GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 811861  Size: B2

The lever on the driver's side of the steering column includes the following:

    • Turn and Lane Change Signals
    • Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
    • Flash-to-Pass
    • Windshield Wipers
    • Windshield Washer
    • Cruise Control (Option)

For information on the exterior lamps, see Exterior Lamps .

Turn and Lane Change Signals

The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.


Object Number: 808320  Size: A1

An arrow on the instrument panel cluster will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change.

To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself when you release it.

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash faster, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won't see your turn signal.

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and a blown fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers .

If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for the trailer lamps, a different turn signal flasher is used. With this flasher installed, the signal indicator will flash even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they are working.

Turn Signal On Chime

If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever to the center position.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high to low, pull the multifunction lever all the way toward you. Then release it.


Object Number: 808597  Size: A1

When the high beams are on, this indicator light located on the instrument panel cluster also will be on.

Flash-to-Pass

This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are in automatic.

To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not so far that you hear a click.

If your headlamps are in automatic or on low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam indicator located on the cluster comes on. Release the lever to return to normal operation.

Windshield Wipers


Object Number: 805624  Size: A2

To operate the windshield wipers turn the band, located on the multifunction lever, upward or downward.

MIST: Turn the band to MIST for a single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield wipers start, then let it go. The wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the band on mist longer.

OFF: Turn the band to turn off the windshield wipers.

LOW (Low Speed): Turn the band to LOW for steady wiping at low speed.

HIGH (High Speed): Turn the band to HIGH for steady wiping at high speed.

DELAY: Turn the band to one of the five delay settings located between OFF and LOW, to choose the delayed wiping cycle. The closer the band is turned to OFF, the shorter the delay will be. For fewer wipes choose a setting closer to LOW. Use this setting for light rain and snow.

Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

Windshield Washer

(Washer Fluid): There is a paddle marked with the windshield washer symbol at the top of the multifunction lever. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and then either stop or return to your preset speed.

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 wipers will clear the window and then either stop or return to your preset speed.

Rear Window Washer/Wiper


Object Number: 811415  Size: A3

Your vehicle may have this feature. The rear window washer/wiper is controlled by using the switch located on the instrument panel, next to the audio system.

To turn the wiper on, slide the switch all the way up to ON.

For delay wiping, slide the switch up to the center position next to the word DELAY on the rear wiper control. The wiper will cycle every nine seconds.

To wash the window, push in on the switch. Window washer fluid will continue to spray until the switch is released. The wiper will continue with three more wipes and then return to the setting that was chosen before the lever was pushed.

Move the switch to OFF to turn off the rear window washer.

The rear window washer uses the same fluid bottle as the front windshield washer. If the fluid level is low in the washer bottle, you may not be able to wash your rear window. If you can wash your windshield, but not your rear window, check the fluid level.

Cruise Control

Your vehicle may have this feature. 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).

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.

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. Object Number: 811218  Size: A2
  4. Press in the SET button at the end of the lever and release it.
  5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Resuming a Set Speed

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


Object Number: 811704  Size: A2

Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A (Resume/Acclerate) briefly.

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

If you hold the switch at R/A, 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 R/A.

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 button at the end of the lever, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the higher speed.
    • Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. 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 to R/A briefly. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

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

    • Press the button at the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
    • To slow down in very small amounts, press the button briefly. 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

There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

    • Step lightly on the brake pedal.
    • Move the cruise switch to OFF.

Erasing Speed Memory

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