
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 
Vehicle Symbols 
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. 
For example, 
these symbols 
are  used  on an 
original battery: 
POSSIBLE A 
CAUTION 
INJURY 
PROTECT  EYES  BY 
SHIELDING 
CAUSTIC 
BURNS 
SPARK 
OR ,111, 
COULD  FLAME 
EXPLODE  BATTERY 
These symbols are important 
for  you  and 
your passengers 
whenever your  vehicle 
is 
driven: 
DOOR  LOCK 
UNLOCK 
FASTEN  SEAT 
BELTS 
POWER 
WINDOW 
These symbols  have 
to do with 
your lights: 
SIGNALS e 
TURN 
RUNNING 
* 0 
DAYTIME - 
LAMPS '.* 
FOG  LAMPS $0 
These symbols 
are  on some 
of 
your  controls: 
WINDSHIELD 
WIPER 
WINDSHIELD  DEFROSTER 
VENTILATING  FAN 
These symbols are  used  on 
warning  and 
indicator lights: 
COOLANT - 
TEMP - 
CHARGING I-1 
BATTERY 
SYSTEM 
BRAKE 
(0) 
COOLANT a 
ENGINE PRESSURE  OIL e, 
ANTI-LOCK (@) 
BRAKES 
Here are some 
other symbols 
you  may  see: 
FUSE 
LIGHTER 
m 
HORN k3 
SPEAKER 
b 
FUEL B3 
V   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Pressure Gage 
The oil pressure  gage shows 
the  engine  oil  pressure 
in 
psi  (pounds  per  square inch) 
when  the engine  is  running. 
Canadian  vehicles  indicate 
oil 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. 
A reading in the  low  pressure  zone  may  be  caused  by a 
dangerously  low  oil  level or other  problems  causing low 
oil  pressure. 
A CA"T1ON: 
Don't  keep  driving  if the  oil pressure is low. If 
you  do,  your  engine  can  become so hot that  it 
catches  fire. You or  others  could  be  burned. 
Check  your  oil as soon  as possible  and  have  your 
vehicle  serviced. 
1 NOTICE: 
Damage  to  your  engine  from  neglected oil 
problems  can  be  costly and 
is not  covered  by 
your  warranty. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check  Gages  Light 
The CHECK GAGES light 
will  come on  briefly  when 
you  are starting  the  engine. 
CHECK 
GAGES 
If the light comes  on  and  stays on  while  you  are  driving, 
check  your  coolant temperature  and  engine oil pressure 
gages  to see  if they  are 
in the  warning  zones. 
Fuel Gage 
When  the  ignition is on, the 
fuel  gage  tells 
you about 
how  much  fuel 
you 
have  remaining. 
Here  are  four  things  that  some owners  ask  about.  None 
of these  show  a problem  with  your  fuel gage: 
At the  gas  station,  the  gas pump shuts off  before  the 
It takes  a little  more  or less  fuel  to fill  up than the 
gage  reads 
FULL (F). 
gage  indicated.  For  example, the gage  may  have 
indicated  the  tank  was  half  full, but  it  actually  took  a 
little  more  or less  than  half  the  tank’s  capacity  to fill 
the  tank. 
The  gage  moves  a little  when  you  turn  a corner or 
speed up. 
The  gage  doesn’t go back  to EMPTY (E) when you 
turn  off  the  ignition. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 
GM 
dealers 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: 
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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? 
Lamps: 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? 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When  you decide it’s safe to lift the hood,  here’s  what 
you’ll  see: 
If  your  vehicle  has  air conditioning,  the  auxiliary 
electric  fan under  the  hood  can  start  up  even 
when  the  engine  is not  running  and  can  injure 
you.  Keep  hands,  clothing  and  tools  away  from 
--1 any  underhood  electric  fan. 
If the  coolant  inside  the  coolant recovery  tank is boiling, 
don’t 
do anything  else until it cools down. 
A. Coolant Recovery  Tank 
B. Radiator Pressure Cap 
C. Engine Fan 
5-13   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Before closing the hood,  be sure all  the  filler caps  are on 
properly. Then lift  the  hood to relieve  pressure on the 
hood  prop. 
Remove  the  hood  prop from the slot  in  the  hood  and 
return  the  prop  to its  retainer. 
Then  pull  the  hood  down  firmly  to close. It  will  latch 
when  dropped  from 
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) 
without  pressing  on the  hood. 
Engine Oil 
It’s  a good  idea  to check your engine oil  every time you 
get  fuel.  In order 
to get  an accurate  reading, the oil  must 
be  warm  and  the  vehicle must 
be on  level  ground. 
The oil  dipstick on the 2.2L 
engine is under  the  fill  cap. 
’* .d. L 
The oil  dipstick on the 
“VORTEC” 4300 engine 
is a yellow  ring. 
