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.
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.
4-34
ProCarManuals.com
‘--b hway 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
thun CI secmd, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that
it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
0
0
0
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take
a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on
the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See
“Off-Road Driving”
in the Index for information about
driving off-road.)
ProCarManuals.com
Y
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross
the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow
the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do
not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
If your trarler weighs more than
1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
adequate. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer brake system can tap into
the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system
only if:
The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
0 The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes. If
everything checks out this far, make the brake tap
at the port
on the master cylinder that sends the fluid to
the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing for this.
If
you do, it will bend and finally break off. Use steel
brake tubing.
rrailer
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 as
responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before
you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, 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 lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
4-55
ProCarManuals.com
014
020
03
09
0 l5
0.
04
0
0
l6
0 22
Fuse Usage
1
2
Stop/TCC Switch, Buzzer, CHMSL, Hazard
Lamps, Stoplamps
Transfer Case
3 Courtesy Lamps, Cargo Lamp, Glove
Box
Lamp, Dome/Reading Lamps, Vanity Mirrors,
Power Mirrors
Fuse
4
10
11
12
13
14
Usage
Instrument Cluster, DRL Relay, Lamp
Switch, Keyless
Entry, Low Coolant
Module, Illuminated Entry Module, DRAC
(Diesel Engine)
Not Used
Cruise Control
Auxiliary Power Outlet
Air Bag System
License Lamp, Parking Lamps, Taillamps, Roof Marker Lamps, Tailgate Lamps, Front
Sidemarkers, Fog Lamp Relay, Door Switch
Illumination, Fender Lamps, Headlamp
Switch Illumination
Air Bag System
Wiper Motor, Washer Pump
A/C, A/C Blower, High Blower Relay
Power Amp, Cigarette Lighter, Door Lock
Relay, Power Lumbar Seat
'
4WD Indicator, Cluster, Comfort Controls,
Instrument Switches, Radio Illumination,
Chime Module
6-70
ProCarManuals.com
Interior Lamps
Dome Lamps
Reading ‘Lamps
Door Courtesy Lamps
Four-Wheel-Drive Indicator
Four-Wheel-Drive Shift Lever
Instrument Panel Compartment Lamp
Ashtray
Lamp
Sunshade Vanity Mirror
Capacities and Specifications
Engine
“VORTEC” 4300
“VORTEC” 5000
“VORTEC”
5700
“VORTEC” 7400
Type
V6
V8
V8
V8
Quantity
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
RPO Code
L35
L30
L3 1
L29
VIN Code
W
M
R
J
Number
21 1-2
21 1-2
194
194
194
194
194
74
Spark Plug Gap
0.060 inches ( 1.52 mm)
0.060 inches (1.52 mrn)
0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
0.060 inches (I -52 mm)
6-74
ProCarManuals.com
Clock. Setting the ................................ 3-7
Clutch Fluid. Hydraulic
.......................... 6-23
Comfort Controls
................................ 3- I
Compact Disc Care ............................. 3-24
Compact Disc Player
....................... 3.15. 3.17
Compass. Rearview Mirror
with ................... 2-44
Console Storage
................................ 2-49
Control of
a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Convex Outside Mirror .......................... 2-46
Coolant
....................................... 6-26
Heater. Engine
............................... 2- 12
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-14
Cooling System
................................ 5- 12
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-36
Cupholders
.................................... 2-49
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- I
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8- I
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users ......... 8-3
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-64
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-64
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-40
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
............ 2-67
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety ......................... 8-8
Defensive Driving ............................... 4- I
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-6
Defog ing and Defrosting
......................... 3-5
Dolby B Noise Reduction 3- I4 8 .......................
Dome Lamps .................................. 2-42
Door Locks
....................................... 2-4
Storagepocket
............................... 2-51
Third
........................................ 2-3
Downshifting
.................................. 2-19
Driver Position ................................. 1-13
Driving
City
........................................ 4-33
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-34
Guidelines
.................................. 4-13
In a Blizzard ................................. 4-40
IntheRain
.................................. 4-30
Night
...................................... 4-28
Off-Road
................................... 4-13
OnCurves
................................... 4-8
On Grades While Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-57
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-36
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-38
Throughwater
............................... 4-32
WetRoads
.................................. 4-30
Winter
...................................... 4-38
With a Trailer
................................ 4-55
Drunken Driving ................................ 4-2
Easy Entry Seat
................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding ........... 2.12. 3.23. 6-68
Electrical System
............................... 6-68
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror .......... 2-44
9-3
ProCarManuals.com
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2- 13
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission .......... 2- 17. 2- 18
GloveBox .................................... 2-46
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-42
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-42
Guide en FranCais
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-42
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-37
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5- 1
Headlamps .................................... 2-39
Bulb Replacement
....................... 6.38. 6.39
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-34
OnReminder
................................ 2-39
Wiring
..................................... 6-68
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-34
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-36
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-54
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-6
Release
...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-32
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
........................... 6-23
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-32 Ignition
Positions
............................... 2-9
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-42
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-49
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-43
Inspections
.................................... 7-46
Brakesystem
................................ 7-47
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-47
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-46
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-46
Steering
.................................... 7-46
Suspension
.................................. 7-46
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-46
Transfer Case (Four-wheel Drive)
............... 7-47
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-54
Cleaning
.................................... 6-61
Cluster
..................................... 2-56
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-69
Intensity Control
............................. 2-42
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-42
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-22
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key
Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-43
Key Release Button ............................. 2- IO
Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-5
Keys .......................................... 2-1
9'
ProCarManuals.com
Labels Certification
................................. 4-42
CertificatiodTire
............................. 4-42
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-67
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-67
Lalnps
........................................ 2-39
Cargo
...................................... 2-43
Dome
...................................... 2-42
Interior
..................................... 2-42
On Reminder ................................ 2-39
UnderhoodReel
.............................. 2-41
Latches. Seatback
................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-5
Leaving Your Vehicle
with the Engine Running ....... 2-28
Lighter
....................................... 2-52
Lights Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1-22. 2-59
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.62. 4-6
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-61
Charging System
............................. 2-59
CheckGages
................................ 2-67
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator
............... 2-67
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1-9.2-58
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-63
Shift
.................................. 2-20. 2-66
Loading Information, Truck-Camper
............... 4-44
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-42
Lockoutswitch
................................ 2-32
Locks
Cylinders ................................... 7-43
Door
........................................ 2-4 Key Lock
Cylinders Service
.................... 7-43
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-5
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-45
Lubricants
and Fluids ............................ 7-48
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-43
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-2
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-75
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-51
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
..................... 7-5
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-42
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-46
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-48
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-4
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-65
Maintenance When Trailer Towing ................. 4-59
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-63
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Mirror ................................. 2-45
Manual Transmission Check
...................................... 7-43
Fluid
....................................... 6-22
Shifting
................................ 2-17. 2-18
Starting Your Engine .......................... 2-11
Manual Windows
............................... 2-31
Memo Pad Holder
.............................. 2-49
Methanol
...................................... 6-3
9-6
ProCarManuals.com