Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push.
Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts.
If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come
on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it
it fixed so it will be ready
to warn you if there’s
a problem.
(0) (8> doesn’t come on then, have
BRAKE
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident.
If the light is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
2-65
1
ProCarManuals.com
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see
“If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If
the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put
fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
2-68
ProCarManuals.com
I A 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
I NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and
is not covered by
your warranty.
Security Warning Light
SECURITY
This light will come on
briefly when you turn the
key toward START. The
light will stay on until the
engine starts.
If the light flashes, the Passlock system has entered a
tamper mode.
If the vehicle fails to start, see “Passlock”
in the Index.
If the light comes on continuously while driving and
stays
on, there may be a problem with the Passlock
system. Your vehicle will not be protected by Passlock,
and you should see your dealer.
This light should also flash as you open
the door (if your
ignition is off).
This is a reminder to activate the
theft-deterrent system. See “Content Theft-Deterrent” in
the Index for more information.
2-70
ProCarManuals.com
I
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle.
AUTO: If the knob is in AUTO, the fan speed will vary
as the system maintains
the selected temperature.
Temperature Knob
Electronic Climate Control System
Fan Control
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
controls the fan speed.
To manually increase airflow,
move the knob to the right. To manually decrease
airflow, move it to the left.
OFF: If the knob is in OFF, outside air will still enter
the vehicle, and will be directed based on the position of
the mode knob. The middle knob
on the control panel lets
you select the
desired air temperature in your vehicle. This knob will
allow you
to adjust the interior air temperature
independently of the function knob setting. Turn the
knob to the right toward 82 for warmer air. Turn the
knob to the left toward
66 for cooler air.
Full Hot: If you turn the temperature knob past 82°F
(2SoC), the system will
go into the “full hot” mode. The
system will remain at that maximum heating setting and
the
fan will blow at the speed the fan knob is set to. If
the fan is in AUTO, it will run at full speed.
Full Cold: If you turn the temperature knob past 66°F
(19” C), the system will go into the “full cold” mode.
The system will remain at that maximum cooling setting
and the fan will blow at the speed the fan knob is set to.
If the fan is in AUTO, it will run at full speed.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the
system to heat or cool any faster.
3-2
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
4-11
4-
12
4-13
4- 14
4-15
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of
a Vehicle
Braking Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss
of Control
Driving Guidelines
Off-Road Driving with Your GM
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
4-27
4-28
4-3
1
4-32
4-33
4-34
4-34
4-36
4-39
4-40
4-43
Driving at Night
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving on
a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
4- 1
I
ProCarManuals.com
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause
deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome
you and kill
you. You can’t see it
or smell it, so you might not
know it
is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base
of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just
a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help
keep
CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you
run the engine. make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is. push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the
battery charged.
YOLI will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold.
But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Vehicles with the electronic shift transfer case require
special modifications before they can be towed
in this
manner. Please contact your dealer
.for the towing
information that is appropriate
for yoc~r
particular vehicle.
4-39
ProCarManuals.com
Add-on Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure
to weigh your vehicle before you buy and install
the new equipment.
Towing a Trailer
I NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn’t cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
A CAUTION:
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 dealer for advice
and information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
4-43
ProCarManuals.com
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing. If yours
was built with trailering options, as many are, it’s ready
for heavier trailers. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be
used properly.
That’s
the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many
of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer
will
weigh 2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 Ibs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
0
0
0
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
You should use DRIVE
(D) (or, as you need to, a
lower gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle
in DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life
of
your transmission.
Three important considerations have to
do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
4-44
ProCarManuals.com