GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

If your vehicle is equipped 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 25 mph (40 km/h).

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.

4-Spoke Steering Wheel Cruise Controls


Object Number: 1489738  Size: A2

4-Spoke Steering Wheel Cruise Controls


Object Number: 1250643  Size: A2

3-Spoke Steering Wheel Cruise Controls


Object Number: 1548254  Size: A2

The cruise control buttons are located on the steering wheel.

(On/Off): Press this symbol to turn the cruise control system on and off.

RES+ (Resume): Press this symbol to resume a set speed and to accelerate the speed.

SET- (Set): Press this symbol to set a speed and to decrease the speed.

CANCEL (3-Spoke Wheel Only): Press this symbol to cancel cruise control.

To set a speed do the following:

  1. Press the on/off symbol to turn cruise control on. The indicator light on the button will come on.
  2. Get to the speed you want.
  3. Press the SET- symbol and release it. The cruise symbol will display in the instrument panel cluster to show the system is engaged.
  4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

When the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.

If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction Control System (TCS) or Enhanced Traction System (ETS) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See Traction Control System (TCS) and Enhanced Traction System (ETS) . When road conditions allow, the cruise control can be used again.

Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brakes. This, of course, disengages the cruise control. The cruise symbol in the instrument panel cluster will also go out indicating cruise is no longer engaged. To return to your previously set speed, you do not need to go through the set process again. Once at a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can press the RES+ symbol briefly.

This will take you back up to your previously chosen speed and stay there.

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control

There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

    • If the cruise control system is already engaged, press the RES+ symbol. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want, and then release the button.
    • To increase your speed in very small amounts, press the RES+ symbol briefly and then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

If the cruise control system is already engaged,

    • Push and hold the SET- symbol until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
    • To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET- symbol briefly. 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 have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your vehicle's speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep yourvehicle's speed down. Of course, applying the brakes ends cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and do not use cruise control on steep hills.

Ending Cruise Control

There are four ways to disengage the cruise control:

    • Step lightly on the brake pedal; when cruise control disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument panel cluster will go out.
    • Press the on/off button, this will turn off the cruise control system.
    • Press the cancel button (3-spoke wheel only). When cruise control disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument panel cluster will go out.
    • Step on the clutch pedal; when the cruise control disengages, the cruise symbol in the instrument panel cluster will go out.

Erasing Speed Memory

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