•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 is 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 are awaiting an opportunity. For one
thing, following too closely reduces your area of
vision, especially if you are following a larger
vehicle. Also, you will not 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
do not 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 cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle,
wait your turn. But take care that someone is
not trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the
slow vehicle.
•Check your mirrors 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 right outside mirror,
activate your right lane change and move back
into the right lane. (Remember that if your
right outside mirror is convex, the vehicle you just
passed may seem to be further away from you than
it really is.)
•Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
•Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it
may be slowing down or starting to turn.
•If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
4-15
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 does not 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 is 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 are not even aware of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can not stop, accelerate or turn as well
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread
left, you will get even less traction. It is 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 reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.
4-18
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 is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape
and keep your windshield washer tank filled with
washer fluid. 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.Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some vehicle washes can cause
problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to
avoid puddles. But if you can not, try to slow down
before you hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a vehicle wash, apply your brake pedal
lightly until your brakes work normally.
4-19
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal fat
that have been chemically modified to reduce the
possibility of damage to your fuel system and engine.
Higher concentration (i.e., greater than B5)
biodiesel-containing fuels or the use of unmodified
bio-oils blended into diesel fuel at any concentration is
not recommended and could damage your fuel
system and engine. Such damage would not be covered
by your warranty. If there are questions about the
biodiesel-containing fuels you are using, contact your
fuel supplier.
Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This can
cause the automatic pump nozzle to shut off, even
though your tank is not full. If this happens, just wait for
the foaming to stop and then continue to fill your tank.
{CAUTION:
Heat coming from the engine may cause the
fuel to expand and force the fuel out of your
tank. If something ignites the fuel, a re could
start and people could be burned. To help avoid
this, ll your fuel tank only until the automatic
nozzle shuts off. Do not try to “top it off.”
What Fuel to Use in Canada
Canadian fuels are blended for seasonal changes.
Diesel Type “A” fuel is blended for better cold weather
starting (below 0°F or−18°C); however, you may
notice some power and fuel economy loss. If Type “A”
fuel is used in warmer temperatures, stalling and
hard starting may occur. Diesel Type “B” fuel is blended
for temperatures above 0°F (−18°C). The emission
control system requires the use of diesel fuel with
low-sulfur (.05% by weight) content. Both low- and
higher-sulfur fuels will be available in Canada. Only
low-sulfur diesel fuels are available in the United States.
It is important that diesel-powered trucks are refueled
only with low-sulfur fuel. Use of fuels with higher-sulfur
content will affect the function of the emission
components and may cause reduced performance,
excessive smoke and unpleasant odor.
At a minimum, the diesel fuel you use should meet
specifications CAN/CGSB–3.517–2000 (Low Sulfur
Diesel) in Canada. In addition, the Engine Manufacturers
Association (EMA) has identified properties of an
improved diesel fuel for better engine performance and
durability (FQP-1A). Diesel fuels corresponding to
the EMA description could provide better starting, less
noise and better vehicle performance. If there are
questions about the fuel you are using, contact your fuel
supplier.
5-9
To drain water, do the following:
1. Stop and park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off
the engine and apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the fuel cap.
3. Place a fuel-resistant container under the fuel filter.
The filter drain valve is located on the bottom of the
fuel filter. The fuel filter is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle,
or on the driver’s side frame rail near the engine.
4. Open the drain valve
by turning two to three
turns. When fuel
empties from the valve,
all the water has
been drained. Close
the valve hand tight.5. Remove the fuel-resistant container and properly
dispose of the contaminated fuel. To find out how
to properly dispose of contaminated diesel fuel, see
Engine Oil (Caterpillar
®Diesel Engine) on
page 5-20orEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 5-20orEngine Oil (DURAMAX™ Diesel) on
page 5-25for more information.
6. Install the fuel cap.
7. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. If
the engine stalls, the fuel system may need to be
primed. While draining the water from the fuel filter,
air may enter the fuel system. If air has entered
the fuel system the fuel system will need to
be primed.
If the water in fuel light comes on again after driving a
short distance or the engine runs rough or stalls, a large
amount of water has probably been pumped into the
fuel tank. The fuel tank should be purged.
5-12
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil
Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine GM
parts and reset the system. It is also important to check
your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Change Engine Oil Light
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
change engine oil light being turned on, reset the
system.
To reset the change engine oil light, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within 10 seconds.
If the change engine oil light flashes for five
seconds, the system is resetting.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the change engine oil light comes back on when you
start your vehicle, the engine oil life system has not
reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-24
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker inside the motor and a circuit breaker or fuse in
the fuse block. If the motor overheats, the wipers will
stop until the motor cools. If the overload is caused by
an electrical problem, be sure to get it fixed.
Fusible Links
A fusible link is a short piece of wire several gauge
sizes smaller than the circuit it protects. It will melt in an
overload situation, opening the circuit.
Your starter and other circuits have these fusible links.
The size is printed on the insulation. If the insulation
is burned beyond recognition, consult your GM dealer
for the proper size. Replace a fusible link with one of the
same size and insulation type. Fusible link insulation
is a special purpose high-temperature material.
The hydraulic brake booster motor feed circuit and
starter circuit are protected by a fusible link. Vehicles
with a diesel engine have a fusible link for the intake
heater feed circuit.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens. This
protects the circuit until the current load returns to
normal or the problem is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
maxi-fuses and fusible links. This greatly reduces the
chance of a fire caused by an electrical problem. There
may be a fuse taped to the wiring harness near the
hydraulic brake booster.
5-87
Safety Belts (cont.)
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-26
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-21
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-8
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-5
Scheduled Maintenance Supplements.................. 6-4
Seat Adjuster Check........................................6-27
Seatback Adjustment......................................... 1-3
Seats
Air Suspension Seats.................................... 1-6
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-7
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Split Bench Seat........................................... 1-6
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position (Crew Cab) or
Center Front Position................................1-41
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-39
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-43
Service........................................................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-37
Publications Ordering Information..................... 7-7
Transmission Warning Light..........................3-31
Two Safety Cautions about Engine Fan
Breakage.................................................. 5-5Service Bulletins............................................... 7-8
Service Engine Soon Light...............................3-37
Service Manuals............................................... 7-7
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle............1-60
Setting Preset Stations....................3-47, 3-49, 3-54
Setting the Time.............................................3-45
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-47, 3-49, 3-54
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-82
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-15
Skidding........................................................4-16
Sliding Rear Windows.....................................2-10
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-20
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-78
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-93
Speedometer..................................................3-25
Split Bench Seat.............................................. 1-6
Starter Motor Operation...................................2-13
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-26
Starting Your Diesel Engine..............................2-14
Starting Your DURAMAX™ Diesel Engine...........2-19
Starting Your Engine...............................2-13, 2-19
Starting Your Gasoline Engine..........................2-12
Steering........................................................4-12
Steering Check...............................................6-26
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-13
Steering Tips..................................................4-12
Stopping the Diesel Engine..............................2-15
Stopping the Gasoline Engine...........................2-14
13