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2-35 Windshield Wipers
WIPER: Turn the band on the turn signal lever to
control the wipers.
MIST: Turn the band toward you and then release it for
a single wiping cycle. For more cycles, hold the band on
MIST longer.
LO or HI: Turn the band away from you to either LO
(low speed) or to HI (high speed), depending on the
wiper speed you want.
DELAY: You can set the wiper speed for a long or short
delay between wipes with this setting. Turn the band to
the DELAY position. The closer you turn it to LO, the
shorter the delay.OFF: Turn the band to OFF to turn off the wipers.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear
away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Rainsense Wipers (ETC Only)
This moisture sensor is mounted on the passenger's
interior side of the windshield behind the rearview
mirror and is used to automatically operate the wipers
by monitoring the amount of moisture that is on
the windshield.
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4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain 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.
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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.
6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-39 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-40 Tires
6
-48 Appearance Care
6
-48 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-50 Care of Safety Belts6
-50 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-50 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-50 Weatherstrips
6
-51 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-52 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-52 Cleaning Tires
6
-52 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-53 Underbody Maintenance
6
-53 Chemical Paint Spotting
6
-54 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-55 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-55 Electrical System
6
-64 Replacement Bulbs
6
-65 Capacities and Specifications
6
-65 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-66 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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6-39
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Maintenance Schedule booklet
under Part B ªOwner Checks and Servicesº for
more information.
It's a good idea to clean or replace the wiper blade
assembly on a regular basis or when worn. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and type, see ªNormal
Maintenance Replacement Partsº in the Index. To
replace the wiper blade assembly:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY and turn the
wipers on. Position the wipers on the windshield in
the ªmidº wipe position. Then with the door open,
turn the key to OFF.
2. Insert a screwdriver into the slot as shown and press
down to release the wiper blade assembly.
3. Align the wiper arm pin with the hole on the wiper
blade assembly and snap it into place to install.
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6-50
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a
liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. (See
ªAppearance Care and Materialsº in the Index.)
Don't use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax,
sap or other material may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon Ami
Powder (non-scratching
glass cleaning powder), GM Part No. 1050011. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper
blades and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full
-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply silicone
grease with a clean cloth at least every six months. During
very cold, damp weather more frequent application may be
required. (See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in
the Maintenance Schedule booklet.)
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8-3
Check Fuel Gauge Message 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gas Cap Message 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Oil Level Message 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Washer Fluid Message 2-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Engine Oil 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-40 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position 1-42 . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-44 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHMSL 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chrome-Plated Wheels, Cleaning 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
City Driving 4-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome
-Plated Wheels 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric/Carpet 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Surfaces 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-50 . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speaker Covers 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tires 6
-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wood Panels 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control Panel 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control Personalization 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control, Steering Wheel Controls 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cluster, Instrument Panel 2-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls and Radio System Personalization 2-84 . . .
Compact Disc Care 3-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player Care 3-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Players 3-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compartments, Storage 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compass, Rearview Mirror with 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Console, Overhead 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Console Shift Lever 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Continuous Variable Road Sensing
Suspension (CVRSS) 2
-84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control System, Traction 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convenience Net 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater, Engine 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surge Tank 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cornering Lamps 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .