GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 864209  Size: A1

The vehicle has a tow/haul mode. The tow/haul mode adjusts the transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling, providing increased performance, vehicle control, and transmission cooling while towing or hauling heavy loads.

Press the button located on the instrument panel to the right of the steering wheel to turn tow/haul on or off. While tow/haul is on, a light on the instrument panel cluster comes on.

See Tow/Haul Mode Light for more information.

Also see "Tow Haul Mode" under Towing a Trailer for more information.

Grade Braking

Grade Braking is only active while the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and you are not in the Range Selection Mode. See "Tow/Haul Mode listed previously and Automatic Transmission Operation for more information on the Range Selection Mode. Grade Braking assists in maintaining desired vehicle speeds when driving on downhill grades by automatically implementing a shift schedule that utilizes the engine and transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces wear on the braking system and increases control of the vehicle. Grade Braking monitors vehicle speed, acceleration, engine torque and brake pedal usage. Using this information, it detects when the truck is on a downhill grade and the driver desires to slow the vehicle by pressing the brake.

Also see Towing a Trailer for more information.

Cruise Grade Braking

Cruise Grade Braking operates while Cruise Control is engaged in Tow/Haul mode to assist in maintaining vehicle speed under loaded vehicle conditions. Cruise Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill grade. It maintains vehicle speed by automatically implementing a shift schedule that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is above the desired speed the transmission will downshift to slow the vehicle. If vehicle speed is near or below desired speed the trans will upshift, allowing vehicle speed to increase.

While in the Range Select Mode (RSM) mode, cruise grade braking is not available.

See Automatic Transmission Operation.