GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DIC Operation and Displays With DIC Buttons

If your vehicle has DIC buttons, the information below explains the operation of this system.

The DIC has different displays which can be accessed by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument panel. See Instrument Panel Overview for more information.

The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system information, and warning messages if a system problem is detected.

The DIC also allows some features to be customized. See DIC Vehicle Customization for more information.

If your vehicle has DIC buttons, you can also use the trip odometer reset stem to view the odometer and trip odometers.

DIC Buttons


Object Number: 1713271  Size: B1

The buttons are the set/reset, customization, vehicle information, and trip/fuel buttons. The button functions are detailed in the following pages.

(Set/Reset): Press this button to set or reset certain functions and to turn off or acknowledge messages on the DIC.

(Customization): Press this button to customize the feature settings on your vehicle. See DIC Vehicle Customization for more information.

(Vehicle Information): Press this button to display the oil life, park assist on vehicles with this feature, units, tire pressure readings, Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system programming, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter programming.

(Trip/Fuel): Press this button to display the odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average economy, timer, fuel used, and average speed.

Vehicle Information Menu Items

(Vehicle Information): Press this button to scroll through the following menu items:

OIL LIFE

Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate of the oil's remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of the current oil life remains. The engine oil life system will alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.

When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the display. See "CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON" under DIC Warnings and Messages . You should change the oil as soon as you can. See Engine Oil . In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. See Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE display accidentally at any time other than when the oil has just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change. To reset the engine oil life system, see Engine Oil Life System .

PARK ASSIST

If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system, press the vehicle information button until PARK ASSIST displays. This display allows the system to be turned on or off. Once in this display, press the set/reset button to select between ON or OFF. If you choose ON, the system will be turned on. If you choose OFF, the system will be turned off. The URPA system automatically turns back on after each vehicle start. When the URPA system is turned off and the vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P), the DIC will display the PARK ASSIST OFF message as a reminder that the system has been turned off. See DIC Warnings and Messages and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) for more information.

UNITS

Press the vehicle information button until UNITS displays. This display allows you to select between English or Metric units of measurement. Once in this display, press the set/reset button to select between ENGLISH or METRIC units. All of the vehicle information will then be displayed in the unit of measurement selected.

FRONT TIRES or REAR TIRES

The pressure for each tire can be viewed in the DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). Press the vehicle information button until the DIC displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##. Press the vehicle information button again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##.

If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected by the system while driving, a message advising you to check the pressure in a specific tire will appear in the display. See Inflation - Tire Pressure and DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

If the tire pressure display shows dashes instead of a value, there may be a problem with your vehicle. If this consistently occurs, see your dealer/retailer for service.

RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS

After rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system must re-learn the tire positions. To re-learn the tire positions, see Tire Pressure Monitor System . See Tire Inspection and Rotation and DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

RELEARN REMOTE KEY

This display allows you to match Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters to your vehicle. To match a RKE transmitter to your vehicle, do the following:

  1. Press the vehicle information button until PRESS TO RELEARN REMOTE KEY displays.
  2. Press the set/reset button until REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE is displayed.
  3. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons on the first transmitter at the same time for about 15 seconds.
  4. On vehicles with memory recall seats, the first transmitter learned will match driver 1 and the second will match driver 2.

    A chime will sound indicating that the transmitter is matched.

  5. To match additional transmitters at this time, repeat Step 3.
  6. Each vehicle can have a maximum of eight transmitters matched to it.

  7. To exit the programming mode, you must cycle the key to OFF.

Blank Display

This display shows no information.

Trip/Fuel Menu Items

(Trip/Fuel): Press this button to scroll through the following menu items:

ODOMETER

Press the trip/fuel button until ODOMETER displays. This display shows the distance the vehicle has been driven in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km). Pressing the trip odometer reset stem will also display the odometer.

To switch between English and metric measurements, see "UNITS" later in this section.

TRIP A and TRIP B

Press the trip/fuel button until TRIP A or TRIP B displays. This display shows the current distance traveled in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset for each trip odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the same time. Pressing the trip odometer reset stem will also display the trip odometers.

Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by pressing the set/reset button or the trip odometer reset stem while the desired trip odometer is displayed.

The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to the number of miles (kilometers) driven since the ignition was last turned on. This can be used if the trip odometer is not reset at the beginning of the trip.

To use the retro-active reset feature, press and hold the set/reset button for at least four seconds. The trip odometer will display the number of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) driven since the ignition was last turned on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins moving, the trip odometer will accumulate mileage. For example, if the vehicle was driven 5 miles (8 km) before it is started again, and then the retro-active reset feature is activated, the display will show 5 miles (8 km). As the vehicle begins moving, the display will then increase to 5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.

If the retro-active reset feature is activated after the vehicle is started, but before it begins moving, the display will show the number of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) that were driven during the last ignition cycle.

RANGE

Press the trip/fuel button until RANGE displays. This display shows the approximate number of remaining miles (mi) or kilometers (km) the vehicle can be driven without refueling. The display will show LOW if the fuel level is low.

The fuel range estimate is based on an average of the vehicle's fuel economy over recent driving history and the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. This estimate will change if driving conditions change. For example, if driving in traffic and making frequent stops, this display may read one number, but if the vehicle is driven on a freeway, the number may change even though the same amount of fuel is in the fuel tank. This is because different driving conditions produce different fuel economies. Generally, freeway driving produces better fuel economy than city driving. Fuel range cannot be reset.

AVG (Average) ECONOMY

Press the trip/fuel button until AVG ECONOMY displays. This display shows the approximate average miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km). This number is calculated based on the number of mpg (L/100 km) recorded since the last time this menu item was reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY, press and hold the set/reset button.

