Your Driving und the Road
128
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.
I Before Leaving on a Long
Tip
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 Oldsmobile 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
inside and outside?
shape?
you checked all levels?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have
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?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy
stretch of road with the same scenery, along
with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that
can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen
to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in
less than a
second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your
mirrors and your instruments
frequently.
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.
ProCarManuals.com
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 strilte soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
LI
ProCarManuals.com
INST LPS PWR ACC
HORNIDM IGNIGAU BRAKE STOPIHAZ
h TAIL LPS TURNIBU HTR A/C RADIO
%se Usage
Position
INST LPS
PWR ACC
HORN/DM
IGN/GAU BRAKE
STOP/HAZ
TAIL LPS
TURNDU HTR A/C RADIO
ECM B
ECM I
PWR WDO
WIPER
CRANK
TRAILER*
Rating
(AMP.)
5
30
20
20
15
15
20
15
25
15
15
10
30
25
3
30
UNDERHOOD':' 4
CD PLAYER 10
"In-line fuse.
Circuitry
Instrument Panel Lights, Headlight Warning Buzzer, Heater
Light, Ashtray Light, Radio Illumination Light, Rear Wiper
Switch Light
Power Door Locks, Rear Defogger, Console Accessory
Receptacles, CD Player
Horn, Dome Lights, Glove
Box Light, Clock, Lighter, Lighted
Vanity Mirror, Outside Rearview Mirror, Courtesy Lights
Indicator Lights and Gages, Rear Defogger Relay, Cruise
Control, Rear Defogger Switch, Seat Belt Timer
Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake Module, Digital Ratio Adapter
Module (Speedometer)
Stop Lights, Hazard Warning Lights, Chime Module, Center
High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL)
Light Switch, TaiVPark Lights, Electronic Cluster, License Light
Turn Signals
& Back-up Lights
Heating and Air Conditioning
Radio, Inside Rearview Mirror Map Lights, Rear Wiper, Rear
Washer, Compass
Electronic Control Module, Fuel Pump
Electronic Control Module
Power Windows
Windshield Wipers and Washer
Electronic Control Module
Trailer Wiring Harness
Underhood Light
CD Player (attached to fuse block)
197
ProCarManuals.com
234
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 176
Safety Belt Systems
.......................... 34
Transmission Fluid
........................ 172
Child Restraints
.................................. 26
Children and Safety Belts
................... 25
Cigarette Lighter
................................. 73
Circuit Breakers
& Fuses ................. 196
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.... 165
City Driving
...................................... 126
Cleaner. Air
............................... 171. 200
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
......................... 194
Antenna
.......................................... 103
Cassette Player
............................... 102
Fabric .............................................. 191
Glass
............................................... 192
Inside
of Your Vehicle ................... 190
Outside
of Your Vehicle ................ 193
Safety Belts
.................................... 192
Special Problems
............................ 191
Vinyl or Leather
............................. 192
Warnings
................ 192. 193. 194. 196
Weatherstrips
................................. 194
Underbody
Maintenance
............... 194
Windshield
..................................... 193
Climate Controls
................................. 92
Clock. Setting the
............................... 95
Clusters. Instrument Panel
................. 78
Coin Holder
........................................ 72
Comfort Controls
................................ 92 Air Conditioner
........................ 92.
184
Heater
............................................... 92
Ventilation 94 .. ........................................
Compass .............................................. 64
Control
of a Vehicle .......................... 108
Convex Outside Mirror
...................... 70
Coolant
..................................... 176. 203
Console
Storage
............................ 64. 71
Checking
& Adding ............... 149. 177
Proper Mixture to
Use ........... 149. 177
Safety Warnings About ..... 149.177. 178
Temperature Gage ..................... 85. 88
Cruise Control .................................... 59
Curves. Driving on
........................... 111
Customer Assistance Information ...... 221
Cup
Holder
......................................... 71
Dead Battery: What to Do
............ 140
Defensive Driving
............................. 106
Defogger. Rear Window
..................... 94
Defrosting
........................................... 93
Dome Lights
....................................... 68
Door Locks
......................................... 39
Driver Position
...................... ............ 18
Driving At Night
.......................................... 124
City
................................................. 126
Controlling a Slid
.......................... 114
Defensively
..................................... 106
Drunken
......................................... 106 Freeway
.......................................... 127
Guidelines
...................................... 115
Hill and Mountain ................. 118. 129
In a Foreign Country
..................... 164
In Mud. Sand. Snow. or Ice
.......... 122
In the Rain
...................................... 125
In Water
......................................... 123
Loss of Control
.............................. 114
Off-Road
................................. 115. 123
On Curves
...................................... 111
On Inclines ..................................... 121
Through Deep Standing Water
....... 46
Winter Driving
............................... 130
With a Trailer
................................. 132
Drunken Driving
.............................. 106
Long
Distance
................................ 128
Passing.,
.......................................... 113
Electric Outside Mirror Control ..... 70
Electrical Equipment.
