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.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle is equipped with a steering system that
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when steering at
all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when parking,
yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is 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 is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will 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 are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding
the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-14
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your TCS system is off, then
an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will 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.
4-18
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
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 “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be
towed, see “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in this section.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certification label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
4-33
Extended Mobility Tires
(Except Z06)
Your vehicle, when new, had Goodyear Extended
Mobility Tires (EMT). There’s no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment and no place to store a tire in the
vehicle. Extended Mobility Tires perform so well
without any air that a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) is
used to alert you if a tire has lost pressure.
If a tire goes flat, you won’t need to stop on the side of
the road to change the tire. You can just keep on
driving. The shorter the distance you drive and the
slower the speed, the greater the chance that the tire will
not have to be replaced. If you drive on a deflated
EMT for 50 miles (80 km) or less and at speeds
of 55 mph (90 km/h) or less, there is a good chance that
the tire can be repaired. The tire can operate effectively
with no air pressure for up to 200 miles (320 km) at
speeds up to 55 mph (90 km/h), but the tire would then
have to be replaced. When a tire is filled with air, it
provides a cushion between the road and the wheel.
Because you won’t have this cushion when driving on a
deflated tire, try to avoid potholes that could damage
your wheel and require replacement of it.
Some road hazards can damage a tire beyond repair.
This damage could occur even before you’ve driven
on the tire in a deflated condition. When a tire has been
damaged, or if you’ve driven any distance on adeflated EMT, check with an authorized Goodyear EMT
Service Center to determine whether the tire can be
repaired or should be replaced. To maintain your
vehicle’s extended mobility feature, all replacement tires
must be Extended Mobility Tires. As soon as possible,
contact the nearest authorized GM or Goodyear
EMT servicing facility for inspection and repair or
replacement. To locate the nearest GM or Goodyear
EMT servicing facility, call Roadside Assistance.
For phone numbers and Roadside Assistance details
seeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
You may also contact Goodyear, for the nearest
authorized EMT servicing facility, by calling
1-800-789-9878.
{CAUTION:
Extended mobility tires are constructed
differently than other tires and could explode
during improper service. You or others could
be injured or killed if you attempt to repair,
replace, dismount, or mount a extended
mobility tire. Let only an authorized EMT
Service Center repair, replace, dismount and
mount extended mobility tires.
5-61
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
(Except Z06)
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) has a sensor on each
road wheel that transmits to a receiver on the
instrument panel.
The system operates on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry and Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS–210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
If a tire’s inflation pressure is between 5 psi (35 kPa)
and 25 psi (170 kPa), you will see a message on
the Driver Information Center. This message will show
which tire is underinflated and two chimes will sound. An
example would be LOW TIRE PRESSURE-LR. This
would mean that the inflation pressure in your left rear
tire is between 5 psi (35 kPa) and 25 psi (170 kPa).
If the inflation pressure in the tire drops below
5 psi (35 kPa), the message would read FLAT TIRE-LR
and four chimes will sound. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
The TPM will also alert you if a tire’s pressure is higher
than 42 psi (290 kPa). The message will show which
tire is overinflated and two chimes will sound. An
example would be HIGH PRESSURE-LR. This would
mean that the inflation pressure in your left rear tire
is higher than 42 psi (290 kPa). SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
5-64
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire clearance to the
body and chassis.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause a crash. When you change
a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to use a scraper
or wire brush later, if you need to, to get all the
rust or dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or the
threads of the wheel nuts. If you do, the wheel
nuts might come loose and the wheel could
fall off, causing a crash.
5-69
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the
finish should be repaired right away.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Carbon Fiber Hood
(Z06 Commemorative Edition
Model Only)
The hood on the Z06 Commemorative Edition model is
made from an advanced carbon fiber composite.
Under certain lighting conditions, the carbon fiber has a
faint woven appearance and can be seen through
the paint, but not felt. It is most obvious when viewing
the reflection of an object in the surface of the hood. The
edges of the object in the reflection will appear slightly
jagged, due to the woven carbon fiber material. This
is normal. No special care is needed.
Magnesium Wheel Finish
Notice:Improper paint repair or re nishing can
cause corrosion damage to a magnesium wheel. See
your dealer if a magnesium wheel needs paint
repair or re nishing.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and
exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
Titanium Exhaust System
(Z06 Only)
Time and high performance driving conditions can
cause a color change in titanium exhaust system parts.
This is normal for a titanium surface.
5-89
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-68
Replacement...............................................5-68
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-16
When to Check Lubricant.................................5-47
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-35
Why Safety Belts Work..................................... 1-8
Windows.......................................................2-14
Power........................................................2-15Windshield Washer........................................... 3-9
Fluid..........................................................5-36
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-52
Fuses........................................................5-92
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-28
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14