Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - - ~~ ~- ~~ ~~
.. .
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
"Fuel" in the .Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel to turn the light
off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Pressure Gage
0 \ 80
The oil pressure gage
shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds
per square inch) when the
engine is running. Canadian
vehicles indicate 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 problem'causing low
oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as possible.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 CAUTION:
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.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light
This light will go on
whenever the
DRL are on.
When it begins to get dark, the
DRL indicator light is a
reminder
to turn on your headlamps.
2-66
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check Gages Light
This 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,
it could indicate a problem with your vehicle. It could be
a problem with your oil pressure, coolant temperature,
or some other problem. Check your various gages to see
if they are in the warning zones.
If they are, have your
vehicle serviced right away.
Headlamp High-Beam Indicator Light
The high-beam indicator is
on whenever you use your
high-beam headlamps.
For
more details about high
beams,
see “Headlamp
HighLow Beam Changer”
earlier in this section.
Turn Signal and Lane Change
Indicator Lights
The signal indicator will
come on whenever
you
signal a turn or lane change.
See “Turn Signal and Lane
Change Indicator’’ earlier in
this section.
2-67
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Your Compact Discs
.Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean
it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch
the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge
of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most vehicle
washes without being damaged. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand,
If the mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you
should replace it.
Check every once
in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the cowl.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 togo. 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:
0 Windshield Washer
Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
0 Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
0 Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
all levels?
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated
to the
recommended .pressure?
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
0 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook .
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
nrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
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 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If you have an automatic transmission you should use
THIRD
(3) (or, as you need to, a lower gear) when
towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in THIRD
(3)
when towing a trailer will minimize heat buildup and
extend the life of your transmission.
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) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do
get the overheat warning, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
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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:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
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 qoickly.
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
A seven-wire harness is stored under the rear of your
vehicle, between the frame rails. An electrical connector
will need to be added at the trailer end
of the harness, by
a qualified electrical technician. For additional trailer
wiring and towing information, please consult your
dealer. 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 won’t bind or break
when turning with the trailer, but not
so loose that it
drags on the ground. Store’ the harness in its original
position. Wrap the harness together and tie it neatly
so it
won’t be damaged.
If you tow a trailer, your Center
High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) may not be
properly visible from behind.
You should select a trailer
with a CHMSL on
it or, if one is not available, have one
installed. See your GM dealer about how to connect
your vehicle’s wiring to a trailer CHMSL.
4-53
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such
as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be
available in.your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you
use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
* NOTICE:
I
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
’
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries -- Gasoline
Engines
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the.proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused
by use of improper fuel 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 (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
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