TIMER

Press the trip/fuel button until TIMER displays. This display can be used as a timer.

To start the timer, press the set/reset button while TIMER is displayed. The display will show the amount of time that has passed since the timer was last reset, not including time the ignition is off. Time will continue to be counted as long as the ignition is on, even if another display is being shown on the DIC. The timer will record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after which the display will return to zero.

To stop the timer, press the set/reset button briefly while TIMER is displayed.

To reset the timer to zero, press and hold the set/reset button while TIMER is displayed.

FUEL USED

Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL USED displays. This display shows the number of gallons (gal) or liters (L) of fuel used since the last reset of this menu item. To reset the fuel used information, press and hold the set/reset button while FUEL USED is displayed.

AVG (Average) SPEED

Press the trip/fuel button until AVG SPEED displays. This display shows the average speed of the vehicle in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h). This average is calculated based on the various vehicle speeds recorded since the last reset of this value. To reset the value to zero, press and hold the set/reset button.

Blank Display

This display shows no information.

DIC Operation and Displays Without DIC Buttons

If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, the information below explains the operation of this system.

The DIC has different displays which can be accessed by pressing the trip odometer reset stem located on the instrument panel cluster. Pressing the trip odometer reset stem will also turn off, or acknowledge, DIC messages.

The DIC displays trip and vehicle system information, and warning messages if a system problem is detected.

If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, you can use the trip odometer reset stem to view the following displays: odometer, trip odometers, oil life, park assist menu for vehicles with the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system, Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system programming, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter programming, units, and display language.

If your vehicle has DIC buttons, you can use the trip odometer reset stem to view the following displays: odometer and trip odometers.

Trip Odometer Reset Stem Menu Items

ODOMETER

Press the trip odometer reset stem until ODOMETER displays. This display shows the distance the vehicle has been driven in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km).

To switch between English and metric measurements, see "UNITS" later in this section.

TRIP A or TRIP B

Press the trip odometer reset stem until TRIP A or TRIP B displays. This display shows the current distance traveled in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset for each trip odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the same time.

Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by pressing and holding the trip odometer reset stem while the desired trip odometer is displayed.

The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to the number of miles (kilometers) driven since the ignition was last turned on. This can be used if the trip odometer is not reset at the beginning of the trip.

To use the retro-active reset feature, press and hold the trip odometer reset stem for at least four seconds. The trip odometer will display the number of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) driven since the ignition was last turned on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins moving, the trip odometer will accumulate mileage. For example, if the vehicle was driven 5 miles (8 km) before it is started again, and then the retro-active reset feature is activated, the display will show 5 miles (8 km). As the vehicle begins moving, the display will then increase to 5.1 miles (8.2 km), 5.2 miles (8.4 km), etc.

If the retro-active reset feature is activated after the vehicle is started, but before it begins moving, the display will show the number of miles (mi) or kilometers (km) that were driven during the last ignition cycle.

OIL LIFE

To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). Press the trip odometer reset stem until OIL LIFE REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate of the oil's remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of the current oil life remains. The engine oil life system will alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.

When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the display. See "CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON" under DIC Warnings and Messages . You should change the oil as soon as you can. See Engine Oil . In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. See Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE display accidentally at any time other than when the oil has just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change. To reset the engine oil life system, see Engine Oil Life System .

PARK ASSIST

To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system, press the trip odometer reset stem until PARK ASSIST displays. This display allows the system to be turned on or off. Once in this display, press and hold the trip odometer reset stem to select between ON or OFF. If you choose ON, the system will be turned on. If you choose OFF, the system will be turned off. The URPA system automatically turns back on after each vehicle start. When the URPA system is turned off and the vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P), the DIC will display the PARK ASSIST OFF message as a reminder that the system has been turned off. See DIC Warnings and Messages and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) for more information.

RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS

To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). After rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system must re-learn the tire positions. To re-learn the tire positions, see Tire Pressure Monitor System . See Tire Inspection and Rotation and DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.

RELEARN REMOTE KEY

To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). This display allows you to match Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters to your vehicle. To match an RKE transmitter to your vehicle, do the following:

  1. Press the trip odometer reset stem until RELEARN REMOTE KEY displays.
  2. Press and hold the trip odometer reset stem until REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE is displayed.
  3. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons on the first transmitter at the same time for about 15 seconds.
  4. On vehicles with memory recall seats, the first transmitter learned will match driver 1 and the second will match driver 2.

    A chime will sound indicating that the transmitter is matched.

  5. To match additional transmitters at this time, repeat Step 3.
  6. Each vehicle can have a maximum of eight transmitters matched to it.

  7. To exit the programming mode, you must cycle the key to OFF.

UNITS

To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). Press the trip odometer reset stem until UNITS displays. This display allows you to select between English or Metric units of measurement. Once in this display, press and hold the trip odometer reset stem to select between ENGLISH or METRIC units. All of the vehicle information will then be displayed in the unit of measurement selected.

DISPLAY LANGUAGE

To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). This display allows you to select the language in which the DIC messages will appear. To select a language, do the following:

  1. Press the trip odometer reset stem until DISPLAY LANGUAGE, LANGUE AFFICHAGE (French), or MOSTRAR IDIOMA (Spanish) displays.
  2. Continue to press and hold the trip odometer reset stem to scroll through all of the available languages.
  3. The available languages are ENGLISH (default), FRANCAIS (French), and ESPANOL (Spanish).

  4. Once the desired language is displayed, release the trip odometer reset stem to set your choice.