2-63
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Air Outlet
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Steering Wheel Controls for Climate Control System
D. Steering Wheel Controls for Audio System
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Control
F. Driver Information Center (DIC)
G. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
H. Climate Control System
I. Instrument Panel Brightness ControlJ. Trip Odometer Buttons
K. Hood Release
L. Parking Brake
M. Cruise Control Lever
N. Ignition Switch
O. Audio System
P. Accessory Power Outlet
Q. Glove Box (Trunk Release Lockout Switch inside)
2-90 DIC Warnings and Messages
Other messages or warnings may appear in the DIC
display. For Canadian drivers, in addition to the DIC
message your DIC will display EXP with a number after
it which reflects the following messages:
EXP (Export ID) Warning Message. . . . . . . . . . . .
1 AIR BAG PROBLEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 CHANGE OIL NOW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 CHANGE OIL SOON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 CHECK OIL LEVEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 TRANS HOT...IDLE ENG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 CONFIRM TIME & DATE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 DRIVERS DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 ENGINE HOT...A/C OFF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 HOT...REDUCE ENG RPM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 HOT...STOP ENGINE *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 THEFT SYSTEM FAULT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 LOW BRAKE FLUID *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 LOW ENGINE COOLANT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 LOW FUEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 LOW OIL PRESSURE *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 LOW TIRE PRESSURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 LOW WASHER FLUID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 PARK BRAKE SET *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 PASSENGER DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 SERVICE VEHICLE SOON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 TURN SIGNAL ON?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 THEFT ATTEMPTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 SERV STABILITY SYS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28 TRUNK AJAR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29 BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32 HOT...IDLE ENGINE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33 STARTING DISABLED *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36 CHECK GAS CAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42 STABILITY ACTIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The EXP codes are used to make translation from
English to other languages easier.
Pressing the RESET button will remove the above
messages or warnings from the DIC display, unless
noted by an asterisk (*).
3-25 Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause
stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick up
noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to come and go.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause interference with your
vehicle's radio. This interference may occur when making
or receiving phone calls, charging the phone's battery or
simply having the phone ªonº. This interference is
described as an increased level of static while listening to
the radio. If you notice static while listening to the radio,
unplug the cellular phone and turn it off.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can beloud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.
Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it's very important
to do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle's
engine, Delphi Delco Electronics radio or other
systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle's
systems may interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
4-14
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you're following a larger vehicle.
Also, you won't have adequate space if the vehicle
ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and
don't get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.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
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.
4-20
City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You'll want to watch out
for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.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.
4-21
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.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.
4-36 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.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with
a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People can
be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
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.
To turn on the hazard warning flashers, press and release
the button located in the center of the instrument panel.
The indicators for the turn signals will flash on and off.
Your hazard 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 button down again.
When the 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.