Page 85 of 324
You may also have a lock out button. Push LOCK to
disable the power window switches. This will prevent
passengers from opening and closing the windows. Push
UNLOCK to allow your passengers to be able to use
their window switches again.
Horn
To sound the horn, press a pad with the horn symbol on
either side
of the steering wheel.
Remote Trunk Release
I! The trunk release switch in
the glove
box must be
“ON” for the “TRUNK”
button to work.
This feature allows
you to secure items in the trunk
when you must leave the ignition key with an attendant.
To secure the trunk, turn OFF the TRUNK RELEASE,
lock the glove box, then take the door key with you.
83
Page 86 of 324
The “TRUNK” button is on
the instrument panel to
the
left of the steering column.
The ignition switch must
also be
ON and the
transaxle in PARK or
NEUTRAL for it to work.
If you have the Remote Keyless Entry System, it will
also unlock
the trunk.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Page 87 of 324
The Turn Signal/Headlight Beam
Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:
0 Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
0 Headlight High-Low Beam & Passing Signal
0 Windshield Wipers
0 Windshield Washer
0 Cruise Control (Option)
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
bi
The turn signal has two upward (for Right) and two
downward (for Left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn
or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When
the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
85
Page 147 of 324

@ Part 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions .
We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving .
Part 4 includes:
Roadsigns
..................................................................... 146
DefensiveDriving
................................................................. 154
DrunkenDriving
.................................................................. 155
ControlofaVehicle
................................................................ 158
Braking
..................................................................... 158
Steering
..................................................................... 163
Passing
..................................................................... 166
LossofControl
............................................................... 168
DrivingatNight
................................................................... 169
DrivingintheRain
................................................................. 171
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze ........................................................ 173
CityDriving
...................................................................... 175
FreewayDriving
................................................................... 176
DrivingonaLongTrip
............................................................. 178
HillandMountainRoads
............................................................ 180
ParkingonHills
................................................................... 182
WinterDriving .................................................................... 185
TowingaTrailer
................................................................... 189
145
Page 160 of 324

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time.
First,
you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That’s reaction time.
Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s
easy
to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. Average
reaction time is about
3/4 of a second. But
that’s
only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. But even in
3/4 of a second, a
vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20
m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And,
of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface
of the road (whether it’s pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; and the condition
of your brakes.
Most drivers treat their brakes with care. Some,
however, overwork the braking system with poor
driving habits.
Page 165 of 324

applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Rear Drum Brakes
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation
or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This
could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your
brakes adjust for wear.
If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your
brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that
way, then
-- very carefully -- make a few moderate brake
stops about every
1000 miles (1600 km), so your
brakes will adjust propexly.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to.
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but it
will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver
lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each
of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The
traction
of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
163
Page 166 of 324

the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer
a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and y.our speed. While
you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly accelerate.
Those two control systems
-- steering and acceleration --
can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the
road and make you lose control.
What should you do
if this ever happens? Let up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed
so you can
“drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
When you drive into a curve at night, it’s harder to see
the road ahead of you because it bends away from the
straight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to
drive slower.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped
in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems
by braking -- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s\
the time for evasive action
-- steering around the
problem.
Your Buick can perform very well
in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes.
It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then
steer around
the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available,
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
164
Page 167 of 324
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can
turn
it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have
avoided the object. You must then be prepared to steer
back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled
stop.
Depending on your speed, this can be rather violent for
an unprepared driver. This is
one of the reasons driving
experts recommend that
you use your safety belts and
keep both hands on the steering wheel.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible
is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times.
165