1993 GMC SIERRA Section 7

SHlFT Indicator Light
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This light, with the SHlFTlarrow symbol, is at the left side of the instrument
cluster on some vehicles with manual transmissions. Depending on your
particular model, your vehicle may not have this light. The SH\
IFT indicator light will help you get the best fuel economy. See “Shift \
Light” or “Shift
Speeds-Vehicles Without Shift Light” in this section for more\
information.
Headlight High Beam Indicator Light
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This light with the blue high beam symbol is on the left sid\
e of the
instrument cluster. The high beam indicator is on whenever you \
use your high
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Features & Contmls
beam headlights. For more details about high beams, see “Hea\
dlight High-Low Beam Changer” earlier in this section.
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
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These lights, with the green arrows, are on each side of the instrument
cluster. The signal indicator will come on whenever
you signal a turn or lane
change. See “Turn and Lane Change Signal” earlier in this section,
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Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
Section
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In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio
systems offered with your vehicle. Be sure to read about the particular system
supplied with your vehicle.
For explanation of vehicle symbols in this secrlon, reTer to “Vehicle
Symbols” in Section 0.
Comfort Control System ........................................................................\
............... 3-2
Flow-Through Ventilation System
..................................................................... 3-2
Heating System (Without Air Conditioning)
..................................................... 3-4
Heater Output
........................................................................\
............................ 3-5
Electronic Heating/Air Conditioning System ..................................................... 3-5
Rear Window Defogger
........................................................................\
............. 3-8
Audio Systems
........................................................................\
............................... 3-9
FM Stereo ........................................................................\
.................................. 3-9
AM
....... . ... . . . . . , .. . . . . . . . . . . .. ... .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . ... . .. .. . .. ,. . . . . , . . , . . . . .. . . .. ... .. .. . . . . . . , . . . . ... . . . .... . .. . . . . . .3-9
AM Stereo
............................................. ........................................................... 3-1 0
How to Operate Your AM ETR@Radio ......................................................... 3-10
How to Operate Your AM-FM Stereo Audio System
and Cassette Deck
.II..I.I..I.I...................................I...........I...........\
.............. 3-11
How to Operate Your AM-FM Stereo Audio System
and Cassette Deck with Equalizer
.............,.,.,...................,........................... 3-14
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
............................................................... 3-18
Fixed Mast Antenna
.................................. ...................................................... 3-1 8
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Your Driving and the Road
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A DIAMOND-shaped sign is a warning of something ahead-for example, the
end
of a divided highway, a curve, steep hill, soft shoulder, or a narrow
bridge.
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A TRIANGLE pointed downward, indicates YIELD. It assigns the right-of-way
to traffic on certain approaches to an intersection.
A TRIANGULAR sign also is used on two lane roads to indicate a
NO
PASSING ZONE. This sign will be on the left side of the roadway.
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Your Driving and the Road
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defens\
ively. Please start with a very important safety device in your vehicle: Buckle up,
(See “Safety Belts” in the Index.)
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On\
city streets, rural
roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.’’
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be carel\
ess and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Expect children to dash out from behind parked cars, often fol\
lowed by other
children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for
movement
in parked cars-someone may be about to open a door,
Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street, Be
ready to brake
if necessary as you go through intersections. You may not
have to use the brake, but
if you do, you will be ready,
If you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot where there are
well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking are\
as, expect
some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight to\
ward one part
of the lot.
Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give way
to pedestrians even
if you know you have the right of way.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are
common. Allow enough following distance.
It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in
front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving. The most dangerous
time for driving in the
US. is very early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM
Research studies show that the most and the least dangerous times for
driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is Sunday. The most
dangerous time is Sunday
3 a.m. to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m. isn’t
just a little more dangerous than it
is at 10 a.m. It’s about 134 times more
dangerous.
That leads to the next part.
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Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a
potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies t\
he same lane
as oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the
passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents-the head-on
collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
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“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your passing patterns.
If you have any doubt
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better t\
ime.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you \
can see a
sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your
pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side
of the lane or a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
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 r\
educes 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 droppin\
g back.
And
if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need
only slow down and drop back again and wait for another oppor\
tunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a 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 and move \
back into
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Your Driving and the Road
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the underbody\
, chassis, or
under the hood. These accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned\
and checked. These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check th\
e body
structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires, and exhaust syste\
m for damage.
Also, check the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due
to off-road use. Refer to
Section
7 for additional information.
Driving at Night
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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 “Drunken Driving” in the Index for more on
this problem).
Adjust your inside rear view mirror to reduce the glare from headlights
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep
behind
you.
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.
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Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
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Know the best way to get to where you are going. Try not to drive
around trying to pick out a familiar street or landmark. Get a city map
and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for
a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll
save time and energy. (See the next section, “Freeway Drivi\
ng.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal.
A traffic light is there because
the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just
before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.
Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they are for ideal road,
weather and visibility conditions. You may need to drive below the
posted limit in bad weather or when visibility is especially poor.
Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear of intersections when you see
or hear emergency vehicles.
Freeway Driving
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Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways,
turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But \
they have their
own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with \
traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are
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