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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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Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get
a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of
the city just as you would for a cross
-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You'll save time and energy. (See the
next part, ªFreeway Driving.º)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is
there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too
-fast or
too
-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and
reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving
under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a
piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You'll
have a lot less traction or ªgripº and will need to be
very careful.
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5-3
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to
use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. But please use the following steps to do
it safely.
CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
The ACDelco Freedom battery in your vehicle
has a built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or
jump start the battery if the hydrometer looks
clear or light yellow. Replace the battery when
there is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
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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.
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.
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6-30
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.
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.
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.
9-
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Section 9 Index
A
BS 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessory Power Outlets 2-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle 6-3 . . . . . .
Adding Sound Equipment 3-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add-On Equipment 4-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag 1-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Equipment 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Does it Restrain 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How it Works 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Location 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Readiness Light 1-23, 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System 1-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Makes it Inflate 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What You See After it Inflates 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Should it Inflate 1-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance, Tire 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All-Wheel Drive 2-26, 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna, Fixed 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light 2-62, 4-7 . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock Brakes 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appearance Care and Materials 6
-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arbitration Program 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armrest, Storage 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtrays 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Steering Wheel Controls 3-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Systems 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Headlamp System 2-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transmission
Check 7
-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation 2-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park Mechanism Check 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Axle
Front 6
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locking Rear 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charge Light 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement, Keyless Entry 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warnings 5-3, 5-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Run-Down Protection 2-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Auto Line 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Blizzard, Driving In 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake Fluid 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake, Parking 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake System Warning Light 2-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes
Adjustment 6
-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear 6-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock Check 7-41 . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking In Emergencies 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness Control 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-9, 2-25, 4-40, 4-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player 3-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo Security Shade 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo Tie Downs 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification/Tire Label 4-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains
Safety 4
-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System Light 2-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Gages Light 2-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Checking Your Restraint Systems 1
-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center Seat Positions 1-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position 1-44 . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-46 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels 6
-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior Lamps and Lenses 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Leather 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weatherstrips 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield, Backglass and Wiper Blades 6-48 . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control System 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Care 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player Care 3-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .