Your Driving and the Road
City Driving (CONT)
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.
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.
clear of intersections when you see or
hear emergency vehicles.
Obey all posted speed limits. But
Pull to the right (with care) and stop
Freeway Driving
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 driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a
smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane
on a freeway as a passing lane.
Entering the Freeway
At the entrance there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view
of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should
begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow.
If traffic is light, you may have no
problem. But
if it is heavy, find a gap as
you move along
the entering lane and
time your approach. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed.
Switch on your
turn signal, check your
rearview mirrors as
you move along,
and glance over your shoulder as often
as necessary. Try to blend smoothly
with the traffic flow.
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Driving on the Freeway
Once you are on the freeway, adjust
your speed to the posted
limit or to the
prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the
right lane unless
you want to pass. If
you are on a two-lane freeway, treat the
right lane as the slow lane and the left
lane as the passing lane.
If you are on a three-lane freeway, treat
the right lane as the slower-speed
through lane, the middle lane as the
higher-speed through lane, and the left lane as the passing lane.
Before changing lanes, check your rearview mirrors. Then use your
turn
signal. Just before you leave the lane,
glance quickly over your shoulder to
make sure there isn’t another vehicle in
your “blind” spot. If you
are moving from an outside to a
center lane on a freeway having more
than two lanes, make sure another
vehicle isn’t about to move into the same
spot. Look at the vehicles two lanes
over and watch for telltale signs: turn
signals flashing, an increase in speed, or
moving toward the edge
of the lane. Be
prepared to delay your move.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable
following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
leaving the Freeway
When you want to leave the freeway,
move to the proper lane well
in advance.
Dashing across lanes at the last minute
is dangerous. If you miss your exit do
not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
At each exit point is a deceleration lane.
Ideally it should be long enough for you
to enter it at freeway speed (after
signaling,
of course) and then do your
braking before moving onto the exit
ramp. Unfortunately, not
all deceleration
lanes are long enough-some are too
short for all the braking. Decide when
to start braking.
If you must brake on
the through lane, and if there is traffic
close behind you, you can allow a little
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your urwlng and the Road
Highway Hypnosis (CONI)
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.
I CAUTION
d
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is
different from driving in flat or rolling
terrain. If
you drive regularly in steep
country, or
if you’re planning to visit
there, here are
some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape.
Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and
transaxle. These parts can work hard
on mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most
important thing to know
is this: let
your engine do some of the slowing
down. Don’t make your brakes
do it
all. Shift to a lower gear when
you go
down a steep or long hill. That way,
you will slow down without excessive
use of your brakes.
A
If you don’t shift down, your
brakes could get
so hot that
they wouldn’t work well.
You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You
could crash. Shift down to let your
engine assist your brakes on
a
steep downhill slope.
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Your Driving and the Road
Driving with a lbiler
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting out
for the open road, you’ll want to get to
know your rig. Acquaint yourself with
the feel of handling and braking with the
added weight of the trailer. And always
keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and
not nearly
so responsive as your vehicle
is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror
adjustment.
If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by
hand to be sure the brakes
are working.
This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
164
During your trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure, and that
the lights and any trailer brakes are still
working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand to the
left.
To move the trailer to the right,
move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and,
if possible, have
someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal.
Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or
other objects. Avoid jerky
or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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Fuse Rating Circuitry
Fuse Usage
HORN
ALARM
HTR-A/C
RDO IGN
TURN
DR LK
TAIL LPS
WDO
WIPER ERLS
FTP
ACC
IGN ECM
HDLP
15
15
25
10
20
20
20
30
25
15
20
30
20
20
Back Up Lights, Electronic PRNDL (automatic transaxle)
Fuel Pump, Fuel Injectors
Turn/Hazard/Stop Lights, Anti-Lock Brakes
(ABS), Brake-
Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI)
Power Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Cigar Lighter
BLANK
Instrument Panel Lights
Rear Window Defogger Relay, Chime, Gages,
ABS , BTSI,
Daytime
Running Lights (Dm) (Canada)
Horn
Chime, Interior Lights, Passive Restraints, Radio/Clock Memory
Heater, Air Conditioning, ABS, DRL (Canada), Engine Block
Heater
Radio, Cruise Control, Variable
Effort Steering
Turn Signals
Power Door Locks
Exterior Lights, Fog Lights, Instrument Panel Lights, DRL
(Canada)
Power Windows (Circuit Breaker)
Windshield WipedWasher
Engine Controls, Starter and Charging System
BLANK
Flash-to-Pass
(US.)