Adding
................................ 46. 95. 196
Electronic Cluster
............................... 79
Emergencies on the Road
................. 139
Emergencies. Braking
in
................... 111
Emergencies. Steering in .................. 112
Emergency Starting
.......................... 140
Emergency Towing
........................... 144
Engine Coolant
......................... 174. 201
E/M Switch ......................................... 83
Engine Block Heater
.................. 47. 170
.
ProCarManuals.com
Index
236
Replacement Bulb .......................... 202
Wiring
............................................. 198
Heater (see
Comfort Controls)
Heater. Engine Block ................. 47. 170
High Beams
........................................ 62
Highway Hypnosis
........................... 128
Hill and Mountain Roads
......... 118. 129
Hood Release
.................................... 165
Safety Warning
............................... 166
Warning. Overheated
Engine
.......................... 145. 147. 148
Horn
.................................................... 54
Hot Engine. Safety
Hydroplaning
.................................... 126
Identification Number. Vehicle
..... 195
Idling Your Engine ....................... 52. 54
If You’re Stuck in Sand. Mud.
Ice or Snow
.................................... 158
Ignition Key
.................................................... 38
Positions ........................................... 45
Warnings
........................ 145. 147.
148
Indicator Lights (see
Warning Lights )
Infant Restraint (see Child Restraints )
Inflation. Tires .................................. 186
Inside Rearview Mirror
...................... 69
Instrument Panel
................................ 77
Instrument Panel Clusters
.................. 78
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
... 63 Instrument
Panel Warning Lights
...... 80
Jack. Tire
........................................ 152
Keys
................................................. 38
Lane Change Indicator
................... 56
Jump
Starting
.................................... 140
Lap-Shoulder Belt
.............................. 18
Front ........................................... 18, 21
Rear
................................................... 22
Use by Children
................................ 25
Lighter
................................................. 73
Lights Center Dome
.................................... 68
Fog
.................................................... 63
Headlights
........................................ 62
Interior
............................................. 67
Reading
....................................... 67, 68
Rear Dome
....................................... 68
Replacement Bulbs
........................ 202
Turn Signal
....................................... 56
Removing
& Replacing Bulbs ........ 181
Taillights ......................................... 182
Underhood
..................................... 166
Warning
............................................ 80
Loading Your Vehicle
.............. 116, 183
Lock, Tailgate ............................. 42, 185
Locks, Door
................................ 39, 185
Locks, Power
...................................... 40 Long
Distance Driving
..................... 128
Low Battery
...................................... 140
Low Oil Pressure Warning
........... 84. 86
Luggage Carrier
.................................. 74
Lumbar Controls
................................ 12
Maintenance Record
................... 219
Maintenance Schedule
..................... 206
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.............. 89
Manual Front Seat
.............................. 13
Methanol in Gasoline
....................... 163
Mileage Indicator
(see
Odometer)
Mirrors Convex Outside
............................... 70
Power Remote Control
.................... 70
Visor Vanity
..................................... 69
Mountain Driving
..................... 118, 129
Inside
Manual Day/Night
................ 69
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......... 44. 132
Night Driving
.................................... 124
Octane Requirements
Odometer and Trip Odometer
..... 81. 82
Off-Road Driving
...................... 115. 123
(see
Fuel
Requirements)
Oil. Engine ........................................ 168
Capacity
.......................................... 199
Disposing
of Used Oil .................... 170
ProCarManuals.com
Pressure Gage ............................ 84, 86
Quality
............................................ 169
Thickness
....................................... 169
When to Change
............................. 170
Operating Off-Road
.......................... 115
Operation of Lights ............................ 56
Outside Rearview Mirrors
.................. 70
Overhead Console
.............................. 64
Overheated Engine
Warnings
........ 145, 147, 148, 175, 176
Overheated Engine Coolant
Warning
......... 145, 147, 148, 175, 176
Owner Checks
& Services ............... 212
Outside
Temperature Display
............ 64
park. Shifting Into
.......................... 51
Parking
Over Things That Burn
.................... 53
With the Engine Running
.......... 52. 54
Parking Brake
..................................... 51
Passenger Belts (see Safety Belts )
Passing .............................................. 113
Payload .............................................. 184
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
... 215
Polishing and Waxing
Power Door Locks
.............................. 40
Power Mirrors ..................................... 70
(see
Appearance Care )
Power Outlets,
Accessory .................. 71
Power Seat, Driver’s ........................... 12 Power Steering
................................. 11
1
Power Steering Fluid ................ 176. 201
Power Windows .......................... 55. 198
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
During
.............................................. 21
Problems on the Road ...................... 139
Publications (see
Service Publications )
Radiator Overheating
(see
Overheated En&e )
Radio (see Audio Systems)
Rain. Driving in the .......................... 125
Reading Lights
.............................. 67. 68
Rear Axle
.......................................... 174
Radiator
Pressure Cap
..... 146. 148. 176
Rear Seat. Folding
.............................. 14
Rear Window Defogger
...................... 94
Rear Window Wiper and Washer
....... 59
Rearview Mirror ................................. 69
Reclining Front Seatbacks
................. 13
Recommended Fluids
& Lubricants .......................... 201. 217
Remote Lock Control
......................... 40
Replacement Bulbs
........................... 202
Replacement Fuses
........................... 197
Replacement Parts ............................ 200
Replacing Bulbs
........................ 181. 182
Replacing Safety Belts
........................ 34
Replacing Tires
................................. 188
Replacing Wheels .............................. 189
Restraints. Child
................................. 26
Roads. Hill and Mountain
................ 129
Roadside Assistance Program
.......... 225
Rocking Your Vehicle
.............. 158. 159
Rotation. Tire 187
....................................
