1993 CHEVROLET S10 Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Remember: The rear wheel antilock braking system (RWAL) helps \
avoid only
a rear braking skid. In a braking skid (where the front wheels \
are no longer
rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes to get the front wheels rolling
again. This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal dow\
n steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the front wheels \
are rolling, you
will have steering control. Steer the way you want to go.
Off-Road Driving with Your FoutNVheel
Drive Vehick
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel drive.\
Also, see
“Antilock Brakes’’ in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive,
you shouldn’t drive off-road unless you’re on a level, so\
lid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some definite hazards.
The greatest of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North American\
road system behind.
Traffic lanes aren’t marked. Curves aren’t banked. There a\
re no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In short, \
you’ve gone right
back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s why it’s very important
that you read this guide. You’ll find many driving tips and suggestio\
ns. These
will help make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable. \
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go outi For example, be sure to
have all necessary maintenance and service work done. Be sure \
you read all
the information about your four-wheel drive vehicle in this man\
ual.
Is there
enough fuel?
Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where
they should be? What are the local laws that apply to off-roading where you’ll
be driving?
If you don’t know, you should check with law enforcement people\

in the area. Will you be on someone’s private land?
If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about how to load your
vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your rear
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain
axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can.
doesn’t toss things around.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
J I I
A Cargo on the load floor piled higher than the seatbacks can be
b thrown forward during a sudden stop. You or your passengers
..* could be injured. Keep cargo below the top of the seatbacks.
E==: ---I: Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be tossed about when :&&
@;!%:y:L - _. driving over rough terrain. You or your passengers can be struck
igFFSi e%x ..5=$i:< by flying objects. Secure the cargo properly.
i:...~~ r* ..&-
- .-<--x :2* .,.% ! .- a%%> &--. .
L?- .&1. .. ~ c. = ~-
9-2; .-.$y<- -- Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured
if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo
area, not on the roof. Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and low as possible.
You’ll find other important information in this manual. See “Vehicle Loading”
and “Tires” in the Index.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a remote area.
Know the terrain and plan your route. You are much less likely to get bad
surprises. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Try to learn of any blocked
or closed roads.
It’s also a good idea to travel with at least one other v\
ehicle. If something
happens to one of them, the other can help quickly.
Does your vehicle have a winch? If
so, be sure to read the winch
instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy
if you get stuck. But
you’ll want to know how to use
it properly.
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It’s a good idea to practice in an area that’s safe and close to home before
you go into the wilderness. Off-road driving does require some \
new and
different driving skills. Here’s what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. Your eyes, for example, need
to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to
listen for unusual tire or engine sounds. With your arms, hand\
s, feet, and
body you’ll need to respond
to vibrations and vehicle bounce.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of the
best ways to control your vehicle is to control your speed. Here are some
things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:
you approach things faster and you have less time to scan the terrain
for obstacles.
you have less time to react.
you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over obstacles.
you’ll need more distance for braking, especially since you’\
re on an
unpaved surface.
I CAUTION
A When you’re driving off road, bouncing and quick changes in direc-
1 tion can easily throw you out of position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. So, whether you’re driving on or off the road,
you and your passengers should wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds of terrain. You need
to be familiar with the terrain and its many different features. \
Here are some
things
to consider.
Surface Conditions
Off-roading can take you over hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand,
mud, snow or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering, acceleration,
and braking of your truck in different ways. Depending upon the kind of
surface you are on, you may experience slipping, sliding, wheel spinning,
delayed acceleration, poor traction, and longer braking distances\
.
Surface Obstacles
Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or
bump can startle you
if you’re not prepared for them. Often these obstacles
are hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fall of the terrain
itself. Here are some things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
Does the travel take you uphill or downhill? (There’s more discussion of
Will you have to stop suddenly or change direction quickly?
these subjects
later.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a firm g\
rip on the
steering wheel. Ruts, troughs, or other surface features can je\
rk the wheel
out
of your hands if you’re not prepared.
When you drive over bumps, rocks,
or other obstacles, your wheels can leave
the ground.
If this happens, even with one or two wheels, you can’t contro\
l
the vehicle as well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it’s especially \
important to avoid
sudden acceleration, sudden turns, or sudden braking.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind of alertness from driving on
paved roads and highways. There are no road signs, posted speed limits
or
signal lights. You have to use your own good judgment about what is safe
and what isn’t.
A
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any road. And t\
his is
certainly true for off-road driving.
At the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your reflexes, perceptions and jud\
gment
can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You could have
a serious-or even fatal-accident if you drink and drive or ride \
with
a driver who has been drinking. (See “Drunken Driving” in the
Index.)
I
Driving On Off=Road Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up, down, or across a hill. Driving safely on
hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what your vehicle can
and can’t do. There are some hills that simply can’t be driven, no matter how
well built the vehicle.
r
A
Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle. If you drive\
up them,
you will stall.
If you drive down them, you can’t control your speed. If
you drive across them, you will roll over. You could be serio\
usly
injured
or killed. If you have any doubt about the steepness, don’t
drive the hill.
I
Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it’s one of those hills that’s
just too steep to climb, descend,
or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge.
On a very small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, co\
nstant incline
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine with only a small change in elevation where you can easily see all the wa\
y
to
the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near the top,
but you may not see this because the crest of the hill is hidden by bushes,
grass, or shrubs.
