Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the warning lights and gauges could prevent injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly when the engine is started to indicate they are working. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on while driving, or when one of the gauges shows there may be a problem, check the section that explains what to do. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
English Shown, Metric Similar
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement for more information.
English Shown, Metric Similar
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement for more information.
There is an interactive display area in the center of the instrument cluster.
Use the right steering wheel control to open and scroll through the different items and displays.
Press o or p to change between the cluster applications. Press w or x to scroll through the list of available features within each
application. Press V to select. Not all applications will be available on all vehicles. Some may be temporarily restricted when the vehicle is off or in ACC/ ACCESSORY.
Information displayed here can be customized from the Options menu.
Speedometer : Displays how fast the vehicle is moving in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).
Speed Sign : Shows sign information, which comes from a roadway database in the onboard navigation, if equipped.
Time : Displays the current time.
Fuel Range : Displays the approximate distance the vehicle can be driven without refueling. The fuel range estimate is based on an average of the vehicle’s fuel economy over recent driving history and the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Fuel range cannot be reset.
Press w or x to scroll through radio stations or move to the next or previous track of a CD/USB/ Bluetooth device that is connected
to the vehicle. Press V to enter the Audio menu to browse for music, select from favorites, or change the audio source.
In the Phone menu, if there is no active phone call, view recent calls, scroll through contacts, select from
the favorites, or change the phone source. If there is an active call, mute the phone or switch to handset operation.
In the Navigation menu, if there is no active route, you can resume the last route and turn the voice prompts on or off. If there is an active route, press V to cancel route guidance or turn the voice prompts on or off.
Press w or x to scroll through items in the Options menu. Press V to select the item. Press o to exit the item.
Units : Choose US or Metric units. A selected mark will be displayed next to the selected item.
Info Page Options : Select the items to be displayed in the Info app. A selected mark will be displayed next to the selected item.
Home Page Options : Select the available elements to display. Not all elements will be available on all vehicles: Speedometer, Speed Sign, Time, and Fuel Range.
Speed Warning : Allows the driver to set a speed that they do not want to exceed. Press w or x to adjust the value. Press V to set the speed.
Once the speed is set, this feature can be turned off by pressing V while viewing this page. If the selected speed limit is exceeded, a pop-up warning is displayed with a chime.
Software Information : Displays open source software information.
The speedometer shows the vehicle's speed in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph).
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven, in either kilometers or miles.
The trip odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven since the trip odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and reset through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) 0 114 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) 0 116.
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).
Metric
English
When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge indicates about how much fuel is left in the tank.
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the low fuel light comes on. There is a small amount of fuel left, but the fuel tank should be filled soon.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. None of these show a problem with the fuel gauge:
Metric
English
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the pointer moves toward the warning area at the high end of the gauge, the engine is too hot.
This reading indicates the same thing as the warning light. It means that the engine coolant has overheated. If the vehicle has been operating under normal driving conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as possible. See Engine Overheating 0 239.
There is a driver seat belt reminder light on the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light flashes and a chime may come on to remind the driver to fasten their seat belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several times if the driver remains or becomes unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the light nor the chime comes on.
There is a passenger seat belt reminder light near the passenger airbag status indicator. See Passenger Sensing System 0 50.
When the vehicle is started, this light flashes and a chime may come on to remind passengers to fasten their seat belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle continues several times if the passenger remains or becomes unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the passenger seat belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger seat belt reminder light and chime may turn on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic device. To turn off the reminder light and/or chime, remove the object from the seat or buckle the seat belt.
This light shows if there is an electrical problem with the airbag system. The system check includes the airbag sensor(s), the passenger sensing system, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring, and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag system, see Airbag System
0 44.
The airbag readiness light comes on for several seconds when the vehicle is started. If the light does not come on then, have it fixed immediately.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also come on.
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System 0 50 for important
safety information. The overhead console has a passenger airbag status indicator.
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbols for on and off, for several seconds as a system check. Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol, to let you know the status of the front outboard passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger airbag status indicator, it means that the front outboard passenger frontal airbag is allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing system has turned off the front outboard passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing system. See your dealer for service.
The charging system light comes on briefly when the ignition is turned on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show the light is working. The light turns off when the engine is started. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on, or comes on while driving, there may be a problem with the electrical charging system. Have it checked by your dealer. Driving while this light is on could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver Information Center (DIC) also displays a message.
