2020 GMC Savana Display | Warning Messages Guide
Finding your way around the 2020 GMC Savana’s dashboard’s complicated web of warning signs can feel like figuring out a complicated code. These warnings are very important because they let drivers know about problems like engine problems, low tire pressure, and more. In this in-depth guide, we explore the vast world of warning messages, explaining what they mean, how they work, and what you should do when that message appears. Whether you’re an experienced driver who knows a lot about car diagnosis or a new Savana owner who wants to make sense of all the dashboard icons, this guide will help you understand the warning messages so you can properly respond to any messages your car sends you.
2023 – 2024 GMC SAVANA Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
This vehicle has a DIC. All messages will appear in the DIC display at the bottom of the instrument cluster. The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short delay, the DIC will display the information that was last displayed before the engine was turned off. The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system information, and warning messages if a system problem is detected. If the vehicle has these features, the DIC also displays the compass direction and the outside air temperature when viewing the trip and fuel information. The compass direction appears on the top right corner of the DIC display. The outside air temperature automatically appears in the bottom right corner of the DIC display. If there is a problem with the system that controls the temperature display, the numbers will be replaced with dashes. If this occurs, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed by pressing the DIC buttons on the instrument panel, next to the instrument cluster.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle information, customization, and set/ reset buttons. The button functions are detailed in the following pages.
: Press this button to display the odometer, trip odometers, fuel range, average economy, fuel used, timer, average speed, and digital tachometer.
: Press this button to display the oil life, rear park assist, units, tire pressure readings for vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), engine hours, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) programming for vehicles with the TPMS and without a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, and compass zone and compass calibration on vehicles with this feature.
: Press this button to customize the feature settings on the vehicle.
: Press this button to set or reset certain functions and to turn off or acknowledge messages on the DIC.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items: Press this button to scroll through the following menu items:
Odometer
Pressuntil XX km (mi) displays. This display shows the distance the vehicle has been driven in either kilometers (km) or miles (mi).
Trip Odometers
Pressuntil A or B displays. This display shows the current distance traveled in either kilometer (km) or miles (mi) since the last reset for each trip odometer. Both trip odometers can be used at the same time. Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by pressing while the desired trip odometer is displayed. The trip odometer has a feature called the retro-active reset. This can be used to set the trip odometer to the number of kilometers (miles) driven since the ignition was last turned on. This can be used if the trip odometer is not reset at the beginning of the trip. To use the retroactive reset feature, press and hold for at least four seconds. The trip odometer will display the number of kilometers (km) or miles (mi) driven since the ignition was last turned on and the vehicle was moving. Once the vehicle begins moving, the trip odometer will accumulate mileage. For example, if the vehicle was driven 8 km (5 miles) before it started again, and then the retro-active reset feature is activated, the display will show 8 km (5 miles). As the vehicle begins moving, the display will then increase to 8.1 km (5.1 miles), 8.2 km (5.2 miles), etc. If the retroactive reset feature is activated after the vehicle is started, but before it begins moving, the display will show the number of kilometers (km) or miles (mi) that were driven during the last ignition cycle.
Fuel Range
Press until FUEL RANGE displays. This display shows the approximate number of remaining kilometers (km) or miles (mi) the vehicle can be driven without refueling. The fuel range estimate is based on an average of the fuel economy over recent driving history and the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. This estimate will change if driving conditions change. For example, if driving in traffic and making frequent stops, this display may read one number, but if the vehicle is driven on a freeway, the number may change even though the same amount of fuel is in the fuel tank. This is because different driving conditions produce different fuel economies. Generally, freeway driving produces better fuel economy than city driving. If the vehicle is low on fuel, the FUEL LEVEL LOW message will be displayed.
Average Economy
Press until AVG ECONOMY displays. This display shows the approximate average liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg). This number is calculated based on the number of L/100 km (mpg) recorded since the last time this menu item was reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY, press, and hold. The display will return to zero.
Fuel Used
Press until FUEL USED displays. This display shows the number of liters (L) or gallons (gal) of fuel used since the last reset of this menu item. To reset the fuel used information, press and hold while FUEL USED is displayed.
Timer
Pressuntil TIMER displays. This display can be used as a timer. To start the timer, press while TIMER is displayed. The display will show the amount of time that has passed since the timer was last reset, not including the time the ignition is off. Time will continue to be counted as long as the ignition is on, even if another display is being shown on the DIC. The timer will record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds (99:59:59) after which the display will return to zero. To stop the timer, press briefly while TIMER is displayed. To reset the timer to zero, press and hold while TIMER is displayed.
Average Speed
Press until AVERAGE SPEED displays. This display shows the average speed of the vehicle in kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). This average is calculated based on the various vehicle speeds recorded since the last reset of this value. To reset the value, press and hold. The display will return to zero.
Digital Tachometer
Press until Tachometer ##00 RPM displays. This display shows the engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Menu Items: Press this button to scroll through the following menu items:
Oil Life
Press until OIL LIFE REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the display, which means 99% of the current oil life remains. The engine oil life system will alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent with your driving conditions. When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the display. In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended. Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any time other than when the oil has just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change.
