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4-7
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti
-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there's a problem with the
anti
-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on.
See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in
the Index.

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4-22
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to
keep your vehicle headed straight down, and use a low
gear. This way, engine drag can help your brakes and
they won't have to do all the work. Descend slowly,
keeping your vehicle under control at all times.
CAUTION:
Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause
your brakes to overheat and fade. This could cause
loss of control and a serious accident. Apply the
brakes lightly when descending a hill and use a low
gear to keep vehicle speed under control.
Q:Are there some things I should not do when
driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you ignore
them you could lose control and have a
serious accident.When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that's not too
steep to drive down may be too steep to drive across.
You could roll over if you don't drive straight down.
Never go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal depressed
in a manual shift. This is called ªfree
-wheeling.º
Your brakes will have to do all the work and could
overheat and fade.
Q:Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A:It's much more likely to happen going uphill. But if
it happens going downhill, here's what to do.
Stop your vehicle by applying the regular brakes.
Apply the parking brake.
Shift to PARK (P) (or to NEUTRAL (N) with the
manual transmission) and, while still braking, restart
the engine.
Shift back to a low gear, release the parking brake,
and drive straight down.
If the engine won't start, get out and get help.

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4-25
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction.
On these surfaces, it's very easy to lose control. On wet
ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you will
have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get moving,
poor steering and difficult braking can cause you to slide
out of control.
CAUTION:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or rivers can be
dangerous. Underwater springs, currents under
the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your
vehicle could fall through the ice and you and
your passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle
on safe surfaces only.
Driving in Water
Light rain causes no special off-road driving problems.
But heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood
waters demand extreme caution.
Find out how deep the water is before you drive through
it. If it's deep enough to cover your wheel hubs, axles or
exhaust pipe, don't try it
-- you probably won't getthrough. Also, water that deep can damage your axle
and other vehicle parts.
If the water isn't too deep, then drive through it slowly.
At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get
your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your tailpipe is
under water, you'll never be able to start your engine.
When you go through water, remember that when your
brakes get wet, it may take you longer to stop.
CAUTION:
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous.
Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers could drown. If it's
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Don't drive
through rushing water.
See ªDriving Through Waterº in the Index for more
information on driving through water.

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4-29
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.
CAUTION:
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.

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5-4
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the procedure. Put an automatic transmission vehicle
in PARK (P) and a manual transmission vehicle
in NEUTRAL (N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter, or accessory power outlets, if you have this
option. Turn off all lamps that aren't needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive (+) and negative (
-) terminals on
each battery.
CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the ACDelco Freedom
battery installed in every new GM vehicle. But if
a battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take
care of that first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.

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6-34
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.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don't have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of
this manual under Part C ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspections.º
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
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If you don't have four
-wheel drive and your brake pedal
goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and
firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top
-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.

9-yellowblue
9-1
Section 9 Index
A
ccessory Power Outlets 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle 6-3 . . . . . .
Adding Sound Equipment 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add-On Equipment 4-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag 1-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Equipment 1-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Does it Restrain 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How it Works 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Location 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Readiness Light 1-22, 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing 1-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Makes it Inflate 1-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Will You See After it Inflates 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Should it Inflate 1-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag Off Light 1-28, 2-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag Off Switch 1-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag System 1-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner 6-16, 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance, Tire 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna, Fixed 3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light 2-60, 4-7 . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brakes 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care and Materials 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arbitration Program 8
-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armrest, Storage 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtrays 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio System Tips 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Systems 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Headlamp System 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transmission
Check 7
-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-17, 6-68, 7-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park Mechanism Check 7-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Axle
Front 6
-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 6-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 6-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charge Light 2-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement, Keyless Entry 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Run-Down Protection 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warnings 5-3, 5-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Auto Line 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake Fluid 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake, Parking 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning Light 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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9-2
Brakes
Adjustment 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock Check 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-35, 6-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-67, 6-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-31, 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player 3-24, 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement 6-39 . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire Label 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains
Safety 4
-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System Light 2-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gages Light 2-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Child Restraints 1
-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-44 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where Not to Put 1-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-16, 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels 6
-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belts 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weatherstrips 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control System 3-2, 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch, Hydraulic 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Care 3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content Theft-Deterrent 2-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 5-11, 6-26, 6-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .