
Safety  Belt  Reminder  Light 
When  the  key  is  turned to RUN  or START,  a tone  will 
come  on  for about  eight  seconds to  remind  people  to 
fasten their 
safety belts, unless the driver’s safety  belt is 
already  buckled. 
The safety  belt  light will 
also  come  on  and  stay  on 
for  about 
20 seconds, 
then  it  will  flash for about 
55 seconds.  If the  driver’s 
belt  is already  buckled, 
neither  the tone  nor  the 
light  will come  on. 
Air Bag Readiness  Light 
There  is  an air bag  readiness  light  on  the  instrument  panel, 
which  shows 
AIR BAG. The  system  checks  the air bag’s 
electrical  system  for  malfunctions.  The  light  tells  you  if  there  is  an  electrical  problem.  The  system  check  includes  the 
air bag  sensors,  the air bag  module, the wiring  and  the 
diagnostic  module. 
For more  information on the air bag 
system, 
see “Air Bag” in the  Index. 
AIR 
BAG 
This light  will come on 
when  you  start your  engine, 
and  it  will 
flash for  a few 
seconds.  Then  the light 
should  go  out.  This means 
the system is  ready. 
If  the air  bag readiness light stays  on after  you start the 
engine or  comes on  when  you  are driving, your air bag 
system  may  not  work  properly.  Have  your  vehicle 
serviced  right  away. 
The  air  bag  readiness  light should  flash for 
a few 
seconds  when  you  turn  the ignition key to 
RUN. If the 
light doesn’t come  on  then,  have  it fixed 
so it  will  be 
ready  to warn  you  if  there 
is a problem. 
2-67 
ProCarManuals.com 

Section 4 Your  Driving and the Road 
Here you’ll find information  about driving on different  kinds of roads  and in varying  weather  conditions. We’ve also 
included  many  other  useful  tips on driving. 
4-2  4-  3 
4-6 
4-6 
4-9 
4-1 
1 
4-  12 
4-13 
4-  14 
4-27  4-29  Defensive  Driving 
Drunken  Driving 
Control 
of a  Vehicle 
Braking 
Steering 
Off-Road  Recovery 
Passing 
Loss 
of Control 
Driving  Guidelines 
Driving 
at Night 
Driving 
in Rain  and on Wet  Roads  4-32 
4-32 
4-34 
4-35 
4-35 
4-37 
4-4 
1 
4-45 
4-45 
4-45  City  Driving 
Freeway  Driving 
Before  Leaving 
on a  Long  Trip 
Highway  Hypnosis 
Hill  and  Mountain  Roads 
Winter  Driving 
Loading  Your  Vehicle 
Camper  Wiring  Harness  Pickup  Conversion 
to Chassis  Cab 
Towing  a  Trailer 
4-1 
ProCarManuals.com 

Trailer Recommendations 
You  must  subtract  your hitch loads  from  the CWR for 
your  vehicle.  Weigh  your  vehicle  with  the  trailer  attached, 
so that  you  won’t  go  over the GVWR or  GAWR. 
You’ll  get 
the best  performance if you  spread  out the 
weight  of your  load  the  right  way,  and  if  you choose  the 
correct  hitch  and  trailer brakes. 
For  more  information,  see  ‘Trailer Towing” 
in the  Index. 
Camper  Wiring  Harness (If Equipped) 
A five-wire  harness  is  stored in the  front  stake  pocket  on 
the  driver’s  side  of  the  bed.  The  harness  has  no  connector 
and  should  be  wired  by 
a qualified  electrical  technician. It 
must  be  routed  out  of  your  vehicle  and  securely  attached 
so that it won’t be  pulled  or  rubbed  while  you’re  using 
it.  Store  the  harness  in  its  original  position.  Wrap  the 
harness  together  and  tie 
it neatly so it  won’t  be  damaged. 
Pickup  Conversion to Chassis  Cab 
General  Motors is aware  that some  vehicle  owners 
may  consider  having the pickup  box  removed  and  a 
commercial or recreational  body installed.  Before 
you 
do so, first contact  the GM Zone  Office  for your  area for 
information  on  such conversions specific to  this  vehicle. 
(See  the “Warranty  and  Owner  Assistance” booklet for Zone 
Office.)  Owners  should  be aware  that, 
as 
manufactured,  there  are  differences between a chassis 
cab  and  a pickup  with  the box  removed  which  may 
affect  vehicle  safety.  The components  necessary to adapt 
a  pickup  to permit  its  safe  use  with 
a specialized  body 
should  be  installed by a body  builder  in  accordance  with 
the  information  available from the Zone  Office. 
Towing  a  Trailer 
If you  don’t  use  the  correct  equipment  and  drive 
properly,  you  can  lose  control  when  you  pull  a 
trailer.  For  example,  if  the  trailer  is  too  heavy,  the 
brakes  may  not  work  well 
-- or  even at all.  You 
and  your  passengers  could  be  seriously  injured. 
Pull  a  trailer  only  if  you  have  followed  all  the 
steps  in  this  section. 
Ask your GM dealer  for 
advice  and  information  about  towing  a  trailer  with  your  vehicle. 
4-45 
ProCarManuals.com 

