
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper
blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs
and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even
people walking. Road spray can often be worse for vision than \
rain,
especially
if it comes from a dirty road.
So it is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep you\
r
windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper ins\
erts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield,
or when strips of
rubber start
to separate from the inserts.
.
AM455017 4
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car
washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to
avoid puddles. But
if you can't, try to slow down before you hit them.
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't work well in a quick
d stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply
your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that
they can actually ride on the water. This can happen
if the road is wet
enough and you're going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydr\
oplaning,
it
has little or no contact with the road.
4-39
ProCarManuals.com

close behind you, you can allow a little extra time and flash\
your brake lights (in addition to your turn signal) as extra warning that you are about to slow
down and exit.
The exit ramp can be curvea, somerlmes quite sharply. The exit\
speed is
usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,\
not to
your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher\
speeds, you
may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are.\
For example,
40 rnph (65 km/h) might seem like only 20 mph (30 km/h). Obviously, this
could lead to serious trouble
on a ramp designed for 20 mph (30 kmlh)!
Driving a Long Distance
Although most long trips today are made on freeways, there are\
still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and regular highways is the s\
ame in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at\
higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns behind the \
wheel. You’ll
enjoy your trip more
if you and your vehicle are in good shape. Here are
some tips for a successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh-such as after a day’s work-don’t plan to make too many miles
that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and \
shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to go.
If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in \
your vehicle’s
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help \
if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure? inside and outside?
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Service & Appearance Care
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may cause\
scratches.
Avoid placing decals on the inside rear window, since they may\
have to be
scraped
off later. If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged. Any tempor\
ary
license should not be attached across the defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear
blade chatters when running,
windshield.
Clean the outside windshield
(GM Part No. 1050011). The
you rinse it with water. after using the windshield washer, or
if the wiper
wax or other material may be on the blade or
with
GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@
windshield is clean
if beads do not form when
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked
in full strength
washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and replaced\
when worn.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss
retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep it clean by washing
it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand, dish or car washing (\
non-detergent)
soaps. Don’t use cleaning agents that contain acid or abrasi\
ves.
All cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface, or
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter your veh\
icle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle may be necessary to
remove residue from the paint finish. You can get
GM approved cleaning
products from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materia\
ls’’ in the Index,)
Your vehicle (except
C 3500 HD) has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish The
clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat.
ProCarManuals.com

Towing
A Trailer ...................................... 4-55
Maintenance
.............................. 4-61
Recommendations
................... 6-72
Turn Signals
.............................. 4-59
Traffic Lights
................................... 4-8
Trailer Brakes
.............................. 4-58
Trailering Package
........................ 6-69
Transfer Case
..................... 2.37. 6-39
Transmission
Automatic
.................................. 2-2 1
Five-Speed Manual ........ 2.24. 2-25
Fluid
................................ 6.33. 6-36
Fluid. To Add
................. 6.35. 6-37
Four-wheel
Manual Shift Speeds
............... 2-28
Shift Light
.................................. 2-27
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
............. 2.30. 4-51
Trip Odometer
............................... 2-77
Turn SignaVMuItifunction Lever
.. 2.42
Indicator
...................... 2.43. 2-86
Following Distance
................... 4.59
Wiring Harness
.............. 2.91, 6-64
(See “Four-Wheel Drive”)
Turn SignaVLane Change
V
Damage Warnings ...................... 0-3
Vehicle Identification Number
............... 6-93
Loading
...................................... 4-26
Symbols
...................................... 0-4
Ventilation System
......................... 3-2
Air Vents
...................................... 3-3
Voltmeter
....................................... 2-90
Tips
............................................... 3.2
W
Warning
and Indicator Lights .... 2-78
Devices. Other
............................ 5-3
Wheels Alignment and Tire
Balance
.................................... 6-82
Aluminum
.................................. 6-89
Hub Caps and
Wheel Nut Caps
..................... 5-24
Nut Torque ..................... 6.51. 6-95
Replacement
............................. 6-83
Used Replacement
................... 6-83
Windows
........................................ 2-39
Sliding Rear
.............................. 2-40
Swing-Out
.................................. 2-40
Windshield Washer
...................... 2-46
Washer Fluid
............................ 6-48
Winter Driving
.............................. 4-52
Wipers, Windshield
........ 2-45, 6-64, 6-100
Blade Chatter
............................ 6-88
Blade Inserts
............................ 6-52
Cleaning Blades
........................ 6-88
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