So here are some tips for passing:
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides
and to crossroads for situations that might affect
your passing patterns. If you have any doubt
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait
for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and
lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might
indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it’s all
right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear).
Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or
a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty
of approaching traffic.
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 “running start” 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 vehicles 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.)
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If you have Stabilitrak@, you may see the STABILITY
ACTIVE message on the Driver Information Center. See
“Stability Active Message” under
DIC Warnings and
Messages on
page 3-50.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
- such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface”
- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely
to be impaired
- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
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Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially
on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase.
A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example,
if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But
if
you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may
make a lot of things invisible.
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You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness
- the inability to see in dim light - and
aren’t even aware
of it.
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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 “blind” spot.
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Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is
it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
e
e
e
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably
cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
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Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap
into your vehicle’s brake system.
If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required for your trailer
lighting system can be accessed at the driver’s side rear
lamp connector. This connector is located under the
carpet
in the rear corner of the trunk compartment.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight
of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before
you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
.............. .... .... ........... 3-31
Overview
..................................... ......... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness
........... ........... 3-17
Interior Lamps
............................................. 3-17
Interior Plastic Components
.............................. 5-83
Jump Starting
................................................. 5-44
Key Lock Cylinders Service
.............................. 6-10
Keyless Entry System
....................................... 2-5
Key Reminder Warning
.................................... 2-24
Keys
............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps Exterior
................................... ....... 3-14
Interior
....................................................... 3-1 7
Lap-§boulder Belt ................................... 1-14, 1-22
Child Restraints
........................................... 1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................ 1-42
Leather
......................................................... 5-83
LATCH System Leaving
Your Vehicle
....................................... 2-14
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
...... 2-31
Light
Air Bag Readiness
....................................... 3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
................... 3-36
Battery Warning
.......................................... 3-35
Brake System Warning
................................. 3-35
Cruise Control
............................................. 3-43
Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-39
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-42
Safety Belt Reminder
................................... 3-33
TCS Warning Light
...................................... 3-37
Traction Control System Active
...................... 3-38
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
.......... 3-37
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror
............................... 2-18
Loading Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-34
Lockout Protection
.......................................... 2-14
Locks Central Door Unlocking System
..................... 2-11
Delayed Locking
.......................................... 2-11
Door
.......................................................... 2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle
.................................... 2-14
Lockout Protection
....................................... 2-14
Power Door
................................................ 2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............. 2-12
Rear Door Security Locks
............................. 2-13
Loss of Control
................... ................ 4-15
Lumbar Manual Controls
.......... ............ .. 1-3
Power Controls
............................................. 1-4
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Magnetic-Speed Variable Assist Steering ............ 4-1 0
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts .......... 5-1 01
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill
....................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month
....... ............... 6-9
At Least Once a Year
..... .............. 6-10
At Least Twice a Year
.................................. 6-10
Brake System Inspection
.............................. 6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-1 3
How This Section is Organized ....................... 6-3
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part
A - Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ............... 6-9
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-13
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . 6-15
Part E
- Maintenance Record ........................ 6-16
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ 6-14
Engine
Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-14
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-13
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Using Your ................................................... 6-4 Maintenance Schedule
(cont.)
Your Vehicle and the Environment
............... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
..................... 4-43
Making Turns
................................................. 4-41
Malfunction Indicator Light
................................ 3-39
Manual Lumbar Controls
.................................... 1-3
Manual Operation
........................................... 3-24
Manual Passenger Seat
.................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle
............... 2-8
Memory Mirrors
.............................................. 2-48
Memory Seat
................................................. 2-48
Memory Seats
................................................ 3-58
Message DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-50
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
US
. Virgin Islands) ....................... ..... 7-4
Mirror Operation
............................................. 2-35
Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
.... 2-35
Memory
..................................................... 2-48
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
.................... 2-37
Outside Heated Mirrors
................................ 2-38
Outside Power Mirrors
.............................. 2-37
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