Page 119 of 407

2-31
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane Change Signals
Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer
Flash
-to-Pass feature
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
If you move the lever all the way up or down, and the arrow
flashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers may not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and a blown
fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
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2-55
Volume Control: You can control the volume of the
OnStar System using either the volume knob on the
radio or using the steering wheel controls, if equipped.
Telltale Light: This light will indicate the status of
the system. A solid green light will come on when you
start the vehicle to let you know that the system is on
and is ready to make or receive calls.
If the light blinks green it means that an incoming or
outgoing call is in progress. Press the Communication
button if you notice the light blinking and you are not
on a call.
The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system
malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar Services
button to attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection
is made, the advisor will assist you with steps to take to
make sure that the system is functioning properly. If you
cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your
dealership as soon as possible for assistance.
Cellular Antenna: The cellular antenna on the outside
of your vehicle is critical to effective communications
using the OnStar system. Optimum cellular reception
can be obtained when the mast is straight up and down.
OnStar Services
The following services are available within OnStar
service plans. Your vehicle comes with a specific
one
-year service plan that allows use of some or all
of the following services.
Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment:
If an air bag deploys, a priority emergency signal is
sent automatically to the center. An advisor will
locate your vehicle's position, try to contact you
and assist you in the situation. If the center is unable
to contact you, an emergency service provider will
be contacted.
Stolen Vehicle Tracking: Call the center at
1
-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to report your
vehicle stolen. The system can then attempt to locate
and track your vehicle and the advisor will assist the
proper authorities.
Roadside Assistance with Location: For vehicle
breakdowns, press the OnStar Services button. An
advisor will contact the appropriate help.
Remote Diagnostics: If an instrument panel
light comes on, press the OnStar Services button.
An advisor can perform a check of the engine
on
-board computer, and recommend what action
needs to be taken.
Page 151 of 407
2-63
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Switch
B. Exterior Lamp Controls
C. Air Outlets
D. Storage Compartment
E. Rear Wisher Wiper
F. Multifunction Lever
G. Instrument Panel Cluster
H. Shift Lever
I. Tow/Haul Button
J. Audio System
K. Comfort Control System
L. Instrument Panel Fuse BlockM. Fog Lamps Button
N. Hood Release
O. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
P. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block
Q. Tilt Lever
R. Parking Brake Release
S. Secondary Information Center (SIC)
T. Rear Window Defogger Switch
U. Compact Disc Changer
V. Ashtray
W. Accessory Power Outlet
X. OnStar Buttons
Page 177 of 407
3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Electronic Climate Control System
3
-8 Air Conditioning
3
-8 Heating
3
-9 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-9 Rear Window Defogger
3
-10 Ventilation System
3
-11 Audio Systems
3
-11 Setting the Clock
3
-12 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape
Player (Bose)3
-17 Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
3
-19 Compact Disc Changer
3
-22 Theft-Deterrent Feature
3
-24 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
3
-25 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-25 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-26 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-27 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-27 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-27 Fixed Mast Antenna
Page 200 of 407
3-24 Audio Steering Wheel Controls
You can control certain radio functions using the buttons
on your steering wheel.
PROG (Program): Press this button to play a station
you have programmed on the radio preset buttons on the
selected band. If a cassette tape is playing, press this
button to play the other side of the tape. If a compact
disc is playing in the CD changer, press this button to
go to the next available CD.
SEEK : Press the up or down arrow to seek to the
next or previous radio station and stay there.
If a cassette tape or compact disc is playing, the player
will advance with the up arrow and reverse with the
down arrow.
MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press it
again to turn on the sound.
VOL (Volume): Press the up or down arrow to
increase or decrease volume.
Page 204 of 407
4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions.
We've also included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Steering
4
-11 Off-Road Recovery
4
-12 Passing
4
-13 Loss of Control
4
-14 Operating Your All±Wheel±Drive
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
4
-28 Driving at Night4
-29 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-32 City Driving
4
-33 Freeway Driving
4
-34 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-35 Highway Hypnosis
4
-35 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-37 Winter Driving
4
-41 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-42 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-45 Towing a Trailer
Page 209 of 407

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that's only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Page 212 of 407

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel the
brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Speed-Sensitive Steering
This system varies the amount of steering effort
proportionate to your vehicle speed. Steering is easier
at lower speeds for maneuvering and parking ease.
As your vehicle speed increases, the steering effort also
increases. At highway speeds, the amount of steering
effort is increased.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.