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 are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not 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 is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will find experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They will 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 is 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?
4-21
Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-11
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-25
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-45
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-45
Headlamps..................................................5-46
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps................5-46
Turn Signal Lamps (Side)..............................5-47
Fog Lamps..................................................5-48
Sidemarker Lamps (Front)..............................5-48
Sidemarker Lamps (Rear)..............................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
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 5-79.
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. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-26.
Manual Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
Check for leaks. A fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if needed.
Automatic Transaxle Inspection
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the brake/clutch reservoir.
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 5-22. A fluid loss in this
system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
6-20
Engine (cont.)
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-21
Cooling System Inspection............................6-25
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-87
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-19
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exterior Lamps................................................. 3-8
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Station....................................3-34, 3-36
Finish Care....................................................5-80
Finish Damage...............................................5-81
Five-Speed....................................................2-26
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-6Flat Tire........................................................5-66
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-67
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Manual Transaxle........................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
FM ...............................................................3-43
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-32
Fog Lamps...............................................3-6, 3-9
Folding the Seatback..................................1-6, 1-8
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-14
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-22
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-23
System Inspection.......................................6-25
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-85
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-84
5
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-23
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-31
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-19
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections..........6-24
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants..................................................6-26
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-16
Passing.........................................................4-12
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a CD.................................................3-38
Playing the Radio...................................3-34, 3-36
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-11
Electrical System.........................................5-84
Steering Fluid.............................................5-34
Windows....................................................2-14
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-27
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radios..........................................................3-34
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-34
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-44
Care of Your CDs........................................3-44
Radio with CD............................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-43
Understanding Reception..............................3-43
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-9
Rear Seat Operation...................................1-6, 1-8
Rear Seat Outside Positions.............................1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rear Window and Outside Mirror Defogger.........3-15
Rear Window Washer/Wiper............................... 3-7
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-34
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-29
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-11
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-69
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-68
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-38
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..............................................1-59
10
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-17
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-3
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-4
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-79
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-20
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-16
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-19
What to Use..................................5-23, 5-34, 5-35
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-64
Replacement...............................................5-64
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-16
When to Change Engine Oil.............................5-18
When to Check..............................................5-59
When to Check and What to Use.....................5-22
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-34
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter........5-20Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-37
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-11
Window Lockout.............................................2-14
Windows.......................................................2-13
Manual......................................................2-14
Power........................................................2-14
Windshield Washer........................................... 3-7
Fluid..........................................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check................6-19
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-50
Fuses........................................................5-84
Windshield Wiper Lever..................................... 3-6
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-6
Winter Driving................................................4-24
Wiper Blade Check.........................................6-20
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14