Turn 
off the  engine  and  give  the  oil a few minutes  to 
drain  back  into 
the oil  pan.  If you don’t,  the  oil  dipstick 
might 
not show the actual  level. 
Checking  Engine Oil 
Pull out the dipstick  and  clean it with  a paper  towel or 
cloth, 
then push  it  back  in  all  the  way.  Remove  it  again, 
keeping 
the tip  down,  and check  the  level. 
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Using  Solvent-Type  Cleaner on Fabric 
First, see if  you  have to use  solvent-type  cleaner at  all. 
Some  spots  and  stains will  clean  off  better  with  just 
water  and  mild  soap. 
If 
you need  to use  a  solvent: 
Gently  scrape  excess soil from  the  trim  material  with 
a  clean,  dull  knife or scraper.  Use  very  little  cleaner, 
light  pressure  and  clean cloths (preferably 
cheesecloth).  Cleaning should  start  at  the  outside of 
the  stain,  “feathering”  toward  the  center.  Keep 
changing  to a clean section 
of the  cloth. 
0 When  you  clean  a  stain from fabric,  immediately 
dry  the  area  with  a  blow  dryer to help  prevent  a 
cleaning  ring. 
Fabric  Protection 
Your  vehicle  has  upholstery  and  carpet  that  has  been 
treated  with  Scotchgard 
TM Fabric  Protector,  a  3M 
product.  It  protects  fabrics by  repelling  oil  and  water, 
which  are the  carriers 
of most stains.  Even  with  this 
protection, 
you still  need  to  clean your  upholstery  and 
carpet  often 
to keep  it  looking  new. 
Further  information 
on cleaning  is  available by calling 
1-800-433-3296  (in  Minnesota,  1-800-642-6  167). 
Special  Cleaning  Problems 
Greasy  or Oily Stains 
Stains  caused  by  grease,  oil, butter,  margarine,  shoe 
polish,  coffee with  cream,  chewing gum,  cosmetic 
creams,  vegetable 
oils, wax crayon,  tar  and  asphalt  can 
be  removed  as follows: 
0 Carefully  scrape  off  excess stain. 
Follow  the  solvent-type  instructions  described 
earlier. 
Shoe  polish,  wax  crayon,  tar  and  asphalt  will  stain  if 
left  on a  vehicle’s  seat  fabric.  They  should  be 
removed  as soon  as possible.  Be  careful,  because  the 
cleaner  will  dissolve them  and  may  cause  them  to 
spread. 
Non-Greasy  Stains 
Stains  caused  by catsup,  coffee (black),  egg, fruit, fruit 
juice,  milk,  soft  drinks,  wine,  vomit,  urine  and  blood  can 
be  removed  as  follows: 
Carefully  scrape  off excess  stain,  then  sponge the 
soiled  area with  cool  water. 
If a  stain  remains,  follow the foam-type  instructions 
described  earlier. 
6-54   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning  the  Outside of Your Vehicle 
The paint finish on your  vehicle provides  beauty,  depth 
of  color,  gloss retention  and  durability. 
Washing Your Vehicle 
The best  way to preserve your vehicle’s finish  is  to 
keep  it  clean by washing 
it often  with  lukewarm or 
cold  water. 
Don’t  wash  your  vehicle 
in the direct  rays of the  sun. 
Don’t  use  strong soaps  or chemical detergents.  Use 
liquid  hand,  dish  or car  washing  (mild  detergent) soaps. 
Don’t  use  cleaning agents that  are petroleum  based,  or 
that  contain  acid or abrasives.  All cleaning agents 
should  be  flushed promptly  and  not  allowed  to dry  on 
the  surface, or 
they could stain.  Dry the finish  with a 
soft, clean  chamois or  a 100% cotton  towel  to avoid 
surface scratches  and  water spotting. 
High  pressure car  washes  may cause water  to  enter 
your  vehicle. 
Finish  Care 
Occasional  waxing or mild polishing of your  vehicle  by 
hand  may  be  necessary  to remove residue from the paint 
finish.  You can get GM-approved cleaning products 
from  your  dealer.  (See  “Appearance Care and Materials” 
in  the  Index.) 
Your  vehicle  has  a “basecoatlclearcoat”  paint finish. 
The  clearcoat gives  more  depth  and  gloss to the 
colored  basecoat. Always  use  waxes  and  polishes  that 
are  non-abrasive  and made  for  a basecoat/clearcoat 
paint  finish. 
I NOTICE: I 
Machine  compounding  or  aggressive  polishing  on 
a  basecoatklearcoat  paint  finish  may  dull  the 
finish  or  leave  swirl  marks. 
Foreign  materials  such  as  calcium  chloride and other 
salts,  ice  melting  agents, road  oil  and  tar,  tree  sap, bird 
droppings, chemicals from  industrial chimneys,  etc. can 
damage  your  vehicle’s  finish  if they  remain  on  painted 
surfaces.  Wash the  vehicle  as  soon 
as possible.  If 
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