2004 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER mirror

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.)
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 ashing, 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.
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.
4-14

If you have the Traction Assist System, remember: It
helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not have
this system, or if the 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.Off-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel
drive. Also, seeBraking on page 4-6. If your vehicle
does not have four-wheel drive, you should not
drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some denite hazards. The greatest of these is the
terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you have left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes are not
marked. Curves are not banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or
downhill. In short, you have gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that
is why it is very important that you read this guide. You
will nd many driving tips and suggestions. These
will help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
4-15

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 ow.
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 ow. 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 ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
4-33

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 inated 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?
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. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless 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:
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 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.
4-35

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can not see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-32. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-21.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 all trailer hitch parts and and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connection, 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.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
4-59

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-41
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-15
Interior.......................................................3-17
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-14, 1-22
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-40
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running..........................................2-30
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR................................3-60
Liftgate Rack System
Table.........................................................2-48
Liftgate Release..............................................2-13
Liftgate/Liftglass..............................................2-13
Liftglass/Liftgate..............................................2-13Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-39
Brake System Warning.................................3-38
Change Engine Oil......................................3-44
Charging System.........................................3-36
Check Gages Warning.................................3-46
Cruise Control.............................................3-45
Gate Ajar...................................................3-47
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-48
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-40
Reduced Engine Power................................3-45
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-35
Security.....................................................3-44
Service Four-Wheel-Drive Warning Light.........3-46
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-15
Listening to a DVD.................................3-86, 3-99
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-16
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-10
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Door........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
8

Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-48
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-44
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-14
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-62
Making Turns.................................................4-60
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6Memory Seat.................................................2-50
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirror Operation.............................................2-34
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar®
and Compass..........................................2-34
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-37
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors...................2-36
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-37
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-36
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
Navigation/Radio System..................................3-99
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-14
O
Odometer......................................................3-34
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-44
9

Oil (cont.)
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-43
OIL PRESSURE LOW/STOP ENGINE...............3-58
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-38
OnStar®Services............................................2-38
OnStar®System.............................................2-37
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-38
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads..............................................4-15
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment...................................3-23, 3-27
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-37
Curb View Assist Mirrors..............................2-36
Heated Mirrors............................................2-37
Manual Mirrors............................................2-35
Power Mirrors.............................................2-36
Overhead Console..........................................2-43
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-12
P
Parental Control............................................3-100
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-31
Parking
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Parking on Hills..............................................4-61
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR..............................3-59
Passing.................................................4-13, 4-59
Passlock
®......................................................2-17
Personalization...............................................3-51
Personalization, Climate Controls......................3-31
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-81
Playing a CD.................................3-70, 3-83, 3-94
Playing a Specic Loaded CD..........................3-95
Playing the Radio...........................3-63, 3-73, 3-87
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-20
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.........................................5-92
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-45
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-15
10