3-7
(Blend): Airflow is divided equally between the
floor outlet and the windshield defroster outlets. The air
conditioning compressor may run to dehumidify the air
to prevent window fogging.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlets with airflow
also delivered from the side window and the floor
outlets. When in defrost mode, the air conditioning
compressor may run to dehumidify the air and limit
window fogging.
(Outside Air): Press this button to force the
system to use outside air. Press it again to close off the
outside air.
Pressing the outside air button will cancel the
recirculation button.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to limit odors entering your
vehicle or attempting to quickly cool down the interior.
In the AUTO mode, the system will use recirculation as
necessary to cool the air. Pressing the recirculation
button will change the operation to a manual mode and
the air will recirculate non
-stop. Press this button again
to turn off the recirculation feature.
Recirculation may be selected with the fan control in
OFF to limit odors, outside air and dust from entering
your vehicle.
Pressing the recirculation button will cancel the outside
air button.
A/C: Press this button to turn the air conditioning
on and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle when the A/C light is on. When in
AUTO, the A/C is automatically engaged when necessary.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside air temperature drops below a level at which
air conditioning is effective.
Remember that in order for the automatic system to perform
well, it needs A/C to provide cooling performance.
3-9 Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
air inside escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down. Then keep your windows closed
for the air conditioner to work its best.
The recirculation button allows the air inside your
vehicle to be recirculated. This setting helps to
maximize your air conditioner's performance and your
vehicle's fuel economy. This setting also cools air the
fastest and can be used to keep unwanted odors and/or
dust from entering the vehicle. When using the air
conditioner, turn off the recirculation button after the
vehicle reaches a comfortable interior temperature.
When the right knob on the control panel is between
floor and defrost, the recirculation feature will not
function to reduce window fogging.
The A/C button, below the mode knob, allows the air
coming into your vehicle to be cooled. This setting is
useful for normal cooling on hot days.When you use A/C with the recirculation button pushed
in, turn off recirculation as soon as the vehicle reaches a
comfortable interior temperature.
Maximum air conditioning performance is obtained by
pressing the A/C button, the recirculation button and
turning the temperature knob fully counterclockwise to
the blue area. This setting also cools air the fastest. After
the vehicle's interior reaches a comfortable temperature,
press the outside air button to place the air conditioning
system in the normal mode.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has air conditioning, it is equipped with
a passenger compartment air filter, which filters outside
air entering the vehicle. For information on replacing
the filter see ªPassenger Compartment Air Filterº in
the Index.
3-10 Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use the floor or bi
-level
setting with the temperature knob in the red area.
On cold days, approximately 32F (
-0C) or lower, if
your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission,
you may experience differences in how the transmission
shifts until the engine is warm. This feature
automatically reduces the time it takes for the engine to
reach normal operating temperature and shortens the
time it takes the heater to reach full output.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting your
engine in cold weather, 20F (
-8C) or lower, the
heating system will produce warmer air faster to heat the
passenger compartment.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature. For more information, see ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use defrost to keep the windshield
and side windows clear. Use defrost to remove fog or ice
from the windshield in extremely humid or cold
conditions. Use defrost with the temperature knob
toward the red area and the fan control turned all the
way to the right.
Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
If you see lines running across the rear window, your
vehicle has a rear window defogger. The lines warm
the glass.
To turn on the rear window
defogger, press this button
next to the fan knob.
The rear window
defogger will only work
if the ignition is in RUN.
For best results, clear the
window of as much snow
or ice as possible.
3-11
The defogger will shut itself off after several minutes.
If you need additional warming time, press the button
again. You can turn the defogger off at any time by
pressing the button.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated outside mirrors,
the rear window defogger button will also activate the
heated outside mirrors.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use vent to direct outside air through
your vehicle.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. With the
side windows closed, air will flow into the front air
inlet grilles, through the vehicle, and out the air
exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the floor or
the air conditioning fan is running, unless you have the
recirculation button pushed in. For more information on
the recirculation mode, see ªAir Conditioningº earlier in
this section.
3-12
Your vehicle has air
outlets in the center and
on the sides of your
instrument panel.
You can move the levers from side
-to-side or up and
down to direct the flow of air. The left driver and
passenger outlets on vehicles equipped with air
conditioning have shut off levers. Turn the knob
counterclockwise to shut off air flow or clockwise to
allow air flow. When you close an outlet, it will increase
the flow of air coming out of any outlets that are open.
The center outlet does not completely shut off airflow.Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan knob all the way to the right for a few moments
before driving. This helps clear the intake ducts of
snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
The use of hood air deflectors may adversely
affect the performance of the heating and air
conditioning system.
4-40
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 GM
dealerships all across North America. They'll be ready
and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?
4-47
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you've been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body
insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor
mats
-- anything you can wrap around yourself or
tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
4-48
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle
-- such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as ªdinghy
towingº (towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground) and ªdolly towingº (towing your vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on
a device known as a ªdollyº).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See ªDinghy
Towingº and ªDolly Towing,º following.Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your
dealer or trailering professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would
prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll want to
make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See
ªBefore Leaving on a Long Tripº in the Index.