GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 831644  Size: B3

The lever on the left side of the steering column includes the following:

    • Turn and Lane-Change Signals
    • Headlamps
    • Headlamp High/Low Beam-Changer
    • Flash-To-Pass Feature
    • Fog Lamps

For more information on the exterior lamps, see Exterior Lamps .

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down. The lever returns automatically when the turn is complete.


Object Number: 808320  Size: A1

Arrows on the instrument panel cluster flash in the direction of the turn or lane change.

Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is complete. The lever returns to its original position when it's released.

Arrows that flash rapidly when signaling for a turn or lane change may be caused by a burned-out signal bulb. Other driver's won't see the signal.

Replace burned-out bulbs to help avoid possible accidents. Check the fuse and for burned-out bulbs if the arrow fails to work when signaling a turn. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers for more information.

Turn Signal On Chime

If the turn signal is left on for approximately 1 mile (1.61 km), a warning chime will sound and the Turn Signal On message will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. See "Turn Signal On Message" under DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

Push forward on the turn signal/multifunction lever to change the headlamps from low to high beam. Pull the lever back and then release it to change from high to low beam.


Object Number: 808597  Size: A1

This light on the instrument panel cluster will be on, indicating high-beam usage.

Flash-To-Pass Feature

This feature allows you to use the high-beam headlamps to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.

Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you to use this feature. When you do, the following will occur:

    • If the headlamps are either off, in low-beam or in Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as long as you hold the lever there. Release the lever to turn them off.
    • If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push the lever away from you.

Headlamps

The exterior lamp control is located at the end of the turn signal/multifunction lever.

(Exterior Lamp Control): Turn the control with this symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.

The exterior lamp control has three positions:

(Off): Turning the control to this position turns off all lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).

(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to this position turns on the parking lamps together with the following:

    • Sidemarker Lamps
    • Taillamps
    • License Plate Lamps
    • Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position turns on the headlamps, together with the previously listed lamps and lights.

AUTO (Automatic): Turning the control to this position puts the headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode will turn the exterior lamps on and off depending upon how much light is available outside of the vehicle.

Wiper-Activated Headlamps

This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps after the windshield wipers have been in use for approximately six seconds. For this feature to work, the exterior lamp control must be in AUTO.

When the exterior lamp control is off or in the parking lamp position and the windshield wiper control is in any position except off, the Headlamps Suggested message will appear on the DIC display. See "Headlamps Suggested Message" under DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

When the ignition is turned to OFF, the wiper-activated headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also turn off if the windshield wiper control is turned off.

Headlamps On Reminder

A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position and the driver's door is opened with the ignition off.

Fog Lamps

Use the fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty conditions.


Object Number: 831645  Size: B3

The fog lamp control is located on the turn signal/multifunction lever to the left of the steering column.

The parking lamps must be on for the fog lamps to work.

To turn the fog lamps on, turn the band on the lever up to the fog lamp symbol and release it. The band will return to its original position.

To turn the fog lamps off, turn the band up to the fog lamp symbol and release it. The band will return to its original position, and the fog lamps will turn off. If you turn on the high-beam headlamps, the fog lamps will also turn off. They'll turn back on again when you switch back to low-beam headlamps.

Windshield Wipers


Object Number: 831646  Size: B3

The lever on the right side of the steering column operates the windshield wipers.

(Mist): Pull the lever down and release it for a single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original position. For more cycles, hold the lever down before releasing it.

(Off): Put the lever in this position to turn off the wipers.

(Delay):  Put the lever in this position to set a delay between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band to set the length of the delay.


Object Number: 831647  Size: B3
(Delay Adjustment): Use this band to set the length of the delay between wipes when using the delay feature. The closer you move the band toward mist, the longer the delay. The windshield wiper lever must be in delay for this feature to work.

(Low Speed): Put the lever in this position for slow, steady wiping cycles.

(High Speed): Put the lever in this position for rapid wiping cycles.