Power Seats, Rear Window Defogger (Circuit Breaker)
BLANK
Engine Control Module, Ignition System
BLANK
Headlights, DRL (Canada) (Circuit Breaker)
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Buckling Up (see Safety Belts)
Bulb Replacement
Fog Lights
.................. 229
Headlight
.............. .228. 254
Taillight
........... .229. 254
Capacities
& Specifications ...... 251
Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust
.. .66. 67
Cassette Tape Player
Center Passenger Position
......... 28
Chains. Safety
................. 164
Chains. Tire
.............. .193. 238
Changing a Flat Tire
............ 186
Charging System Warning Light
.... 95
“Check Gauges’’ Light ........... 99
Check Oil Light ............... 94
Checking
Brake Fluid
.................. 225
Engine Coolant
............... 222
Engine Oil Level
............. 209
Hydraulic Clutch
............. 220
Power Steering Fluid
.......... 224
Safety Belt Systems
............ 40
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic
................. 216
(see Audio Systems)
Dm. 294
Manual ................... 218
Checking Things Under the Hood
.............. 204
Checks
& Services. Owner ....... 271
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......... 246
Child Restraints
................. 30
Children and Safety Belts
..... .29. 38
Cigarette Lighter
................ 85
Circuit Breakers & Fuses ......... 248
City Driving
................... 147
Cleaner, Air
.............. .214. 257
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............ 244
Antenna
..................... 119
Cassette Player and Tapes
....... 118
Compact Discs
............... 119
Fabric
...................... 240
Finish Damage
............... 246
Foreign Material
.............. 245
Glass
...................... 243
Inside of Your Pontiac
......... 240
Leather and Vinyl
............. 242
Outside of Your Pontiac
........ 243
Safety Belts
.................. 242
Sheet Metal Damage
.......... 245
Special Problems
............. 241
Top
of the Instrument Panel ..... 242 Underbody Maintenance
....... 246
Using Solvent Type Cleaner
..... 241
Warnings
...... .239. 240. 242. 244
Weatherstrips
................ 245
White Sidewall Tires .......... 244
Windshield and Wiper Blades
... 243
Climate Control System
.......... 102
Clock. Setting
the ............... 107
Clutch. Hydraulic Adding Fluid
........... .220. 253
Checking Fluid
............... 220
Coin Holder
.................... 84
Comfort Controls
............... 101
Air Conditioning System
....... 103
Climate Control System
........ 102
Defrosting
................... 102
Heater
...................... 102
Ventilation
............ .102. 104
Compact Disc Player
(see
Audio Systems)
Compact Spare Tire ........ .192. 304
Control of a Vehicle
............. 129
Controlled-Cycle Windshield Wipers
. . 80
Convex Outside Mirror ........... 81
Coolant
....................... 221
Checking
& Adding .. .222. 251. 253
Low Coolant Warning Light
...... 93
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Headlights ..................... 74
High-Low Beam Changer
....... -76
Instrument Panel
Intensity Control
............. 76
“On” Reminder
............... 75
Replacement Bulb
............ 228
Wiring
..................... 250
Heater (see
Comfort Controls)
Heater, Engine Block ........ .56. 213
High Beams
............... .76. 143
Highway Hypnosis
.............. 151
Hill and Mountain Roads
......... 152
Hood Release
.................. 205
Safety Warning
............... 206
Warning, Overheated
Engine
.................... 92
Horn
......................... 67
Hot Engine. Safety Warnings . .179. 206
How the Anti-Lock Brake
System Works
................ 132
Hydraulic Clutch
.......... .220. 253
Hydroplaning
.................. 145
Hills. Parking on
.......... .154. 165
Identification Number. Vehicle
.... 247
Idling Your Engine
.......... .64. 67
Ignition
Key
......................... 44
Key Release Button
............. 51
Positions
..................... 51
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
...... 46
Indicator Lights
Infant Restraint
Inflation. Tires
....... .232. 252. 304
Inside Rearview Mirror
........... 81
Inspections. Owner
.............. 271
Instrument Panel
................ 86
Instrument Panel Warning Lights .... 91
(see Warning Lights)
(see Child Restraints)
.................... J ack. Tire 187
Jump Starting
.................. 171
Key Release Button
.............. 51
Keys
.......................... 44 Lane
Change Indicator
........... 69
Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt .......... 18
Front
........................ 18
Rear ........................ 23
Use by Children
........... .27, 36
Latches. Seatback ................ 11
Lighter ........................ 85
Lights
Charging System
.............. 95
Check Gauges ................ 99
Daytime Running Lights ......... 75
Fog Lights .............. .77. 229
Headlights
.......... .74. 228. 254
Headlights Reminder
........... 75
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
. . 76
Parking ................. .74. 254
Reading
................ .77. 255
Removing
& Replacing
Bulbs
............ .228. 229. 254
Replacement Bulbs
............ 254
Shift
........................ 62
Taillights
............... .229. 254
Trunk ....................... 78
Turn Signal ............. .69. 254
Warning Lights
........... .91. 170
Lights on Reminder .............. 75
Loading Your Vehicle ............ 230
297 ’ ’
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Locks ......................... 45
Automatic Door Lock
......... -46
Rear Door Security Locks
....... 47
Low Battery
................... 171
Low Oil Pressure Warning
..... .93, 94
Lubricants
& Fluids ......... .253, 276
Lumbar Support
.................. 9
Long Distance Driving
........... 150
Maintenace Record
............ 278
Maintenance Schedule
.......... 259
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
....... 98
Manual Front Seat ................ 8
Manual Lumbar Support ........... 9
Manual 4-Way Adjustable Seat ...... 9
Manual Transaxle
Adding Fluid
....... .220. 251. 253
Checking Fluid
................ 218
Parking
...................... 66
Shifting ..................... 60
Starting Your Engine ........... 52
Upshift Indicator Light
..... .62, 98
Master Cylinder, Brake .......... 225
Methanol in Gasoline
........... 201
Maintenance Services. Scheduled
... 262
Mileage Indicator
Mirrors (see
Odometer & Speedometer)
Inside
Manual Day/Night ........ 81
Manual Remote Control ........ 82
Convex Outside
............... 81
Power Remote Control ......... 82
Mountain Driving
.............. 152
New Car “Break-In”
Requirements
............ .50. 161
Night Driving
................. 142
Night Vision
.................. 142
octane Requirements
(see
Fuel Requirements)
Odometer & Speedometer ......... 90
Off-Road Recovery
............. 13 8
Oil. Engine ................... 209
Pressure Gage
................ 95
Quality
..................... 210
Thickness
................... 211
Used Oil
.................... 214
When to Change
.............. 213 Oil
Warning Light
............... 93
Operation
of Lights .............. 74
Outside Rearview Mirrors
........ 82
Overheated Engine
............. 179
Overheated Engine Coolant Warning Light
.............. 92
Owner Checks
& Services ........ 271
Parking On Hills
............... .154, 165
Over Things That Burn
......... 66
With the Engine Running
... .64. 67
Parking Brake
.................. 63
Park. Shifting Into
........... .57. 64
Passenger Belts (see
Safety Belts)
Passenger Side Cup HolderKtorage
Area
........................ 84
Passing
....................... 138
Polishing and Waxing
Power Door Locks
.............. 46
Power Mirrors
.................. 82
Power Seat Controls
.............. 9
Power Steering Fluid
............. .224. 252. 253
(see
Appearance
Care)
298
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