When You Are  Ready to  Leave  After 
Parkine 
on a  Hill 
1. Apply  your  regular brakes  and  hold  the  pedal  down 
while  you: 
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  quickly. 
If  you’re  trailering,  it’s a good  idea to review  these 
sections  before you start  your  trip. 
Trailer  Wiring  Harness 
A seven-wire  harness is stored  under  the  rear  end  of 
your  vehicle,  between 
the frame  rails. An electrical 
connector  will  need to be  installed  at the  trailer end  of 
the  harness,  by a qualified  electrical  technician.  For 
additional trailer  wiring  and  towing  information  please 
consult  your 
GM 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. 
Check  periodically  to  see  that  all  hitch  nuts  and bolts 
are tight. 
4-58 
ProCarManuals.com 

Electrical  System 
Add-on Electrical  Equipment 
NOTICE: 
Don’t  add  anything  electrical  to  your  vehicle 
unless  you  check  with  your  dealer  first.  Some 
electrical  equipment  can  damage  your  vehicle  and  the  damage  wouldn’t  be  covered  by  your 
warranty.  Some  add-on  electrical  equipment 
can  keep  other  components  from  working  as 
they  should. 
Your  vehicle  has an air bag  system.  Before  attempting  to 
add  anything  electrical to your  vehicle,  see “Servicing 
Your  Air  Bag-Equipped  Vehicle”  in the  Index. 
Headlamps 
The  headlamp  wiring  is  protected  by an internal  circuit 
breaker. 
An electrical  overload  will  cause  the  lamps  to go 
on  and off, or in some  cases  to  remain  off. If this happens, 
have  your  headlamp  wiring  checked  right  away. 
Windshield  Wipers 
The  windshield  wiper  motor  is protected  by a circuit 
breaker  and  a fuse.  If the  motor  overheats  due  to  heavy 
snow,  etc., the  wiper  will  stop  until the  motor  cools. If 
the  overload  is caused  by some  electrical  problem  and 
not  snow,  etc., be  sure  to  get  it fixed. 
Power  Windows  and  Other  Power  Options 
Circuit  breakers  protect  the power  windows  and  other 
power  accessories.  When  the  current load is too  heavy, 
the  circuit  breaker  opens  and  closes, protecting  the 
circuit  until  the  problem  is fixed or  goes  away. 
6-70 - 
ProCarManuals.com 

Fuses and Circuit Breakers 
The wiring  circuits in your  vehicle  are protected  from 
short  circuits  by a combination  of fuses, circuit  breakers 
and  fusible  thermal 
links. This greatly reduces the 
chance  of fires  caused  by electrical problems. 
Look  at the  silver-colored  band inside  the fuse. 
If the 
band 
is broken  or melted, replace  the fuse.  Be sure  you 
replace  a bad  fuse 
with a new  one of the identical  size 
and  rating. 
If you  ever  have  a problem  on  the road  and  don’t have 
a spare fuse, you  can  “borrow”  one that  has  the same 
amperage. Just  pick some feature  of your  vehicle  that 
you can get along  without -- like the  radio  or  cigarette 
lighter 
-- and  use  its fuse, if it is the  correct amperage. 
Replace 
it as  soon  as  you  can. 
Instrument  Panel  Fuse Block 
The fuse  block  access  door 
is  on  the  driver’s side edge 
of  the  instrument  panel. Pull 
off the cover  to access  the 
fuse  block. 
You  can remove  fuses 
with a  fuse extractor.  The  fuse 
extractor is  mounted  to the fuse  block  access  door. 
To 
remove  fuses if you  don’t  have  a  fuse extractor, hold the 
end 
of the  fuse  between  your  thumb  and  index  finger 
and  pull  straight out. 
You  may  have  spare fuses  located  behind  the fuse  block 
access  door. These  can be used  to  replace  a bad  fuse. 
However,  make  sure 
it is of  the  correct  amperage. 
6-7 1 
ProCarManuals.com 

