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

Dual Climate Control System

Automatic Operation

The climate control system automatically adjusts the air temperature, air delivery mode, fan speed, and air conditioning for best comfort in the vehicle. To activate the automatic system:

AUTO (Automatic Mode): 

1. Turn the fan and mode controls to the AUTO position. This also sets the recirculation mode to automatic operation on the display.
2. Press the up or down arrows to adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting between 70°F (21°C) and 80°F (27°C).
3. Allow the system time to stabilize. This might take several minutes in very hot or cold weather. Then adjust the temperature, as needed for best comfort.

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 automatic system starts out blowing air at the floor, but changes 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 and the amount of time that has passed since the vehicle was last driven.

(Driver's Temperature Controls) : Press the up or down buttons closest to the driver to manually increase or decrease the temperature inside the vehicle.

(Passenger's Temperature Controls): Press the up or down buttons closest to the passenger to manually increase or decrease the temperature for the front passenger. If the passenger's climate control system is off, pressing either of these buttons turns it on.

Manual Operation

(Fan): Turn the left control to adjust the fan speed manually if the automatic setting is higher or lower than desired. The fan speed remains at this level until you return to AUTO or adjust to a different level. In the automatic position, the blower might go to a lower speed during an OnStar® session to limit the background noise.

To change the current mode, select one of the following positions using the right control:

AUTO: Turn the control to this position to turn on the automatic delivery mode operation.

(Vent): Turn the control to this position so that air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.

(Bi-Level): Turn the control to this position so that the air is directed to the instrument panel outlets and the floor outlets. The temperature of the air to the floor will be warmer than the air to the upper outlets.

(Floor): Turn the control to this position so that most of the air is directed to the floor outlets with some air directed to the outboard outlets, side window outlets, and defroster outlet.

(Defog): Turn the control to this position so that air is directed between the windshield and floor outlets, with some air going to the outboard outlets and side window outlets. More information of defogging can be found later in this section.

(Defrost): Turn the control to this position so that most of the air is directed to the windshield with some air going to the side window outlets. More information on defrosting can be found later in this section.

(On/Off): Press this button to turn the climate control system on or off. While off, adjusting any button or control, except recirculation and rear window defog turns the system back on. The air inlets default to outside air when the climate control system is turned off.

PASS (Passenger's Climate Control): Press this button to turn the passenger's climate control system on or off. Then press the up or down buttons to choose the desired setting. Pressing the button again automatically sets the passengers temperature to the drivers setting. Turning the passenger's temperature display off does not turn off the climate control system for the passenger.

Recirculation Operation

There are three options for bringing air into the climate control system. They are controlled by pressing the center button on the climate control panel. The climate control display indicates one of the following three modes:

(Auto Air Inlet): This mode lets the automatic climate control system choose the best air inlet position for cooling or warming the vehicle. To have full automatic climate control, the fan and mode controls must be set to the AUTO position. Generally, recirculation will only automatically be selected on hot days. Your vehicle may have an optional Air Quality Sensor. To activate the air quality sensor, the auto air inlet setting must be used. For more information, see Air Quality Sensor found later in this section.

(Recirculation): This mode recirculates air inside the vehicle and keeps outside air from coming into the vehicle. It can be used to help cool the vehicle more quickly or to prevent odors from entering the vehicle. Recirculation is not available in the defrost mode. It is also cancelled when floor or defog mode is selected. In some conditions using recirculation for long periods of time can cause the air inside the vehicle to become too dry or stuffy. To prevent this from happening, after the air in the vehicle has cooled, select auto air inlet or outside air.

(Outside Air): This mode pulls fresh air from outside the vehicle. Outside air is always selected in defrost mode to prevent fogging.

Air Quality Sensor: Your vehicle may have an air quality sensor to help limit the climate control system from pulling in irritating or harmful exhaust fumes from other vehicles. This sensor, when active, monitors the air quality in front of your vehicle and switches to air recirculation when poor quality air is detected outside your vehicle. The air quality sensor does not activate due to organic odors like skunk, and may not activate on many chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit these types of odors, manually select recirculation. To activate the air quality sensor, if your vehicle has one, select the Auto Air Inlet on your climate control display. The word AUTO is shown in the center of the display under the outline shape of a vehicle. While the air quality sensor senses poor quality air, the recirculation graphic appears above the AUTO symbol. Under some conditions, the air quality sensor system does not operate. In cold weather, the system might not be active (even if AUTO is displayed) because of concerns of fogging your windows, which may occur by activating recirculation mode. Also, the air quality sensor system does not remain in recirculation mode for extended periods of time that could cause stuffy or very dry conditions in the vehicle. Following a poorly running vehicle for an extended period of time may not keep recirculation active indefinitely. The air quality sensor system does not protect against carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell. See Engine Exhaust .

Air Conditioning

(Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the air conditioning on or off, and override the automatic system. When selecting the AUTO fan or AUTO mode, the air conditioning compressor comes on automatically, as necessary. The air conditioning system removes moisture from the air, so water might drip underneath the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.

Sensors

There is a solar sensor located on top of the instrument panel, near the windshield.

There is an interior temperature sensor located below the climate control system next to the steering wheel.

An ambient sensor is located behind the grille in front of the vehicle.

These sensors help the climate control system automatically control the temperature setting. The system can 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.

Do not cover any of the sensors or the climate control system might not work properly.

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 the windshield.

(Floor/Defog): Use this mode to clear the windows of fog and warm the passengers. The system turns off recirculation and runs the air conditioning compressor unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. If recirculation mode is selected while using the defog mode, the system recirculates air initially but returns to the fresh air mode after 10 minutes.

(Defrost): Use this mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly. When selected, the system turns off recirculation and runs the air conditioning compressor, unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing. Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.

Rear Window Defogger

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

(Rear Defogger): Press the center of the right control to turn the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from the rear window as possible. The rear window defogger turns off about 20 minutes after the button is first pressed if the vehicle is moving at slower speeds. At higher vehicle speeds, the rear defogger can stay on continuously. Each additional press runs the defogger for about 10 minutes.

The heated outside rearview mirrors also heat to help clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when the rear window defogger is on.

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.