Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your “blind” spot.
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?
4-34
Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-28
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-35
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-41
Rear Axle.......................................................5-46
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-46
Front Axle......................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Headlamps..................................................5-49
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps................5-51
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps................5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-52
Taillamps.....................................................5-53
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-54
Tires..............................................................5-57
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-67
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-68
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-69
Buying New Tires.........................................5-70
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-71
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-72
Wheel Replacement......................................5-72
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 5-89.
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 5-75.
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 5-19. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
6-26
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station...............3-52
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-42, 3-63
Finding a Station....................3-37, 3-40, 3-50, 3-61
Finish Care....................................................5-90
Finish Damage...............................................5-92
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-76
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-75
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM Stereo.....................................................3-74
Fog Lamps....................................................3-14
Following Distance..........................................4-61
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-17
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-22, 5-46
Front Axle......................................................5-47
Front Map Lamps...........................................3-15
Front Storage Area.........................................2-40Fuel............................................................... 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.........................................................3-34
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-35
System Inspection.......................................6-30
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-95
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-28
Fuel..........................................................3-34
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-26
Garment Hooks..............................................2-40
6
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-21
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-89
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-26
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-56
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-57
Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches..........................................4-59
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Add..................................................5-38
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
What to Use..........................5-24, 5-36, 5-46, 5-48
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-72
Replacement...............................................5-72
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil.............................5-16
When to Check..............................................5-67
When to Check and Change Lubricant.......5-46, 5-47
When to Check and Change the Automatic
Transmission Fluid.......................................5-19
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-35
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....5-18When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill.........................................4-63
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-36
Why Safety Belts Work..................................... 1-9
Window Lockout.............................................2-13
Windows.......................................................2-12
Manual......................................................2-12
Power........................................................2-13
Sliding Rear................................................2-14
Windshield Washer
Fluid..........................................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check................6-25
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-54
Fuses........................................................5-95
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-38
Wiper Blade Check.........................................6-26
X
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-76
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
(48 Contiguous US States)...........3-39, 3-60, 3-74
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
16