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4-19
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 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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4-23
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in your
ªblindº spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Oldsmobile dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.
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4-39 Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel
will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,
telling other drivers you're about to turn, change lanes
or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
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5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
Press the switch located on
your instrument panel to
make your front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on
and off. Your hazard
warning flashers work no
matter what position your
key is in, and even if the
key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, press the switch again. When
the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals
won't work.
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.
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6-43 Front Parking, Sidemarker and Turn Signal
Cornering Lamp
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Remove the rubber bulb access cover.
3. Twist and pull each bulb socket from the
headlamp assembly.
4. Holding the base of the bulb, pull the bulb from
the socket.
5. Push the new bulb into the socket.
6. Put the bulb socket back into the headlamp assembly
and turn it clockwise until it is secure.
7. Replace the rubber access cover.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
1. Open the trunk.
2. Reach through the access opening in the trunk.
3. Remove the bulb by turning it one
-quarter of a
turn counterclockwise.
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6-44
4. Place the new bulb into the socket.
5. Turn the bulb one
-quarter of a turn clockwise
to replace.
6. Close the trunk.
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal lamp
1. Unscrew the wing nut inside of the trunk (1) behind
the taillamp to be changed (if equipped with a
convenience net, unhook the convenience net).
2. Pull back the carpeting.
3. Remove the plastic wing nuts (2). (Pliers may be
required to remove the wing nuts.)
4. Pull the taillamp housing away from the body of the
vehicle (3).
5. Squeeze the tab on the bulb socket and turn the
socket counterclockwise.
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6-65
Fuse Description
HEATED
MIRRORHeated Outside Rearview Mirrors
IGN 0:
CLUSTER
PCM, & BCMInstrument Panel Cluster,
Powertrain Control Module,
Body Control
LOW BLOWER HVAC Control Assembly,
Blower Motor
HVAC Air Temperature Valve Motor,
HVAC Control Assembly,
Solenoid Box, Compass Mirror
CRUISE Cruise Control Module
ABS (3800 V6
Only)Electronic Brake Control Module
(EBCM), ABS Relay, Traction
Control System Disable Switch
BTSI Brake
-Transaxle Shift Interlock
TURN
SIGNALS,
CORN LPSTurn Signals, Cornering Lamps
AIR BAG Air Bag System
CLUSTER Instrument Panel Cluster
DRL Daytime Running LampsFuse Description
PCM, BCM,
U/H RELAYPowertrain Control Module, Body
Control Module, Underhood
Ignition/Relay
RADIO, HVAC,
RFA CLUSTER,
DATA LINKRadio, HVAC Control Assembly,
Instrument Panel Cluster, Remote
Keyless Entry Module, Data Link
Connector, Bose Amplifier
ABS, BCM ABS1
-- Electronic Brake Control
Module (EBCM) (3800 V6 Only),
Body Control Module
CIGAR LTR,
AUX POWERAuxiliary Power, Cigarette
Lighter, Power Drop
INADV POWER
BUSVanity Mirrors, Instrument Panel
Courtesy Lamps, Instrument Panel
Compartment Lamps, Trunk
Courtesy Lamp, Header Courtesy
and Reading Lamps, I/S Lighted
Rearview Mirror
CD CHANGER Cartridge Disk Changer
HIGH BLOWER High Blower Relay
HAZARD Hazard Switch
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