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4-13
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 if
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 and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
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.
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6-44
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear,
rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
See ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and ªWheel
Replacementº later in this section for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
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6-46
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Certification/Tire label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an ªMSº
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
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6-47
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
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.
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6-50
Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P265/75R16 or LT265/75R16
size tires, don't use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because there's not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE (Continued)
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it's contacting your vehicle, and don't
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If you have a tire size other than P265/75R16 or
LT265/75R16, use tire chains only where legal
and only when you must. Use chains that are the
proper size for your tires. Install them on the
tires of the rear axle.
Don't use chains on the tires of the front axle.
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.
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Capacities and Specifications
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index for more information.
Engine Identification -- Gasoline Engines
EngineªVORTECº 5700 ªVORTECº 7400
Type V8 V8
RPO Code L31 L29
VIN Code R J
Fuel System SFI* SFI*
*Sequential Fuel Injection
Wheels and Tires
MODEL DESCRIPTION TORQUE
C 1500 5 bolts (14 mm)
140 lb
-ft (190 N´m)
K 1500, C
-K 25006 bolts (14 mm)
140 lb-ft (190 N´m)
C
-K 25008 bolts (14 mm)
140 lb-ft (190 N´m)
Tire Pressure See the Certification/Tire label
on the rear edge of the driver's
door or the incomplete vehicle
document in the cab.
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9-2
Brake
Adjustment 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-30, 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Warning Light 2-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Shift Interlock Check 7-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-35, 6-65, 6-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Camper Type Mirrors 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-9, 2-29, 4-41, 4-51, 4-52 . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo Security Shade 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo Tie Downs 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player 3-12, 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player Care 3-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player Errors 3-14, 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement 6-41 . . . .
Center Passenger Position 1-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire Label 4-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chains, Safety 4
-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System Warning Light 2-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gages Light 2-81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-54 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Center Seat Position 1-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-57 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-16, 6-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels 6
-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric and Carpet 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Problems 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .