
Oil Pressure Gage
Standard Cluster -Gas Standard Cluster -Diesel
30
I
Tachometer Cluster -Gas Tachometer Cluster -Diesel
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
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.
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A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil
level
or other problem causing low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as
possible.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and
is not covered by your warranty.
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Heater Output
Engine Coolant Heater (Engine Block Heater)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, it is equipped with an engine coolant
heater. An engine coolant heater
is optional on gas engine vehicles. You can
use an engine coolant heater during initial start-up
in cold weather (20” F,
-8” C, or lower) to help heat the passenger compartment faster. Because an
engine coolant heater warms the engine coolant, your vehicle’s heating
system can provide some heat
as soon as you start the engine.
The
use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the time it takes for the
engine to reach normal operating temperature, and shortens the time it takes
the heater to reach full output. For more information, See “Engine Coolant
Heater”
in the Index.
Diesel Engine
If you idle your diesel engine for a long time when it’s cold outside, your
heater may blow out cool air. This
is normal. When you increase the engine
speed, your heater should blow
out warmer air. If it doesn’t, your coolant
level may be low. See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index to find out how to
check your coolant level.
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I NOTICE:
Scraping the inside of your rear window could cut and damage
the defogger. Your warranty would not cover this damage. And,
don’t put decals there, you might have to scrape them
off.
For best results, clear the window of as much snow or ice as possible first.
To turn on the rear
window defogger, find
the switch marked
REAR DEFOG on
your instrument panel,
just below the heater
system. Press the right
side
of the switch,
with the defog symbol
on it,
until the light in
the switch comes on,
then release
it.
The rear window defogger will only work if the ignition switch is turned to
RUN.
You can turn the defogger off at any time by pressing the left, lighted side of
the switch. The defogger will shut itself off after several minutes, so that the
isn’t clear, turn
the defogger on again.
a olass does not get too hot. If the defogger shuts off, and the window still
Audio Systems
Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate easily and give
years of listening pleasure.
You will get the. most enjoyment out of it if you
acquaint yourself with
it first. Find out what your Delco@ system can do
and
how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re getting the most out of
the advanced engineering that went into
it.
Be aware that hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until
it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that
seems normal can be loud and harmful
I:O your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control
on your radio to a safe sound level before your
hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
0 Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.
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FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals can only reach
about
10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And, tall buildings or hills can interfere
with
FM signals, causing the sound to come and go.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night.
The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere
with each other.
AM
can pick up noise from things like electrical storms and power lines. If
the noise interferes with your listening, try reducing the treble to lessen the
noise.
AM Stereo
This means the Delco@ system can receive C-QUAM@ stereo broadcasts.
Many AM stations around
the country use C-QUAM@ to produce stereo,
though some
do not. If your Delco@ system can get C-QUAM@, your
“STEREO” light will come on when you’re receiving it. (C-QUAM’ is a
registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.).
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle - like a
tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way radio - be
sure you can add what you want. If you can,
it’s very important
to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the
operation
of your vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio or other
systems, and even damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems
may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has
been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with your dealer and
be sure to check Federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units.
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If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t
pump your brakes.
If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If
your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once
the power assist is used up, it may take longer
to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has an advanced electronic braking system that can help you
keep it under control.
When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away, you may hear
a
momentary motor or clicking noise. The ABS motor comes on momentarily
when
the vehicle reaches 8 mph (I 2 km/h). And you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This
is the ABS
system testing itself.
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out
in front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that the rear wheels are slowing down.
IT one of the rear
wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will work
the brakes at the rear
wheels.
It is programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions.
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So, use a “squeeze” braking technique. This will give you maximum
braking while maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on the
brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure. When you do,
it will help
maintain steering control. In many emergencies, steering can help
you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is
not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering lips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen
on curves. Here’s
why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of
physics when driving on curves. The traction
of the tires against the road
surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels.
If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in
the same direction. If you‘ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
The traction you can get
in a curve depends on the condition of your tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve
is banked, and your
speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through
a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply
the brakes. Both control systems
- steering and braking - have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the hard braking can demand
too much at those places.
You can lose control.
The same thing can happen
if you’re steering through a sharp curve and you
suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems - steering and acceleration
- can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you
lose control.
What should you do
if this ever happens? Ease up on the brake or
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want
it to go, and slow
down.
Speed
limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of
course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions.
Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to
go slower.
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Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by
not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Vehicle’s three control systems.
In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering
skid, too much speed or steering in
a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And
in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the
driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts
to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and
quickly steer the way
you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for
a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel,
or other
material is
on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions.
It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance
will be longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving
on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid
sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by
shifting
to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues
- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface” - and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: The rear-wheel anti-lock braking system (RWAL) helps avoid
only
a rear braking skid. In a braking skid (where the front wheels are no
longer rolling), release enough pressure
on the brakes to get the front wheels
rolling again. This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have
to stop suddenly. As long as the front wheels are
rolling, you
will have steering control.
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