What Is Buckle to Shift?
If you have recently purchased or started driving a General Motors vehicle — including a Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, or Cadillac — you may have noticed that your vehicle will not shift out of park unless your seat belt is fastened. This feature is called Buckle to Shift, and it is a safety technology built into many modern GM vehicles designed to encourage drivers to buckle up before putting the vehicle in motion.
While Buckle to Shift is a well-intentioned safety feature that can be especially helpful for building good habits, some drivers find it inconvenient in certain situations — such as when moving a vehicle in a parking lot, pulling into a tight garage, or performing other low-speed maneuvers where buckling up may feel unnecessary. The good news is that GM has made it possible for drivers to turn this feature off directly through the vehicle's infotainment system in just a few simple steps.
Here is a Link to a Video showing how to take care of this.
Which GM Vehicles Have Buckle to Shift?
Buckle to Shift is available on a wide range of General Motors vehicles across all four brands, including:
- Chevrolet — Silverado, Colorado, Tahoe, Suburban, Traverse, Blazer, Equinox, Trailblazer, and Trax
- GMC — Sierra, Canyon, Yukon, Yukon XL, Acadia, and Terrain
- Buick — Enclave, Envision, Encore GX, and Envista
- Cadillac — Escalade, Escalade ESV, XT6, XT5, XT4, CT5, and CT4
How to Turn Off Buckle to Shift — Step by Step
Turning off Buckle to Shift on most GM vehicles is a straightforward process that can be completed in under two minutes directly from your vehicle's infotainment touchscreen. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1 — Start Your Vehicle Start your GM vehicle and make sure it is in park. Your infotainment screen should be fully loaded and active before proceeding.
Step 2 — Open the Settings Menu On your infotainment touchscreen, locate and tap the Settings icon. This is typically represented by a gear icon and can be found on the home screen or in the main menu of your infotainment system.
Step 3 — Select Vehicle Settings Once inside the Settings menu, scroll through the available options and select Vehicle or Vehicle Settings. This section contains all of the customizable driver preference and safety feature settings for your specific GM vehicle.
Step 4 — Find the Buckle to Shift Option Inside the Vehicle Settings menu, scroll down until you find the Buckle to Shift option. Depending on your specific GM vehicle model and model year, this setting may also be listed as Seat Belt Reminder or found under a Driver Assistance or Safety submenu.
Step 5 — Toggle the Feature Off Once you have located the Buckle to Shift setting, simply tap the toggle switch to turn the feature off. The toggle will typically change from green or blue to gray, indicating that the feature has been successfully disabled.
Step 6 — Confirm and Exit Some GM vehicles may prompt you to confirm your selection before saving the change. If prompted, confirm your choice and exit the Settings menu. Your Buckle to Shift preference will be saved and your vehicle will remember this setting the next time you start it.
HERE IS ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
How to Turn Off Buckle to Shift Using the Steering Wheel Controls
On some GM vehicles, particularly older model years, the Buckle to Shift setting may not be accessible through the infotainment touchscreen. In these cases, you may be able to adjust the setting using your steering wheel controls and the instrument cluster display. Here is how:
Step 1 — Press the Menu or Settings button on your steering wheel controls to open the vehicle information menu in your instrument cluster display.
Step 2 — Use the directional arrow buttons on your steering wheel to scroll through the menu options until you find Vehicle Settings or Driver Information.
Step 3 — Navigate to the Buckle to Shift or Seat Belt option and select it using the confirmation button on your steering wheel.
Step 4 — Toggle the setting off and confirm your selection. The instrument cluster will display a confirmation message once the change has been saved successfully.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
While turning off Buckle to Shift is entirely within your rights as a vehicle owner and operator, there are a few important things to keep in mind before disabling this feature:
- Seat belt laws still apply. Disabling Buckle to Shift does not exempt you from your state or local seat belt laws. Always buckle up before driving on public roads regardless of whether this feature is enabled or disabled on your vehicle.
- The feature can be turned back on at any time. If you change your mind or want to re-enable Buckle to Shift for a new driver in your household, simply follow the same steps above and toggle the feature back on.
- Settings may vary by model and year. The exact location of the Buckle to Shift setting may vary depending on your specific GM vehicle model, trim level, and model year. If you are having trouble locating the setting, consult your owner's manual or contact our service team at [Dealership Name] for assistance.
- Some vehicles may require a dealer reset. In rare cases, particularly on older GM models, the Buckle to Shift feature may need to be adjusted by a certified technician using a diagnostic tool. Contact our service department at [Dealership Name] if you are unable to locate the setting through your infotainment system or steering wheel controls.