
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
0 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?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Should
you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
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.
4-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only use it when your
vehicle is stationary or anchored.
NOTICE:
Operating a power winch with an automatic transmission in
PARK (P) or a manual transmission in gear may damage the
transmission. Always put the transmission in a Neutral position \
while operating a power winch.
I
Use the regular brakes, set the parking brake or block the wheels to keep
your vehicle from rolling.
If your vehicle is equipped with an airbag, see "Adding Equipment to Your
Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle" in the Index.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result\
in costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this part, and see your
GM dealer
for important information about towing
a trailer with your
vehicle.
Most vehicles are ready for some trailer towing. If yours was built with
trailering options, as many are, it’s ready for heavier trailers. 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 part. In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers.
So please read this section carefully before you
pull
a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0 There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions,
having to
do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
0 Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will weigh more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg). You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1
6. Start the engine
and let it
run until
you can feel'the
upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the
engine fan.
7. By this time the coolant level inside the filler neck may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the filler neck unt\
il
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
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 clutc\
h 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 tow\
ing 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.
5-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
Section‘
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section
begins with service and fuel infomation, and then it shows how to check
important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information
about your vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
Service
Your GM dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it.
We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get
genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts
have one
of these marks:
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to get the
proper
GM Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to service
your vehicle than this manual can.
To order the proper service manual, see
“Service Publications” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the
date
of any service work you perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the
Index.
I NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. Use premium
unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher for high power performance,
when towing a trailer or with a high payload requirement.
But when
operating with a light load as a normal condition, you may use middle grade
or regular unleaded gasolines.
6-2 0

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The gasoline you use should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the
United States and
CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have the
proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In the United States and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind
of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
UNLEADED right on the pump. And
only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
91 for premium, 89 for middle grade
and 87-for regular.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough,
it can damage your
engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 91 octane or higher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service. But don’t
worry if you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating
or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of it. It’s the heavy,
constant knock that means you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as
MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no more than 15%
MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
~ NOTICE:
1 Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for your vehicle.
I Don’t use it. It can corrode metal parts’in your fuel system and
1 also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t b\
e
1 covered under your warranty. And even at 5% or less, there
~ must be “cosolvents” and corrosion preventers in this fuel\
to
~ help avoid these problems.
6-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will help preven\
t
deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system. That hel\
ps keep your
engine
in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s \
good
for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates. General Motors
recommends that you use gasolines with these blending materials, such as
MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in
those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline.
By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain
deposit control additives and oxygenates, and
if they have been
reformulated
to reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tankful, your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be damaged. All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VI\
N).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
6-4