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4-25
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you
go down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to
let your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get
so hot that they wouldn't work well. You would
then have poor braking or even none going down
a hill. You could crash. Always have your engine
running and your vehicle in gear when you
go downhill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
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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 you cannot start your vehicle and you are unable to
remove your key from the ignition, see ªShift Lock
Releaseº in the Index.
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Please follow the steps below 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 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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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 jump start procedure. Put an automatic transaxle
in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL
before setting the parking brake.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or accessory power outlets. 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!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
Open the hoods and locate the battery on the other
vehicle and the remote positive (+) terminal located
on the passenger's side of the engine compartment
of your vehicle. (You will not see the battery under
the hood of your vehicle, since it is located under
the rear seat on the passenger's side.) Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminals on the
battery in the other vehicle.
You do not need to access your battery for jump
starting. The remote positive (+) terminal, located
on the passenger's side of the engine compartment,
is for this purpose.
Page 314 of 397
6-6
The fuel door release button
is located to the left of the
steering wheel next to the
headlamp knob.
The button only works when the vehicle is in PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N), when the key is in the ignition and
the VALET lockout button is in OFF.
An alternate fuel door
release is located inside of
the trunk on the driver's
side. Pull it to release the
fuel door.While refueling, hang the cap by the tether from the
hook on the filler door.
To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
Page 353 of 397
6-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Maintenance Schedule booklet under
Part B ªOwner Checks and Servicesº for
more information.
It's a good idea to clean or replace the wiper blade
assembly on a regular basis or when worn. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and type, see ªNormal
Maintenance Replacement Partsº in the Index
To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC and turn the wipers on.
Position the wipers on the windshield in the ªmidº
wipe position. Then with the door open, turn the
ignition to OFF.
2. Tip the blade up almost to a ªTº position and push
down on the tab to release the wiper blade assembly.
3. To install, align the wiper blade with the loop on
the wiper blade assembly, and push up to snap it
into place.
Page 375 of 397

6-67 Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused
by electrical problems.
Look at the silver
-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating. If a MaxiFuse
should blow, see your dealer
for service immediately.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a
spare fuse, you can ªborrowº one that has the same
amperage. Pick some feature of your vehicle that you
can get along without
-- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
The MaxiFuses are located in two Bussed Electrical
Centers (BEC), one located in the engine compartment
on the passenger's side and the other under the rear seat
on the driver's side. If a MaxiFuse should blow, have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer immediately.Engine Compartment Bussed Electrical CenterThe Engine Compartment Bussed Electrical Center
(BEC) is located next to the engine on the passenger's
side of the vehicle. For more information on location,
see ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index.
To access the fuse block, push in the two tabs located on
the top and the bottom of the fuse block cover.
Fuse 22 or 23 can be moved to the outer position to
enable the accessory power outlets or cigarette lighter
when the ignition is not on. See your dealer for
additional assistance, if needed.
Page 376 of 397
6-68
Minifuses Usage
1 Assembly Line Diagnostic Link
2 Accessory
3 Windshield Wipers
4 Not UsedMinifuses Usage
5 Headlamp Low Beam Left
6 Headlamp Low Beam Right
7 Instrument Panel
8 Powertrain Control
Module Battery
9 Headlamp High Beam Right
10 Headlamp High Beam Left
11 Ignition 1
12 Fog
13 Transmission
14 Cruise Control
15 Coil Module
16 Injector Bank #2
17 Not Used
18 Not Used
19 Powertrain Control
Module Ignition
Page 377 of 397
6-69
Minifuses Usage
20 Oxygen Sensor
21 Injector Bank #1
22 Cigar Lighter #2
23 Cigar Lighter #1
24 Daytime Running Lamps
25 Horn
26 Air Conditioner Clutch
Micro Relays Usage
27 Headlamp High Beam
28 Headlamp Low Beam
29 Fog Lamps
30 Daytime Running Lamps
31 Horn
32 Air Conditioner Clutch
Mini Relays Usage
33 Not Used
34 AccessoryMini Relays Usage
35 Not Used
36 Starter 1
37 Cooling Fan Secondary
38 Ignition 1
39 Cooling Fan Series/Parallel
40 Cooling Fan Primary
Maxibreaker Usage
41 Starter
MaxiFuses Usage
42 Not Used
43 Not Used
44 Anti
-Lock Brake System
45 Air Pump
46 Cooling Fan Secondary
47 Cooling Fan Primary
The spare fuses are located in numbers 48 through 52.
The fuse puller is located in number 53.