S afety Belts ...................................... 14
Center Passenger Position
............... 24
Adults
............................................... 18
Checking ........................................... 34
Children
...................................... 25. 32
Child Restraints
............................... 26
Child Restraints. How to Install
...... 26
Child Restraints. Where to Put
........ 27
Cleaning
......................................... 192
Driver Position
................................. 18
Extender ........................................... 34
How to Wear
.................................... 18
Lap-Shoulder Belt ............................ 18
Larger Children ................................ 32
Passenger Belts
................................ 21
Rear Safety Belts
.............................. 22
Pregnancy. Use
During
.................... 21
Questions
& Answers ..... 17. 19.20. 35
Rear Seat Passengers
....................... 22
Reminder Light
................................ 17
Replacement
..................................... 34
Right Front. Adult Passenger .......... 21
Smaller Children and Babies
........... 25
3
237
ProCarManuals.com
Quality Grading ............................. 188
Spare ...................................... 152, 154
Wear Indicators
.............................. 187
Wheel Alignment
&
Tire Balance ................................. 189
Wheel Nut Torque
................. 157, 199
Wheel Replacement
....................... 189
Winter Driving
............................... 122
Top Strap
............................................ 27
Torque Lock
....................................... 53
Towing a Trailer ............................... 132
Towing Your Bravada
...................... 144
Trailer Towing
.......................... 132, 184
Trailer Wiring Harness
............. 137, 1.98
Trailering Package
............................ 184
Transmission, Automatic
Trip Odometer
.............................. 81, 82
Turn Signal and
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
....... 55
Cruise Control .................................. 59
Headlight High-Low
Beam Changer
............................... 62
Turn Signal Indicator ...................... 56
Windshield Washer .......................... 58
Windshield Wipers ........................... 57
When
to Replace Wheels
............... 189
(see
Automatic Transmission)
Lane Change Indicator .................... 56
Turn & Lane Change Indicator ....... 56
Underhood Light .......................... 166
Unleaded Gasoline 163
Upholstery Care
................................ 191
Urban Driving
................................... 126
.
...........................
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
.............................................. 195
Vehicle Loading
........................ 116. 183
Vehicle Storage ................................. 180
Ventilation
.......................................... 94
VIN
.................................................... 195
Visor Vanity Mirror
............................ 69
Voltmeter
...................................... 85. 87
Warning Flashers. Hazard
........... 140
Warning fights
Anti-Lock Brake System
................. 89
Battery
.............................................. 90
Brake
................................................ 88
Check Gages .................................... 90
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon)
.................. 89
Washer. Windshield ............................ 58
Weight (GVWR)
............................... 183
Wheel Alignment & Tire Balance .... 189
Wheel Nut Torque
.................... 157. 199
Wheel Replacement
.......................... 189
Weight (GAWR)
............................... 183
Window. Tailgate ................................ 43 -
Windows. Power ......................... 55. 198
Windshield Washer Fluid
.... 58. 177. 201
Windshield Wiper Replacement
....... 182
Winter Driving
.................................. 130
Windshield Wipers
..................... 57.
198
Deep Snow
.................................. 158
Wipermasher. Rear Window ............ 59
Wiring Harness. Trailer
............ 137. 198
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ....... 131
Wrecker Towing ............................... 144
239 ..
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