The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with this system.

If your vehicle has the remote start feature and it is activated, the climate control system heats or cools the inside of the vehicle, with the settings used before the vehicle was turned off. The heated seats, if the vehicle has them, and the rear window defogger will be turned on by the climate control system when it is cold outside. The cooled seat setting is not activated during a remote start. Normal operation of the system will return after the key is turned to the ON/RUN position. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation for more information.

Automatic Operation

AUTO (Automatic Fan): When AUTO is selected on the fan control, the system automatically adjusts the fan speed. If the OnStar® system is activated when this position is selected, the fan speed will lower.

AUTO (Automatic Mode)

1. Turn the fan control to AUTO.
2. Turn the mode control to AUTO.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting between 68°F (21°C) and 78°F (26°C).

Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature setting will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster. In cold weather, the system starts at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air into the vehicle until warmer air is available. The system will start out blowing air to the floor, but may change modes automatically as the vehicle warms up to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The length of time needed to warm the interior depends on the outside temperature.

4. Wait a few minutes for the system to automatically regulate. Then adjust the temperature as necessary to find your comfort setting.

Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more information on the solar sensor, see "Sensors" later in this section.

After the vehicle is started, the display shows the interior temperature settings.

When the ENG/MET (English/metric) button on the Driver Information Center (DIC) is pressed, the display shows readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Use the ENG/MET button to toggle between the readings.

AUTO (Automatic Air Conditioning): If AUTO is selected on the fan or mode control, the system automatically controls the air conditioning compressor. The A/C compressor runs automatically even at cool outside temperatures in order to dehumidify the air. The A/C indicator light is lit when the system is operating automatically. Press the A/C button on the fan control to turn off the A/C. To clear windows better in defog or defrost modes, the A/C compressor runs automatically in damp cool conditions.

(Auto Recirculation) : If AUTO is selected on either the fan or mode control, the system automatically controls the supply of fresh outside air or recirculates the interior air to cool the car faster. The indicator light on the recirculation button will light whenever the system switches to recirculation. You may force outside air by pressing the outside air button. The next time AUTO fan or mode is selected, it will reset back to AUTO operation.

Manual Operation

(Fan): Turn the left knob either to the left or right to adjust the fan speed. Turning this control completely counterclockwise turns on the automatic fan operation. If the airflow seems low when the fan speed is at the highest setting, the passenger compartment air filter may need to be replaced. For more information, see Passenger Compartment Air Filter and Scheduled Maintenance .

(Off): Turn the left control to this position to turn the climate control system off. Outside air still enters the vehicle and is directed to the floor. The airflow direction and temperature can be adjusted, as indicated below. If the temperature is adjusted while the system is off, the display will light to show the current settings.

Mode Control: Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to change the airflow direction.

(Vent): This mode directs outside air to the instrument panel outlets.

(Bi-Level): This mode splits the air between the instrument panel outlets and the floor outlets. In automatic operation, cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the floor outlets.

(Floor): This mode automatically uses outside air and directs most to the floor outlets . Some air is directed toward the side window outlets and to the windshield. If recirculation is selected while in this mode, it stays on for three minutes to reduce windshield fogging. The mode control can also be used to select the floor/defog mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can be found later in this section.

(Air Conditioning): Press the center of the left control knob to override the automatic system and turn the air conditioning system on or off. When this button is pressed, an indicator light below the button comes on to show that this mode is activated. The air conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.

(Outside Air): This mode lets outside air enter the vehicle. When the button is pressed, an indicator light turns on. Pressing the recirculation button cancels this mode.

(Recirculation): Press this button to recirculate cabin air through the vehicle. An indicator light below the button comes on to show that this mode is activated. This mode can be used to prevent outside air and odors from entering the vehicle or to help cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly. This mode cannot be selected while in the defog or defrost modes. If you try to select the recirculation mode, the indicator light flashes three times and turns off. Operation in this mode during periods of high humidity and cool outside temperatures may result in increased window fogging. If window fogging is experienced, select the defrost mode.

(Driver Temperature Controls) : Press these buttons next to the fan control to manually increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.

(Passenger Temperature Controls): Press these buttons next to the mode control to manually increase or decrease the temperature for the front passenger. If the passenger climate control system is off, pressing one of these buttons turns it on.

PASS (Passenger Climate Control): Press this button to turn the passenger climate control systems on or off. When the passenger climate control system is on, the passenger temperature setting is displayed. If the PASS button is pressed to turn the passenger temperature setting off, the driver temperature setting controls the temperature for the entire vehicle.

Sensors

The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, in the middle of the instrument panel, monitors the solar radiation. Do not cover the solar sensor or the system will not work properly.

There is also an interior temperature sensor located next to the steering wheel that measures the temperature of the air inside the vehicle.

There is also an exterior temperature sensor located behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside air temperature and helps maintain the temperature inside the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the vehicle could cause a false temperature reading to display.

In order to prevent false temperature readings at startup, the displayed temperature will not change until the following occurs:

The climate control system uses the information from these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the air delivery mode. The system may also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The recirculation mode will also be used as needed to maintain cool outlet temperatures.

Defogging and Defrosting

Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This can be minimized if the climate control system is used properly. There are two modes to clear fog from your windshield, defog and defrost.

(Floor/Defog): Use this mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture and to warm the passengers. Turning the control to this mode directs about half of the air to the floor outlets and the remaining air is directed to the side window outlets and to the windshield. When this mode is selected, the system turns off recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the floor/defog mode.

(Defrost): Use this mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly. Turning the control to this mode directs most of the air to the windshield and the side window outlets. In this mode, the system automatically turns off recirculation and runs the air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected while in the defrost mode.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog or frost from the rear window.

(Rear Defogger): Press this button to turn the rear window defogger on or off. An indicator light below the button comes on to show that the rear window defogger is activated. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window as possible. The rear window defogger will only work when the ignition is in ON/RUN. The rear window defogger stays on for about 20 minutes after the button is pressed if you are traveling at slower vehicle speeds. At higher vehicle speeds the rear window defogger may stay on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger only runs for about 10 minutes before turning off. The defogger can be turned off by pressing the button again, by turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN, or by turning off the engine.

The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on. See Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror for more information.

Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.