
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine These symbols are on some of your controls:
Hood Release
Ventilating
Fan
Windshield Wiper
Q
Rear Window
Wiper
& Washer
w
Windshield
Washer
I I
Rear Window Defogger
w
These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:
Engine Coolant
Temperature Battery Charging
System
Brake
(Standard Cluster
ANTI-
LOCK
4- Wheel
Anti-Lock
Windshield Defroster
Hatch
Release
II
Fuel Engine Oil
Pressure
ix

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here are things some owners ask about. None of these indicate a problem
with your fuel gage:
0 At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the gage r\
eads full.
The fuel tank will take either a little more or a little less fuel to fill up
than the gage shows.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you turn off the ignition.
For your fuel tank capacity, see the Index under “Fluid Capacities.”
Oil Pressure Gage
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds pe\
r
square inch) when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in
kPa (kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the low pressure
zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerous\
ly low oil
level or other problems causing low oil pressure.
On the digital cluster, a box around the oil pressure symbol \
will begin to
flash when the oil pressure
is low.
2-62

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make
sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot.
Once you are moving on
the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable
following distance. Expect to move slightly slower
at night.
When you want
to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in
advance. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes 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.
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
GM 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:
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
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?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
4- 17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Then replace the
pressure cap. At
any time during
this procedure
if
coolant begins to
flow out of the
filler neck,
reinstall the
pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on
the pressure cap
line up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide more
air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions the clutch is not engaged. This improves fuel economy
and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or
high outside temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and should not be
mistaken as the transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the
cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow down when
additional cooling is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the
fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and
noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off the road if
possible.
If a tire goes flat,
the next section shows how to use your jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
5-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(SERVICE ENGINE SOON )
This light on your instrument cluster lets you know when your emission
system needs service. The light will come on briefly when you start your
engine to let you know that the system is working. If it does not come on
when you start your engine, or if it comes
on and stays on while you’re
driving, your system may need service. Your vehicle should still be
driveable, but you should have your system serviced right away.
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certificationire
label is found on the
rear edge of the
driver’s door. The
label shows the size of
your original tires and
the inflation pressures
needed to obtain the
gross weight capacity
of your vehicle.
This is called the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The CertificatiodTire label
also tells you the maximum weights for the
front and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out
the actual loads on your front and rear axles, you need
to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure
to spread out your load equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed
the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
6-44

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Certificatioflire label which is on the rear edge of the driver’s door,
shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires, when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is
all right.
It’s not. If your tires don’t have enough air
(underinflation) you can get:
0 Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
0 Bad wear
0 Bad handling
0 Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you can get:
@ Unusual wear
0 Bad handling
6 Rough ride
6 Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure. Simply looking
at the tires will not tell you the pressure, especially if you have radial tires
- which may look properly inflated even if they’re underinflate\
d.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steering Column Lock Operation - While parked, try to turn the key to
LOCK in each gear shift position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the gear shift is in “P”
(Park).
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in
LOCK.
Parking Brake and Transmission
“P’ (Park) Mechanism Operation -
-
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill. Keeping your
foot on the regular brake, set the manual parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With the engine running and the
transmission in
“N’ (Neutral), slowly remove foot pressure from the
regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
0 To check the “P” (Park) mechanism’s holding ability: Apply the regular
brake and shift
to T“ (Park). Release the manual parking brake, then
slowly release the regular brake.
Lap and Shoulder Belts Condition and Operation - Inspect belt system,
including: webbing, buckles, latch plates, retractors, guide loops and
anchors. Have a belt assembly replaced if the webbing has been cut or
otherwise damaged.
Body Lubrication Service - Lubricate all body door hinges. Lubricate the
body hood, fuel door and rear compartment hinges, latches and locks
including interior
glove box and console doors, and any moving seat
hardware. Lubricate the hood safety lever pivot and prop rod pivot. More
frequent lubrication may be required when exposed
to a corrosive
environment.
7-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine needs no water. I
See Page 6-35.
Brake Fluid
Reservoir
See Page 6-32. 1
Automatic A
Transmission
Fluid
See Page 6-20.
Fuel
Capacity
27 US. Gal.
(102 L.). Use
unleaded
gas
only. 87 octane
or higher.
See Page 6-3.
!
Hood Release
Lever
See Page 6-7.
Engine Oil
See Page 6-9.
Battery
The Delco
Freedom battery
-
-
-
11 't- i
--I!
fil I
I! I '" 1, 1. .
Cooling
System
Check and add
coolant only at
the coolant recovery tank.
See Page 6-26.
' Windshield
Washer
Fluid
See Page 6-31.
3
bower
Steering Reservoir
See Page 6-30.
4 Spare Tire
' Pressure
Compact Spare
See Page 6-48.
Cold Tire
Pressure
See Tire Loading
label on the
driver's
door.
See Page 6-44.
7- 17