Garage Door Opener ............................ 2-52 
GAWR 
....................................... 4-41 
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission 
............. 2- 15 
Gear Positions. Manual  Transmission .......... 2- 19. 2-20 
GloveBox 
.................................... 2-52 
Gross Axle  Weight Rating 
........................ 4-41 
Gross Vehicle  Weight  Rating ...................... 4-41 
Guide 
en Fransais 11 
GVWR ....................................... 4-41 
.. ................................. 
Halogen  Bulbs ................................ 6-39 
Hazard  Warning  Flashers 
.......................... 5-2 
Head Restraints 
................................. 1-6 
Headlamps .................................... 2-43 
Bulb Replacement 
....................... 6.40.  6.41 
HigWLow  Beam Changer 
...................... 2-37 
OnReminder 
................................ 2-44 
Wiring 
..................................... 6-70 
Hearing  Impaired.  Customer Assistance 
.............. 8-4 
Heating 
........................................ 3-4 
High-Beam  Headlamps 
.......................... 2-37 
Highway Hypnosis 
.............................. 4-35 
Hill  and  Mountain  Roads 
......................... 4-35 
Hitches.  Trailer 
................................. 4-53 
Hood  Checking Things  Under 
......................... 6-8 
Release 
...................................... 6-9 
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid 
........................... 6-26 
Hydroplaning 
.................................. 4-3 1 
Horn 
......................................... 2-35  Ignition 
Positions 
.............................. 2-11 
Ignition  Transmission  Lock  Check 
................. 7-48 
Illuminated  Entry 
............................... 2-46 
Inflation.  Tire 
.................................. 6-51 
Inside  Daymight  Rearview Mirror 
................. 2-48 
Inspections 
.................................... 7-49 
Brake System 
................................ 7-50 
DriveAxle 
.................................. 7-50 
Exhaust Systems 
............................. 7-49 
Radiator  and Heater Hose 
...................... 7-49 
Steering 
.................................... 7-49 
Suspension 
.................................. 7-49 
Throttle Linkage 
.............................. 7-49 
Transfer  Case  (Four-wheel  Drive) 
............... 7-50 
Instrumentpanel 
............................... 2-62 
Cleaning 
.................................... 6-63 
Cluster 
..................................... 2-64 
FuseBlock 
.................................. 6-71 
Intensity Control 
............................. 2-46 
Interior  Lamps 
................................. 2-46 
.................................... J ack.  Tire  5-23 
Jump  Starting 
................................... 5-3 
Key  Lock Cylinders Service 
..................... 7-46 
Key  Release Button 
............................. 2-12 
Keyless  Entry  System 
............................ 2-7 
Keys 
.......................................... 2-2 
9-5 
ProCarManuals.com 

Turn  Signal  and  Lane  Change Signals ............... 2-37 
Turn  SignalNultifunction  Lever 
................... 2-36 
Turn  Signals  When  Towing  a Trailer 
................ 4-56 
Underbody  Maintenance 
........................ 6-67 
Underhood  FuseRelay Center 
..................... 6-73 
Vehicle 
Control 
...................................... 4-6 
Damage  Warnings 
.............................. iv 
Identification  Number ......................... 6-69 
Loading 
.................................... 4-41 
Storage 
..................................... 6-39 
Ventilation  System 
............................... 3-5 
Visors,  Sun 
.................................... 2-61 
Voltmeter 
..................................... 2-70 
warning  Devices ............................... 5-3 
Warning  Lights. Gages  and  Indicators 
............... 2-66 
Warranty  Information 
............................ 8- 10 
Washer  Fluid.  Windshield ........................ 6-33 
Washing  Your  Vehicle 
........................... 6-64  Weatherstrips 
.................................. 6-64 
Nut Torque ............................. 5.30.  6.76 
Replacement 
................................. 6-57 
Wrench 
..................................... 5-23 
Windows ..................................... 2-33 
Lockout  Switch 
.............................. 2-34 
Manual 
..................................... 2-33 
Power 
...................................... 2-33 
Sliding  Rear 
................................. 2-35 
Swing-Out 
.................................. 2-35 
Windshield  Washer 
............................. 2-39 
Fluid .................................. 2-39, 6-33 
Fluid  Level  Check 
............................ 7-45 
Windshield  Wipers 
.............................. 2-38 
Blade  Replacement ...................... 6-49.  6-77 
Cleaning  the  Blades 
........................... 6-63 
Winter  Driving 
................................. 4-37 
Wiper  Blades,  Cleaning 
.......................... 6-63 
Wiring.  Headlamp 
.............................. 6-70 
Wrench.  Wheel ................................. 5-23 
Wheel 
Alignment 
.................................. 6-57 
Fuses 
...................................... 6-70 
9-11 
ProCarManuals.com