Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to
move slightly slower at night.
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?
4-32
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 5-98.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly inflation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inflated to
the correct tire inflation 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. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-82.
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 6-32.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-20. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
6-26
CD Messages................................3-50, 3-60, 3-75
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-57
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-21
Certification/Tire Label.....................................4-46
Chains, Tires..................................................5-80
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-35
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-40
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level.................................................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-54
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-101
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-39
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat
Position..................................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position........................1-41Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-44
Top Strap...................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-38
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-95
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-98
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Weatherstrips..............................................5-98
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels............................5-100
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-98
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-95
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-97
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-97
Cleaning Leather............................................5-96
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-31
Cleaning the Photocells...................................2-31
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-97
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.......5-100
Cleaning Tires..............................................5-100
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-96
Cleaning Wood Panels....................................5-97
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-94
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-14
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
3
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-104
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-105
Headlamps...............................................5-104
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-105
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-105
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-32
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-43
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-30
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-35
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Fan Noise..................................................5-36
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-27
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.....................5-108
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-25
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-25
Engine Speed Control.....................................2-19Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Environmental Concerns..................................4-15
Event Data Records (EDR)................................ 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-16
Express Down Window....................................2-12
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station...............3-54
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-45, 3-65
Finding a Station....................3-38, 3-43, 3-52, 3-62
Finish Care....................................................5-99
Finish Damage.............................................5-101
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-78
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-81
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM Stereo.....................................................3-76
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Following Distance..........................................4-57
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-18
5
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-22, 5-50
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Front Map Lamps...........................................3-16
Front Storage Area.........................................2-40
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-36
System Inspection.......................................6-30
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-105
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-105
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-35
Oil Pressure...............................................3-33
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-27Garment Hooks..............................................2-40
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-16
Glove Box.....................................................2-33
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-7
Headlamps....................................................5-53
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-52
Electrical System.......................................5-104
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-52
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-55
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-56
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-33
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-34
Hitches..........................................................4-55
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Automatic Transmission Fluid..........5-22
6
Window Lockout.............................................2-12
Windows.......................................................2-11
Manual......................................................2-12
Power........................................................2-12
Sliding Rear................................................2-13
Windshield Washer
Fluid..........................................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check................6-25
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-59
Fuses......................................................5-105
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-36
Wiper Blade Check.........................................6-26X
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-78
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
(48 Contiguous US States)...........3-41, 3-61, 3-76
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
16