GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Your vehicle is equipped with cruise control.


Object Number: 807914  Size: A2

(Off):  This position turns the system off.

(On): This position activates the system.

(Resume/Accelerate): Move the lever to this symbol to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.

(Set): Press this button to set the speed.

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

Cruise control will not work if your parking brake is set, or if the master cylinder brake fluid level is low.

If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut 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 (if equipped) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See Traction Control System (TCS) . When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn 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. Move the cruise control switch to on.
  2. Get up to the speed you want.
  3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and release it.
  4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Object Number: 806861  Size: A1

The cruise symbol on the instrument panel will illuminate when the cruise control is engaged.

Resuming a Set Speed

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

Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can move the cruise control switch briefly from on to resume/accelerate.

You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there.

If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the switch or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster, don't hold the switch at resume/accelerate.

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 set button at the end of the lever, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the higher speed. If the accelerator pedal is held longer than 60 seconds, cruise control will turn off.
    • Move the cruise switch from on to resume/accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want, and then release the switch. To increase your speed in very small amounts, move the switch briefly to resume/accelerate. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

    • Press and hold the set button until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
    • To slow down in very small amounts, briefly press the set button. Each time you do this, you'll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

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 want 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. Of course, applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on steep hills.

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 also end a cruise control session.

Stepping on the brake or clutch pedal will end the current cruise control session only. Move the cruise control switch to off to turn the system completely off.

Erasing Speed Memory

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