If a short distance must be driven with the light on, be sure to turn off all accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission control on-board diagnostic system. If this light is on while the engine is running, a malfunction has been detected and the vehicle may require service. The light should come on to show that it is working when the ignition is on and the engine is not running. See Ignition Positions 0 160.
Malfunctions are often indicated by the system before any problem is noticeable. Being aware of the light and seeking service promptly when it comes on may prevent damage.
If the light is flashing : A malfunction has been detected that could damage the emission control system and increase vehicle emissions. Diagnosis and service may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce vehicle speed and avoid hard accelerations and uphill grades. If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a safe place to park. Turn the vehicle off and wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light is on steady : A malfunction has been detected. Diagnosis and service may be required.
Check the following:
The diagnostic system can detect if the adapter has been left installed in the vehicle, allowing fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the adapter removed may turn off the light.
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off. See Recommended Fuel 0 199.
If the light remains on, see your dealer.
If the vehicle requires an Emissions Inspection/Maintenance test, the test equipment will likely connect to the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel. Connecting devices that are not used to perform an Emissions Inspection/Maintenance test or to service the vehicle may affect vehicle operation. See Add-On Electrical Equipment 0 220. See your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass inspection if:
See your dealer if the vehicle will not pass or cannot be made ready for the test.
Metric English
This light should come on briefly when the vehicle is turned on. If it does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
When the vehicle is on, the brake system warning light also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light stays on if the parking brake does not fully release. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released, there is a brake problem. Have the brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. The brake pedal might be harder to push, or the brake pedal may go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See Towing the Vehicle 0 299.
This light comes on briefly when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely possible and turn off the vehicle. 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. A chime may also sound when the light comes on steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on, the vehicle has regular brakes, but the antilock brakes are not functioning.
Engagement of the front axle lock will disable the ABS and illuminate the ABS warning light. The ABS light will turn off when the front axle lock is disengaged.
If both the ABS and the brake system warning light are on, the vehicle's antilock brakes are not functioning and there is a problem with the regular brakes. See your dealer for service.
See Brake System Warning Light
0 108.
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul Mode feature, this light comes on when the Tow/Haul Mode has been activated.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0 173.
If equipped, the Hill Descent Control light comes on when the system is ready for use. When the light flashes, the system is active.
See Hill Descent Control (HDC)
0 185.
If equipped, this light comes on briefly while starting the vehicle. If it does not come on, have the vehicle serviced.
This light is green if LDW is on and ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and flashes to indicate that the lane marking has been crossed without using a turn signal in that direction.
See Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
0 197.
If equipped, this indicator will display green when a vehicle is detected ahead and amber when you are following a vehicle ahead much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System 0 195.
This light comes on briefly while starting the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working normally, the indicator light then turns off.
The traction off light comes on when the Traction Control System (TCS) has been turned off by pressing and releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC button.
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC OFF light come on when StabiliTrak/ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control 0 182.
This light comes on briefly while starting the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
This light comes on when the StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is turned off. If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off, the system does not assist in controlling the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC systems, and the warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control 0 182.
This light comes on briefly when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working normally, the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/ ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC) message may display. Check the DIC messages to determine which feature(s) is no longer functioning and whether the vehicle requires service.
If the light is on and flashing, the TCS and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC system is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control 0 182.
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), this light comes on briefly when the engine is started. It provides information about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires are significantly underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire pressure message may also display. Stop as soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the pressure value shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Tire Pressure 0 268.
When the Light Flashes First and Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute and then stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS. If the problem is not corrected, the light will come on at every ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0 270.
This light should come on briefly as the engine is started. If it does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle could be low on oil and might have some other system problem. See your dealer.
English Shown
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition is turned on as a check to indicate it is working. If it does not come on, have it fixed.
The low fuel warning light comes on and a chime sounds when the vehicle is low on fuel. The light turns off when fuel is added to the
fuel tank.
This light is near the fuel gauge and comes on briefly when the ignition is turned on as a check to show it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel tank is low on fuel. The light turns off when fuel is added. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced.
The security light should come on briefly as the engine is started. If it does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working normally, the indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine does not start, there could be a problem with the theft-deterrent system. See Immobilizer Operation 0 20.
This light comes on when the high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer 0 125.
The fog lamp light comes on when the fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off. See Fog Lamps 0 128 for more information.
This light comes on when the exterior lamps are in use, except when only the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are active. See Exterior Lamp Controls 0 124.
The cruise control light is white when the cruise control is on and ready, and turns green when the cruise control is set and active.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off. See Cruise Control 0 189.
This light comes on when a door is open or not securely latched. Before driving, check that all doors are properly closed.
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