
Windshield Wipers
N
WIPER:Turn the band with this symbol on it to
operate the windshield wipers.
MIST:Turn the band to MIST for a single wiping cycle.
Hold it until the windshield wipers start. Then let it
go. The windshield wipers will stop after one wipe. If
you want more wipes, hold the band on MIST longer.
OFF:Turn the band to OFF to turn off the windshield
wipers.
LO (Low Speed):Turn the band away from you to LO
and past the delay settings for steady wiping at low
speed.
HI (High Speed):Turn the band away from you, to HI,
and past the delay settings for wiping steady at high
speed.
Delayed Wiping:You can set the wiper speed for a
long or short delay between wipes. Turn the band
to choose the delay time. The closer to LO, the shorter
the delay.Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
J
PUSH:Use this paddle to spray washer ¯uid on the
windshield. The wipers will clear the window and then
either stop or return to your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer ¯uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
3-8

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
re¯exes 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 wiping equipment in good shape
and keep your windshield washer tank ®lled with
washer ¯uid. 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.
4-30

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 Ð such as after a day's
work Ð don't plan to make too many miles that ®rst
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 ®nd 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 in¯ated 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?
4-35

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear and cracking. SeeªWiper
Blade CheckºunderAt Least Twice a Year on
page 6-27.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
see
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 5-101.
Notice:Use care when removing or installing a
blade assembly. Accidental bumping can cause the
arm to fall back and strike the windshield.
1. To remove the old wiper blades, lift the wiper arm
until it locks into a vertical position.
A. Blade Assembly
B. Arm Assembly
C. Locking TabD. Blade Pivot
E. Hook Slot
F. Arm Hook
2. Press down on the blade assembly pivot locking tab.
Pull down on the blade assembly to release it from
the wiper arm hook.
3. Remove the insert from the blade assembly. The
insert has two notches at one end that are locked by
bottom claws of the blade assembly. At the notched
end, pull the insert from the blade assembly.
5-60

Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint ®nish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-90.
If your vehicle has a ªbasecoat/clearcoatº paint ®nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
®nish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint ®nish may
dull the ®nish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle's ®nish if they remain
on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove
foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a
period of years. You can help to keep the paint ®nish
looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use chrome polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging
protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish, steam or
caustic soap to clean aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts.
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper
Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or
windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a full-strength
glass cleaning liquid. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse it with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by
wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
5-88

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Part Number
Oil Filter*PF47
Air Cleaner Filter*A1163C
PCV Valve
2200 Engine
4300 EngineN/A
*CV7696
Automatic Transmission Filter Kit **24200796
Spark Plugs*41-948
Fuel Filter*GF481
Windshield Wiper Blades
Length
Type20 inches (51 cm)
Trico
*ACDelco
žPart No.
**GM Part No.
5-101

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-87.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly in¯ation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is in¯ated to
the correct tire in¯ation pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the wheel
wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire
on page 5-72.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-33.
Manual Transmission Check
Check the transmission ¯uid level; add if needed. SeeManual Transmission Fluid on page 5-25. Check
for leaks. A ¯uid leak is the only reason for ¯uid loss.
Have the system inspected and repaired if needed.
6-27

Chains, Tires..................................................5-70
Charging System Light....................................3-29
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-43
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking the Fluid Level..................................5-23
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-65
Check...........................................................3-33
Engine Light...............................................3-33
Gages Warning Light...................................3-38
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-90
Child Restraints..............................................1-36
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat
Position..................................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Where to Put the Restraint...................1-39, 1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-89
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-87
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-84
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-86
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-86
Cleaning Leather............................................5-85
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-39
Cleaning the Photocells...................................2-39
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-86
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-88
Cleaning Tires................................................5-89
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-85
Cleaning Wood Panels....................................5-86
Cleaning........................................................5-84
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-84
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-90
Weatherstrips..............................................5-87
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-26
Compact Disc Messages.................3-52, 3-62, 3-73
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-83
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant.........................................................3-32
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-32
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cooling.........................................................3-19
3