
noticed that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5-20. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.

Black plate (29,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
Driving and Operating 9-29
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal, then push
down the parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down. Pull
the handle, located just above the
parking brake pedal, with the
parking brake symbol, to release the
parking brake.If the ignition is on when the parking
brake is released, the brake system
warning light will go off.
{Caution
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 a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9-44.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle may have a vehicle
stability enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists the driver with directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to assist the
driver with keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and
begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
The system may be heard or felt

Black plate (31,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
Driving and Operating 9-31
and you want to“rock”the vehicle to
attempt to free it. See If the Vehicle
Is Stuck on page 9-8.
StabiliTrak System Operation
The StabiliTrak system is normally
on, except when the system is
initializing or has been disabled with
the StabiliTrak button. The
StabiliTrak system will automatically
activate to assist the driver in
maintaining vehicle directional
control in most driving conditions.
When activated, the StabiliTrak
system may reduce engine power to
the wheels and apply braking to
individual wheels as necessary to
assist the driver with vehicle
directional control. If cruise control
is being used when StabiliTrak
activates, the cruise control
automatically disengages. The
cruise control can be re-engaged
when road conditions allow. See
Cruise Control on page 9-32.
The StabiliTrak system may also
turn off automatically if it determines
that a problem exists with the system. If the problem does not
clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, see your dealer for service.
Traction Control Operation
TCS is part of the StabiliTrak
system. TCS limits wheel spin by
reducing engine power to the
wheels and by applying brakes to
each individual wheel as necessary.
If the brake-traction control system
activates constantly or if the brakes
have heated up due to high speed
braking, the brake-traction control
will be automatically disabled. The
system will come back on after the
brakes have cooled. This can take
up to two minutes or longer
depending on brake usage.
TCS may activate on dry or rough
roads or under conditions such as
heavy acceleration while turning or
abrupt upshifts/downshifts of the
transmission. When this reduction in
acceleration occurs, it may be
noticed, or a noise or vibration may
be heard. This is normal.
Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See
Accessories and Modifications
on page 10-2.Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can
give more traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand, or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but
when traction is low, this feature will
allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.

Black plate (32,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
9-32 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If equipped with cruise control, a
speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or
more can be maintained without
keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below about 40 km/h
(25 mph).
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak and the
system begins to limit wheel spin,
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control on
page 9-29. When road conditions
allow cruise control to be safely
used again, cruise control can be
turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
I(On/Off): Press to turn cruise
control on or off. The white indicator
comes on in the instrument cluster
when cruise control is turned on. +RES (Resume/Accelerate):
If
there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume to a
previously set speed, or press and
hold to accelerate. If cruise control
is already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET− (Set/Coast): Press briefly to
set the speed and activate cruise
control, or press and hold to
decelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to decrease
vehicle speed.
[(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the
Ibutton is on when not in
use, the SET− or +RES button
could get pressed and go into cruise
when not desired. Keep the
I
button off when cruise is not
being used.
1. Press
Ito turn the cruise
system on.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
Driving and Operating 9-33
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET−. Thedesired set speed briefly
appears in the instrument
cluster.
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after
cruise control has been set to the
desired speed. See Instrument
Cluster on page 5-10.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
are applied, the cruise control is
disengaged without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reaches
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,
briefly press +RES. The vehicle
returns to the previous set speed. Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold +RES until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.
.To increase vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
+RES. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5-23. The increment
value used depends on the units
displayed.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Press and hold SET– until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
small increments, briefly press
SET–. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5-23. The increment
value used depends on the units
displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
pressing SET– will result in cruise
set to the current vehicle speed.

Black plate (34,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well cruise control works on
hills depends on the vehicle speed,
load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you
might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your
speed.
While going downhill:
.Vehicles with a 4-speed
automatic transmission may
need to have the brakes applied
or the transmission shifted to a
lower gear to help maintain
driver selected speed.
.Vehicles with a 6-speed
automatic transmission have
Cruise Grade Braking to help
maintain driver selected speed.Cruise Grade Braking is enabled
when the vehicle is started and
cruise control is active. It is not
enabled in Range Selection Mode.
It assists in maintaining driver
selected speed when driving on
downhill grades by using the engine
and transmission to slow the
vehicle.
To disable and enable Cruise Grade
Braking for the current ignition key
cycle, press and hold the Tow/Haul
button for three seconds. A DIC
message displays. See
Transmission Messages on
page 5-35.
When the brakes are manually
applied the cruise control is
disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press[.
.Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
.To turn off cruise control,
press
I.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if
Iis
pressed or if the vehicle is
turned off.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
9-36 Driving and Operating
.A trailer is attached to the
vehicle, or a bicycle or an object
hanging out of the rear door
during the current or last drive
cycle. RPA will return to normal
operation after it is determined
the object is removed. This
could take a few drive cycles.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
Other conditions may affect system
performance, such as vibrations
from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very
large truck.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If available, the RVC system is
designed to help the driver when
backing up by displaying a view of
the area behind the vehicle.
{Warning
The RVC system does not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object located outside the
camera's field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Perceived distances may be
different from actual distances.
Do not back the vehicle using
only the RVC screen. Failure to
use proper care before backing
may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Always check
behind and around the vehicle
before backing.
Vehicles without Navigation
System
When the vehicle is on and shifted
into R (Reverse), the video image
appears on the inside rearview
mirror. The video image disappears
after the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse).
Vehicles with Navigation
System
When the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse), the video image
appears on the navigation screen.
After a delay, the navigation screen
displays the previous screen after
the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse).
The delay that is received after
shifting out of R (Reverse) is
approximately 10 seconds. Return to
the previous screen sooner by
performing one of the following:
.Press a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shift into P (Park).
.Reach a vehicle speed of
8 km/h (5 mph).
Symbols and Guidelines
The navigation system may have a
feature that allows for viewing
parking assist symbols and/or
guidelines on the navigation screen
while using the RVC. The Rear Park

Black plate (45,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
Driving and Operating 9-45
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, 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
{Caution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance. If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear
before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9-27.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off

Black plate (46,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707482) -
2015 - crc - 6/3/14
9-46 Driving and Operating
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, seeEngine Overheating on
page 10-18.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 7. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-3. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.