Here are some other things to consider as you approach a hill.
0
0
0
e
0
0
Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply steeper in
places?
Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface cause tire
slipping?
Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you won’t have to make
turning maneuvers?
Are there obstructions on the hill than can block your path (\
boulders,
trees, logs or ruts)?
What’s beyond the hill?
Is there a cliff, an embankment, a drop-off, a
fence? Get out and walk the hill if you don’t know. It’s the smart way to
find out.
Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have ruts, gullies, troughs
and exposed rocks because they are more susceptible to the effects of
erosion.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you need t\
o take some
special steps.
Use a lower gear and get a firm grip on the steering wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain your speed. Don’t use
more power than you need, because you don’t want your wheel\
s to
start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If the path twists and
turns, you might want to find another route.
3 CAUTION
Turning or driving across steep hills can lbe dangerous. You could
b lose traction, slide sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving
up hills, always try to go
straight up. I
Ease up on your speed as you approach the top of the hill.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Attach a flag to the vehicle to make you more visible to approaching
traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach the top of hill to let opposing traffic
know you’re there.
Use your headlights even during the day. They make you more v\
isible to
oncoming traffic.
* Drivilng to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed can cause an
I accident. There could be a drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be seriously injured or killed.
As you near
the
top of a hill, slow down and stay alert. I
Q: What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, and I can’t
make
it up the hill?
A: If this happens, there are some things you should do, and there are some
things you must not
do. First, here’s what you should do:
Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep it from rolling
backwards. Also, apply the parking brake.
If your engine is still running, shift the transmission into rever\
se, release
the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill in reverse.
If your engine has stopped running, you’ll need to restart it. With the
brake pedal depressed and the parking brake still applied, shift the
transmission
to P (Park) (or, shift to N (Neutral) if your vehicle has a
manual transmission) and restart the engine. Then, shift
to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill in reverse.
As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand on the \
steering
wheel at the
12 o’clock position. This way, you’ll be able to tell if your
wheels are straight or turned
to the left or right as you back down.
Here are some things you must not
do if you stall, or are about to stall,
when going up a hill.
Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into N (Neutral) (or
depressing the clutch,
if you have a manual transmission) to “rev-up” the
engine and regain forward momentum. This won’t work. Your vehicle will
roll backwards very quickly and you could go out of control.
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I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the vehicle. Then apply the
parking brake. Shift into reverse, release the parking brake, a\
nd slowly
back down.
Never attempt to turn around if you are about to stall when going up a
hill. If the hill is steep enough to stall your vehicle, it’s steep enough to
cause you to roll over
if you turn around. If you can’t make it up the
hill, you must back down the hill.
Q: Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the hill and decide I just
can’t
do it. What should I do?
A: Set the parking brake, put your transmission in P (Park) (or the manual
transmission in first gear), and turn
off the engine. Leave the vehicle and go
get some help. Exit on the uphill side and stay clear of the path the vehicle
would take
if it rolled downhill. Do not shift the transfer case to N (Neutral)
when you leave the vehicle. Leave it in some gear.
A
If you have a manual transfer case shift lever, shifting the \
transfer
case to
N (Neutral) can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in
P (Park) (or, if you have the manual transmission,
even
if you’re in gear). This is because the N (Neutral) position on
the transfer case overrides the transmission.
If you are going to
leave your vehicle, set the parking brake and shift the transmission
to
P (Park) (or, put your manual transmission in first gear). But do
not shift the transfer case to the
N (Neutral) position. Leave the
transfer case in the
2 WHEEL, 4 HIGH or 4 LOW position.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you’ll want to consider a number of
things:
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain vehicle control?
What’s the surface like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery? Hard-packed \
dirt?
Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs? Boulders?
What’s at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden creek bank or even a
river bottom with large rocks?
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to keep \
your vehicle
headed straight down, and use a low gear. This way, engine drag can help
your brakes and they won’t have to do all the work. Descend slowly, keeping
your vehicle under control at all times.
A
Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could cause
loss of control and a serious
accident. Apply the brakes lightly when descending a hill and use a
low gear to keep vehicle speed under
1 control.
Q: Are there some things I should not do when driving down a hill?
A: Yes! These are important because
if you ignore them you could lose
control and have a serious accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you across the in\
cline of the
hill. A hill that’s not too steep to drive down may be too steep to drive
across. You could roll over
if you don’t drive straight down.
Never go downhill with the transmission in N (Neutral), or with the clutch
pedal depressed in a manual shift. This is called “free-wheeling.” Your
brakes will have to do all the work and could overheat and fade.
Avoid braking so hard that you lock the wheels when going downhill. If
your front wheels are locked, you can’t steer your vehicle. \
If your wheels
lock up during downhill braking, you may feel the vehicle starting to slide
sideways.
To regain your direction, just ease off the brakes and steer to
keep the front of the vehicle pointing straight downhill.
Q: Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A: It’s much more likely to happen going uphill. But if it happens going
downhill, here’s what to do.
* Stop your vehicle by applying the regular brakes. Apply the parking
brake.
Shift to P (Park) (or to N (Neutral) with the manual transmission) and,
while still braking, restart the engine.
Shift back to a low gear, release the parking brake, and drive straight
down.
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If the engine won’t start, get out and get help.