
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate
or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on
dry roads.
And,
if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious
if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes
are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road and even
people walking.
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing
areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts. Driving too fast
through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But if you can’t, try
to slow down before you hit them.
4-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work
as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control
of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen
if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the
water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually
happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your
engine’s
air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that
is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
0 Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
“Tires” in the Index.)
0 Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should
be above the
MIN mark on the reservoir. If it isn’t, have
your brake system checked
to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area around the cap before removing it.
This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put
in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn
and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or
be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
As you make brake stops, your disc brakes
automatically adjust for wear.
6-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Automatic Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
OFF in each shift lever position. The
key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in
OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK
(P) Mechanism Check
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You
or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at once should the vehicle begin to move. Park on
a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to
flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer’s service
department or other qualified service center do these jobs.
Make sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Tire and Wheel Inspection
Inspect the tires for uneven wear or damage. If there is
irregular or premature wear, check the wheel alignment.
Inspect for damaged wheels.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing
or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust”
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings
and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system
and pressure cap is recommended at least once a year.
Rear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add if
needed. See “Rear Axle” in the Index.
A fluid loss may
indicate a problem. Check the axle and repair it
if needed.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and
rotors for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parlung brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
7-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake (Continued) Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-32
PedalTravel
................................. 6-31
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-32
System Warning Light
......................... 2-79
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-36
Wear
....................................... 6-31
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock Check
........... 7- 13
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 4-9
Break.In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2-20
BTSI
......................................... 2-36
BTSICheck
................................... 7-13
Bulb Replacement
......................... 6.33. 6.69
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-70
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2.15.2.37. 4.28
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7- 11
Cassette Tape Player ............................ 3-12
CareofYour
................................. 3-28
Center Console
................................. 2-55
Certification Label
.............................. 4-29
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-51
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-85
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-37
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-60
Child Restraints
................................ 1-27
Add-on
..................................... 1-27
Securing in the Passenger Seat Position
........... 1-28
Top Strap
.................................... 1-3 1
Types ...................................... 1-27
WheretoPut
................................ 1-27
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-58
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-64
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-58
Coated Moldings
............................. 6-53
ConvenienceNet
............................. 6-54
Exterior LampsLenses
........................ 6-56
Fabric
...................................... 6-53
Glass
....................................... 6-54
Inside of Your Vehicle
......................... 6-52
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-54
Leather
..................................... 6-53
Outside of Your Vehicle
........................ 6-56
Removable Roof Panel
......................... 6-55
Security Shade
............................... 6-54
Soft-Touch Paint Surfaces
...................... 6-54
Stains
...................................... 6-53
Tires
....................................... 6-58
Vinyl
....................................... 6-53
Weatherstrips
................................ 6-55
Wheels
..................................... 6-58
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-55
Climate Control. Automatic Electronic Dual
........... 3-4
Clock. Setting the
............................... 3-12
Clutch. Hydraulic
............................... 6-20
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Comfort Controls. Manual
......................... 3-2
Compact Disc
AdapterKit
.................................. 3-17
Care
....................................... 3-29 .
Changer. TmnkMounted ....................... 3-21
9-2