Side Blind Zone Alert
If the vehicle has Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA), this display allows the system to be turned on or off. Press until SBZA displays. Once in this display, press to select between ON or OFF. When the SBZA system is turned off, a DIC message will display.
Park Assist
If the vehicle has the Rear Park Assist (RPA) system, press until PARK ASSIST displays. This display allows the system to be turned on or off. Once in this display, press to select between ON or OFF. The RPA system automatically turns back on after each vehicle start. When the RPA system is turned off and the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park), the DIC will display the PARK ASSIST OFF message as a reminder that the system has been turned off.
Units
Press until UNITS displays. This display allows you to select between metric or English units of measurement. Once in this display, press
to select between METRIC or ENGLISH units.
Tire Pressure
If the vehicle has the ire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), the pressure for each tire can be viewed in the DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per square inch (psi). Press until the DIC displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##. Press
again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##. If a low tire pressure condition is detected by the system while driving, a message advising you to check the pressure in a specific tire will appear in the display. If the tire pressure display shows dashes instead of a value, there may be a problem with the vehicle. If this consistently occurs, see your dealer for service.
Engine Hours
Press
until ENGINE HOURS displays. This display shows the total number of hours the engine has run.
Relearn Tire Positions
The vehicle may have this display. To access this display, the vehicle must be in P (Park). If the vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor, the system must re-learn the tire positions.
Change Compass Zone
The vehicle may have this feature. To change the compass zone through the DIC.
Calibrate Compass
The vehicle may have this feature. The compass can be manually calibrated. To calibrate the compass through the DIC.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC indicate the status of the vehicle or some action that may be needed to correct a condition. Multiple messages may appear one after another. The messages that do not require immediate action can be acknowledged and cleared by pressing. The messages that require immediate action cannot be cleared until that action is performed. All messages should be taken seriously; clearing the message does not correct the problem. If a SERVICE message appears, see your dealer. Follow the instructions given in the messages.
The system displays messages regarding the following topics:
- Service Messages
- Fluid Levels
- Vehicle Security
- Brakes
- Steering
- Ride Control Systems
- Driver Assistance Systems
- Cruise Control
- Lighting and Bulb Replacement
- Wiper/Washer Systems
- Doors and Windows
- Seat Belts
- Airbag Systems
- Engine and Transmission
- Tire Pressure
- Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle’s propulsion power is reduced. A reduction in propulsion power can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no observed reduction in performance, proceed to your destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven while this message is on, but maximum acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, or displays repeatedly, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer for service as soon as possible. Under certain operating conditions propulsion will be disabled. Try restarting after the vehicle has been off for 30 seconds.
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX KM/H (MPH)
This message shows that the vehicle speed has been limited to the speed displayed. The limited speed is protection for various propulsion and vehicle systems, such as lubrication, thermal, suspension, or tires.
FAQs
The “Check Engine” warning message typically indicates a problem with the vehicle’s engine or emissions system, such as a malfunctioning sensor or a misfire.
The “Low Tire Pressure” warning message appears when one or more tires have low pressure, potentially affecting vehicle handling and fuel efficiency.
The “Battery Low” warning message indicates that the vehicle’s battery voltage is low, which could lead to starting difficulties or electrical system malfunctions.
The “Service Stability Control” warning message indicates a problem with the vehicle’s stability control system, which helps maintain traction and stability during driving.
The “Oil Pressure Low” warning message warns the driver of low oil pressure, which could lead to engine damage if not addressed promptly.
The “Check Fuel Cap” warning message indicates that the fuel cap may not be properly tightened, potentially causing fuel vapor leakage and emissions issues.
The “Service Airbag” warning message suggests a problem with the vehicle’s airbag system, necessitating immediate attention to ensure occupant safety.
The “ABS Warning” message indicates a fault in the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system, which could affect braking performance, especially on slippery surfaces.
The “Service Transmission” warning message suggests a malfunction in the vehicle’s transmission system, requiring inspection and potential repairs.
The “Reduced Power” warning message indicates that the vehicle’s engine power is limited due to a detected fault in the engine or transmission system.
The “Service Vehicle Soon” warning message indicates a non-specific issue that requires attention, prompting the driver to schedule maintenance or diagnostic checks.
The “Check Brake System” warning message suggests a problem with the vehicle’s braking system, such as low brake fluid levels or worn brake pads.
The “Service Exhaust Fluid System” warning message alerts the driver to an issue with the vehicle’s diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system, which helps reduce emissions.
The “Service Lane Departure System” warning message indicates a fault in the vehicle’s lane departure warning system, which helps prevent unintentional lane drifting.
The “Park Assist Off” warning message indicates that the vehicle’s parking assist feature has been manually disabled, typically by the driver.
The “Service 4WD” warning message suggests a problem with the vehicle’s four-wheel-drive system, necessitating inspection and potential repairs.
Useful Links
View Full PDF: GMC Savana 2020 User Manual | Auto User Guide
2023 – 2024 GMC SAVANA Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review
Warning Indicators Guide: 2020 GMC Savana Instrument Cluster