Freeway DrivingMile 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.
4-21
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your ªblindº 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 Ð such as after
a day's work Ð do not plan to make too many miles that
®rst 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 ®nd 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?
4-22
·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 in¯ated
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 ªhighway
hypnosisº? 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 in
less 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.
4-23
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. See
Engine
Exhaust on page 2-42
. 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.
See
Climate Control System on page 3-28.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will 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
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, 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.
4-43
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel
fuse block is located to
the right of the glove
box on the end of the
instrument panel.
Pull the door open to access the instrument panel
fuse block.
Fuse Usage
SWC
BACKLIGHTSteering Wheel Radio Control
Switches (Illumination)
PCM/PASS
KEY/CLUSTERInstrument Cluster to PRNDL
Indicators
PWR MIRROR Power Remote Control Mirror Switch
CRUISECruise Control Module, Switch
and Release Switch
Blank Not Used
PCM/CRANKPowertrain Control Module (PCM),
Ignition Crank
5-102
Fuse Usage
PASS KEY PASS-Key
žIII System
PWR LOCK Power Door Locks
HTD MIRROR Heated Mirrors
RH T/LP Not Used
RR FOG LP Not Used
CIGAR/DIC/
APO FRTCigarette Lighter, DIC, Front
Auxiliary Power Outlets, Data Link
T/SIG Turn Signal Switch
PWR QTR
VENTInterior Lamp and Multifunction
Switch (Power Vent Switch),
Auto Level
FRT/WPR/
WSHRWindshield Wiper/Washer Motor
and Switch
HAZARD Hazard Switch
RR PWR SCKTRear Electric Accessory Plug
Housing
DRLDaytime Running Lamp Control
Module
LH T/LP Not Used
Fuse Usage
RR DEFOG/
HTD MIRRORRear Window Defogger Relay,
Heated Mirrors
ON STAR OnStar
ž
SIR In¯atable Restraint Control Module
HVAC
BLOWERHeater-A/C Control
MALL
CLUSTERInstrument Cluster, Body Control
Module, Electronic Level Control
(ELC) Sensor and Relay, Theft,
Door Ajar
STOP LAMP Stoplamp Switch
CLUSTER
BATTModule/Electronic Brake Control
Module/Electronic Brake Traction
Control Module (EBCM/EBTCM)
ENHANCED
EVAP/AWDEvaporative Emissions (EVAP)
Canister Vent Solenoid Valve,
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Blank Not Used
ELC/TRAILERELC Air Compressor and ELC
Height Sensor, Trailer Harness
CTSY LAMP Courtesy Lamp
5-103
Fuse Usage
5Ignition Switch to Fuses (Instrument
Panel): ABS/TCS Ignition, Cruise,
DRL, Electronic PRNDL, Ignition 1,
AWD, PSD, Air Bag, Turn Signal
and Powertrain Control Module
[IGN MAIN Relay (Underhood Fuse
Block: A/C Clutch, Electronic
Ignition, Ignition 1-U/H, INJ, TCC)]
6 Coolant Fans
7Fuses (Instrument Panel): ABS
Module Battery, Cigarette Lighter,
Courtesy Lamps, Front Power
Socket, Power Locks, Power Mirrors
and Right Rear Power Socket,
OnStar, RAP
8Ignition Switch to Fuses (I/P): Body
Control Module Program, Front
Comfort Controls Low/Medium
Blower, Front Wiper/Washer,
HVAC/DRL, MALL/Radio/DIC,
Power Quarter Vent, Rear HVAC,
Rear Wiper/Washer. SWC
Accessory and Power Window
Circuit Breaker, RAP
18 Fuel Injectors 1±6
19 Not UsedFuse Usage
20 Not Used
21Evaporative Emissions (EVAP)
Canister Purge Valve, Heated
Oxygen Sensors 1 and 2, Mass Air
Flow (MAF) Sensor
22 Not Used
23 Not Used
24 Not Used
25 Ignition Control Module (ICM)
26 Not Used
27Transaxle Range Switch to
Back-up Lamps
28A/C Clutch Relay to A/C
Compressor Clutch Oil
29Driver Information Display, Heater
A/C Control, Radio, Rear (LH and
RH) Side Door Actuator Control
Motor, Remote Control Door Lock
Receiver (RCDLR), Security
Indicator Lamp and Theft-Deterrent
Shock Sensor
30 Generator
5-106
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-50
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-50
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-39
Ignition Positions.............................................2-31
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-48
In¯ation - Tire Pressure...................................5-67
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-42
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Switchbank.................................................3-23
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-18
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-102
Interior Lamps................................................3-18
Interior Lamps Control.....................................3-18
Interior Lamps Override...................................3-19
JJump Starting.................................................5-42
KKeyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-16
Interior.......................................................3-18
Lamps on Reminder........................................3-16
Lap Belt........................................................1-38
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-28, 1-39
Last Door Closed Locking................................2-12
Last Door Locking...........................................2-63
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-59
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-61
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-13
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-40
Liftgate..........................................................2-21
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-45
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-47
Brake System Warning.................................3-46
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-49
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-44
TCS Warning Light......................................3-47
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning..................................................3-47
Lighted Vanity Mirror.......................................2-25
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-33
8