Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Run your engine only as long as you
must. This saves fuel. When you run the
engine, make it go a little faster than just
idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly.
This uses less fuel for the heat that you
get and it keeps the battery charged.
You
will need a well-charged battery to restart
the vehicle, and possibly for signaling
later on with your headlights. Let the
heater run for awhile. Then,
shut the engine
off and close the
window almost all the way to preserve the
heat. Start the engine again and repeat this
only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you
can. To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous
exercises every half hour or
so until help
comes.
Towing a Trailer
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can dam-
age your vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered
by your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow the
advice
in this section, and see your
Chevrolet dealer for important
information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer towing
equipment. To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer” that appears later in this
section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it are
many time-tested, important trailering
tips and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety md that of your
passengers.
So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
. . .142
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000
pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs its
own brakes
- and they must be adequate.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to
install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not
try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems
won’t work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
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.
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.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
Dn your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you
are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
145. I
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road
Remove all the wheel nuts and take off
the flat tire.
A CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make the wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could
come
off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt
from the places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle.
In an emer-
gency,
you can use a cloth or a papa-
towel to
do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
:l.
Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting surfaces and spare whee
Place the spare
on the wheel mounting
surface.
. . .172
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Change Engine Oil:
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles
(6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (1 6 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or
in
stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
@ Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one
of these is true for your
vehiclej
then you need to change your oil
and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or
3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months - whichever comes first. Change
the filter at the first oil change and at
every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater):
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help
if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0” F (- 18 “C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
Did you know that used engine oil
contains elements that may be unhealthy
for your skin and could even cause
cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin for very long. Clean your skin and
nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly throw away
clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. (See the manufacturer’s warnings
about the use and disposal
of oil
products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the
environment. If
you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from
the filter before disposal. Don’t ever
dispose of oil by putting it in the trash,
pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or
into streams
or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
3.4L L32 (Code S
air Cleaner
tefer to the Maintenance Schedule to
letermine when
to replace the air filter.
;ee “Scheduled Maintenance Services” ir
he Index.
191 ...
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service and Appearance Care
Automatic Transmission FIuid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Chevrolet dealership Service
Department.
If
you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here, or
you could get a
false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can dam-
age your transmission.
Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission fluid.
. . ,194
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking
the transmission fluid level
if you have
been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot
weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up
by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). If
it’s colder than
50°F (lO”C), drive the
vehicle
in “D” (Third Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then
remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours or more with the
engine off and is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside temperatures are 50°F
( 10°C)
or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (lO”C),
you may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level
be
low during a
cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid This will give you a
more accurate reading
of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold:
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the shift lever
in
“P’ (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
“F’” (Park).
minutes or more.
Let the engine run at idle for three
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service and Appevmance Care
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t
have wear indicators, but
if you ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed
for rotation or changing. When you have
the front brakes replaced, have
the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or
if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could
be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake
stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear.
If
you rarely make a moderate or heavier
stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly.
If you drive in that way, then -
very carefully - make a few moderate
brake stops about
every 1,000 miles
(I 600 km), so your brakes will adjust
properly.
. . .204
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes may
need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the brakes
a few
times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together
if the
vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have
top-quality
GM brake parts in them, as
your Chevrolet does when it is new.
When you replace parts of your braking
system
- for example, when your brake
linings wear down and you have to have
new ones put
in - be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work
properly. For example,
if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change, for
the worse.
The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change
in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Chevrolet has a Delco
Freedoms battery.
You never have to add
water to one of these. When it’s time for a
new battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedoma battery. Get one that has the
catalog number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drivi your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running
down.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GM Participation in
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
*
BBB AUTO LINE -
Both Chevrolet and your Chevrolet dealer
are committed to making sure you are
completely satisfied
with your new
vehicle. Our experience has shown that,
if a situation arises where you feel your
concern has not been adequately
addressed, the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure described earlier
in this
section is very successful.
There
may be instances where an
impartial third-party can assist
in arriving
at
a solution to a disagreement regarding
vehicle repairs or interpretation of the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. To
assist
in resolving these disagreements
Chevrolet voluntarily participates
in
BBB AUTO LINE.
BBB AUTO LINE is an out-of-court
program administered
by the Better
Business Bureau system to settle disputes
between customers and automobile
manufacturers. This program is available
free
of charge to customers who currently
own or lease a
GM vehicle. If you
are not satisfied after following the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure, you
may contact the BBB using the toll-free
telephone number, or write them at the
following address:
BBB AUTO LINE
Council of Better Business Bureaus
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite
800
Arlington, VA 22203
Telephone: 1-800-955-5 IO0
To file a claim, you will be asked to
provide your name and address, your
vehicle identification number
(VIN),
and a statement of the nature of your
complaint. Eligibility is limited
by vehicle
age and mileage, and other factors.
We prefer you utilize the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure before you resort
to AUTO LINE, but you
may contact the
BBB at any time. The BBB will attempt
to resolve the complaint serving as an
intermediary between you and Chevrolet.
If this mediation is unsuccessful, an
informal hearing
will be scheduled where
eligible customers may present their case
to an impartial third-party arbitrator.
The arbitrator
will make a decision which
you may accept or reject.
If you accept the
decision, GM will be bound by that
decision. The entire dispute resolution
procedure should ordinarily take about
forty days from the time you file a claim
until a decision is made.
Some state laws may require you
to use
this program before filing a claim with
a
state-run arbitration program or in the
courts. For further information, contact
the BBB at
1-800-955-5100 or the
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
at
1-800-222- 1020.
* This program may not be available
in all states, depending on state law.
Canadian owners refer to your
Warranty and Owner Assistance
information booklet. General Motors
reserves the right to change eligibility
limitations and/or to discontinue its
participation
in this program.
Reporting Safety
Defects to the United
States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
259. . .
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine recommended service providers. The
following services are available:
Towing
0 Locksmith
0 Tire repair
Rental car or taxi
Additional services as necessary
The Roadside Assistance Center uses
companies that will provide you with
quality and priority service. When
roadside services are required, our
advisors will explain any payment
obligations that
may be incurred for
utilizing outside services.
For prompt assistance when calling,
please have the following available to
give to the advisor:
0 Vehicle Identification Number
License plate number
Vehicle color
Vehicle location
Telephone number where you can be
Vehicle mileage
Description of problem
reached.
Canadian Roadside
Assistance
Vehicles purchased in CANADA have an
extensive ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Program accessible from anywhere in
Canada or the U.S.A. Please refer to the
separate brochure provided by the dealer
or call
1-800-268-6800 for emergency
services.
Courtesy Tfurisportation
Chevrolet/Geo offers Courtesy
Transportation for customers needing
warranty service. Courtesy Transportation
will be offered in conjunction with the
coverage provided by the BUMPER TO
BUMPER New Vehicle Limited Warranty
to retail and retail lease purchasers of
1994 Chevrolet/Geo passenger car and
light-duty trucks.
Courtesy Transportation includes:
One-way SHUTTLE RIDE for any
wap-anty repair completed during the
same day.
Up to $30 maximum daily VEHICLE
RENTAL allowance for any overnight
warranty repair
up to 5 days.
OR
0 Up to $30 maximum daily CAB,
BUS or OTHER public transportation
allowance
in lieu of rental for any
overnight repair up
to 5 days.
OR
0 Up to $10 daily FUEL allowance
for rides provided by another person
(i.e., friend, neighbor, etc.)
in lieu of
rental or other public transportation
for any overnight warranty repair up
to
5 days.
NOTE: All Courtesy Transportation
arrangements will be administered by
your Chevrolet/Geo dealership service
management. Claim amounts should
reflect all actual costs.
Chevrolet/Geo Courtesy
Transportation is not part
of the
BUMPER
TO BUMPER New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Chevrolet/Geo
reserves the right to make any
changes or discontinue Courtesy
Transportation at any time without
notification.
For additional program details, contact
your Chevrolet/Geo dealer.
In Canada, please consult your GM
Dealer for information on courtesy
transportation.
261 . . .