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4-14
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid.
If your traction control system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
yellowblue
4-15
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
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4-21
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
ªblindº 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.
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 to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Catera dealerships all across North America. They'll be
ready and willing to help if you need it.
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4-22
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble
-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
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 than a second, 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:
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 rearview 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.
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4-34 Safety Chains
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.
Trailer Brakes
Because your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, don't try to
tap into the hydraulic brake system. If you do, both
brake systems won't work well, or at all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
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.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
yellowblue
6-58
Fuse Usage
4 RH and LH Rear Seat Cushion Heater
Relay, Rear Sunshade Motor
5 Transmission Control Module
6 Radio Speaker Amplifier
7 RH and LH Rear Side Door Window
Regulator Motor
8 Headlamp Switch, Turn Signal Switch,
Horn Relay, CD Changer,
Multifunction Relay
9 Windshield Wiper Motor and Relay,
Windshield Wiper and Windshield
Washer Switch
10 Body Control Module (BCM), Heater
Water Auxiliary Pump, Fan Control
Relays, Auxiliary Water Pump Relay
11 Heater and A/C Control, RH and LH
Outside Rearview Mirrors
12 Hazard Warning Switch, Instrument
Cluster, Data Link Connector (DLC),
Stoplamp Switch, Gage Cluster, Heater
and A/C Control.
13 Remote Control Outside Rearview Mirror
Switch, A/C Compressor Relay, Coolant
Fan Test Connector, A/C Load SwitchFuse Usage
14 Cellular Telephone, RH and LH
Windshield Washer Nozzles, Driver and
Passenger Heated Seat Switch, Heater and
A/C Control, Heated Outside Rearview
Mirror and Rear Window Defogger Relay
15 Rear Suspension Leveling Air
Compressor Relay, Instrument Cluster,
Gage Cluster, Cruise Control Switch,
Headlamp Switch, Multifunction Relay,
Passenger and Driver Heated Seat Relay,
BCM, Sunroof Actuator, Automatic Level
Control Sensor, RH and LH Heated Rear
Seat Switch, RH and LH Heated Rear
Seat Cushion Relay, Driver Seat Adjuster
Memory Module, LH Front Side Door
Window Switch, Inside Rearview Mirror
16 Cigarette Lighter (Front and Console)
17 Horn #1 and #2
18 Fuel Pump
19 Electronic Brake/Traction Control
Module
20 Passenger and Driver Heated Seat Relay
21 Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) Relay,
LH High
-Beam Headlamp Relay
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6-60
Relay Box
The relay box is located on the lower part of the
instrument panel, to the right of the steering column.Relay Usage
I Daytime Running Lamps
II Automatic Level Control
III Rear Window Defogger, Heated Mirrors
IV Hazard Warning Flashers
V High
-Beam Headlamps II (RH)
VI Horn
VII Parking Lamps and Turn Signal Lamps
VIII Low
-Beam Headlamps
IX Not Used
X Not Used
XI High
-Beam Headlamps I (LH)
yellowblue
8-3
Leather 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-48 . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speaker Covers 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top of the Instrument Panel 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control System 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cluster, Instrument Panel 2-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems 3-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Changer Errors 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compartments, Storage 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Console Shift Lever 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Console Storage 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convenience Net 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater, Engine 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Add to the Coolant Surge Tank 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surge Tank 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What to Use 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Transportation 7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control Light 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer Assistance
Information 7
-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offices 7-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text Telephone (TTY) Users 7-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Satisfaction Procedure 7-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Finish 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Sheet Metal 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dead Battery 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defects, Reporting Safety 7-10, 7-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive Driving 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogger, Rear Window 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defrosting 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions, Vehicle 6-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby Noise Reduction 3-13, 3-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door
Central Unlocking System 2
-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DRIVE (D), Automatic Transmission 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver's Side Instrument Panel Fuse Block 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver's Side Temperature Knob 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
City 4
-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freeway 4-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In a Blizzard 4-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Rain and on Wet Roads 4-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .