Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
4-33
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
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.
4-53
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal flasher (included
in
the optional trailering package).
The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps 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.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down,
you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well, On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 kdh) to reduce the
possibility of engine
and transmission overheating.
If you have an automatic transmission, you should use
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your
transmission. Or, if you have a manual transmission, it’s
better not to use FIFTH
(5), just drive in FOURTH (4)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil
at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep
uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK
(P) (or the
manual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for
a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see “Engine
Overheating’’
in the Index.
4-54
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while
you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The eight-wire harness is stored under your vehicle
along
the rear frame crossmember. This harness has a
30-amp feed wire with an inline fuse located in the
instrument panel fuse block and no connector. It should
be wired by a qualified electrical technician. The
technician can use
the following color code chart when
connecting the wiring harness to your trailer.
0 DARK BLUE: Use for electric trailer brakes or
0 RED: Use for battery charging; it connects to the
LIGHT GREEN: Back-up lamps.
0 BROWN: Taillamps and parking lamps.
0 YELLOW Left stoplamp and turn signal.
0 DARK GREEN: Right stoplamp and turn signal.
0 WHITE (Heavy Gage): Ground wire.
0 WHITE (Light Gage): Auxiliary stoplamp.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or
strap it to your vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure
you leave
it loose enough
so the wiring doesn’t bend or break,
but not so
loose that it drags on the ground. Store the
harness in its original place. Wrap the harness together
and tie
it neatly so it won’t be damaged.
auxiliary wiring.
starter solenoid.
4-56
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that
can occur
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 lamps will flash
on and off.
Press the button on top of
the steering column all the
way down to make your
front and rear turn signal
lamps 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, press the button until the first
click and release.
5-1
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work. The flashers will stop
if you 'step on.
the brake.
,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 vehicle. But please use the following steps to
do it safely.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn't be 'covered by
your warranty.
.
DO not try to start your' vehicle by pushing or
pulling
it. This could damage'your vehicle, even if'
you have a manual transmission. And if you have
an automatic transmission, it won't
start thqt way.
b
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle.
It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-2
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Turn the bulb
counterclockwise
to remove it.
6. Put the new bulb into the headlamp lens assembly
and turn it clockwise until
it is tight.
7. Plug in the electrical connector.
8. Put the headlamp lens assembly back into the
vehicle. Install and tighten the screws.
Front Turn Signal Lamps
If you have fog lamps, the fog lamp bracket must be
removed before
you can replace the front parkinghum
signal lamps.
1. Reach under the bumper and behind the parkinghrn
signal lamp assembly.
2. Push the tab on the socket, turn the socket
counterclockwise and pull
it out.
3. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb straight
out
of the socket.
4. Push the new bulb into the socket until it clicks.
5. Put the socket back into the parkinghrn signal lamp
assembly and
turn it clockwise until it locks in place.
6-38
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuse/Circuit Usage Breaker
7 Power Auxiliary Outlets, Assembly
Line Diagnostic Link
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Not Used
PCMNCM Battery,
ABS Battery, Fuel
Pump (LN2)
PCM/VCM Ignition, Injectors, Crank
Sensor, Coil Driver Module
Radio, Inside Rearview Mirror
Map Lamp
DRAC, Anti-Lock Braking System,
Clock, Radio, Battery,
CD Player
VCM
IGN-3
A/C Compressor Battery Feed
Daytime Running Lamps,
Fog Lamps,
Fog Lamp Relay
Fuse/Circuit Usage Breaker
16
17
19
20 21
22
24 Turn
Signals and Back-up
Lamps, Brake-Transmission
Shift Interlock Solenoid
Windshield Washer, Windshield Wiper Motor
Electric Shift Transfer Case
Crank Signal, Air Bag System
Cluster Illumination,
Radio Illumination, Heater
Lamp, Four- Wheel-Drive
Illumination, Chime Module,
Fog Lamp Illumination
Air Bag System
PRNDL Power, 4L60E Automatic
Transmission
6-65