GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 807914  Size: A2

(Off): This position turns the system off.

(On):  This position activates the system.

+ (Resume/Accelerate): Push 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).

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.

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 light 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 do not 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 will 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, do not 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 will 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 in 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, briefly press the set button. Each time you do this, you will 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 do not use cruise control on steep hills.

Ending Cruise Control

To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:

    • Step lightly on the brake pedal.
    • Move the cruise control switch to off.
    • Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
    • If road conditions cause StabiliTrak to activate, cruise control will turn off.
    •  If the accelerator pedal is held longer than 60 seconds, cruise control will turn off.

The cruise control will turn off automatically if the traction control system or StabiliTrak system activate, if your vehicle is equipped with either feature.

Erasing Speed Memory

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