If the windshield wipers are in use for approximately six seconds while you are driving, the exterior lamps will come on automatically if the exterior lamp control is in AUTO. See "Wiper-Activated Headlamps" listed previously for more information.

Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield, gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become damaged, install new blades or blade inserts. For more information, see Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement .

Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

Windshield Washer

Caution: In freezing weather, do not use your washer until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your vision.

The windshield washer button is located at the end of the windshield wiper lever.

(Washer Fluid): Press the button with this symbol located at the end of the windshield washer lever to wash the windshield. Washer fluid will squirt onto the windshield and the wipers will run for a few cycles to clear the windshield. For more wash cycles, press and hold the button. If your vehicle is low on washer fluid, the Check Washer Fluid message will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information. If the headlamps are on when you wash the windshield, the headlamp washers (if equipped) will turn on. Both the windshield and the headlamps will be washed. See "Headlamp Washers" following for more information.

Headlamp Washers

If your vehicle has the optional high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, your vehicle will also have headlamp washers. The headlamp washers clear the headlamp lenses so that you can get the maximum visibility and brightness from your headlamps.


Object Number: 831648  Size: A3

The headlamp washers are located on the inboard side of the headlamp lenses.

The headlamps must be on in order to be washed. If the headlamps are off, only the windshield will be washed when the washer button is pressed.

To wash the headlamps, press the washer button located at the end of the windshield wiper lever. Both the headlamps and the windshield will be washed.

See "Windshield Washer" listed previously for more information.

Cruise Control


Object Number: 829278  Size: B3
On/Off

+: Resume/Accelerate, Set

-: Coast/Decelerate, Set

The buttons used to operate cruise control are located at the bottom of the steering wheel.

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).

When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.

Caution: Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the 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 your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak® System . When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control back on.

Setting Cruise Control

Caution: If you leave your cruise control on when you are not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when you do not want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise control switch off until you want to use cruise control.

  1. Press the cruise control on/off button to turn cruise control on. An indicator light will come on to show that the cruise control is on.
  2. Accelerate to the speed you want.
  3. Press the minus button and release it. This will set the cruise control.
  4. You can also set the cruise control by pressing and holding the plus button for approximately three seconds.

  5. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.

Object Number: 806861  Size: A1

This light on the instrument panel cluster will come on when cruise control is on. It will go out when cruise control is turned off.

Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This shuts off the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.

Once the vehicle is traveling approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can press the plus (resume/accelerate) button to return to your desired preset speed. The cruise control light will be displayed again.

The vehicle will return to and stay at your preset speed. If you press and hold the plus (resume/accelerate) button, the vehicle speed will increase until you release the button or apply the brake. Unless you want to go faster, do not press and hold the plus (resume/accelerate) button.

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

    • Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed. Press the plus (resume/accelerate) button, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You will now cruise at the higher speed.
    • Press the plus (resume/accelerate) button. Hold it until you get up to the speed that you want, and then release the button. To increase your speed in very small amounts, briefly press the plus (resume/accelerate) button and then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will speed up approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h).

The accelerate feature will only work after you have set the cruise control speed by pressing one of the set buttons.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control:

    • Press the minus (coast/decelerate) button until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
    • To slow down in very small amounts, push the minus (coast/decelerate) button briefly. Each time you do this, the vehicle will slow down approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h).

Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control

Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

Using Cruise Control on Hills

How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Applying the brake or shifting into a lower gear will take you out of cruise control. If you need to apply the brake or shift to a lower gear due to the grade of the downhill slope, you may not want to attempt to use your cruise control feature.

Ending Cruise Control

To end a cruise control session, step lightly on the brake pedal. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, lightly tapping the clutch will end a cruise control session also.

Stepping on the brake or clutch pedal will end the current cruise control session only. You must press the cruise control on/off button on the steering wheel to turn off the system completely.

Erasing Speed Memory

When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is erased.