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6-26
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to add
coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with engine
overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).
Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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6-27 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn't
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX
-COOL coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
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6-33
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 ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.
Brake Wear
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle has
four
-wheel disc brakes. If not, your vehicle has front
disc brakes and rear drum 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).
CAUTION:
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.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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6-48 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed
by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, which grades tires by treadwear, traction
and temperature performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.) The grades are molded
on the sidewalls of most passenger car tires. The Uniform
Tire Quality Grading system does not apply to deep tread,
winter
-type snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited
-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times as well
on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
-- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
-- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
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6-49
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.Each new wheel should have the same load
-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
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6-51
NOTICE: (Continued)
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If you have other size tires, use tire chains only
where legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE Class ªSº type chains that are the proper
size for your tires. Install them on the drive axle
tires (four
-wheel-drive vehicles can use chains on
both axles) and tighten them as tightly as possible
with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer's instructions. If
you can hear the chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will damage
your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer's warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you're cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
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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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9-4
Exhaust, Engine 2-31, 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exit Lighting 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Express-Down Window 2-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extender, Safety Belt 1-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric Cleaning 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fifth Gear, Manual Transmission 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filter
Air 6
-16, 6-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Oil 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First Gear
Automatic Transmission 2
-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transmission 2-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flash-To-Pass Feature 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluids and Lubricants 7-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog Lamp Switch 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Countries, Fuel 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth Gear, Manual Transmission 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Four-Wheel Drive 2-23, 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
French Language Manual ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Axle 6
-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Map Lamps 2-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Storage Area 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 6-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Container 6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign Countries 6
-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gage 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank Capacity 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block
Engine Compartment 6
-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 6-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Pressure 2-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 2-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voltmeter 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas Cap 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GAWR 4-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gear Positions 2-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove Box 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GM Mobility for Persons with Disabilities 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross Axle Weight Rating 4-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Guide en Fran†ais ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR 4
-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Bulbs 6-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Warning Flashers 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamp Replacement 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamps 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High/Low Beam Changer 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiring 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamps On Reminder 2-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .