GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 810615  Size: B3

The lever on the left 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

For more information on exterior lamps, see Exterior Lamps .

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

To signal a turn, move the lever on the left side of the steering wheel all the way up or down. The lever returns automatically when the turn is complete.


Object Number: 807334  Size: A1

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

If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up Display (HUD), an arrow will also appear in the display area to indicate the direction of the turn or lane change. See Head-Up Display (HUD) for more information.

You may also have an arrow in the outside mirror that flashes when the turn signal is used. See Outside Power Mirrors for more information.

Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is complete.

If the arrows flash very fast as you signal a turn or a lane change, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn, check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers .

Turn Signal On Chime

If your turn signal is left on for more than 0.8 miles (1.3 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever to the off position.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam or high beam to low beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you and release it.


Object Number: 808597  Size: A1

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

If your vehicle is equipped with the Head-Up Display (HUD), this symbol will also appear in the display area to indicate the high beams are on . See Head-Up Display (HUD) for more information.

Flash-To-Pass

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

Pull the turn signal lever toward you briefly to flash-to-pass.

If the headlamps are off or on low beam, the high-beam headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster will come on.

Windshield Wipers

The windshield wipers are controlled by turning the band marked WIPER.

If your windshield wipers are on for more than six seconds while you are driving, the low-beam headlamps, instrument panel cluster backlighting and taillamps will turn on. For more information see "Wiper Activated Headlamps" under Exterior Lamps .

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

MIST: For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the band on MIST longer.

LO (Low Speed): Turn the band to LO for steady wiping at a slow speed.

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

The wiper speed may be set for a long or short delay between wipes. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.

Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

Keep in mind that damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If your blades do become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

Rainsense™II Wipers

If your vehicle has this feature, the moisture sensor is mounted on the interior of the windshield below the rearview mirror and is used to automatically operate the wipers. This system operates by monitoring the amount of moisture build-up on the windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the windshield depending on the driving conditions and the sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer wipes will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes will occur more frequently. The system will operate in the delay, low speed and high speed modes. If the system is left on for long periods of time, occasional wipes may occur without any moisture on the windshield. This is normal and indicates that the Rainsense™ system is active.

The Rainsense™ system is activated by turning the wiper control band to one of the five sensitivity levels within the delay area. The delay position closest to OFF/MIST is the lowest sensitivity setting, level one. The highest sensitivity setting, level five, is closest to the LO position. A single wipe will occur each time you turn the wiper control band to a higher sensitivity level to indicate that the sensitivity level has been increased.

Notice: Going through an automatic car wash with the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers off when going through an automatic car wash.

The MIST and wash cycles operate as normal and are not affected by the Rainsense™ function. The system can be overridden at any time by manually changing the wiper control to LO or HI speed.

Notice: Do not place stickers or other items on the exterior glass surface directly in front of the rain sensor. Doing this could cause the rain sensor to malfunction.

Windshield Washer

At the top of the turn signal/multifunction lever, there is a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear the window and either stop or return to your preset speed. For more washer cycles, push and hold the paddle.

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.

Ice build up can block washer nozzles. Remove ice for proper operation.

See Windshield Washer Fluid for more information.

Cruise Control

The switches to operate cruise control are located on the steering wheel.

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 is helpful 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.

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional traction control system 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 the 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.


Object Number: 810794  Size: A2

Object Number: 810796  Size: A2
  1. Press ON/OFF to turn cruise control on. An indicator light near the word CRUISE on the button will come on.
  2. Get up to the speed you want.
  3. Press SET/COAST and the CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will illuminate.
  4. 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 do not need to reset it.

Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can briefly press RESUME/ACCEL (resume/accelerate) to return to your desired preset speed.

If you press and hold RESUME/ACCEL, the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the button or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster, do not press and hold RESUME/ACCEL.

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 SET/COAST, then release it and the accelerator pedal. You will now cruise at the higher speed.
    • Press RESUME/ACCEL. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want, and then release it. To increase your speed in very small amounts, briefly press RESUME/ACCEL and then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

The accelerate feature will only work after you have set the cruise control speed by pressing SET/COAST.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

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

    • Press SET/COAST until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
    • To slow down in very small amounts, push SET/COAST 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 have 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. Applying the brake or shifting into a lower gear will take your vehicle out of cruise control. If you need to apply the brake or shift to a lower gear due to the grade of the downhill slope, you may not want to attempt to use your cruise control feature.

Ending Cruise Control

There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

    • Step lightly on the brake pedal.
    • Press ON/OFF.

Erasing Speed Memory

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