Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
If equipped, the position of the throttle and brake pedals can be changed.
The pedals can only be adjusted when the vehicle is in P (Park).
The switch used to adjust the pedals is on the center stack, below the climate controls.
Lift the switch up to move the pedals closer to your body. Press the switch down to move the pedals away.
Before you start driving, fully press the brake pedal to confirm the adjustment is right for you.
The vehicle may have a memory function, which lets pedal settings be saved and recalled. See Memory Seats 0 62.
Vehicles with Key Access have an ignition switch with four different positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal must be applied.
0 (STOPPING THE ENGINE/LOCK/
OFF) : When the vehicle is stopped, turn the ignition switch to LOCK/ OFF to turn the engine off. Retained Accessory Power (RAP) will remain active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0 251.
This position locks the ignition and steering wheel. It also locks the transmission on automatic transmission vehicles. The key can be removed in LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center. If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this does not work, then the vehicle needs service.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle is moving. This may cause a loss of power assist in the brake and steering systems and disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an emergency:
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the brakes and steer the vehicle to a safe location.
Parking Brake 0 273.
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the shift lever must be in P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over, and must be shut off while driving, turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
position lets things like the radio and the windshield wipers operate while the engine is off. It also unlocks the steering wheel. Use this position if the vehicle must be pushed or towed.
The switch stays in this position when the engine is running. The transmission is also unlocked in this position on automatic transmission vehicles.
If the key is left in the ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could be drained. The vehicle may not start if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is opened and the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the Silverado/Sierra eAssist supplement.
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). To restart the engine when the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light is on and the FUEL LEVEL LOW message is displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC), hold the ignition switch in the START position to continue engine cranking.
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
The shift lever should be in Neutral and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal down to the floor and start the engine.
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and holding it there while holding the key in START for up to 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
If equipped, this feature is available only with cruise control. The manual fast idle switch is operated using the cruise control buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.
This system can be used to increase engine idle speed whenever the following conditions are met:
To control the fast idle:
One of the following actions will turn off the fast idle:
way down.
The following vehicle accessories can be used for up to 10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or ACC/ ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof continue to work up to 10 minutes or until any door is opened. The radio continues to work for up to 10 minutes or until the driver door is opened.
Accessory Power Outlets (APOs)
The vehicle may have Accessory Power Outlets (APOs) in several locations. See Power Outlets 0 132.
The APOs in the console or center seat position are powered by Retained Accessory Power (RAP). They will continue to work for up to 10 minutes after the key is turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, or until the driver door is opened.
The APOs on the center stack come from the factory powered directly from the vehicle battery, and supply accessory power at all times, regardless of ignition key position.
If electronic items are left plugged into these APOs for long periods of time with the vehicle off, the vehicle battery could be drained. The
vehicle may not start if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
The engine heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below
−18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles with an engine heater should be plugged in at least four hours before starting.
An internal thermostat in the plug-end of the cord may exist, which will prevent engine coolant heater operation at temperatures above −18 °C (0 °F).
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is damaged, do not use it. See your dealer for a replacement. Inspect the cord for damage yearly.
away from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be damaged.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice on this.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running, be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you move the shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without first pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into P (Park).
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver seat.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission. You will then be able to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock release system. The shift lock release system is designed to prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park), unless the ignition is on and the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery. See Jump Starting - North America 0 421.
To shift out of P (Park):
If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have the vehicle serviced soon.
This vehicle may have the Seat Belt Assurance System, which may prevent the vehicle from shifting out of P (Park).
If the vehicle has a manual transmission, before you get out of the vehicle, move the shift lever into R (Reverse), and firmly apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been placed into R (Reverse) with the clutch pedal pressed in, turn the ignition off, remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if the vehicle is pulling a trailer, see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips 0 296.
Active Fuel Management
Vehicles with a V8 or V6 gasoline engine may have Active Fuel Management. This system allows the engine to operate on either all of its cylinders, or in V4 mode, depending on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in the V4 mode, allowing the vehicle to achieve better fuel economy. When greater power demands are required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing, or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain full-cylinder operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel Management indicator, see Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) 0 155 or Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Uplevel) 0 156 for more information on using this display.
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