1994 PONTIAC GRAND-AM turn signal

Your Driving and the Road
I
0
Passing (CONT.)
distance you would lose by dropping
back. And if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you
need only slow down and drop back
again and wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that someone isn’t trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow
vehicle. Remember to glance over
your shoulder and check the blind
spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane
change signal before moving out of
the right lane to pass. When you are
far enough ahead of the passed vehicle
to see its front
in your inside mirror,
activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane.
(Remember that your right outside
mirror is convex. The vehicle you just
passed may seem to be farther away
from you than
it really is.)
B Try not to pass more than one vehicle
at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
B Don’t overtake a slowly moving
vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be
slowing down or starting to
turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy
for the following driver to get ahead
of you. Perhaps you can ease a
little to
the right.
Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say
about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don’t have enough friction
where the tires meet
the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep
trying to steer and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
[n a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most
skids by taking reasonable care suited to
:xisting conditions, and by not
,‘overdriving” those conditions. But skids
we always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to
your Pontiac’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.
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Your Driving ,and the Road ’
Night Vision (CONT.)
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching lights. It can take a second or
two, or even several seconds, for your
eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are
faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a
vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow
down a little. Avoid staring directly into
the approaching lights.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on
your vehicle clean
-- inside and out.
Glare at night is made much worse by dirt
on
the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty
glass makes lights dazzle and flash more
than clean glass would, making the pupils
of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlights light up
far less of a roadway when you are in a
turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving;
that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlights
should be checked regularly for proper
aim,
so should your eyes be examined
regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim
light
-- and aren’t even aware of it.
130
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can mean driving
trouble. On a wet road
you can’t stop,
accelerate or turn as well because your
tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have
much tread left, you’ll get even less
traction.
It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious if rain starts to fall while you are
driving, The surface may get wet
suddenly when your reflexes are tuned
fo
driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to
see. Even if your windshield wiper blades
xre
in good shape, a heavy rain can make
it harder to see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of
the road, and even people walking.
It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield
washer tank filled. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show
signs of streaking or
missing areas on the
windshield, or when strips of rubber start
to separate from the inserts.
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Your Driving and the Road
City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city
streets is the amount of traffic on them.
You’ll want to watch out for what the
other drivers are doing and pay attention
to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in
city driving:
0 Know the best way to get to where
you are going. Get a city map and plan
your trip into an unknown part of the
city
just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
0
Try to use the freeways that rim and
crisscross most large cities. You’ll
save time and energy. (See
the next
section, “Freeway Driving.”)
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.
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.
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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.
Try to merge into the gap at close
to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance
over your shoulder as often as necessary.
Try to blend smoothly with the traffic
flow.
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.
Before changing lanes, check your
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.
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 Pontiac 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?
133...
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Your Driving and the Road
I 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
railer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
ierky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
3dvance.
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
on 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.
. . . 144
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Problems on the Road
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you
warn others. They also let police know
you have a problem. Your front and rear
turn signal lights will flash on and off.
Move the switch to the right to make you
front and rear turn signal lights flash on
and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no
matter what position your key is
in, and
even if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the flashers, move the switch
to the left.
When the hazard warning flashers are on,
your turn signals won’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can
set one up at the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to
start your Pontiac. But
please follow the steps below to do it
safely.
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IC
Fuse Usage
Fuse
PRNDL
F/P INJ
STOP HAZ
CTSY
AIR BAG
INST
LPS
GAUGES HORN
ALARM
HTR-A/C
RDO
TURN
DR LK
TAIL LPS
WDO WIPER
ERLS DR UNLK
FTP
ACC
AIR BAG
IGN ECM
HDLP
Rating
(AMP. )
5
20
20
15
3
5
10
15
15
25
10
20
20
20
30
25
15
10
20,
30
15
20
20
Circuitry
Electronic PRNDL Display
Fuel Pump, Injectors
Stop/Hazard Lamps
Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Cigar Lighter
Supplemental Restraint System
Interior Lights Dimming
Gauges, Warning Lights, Rear Defog
Horns
Interior Lights, Chime, Auto Door Locks, Remote Keyless Entry Heater, Air Conditioning, Anti-Lock Brakes, Daytime
Running Lights (Canada)
Radio Power, Cruise Control
Turn Signal Lamps
Auto Door Locks
Tail Lamps, Marker Lamps, License Lamp, Fog Lamps
Power Windows (Circuit Breaker)
Windshield Wipers/Washers
Engine Controls, Back-up Lamps
Automatic Door Unlock (Remove
To Disable)
Flash-to-pass
(U.S.)
Rear Window Defogger, Power Seats, Antenna
(Circuit Breaker)
Supplemental Restraint System
ECM, Ignition System
Headlamps (Circuit Breaker)
1
213 b
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Replacement Bulbs
OUTSIDE LIGHTS
BackUpLights ................................................
Front Paricing/Turn Signal Lights ..................................
License Plate Light. .............................................
Center High-Mounted Stoplight ....................................
Haiogen Heacl:;hts
LowEkam ..................................................
HighB’eam ..................................................
Side Marker Lights
Front .......................................................
Rear .......................................................
Stop/”ail/Turn Signal Lights ......................................
Trunk Light ...................................................
FogLights ....................................................
BULB
2057
2057 NA
194
912
9006
9005
194 NA
24
3057
562
9442876
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