Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your Chevrolet has an advanced
electronic braking system that will help
prevent skidding.
This light
on the instrument panel will
go
on when you start your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle and begin
to drive away you may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise and
you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves a little while this is going
on. This is the ABS system testing itself.
If you have your foot on the brake pedal,
this check won’t happen
until the vehicle
goes about
4 mph (6 km/h) or until you
take your foot
off the brake pedal. After an
ABS stop,
you may hear a
clicking noise the next time the vehicle
goes about
4 mph (6 km/h).
If there’s a problem
with the anti-lock
brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on or flash.
See
the Index under Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light.
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say
the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out
in front
You slam
on the brakes. Here’s what
happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are
slowing down. The computer separately
works the brakes at each front wheel
and at the rear wheels.
The anti-lock
system can change the
brake pressure faster than any driver
could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions.
of you.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine b~
W
P’
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I
ou can steer around the obstacle while
raking hard.
As you brake, your
lmputer keeps receiving updates
on
thee1 speed and controls braking
ressure accordingly.
A Anti-lock doesn’t change the
L time you need to get your ht
to the brake pedal. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you won’t have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
morn up ahead to stop, even though ’
YOU have anti-l~~k brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock:
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for
you. You may hear a clicking noise
as you accelerate after a hard stop.
Disc Brake Wear indicators
Your Chevrolet has front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound may come and
go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing
on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning
4 L sound means that sooner or
later your brakes won’t work well,
That could lead to an accident.
When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
bAUIIUN
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888
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you suspect that the driver of the
vehicle
you want to pass isn’t aware of
your presence, tap the horn a couple
of times before passing.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want
to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following
too closely reduces your area
of
vision, especially if you’re following a
larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have
adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay
in the right lane and don’t get too
close. Time your move
so you will be
increasing
speed as the time comes to
move into the other lane.
If the way is
clear to pass, you will have a “running
start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping
back. And
if something happens to
cause you
to cance1,your pass, you
need only slow down and drop back
again and wait for another opportunity.
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that someone isn’t trying
to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over
your shoulder and check the blind
spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and
start your left lane
change signal before moving out of the
right lane to pass. When you are far
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to
see its front in your inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal
If other cars are lined up to pass a and
move back into the right lane.
(Remember that your right outside
mirror is convex. The vehicle you just
passed may
seem to be further away
from you than it really
is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be
slowing down or starting to
turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy
for the following driver to get ahead of
you. Perhaps you can ease a
little to
the right.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine While driving on a surface with reduced
traction,
try your best to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration, or braking
(including engine braking by shifting
to
a lower gear). Any sudden changes
could cause the tires
to slide. You may
not realize
the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues-such as
enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road
to make a “mirrored
surface”-and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking
system (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid. Steer
the way you want to
go.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than
day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired-by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively. Remember, this is
the most dangerous time.
Don’t drink and drive. (See the index
under Drunken Driving for more on
this problem.)
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to
reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may
need
to slow down and keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
It’s hard to
tell how fast the vehicle
ahead is going just by looking at its
taillights.
speed roads. Your headlights can light
up only
so much road ahead.
Slow down, especially on higher
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a
safe place and rest.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine On the Road
Unless you are the only driver, it is
good to share the driving
task with
others. Limit turns behind the wheel
to
about 100 miles (160 km) or two hours
at a sitting. Then, either change drivers
or stop for some refreshment like coffee,
tea or soft drinks and some limbering
up. But do stop and move around. Eat
lightly along the way. Heavier meals
tend to make some people sleepy.
On two-lane highways or undivided
multilane highways that do
not have
controlled access, you’ll want
to watch
for some situations not usually found on
freeways. Examples are: stop signs and
signals, shopping centers with direct
access to the highway, no passing zones
and school zones, vehicles turning left
and right off the road, pedestrians,
cyclists, parked vehicles, and even
animals.
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along
with the hum
of the tires on the road,
the drone
of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can
make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen to
you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road
in less than a second, and you
could crash and be injured.
What can
you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your
rearview mirrors frequently and your
instruments from time to time. This
can help you avoid a fixed stare.
Wear good sunglasses in bright light.
Glare can cause drowsiness. But don’t
wear sunglasses at night. They will
drastically reduce your overall vision
at the very time you need
all the
seeing power you have.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise, or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness on the
highway as an emergency.
As in any driving situation, keep pace
with traffic and allow adequate
following distances.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ll X5076
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or
on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel
could come off and cause an
accident. When
you change a
wheel, remove any rust
or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth
or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper
or wire brush later, if you need to,
to get all the rust or dirt off.
1 1. Remove any rust or dirt from the
wheel bolts, mounting surfaces or
spare wheel.
mounting surface.
1 2. Place the spare on the wheel
~ CAUTION
13. Replace the wheel nuts with the
rounded end of the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
until
the wheel is held against the
hub.
A
Never use oil or grease on
studs or nuts. If
you do, the
nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall off, causing a serious
accident.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than 10 miles
(16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery,
or in
stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one
of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles
(5 OOO km) or 3 months-whichever
comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first. Change
the filter at the first oil change and at
every other oil change after that.
208
Engine Block Heater
An engine block heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see the
index under Engine Block Heater.
What to Do with Used Oil
CAUTION
A
Used engine oil contains
things that have caused skin
cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t
let used
oil stay on your skin for
very long. Clean your skin and
nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly throw away clothing or
rags containing used engine oil.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automaric Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See the
Index under
Scheduled Maintenance Services.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Chevrolet dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
Too much or too little fluid can
damage
your transaxle. Too much
can mean that some of the fluid
could come out and fall
on hot
engine parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading
if
you check your transaxle fluid. Wait
at least 30 minutes before checking
the transaxle fluid level if you have been
driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot
To get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to
93" C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24
km) when outside
temperatures are above
50°F (10OC). If
it's colder than 50" F (10" C), you may
have to drive longer.
90°F (32°C).
weather.
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