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's slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
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 isn't 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.
4-24
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.
Don't 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 rearview 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.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in ¯at or rolling terrain.
4-26
Driving with a Trailer
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 the trailer hitch and platform
(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.
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.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
4-41
Circuit
Breakers Usage
RR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
DR LK/TRUNK Door Lock/Trunk
ONSTAR/ALDL Onstar
ž/Diagnostic Link
CANNISTER Fuel Tank Solenoid Cannister
PK LAMPS Parking Lamps
RADIO/AMP Radio Ampli®er
RFA/MODRemote Funtion Activator
(Remote Keyless Entry)
DISPLAYS Instrument Panel Dispays/HUD/DIC
INT LIGHT Interior Lamps
HVAC Climate Controls
Circuit
Breakers Usage
CHMSL/BKUPCenter High Mounted Stop
Lamp/Back-Up Lamps
PWR WDO Power Windows
SPRING COIL
2Steering Wheel Control Switches
PWR SEAT Power Seat
TURN/HAZTurn Signals/Hazard Warning
Lamps
PWR MIRS Power Mirrors
HTD SEAT Heated Seat
To reinstall the end panel, position the lower section
with the edge, on the side opening and press the sides
of the panel until it snaps into place.
5-101
Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-15
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-14
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-14
Part D - Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-16
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-14
Throttle System Inspection............................6-15
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-44
Making Turns.................................................4-42
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-40
Manual Climate Control System........................3-25
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle................. 2-5
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ± Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
ž.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-34
Mode............................................................3-25
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-105
O
Odometer......................................................3-33
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-16
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-43
Supercharger, Engine...................................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-36
OnStaržServices............................................2-35
9
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-35
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-36
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-5
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-29
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-34
Power Mirrors.............................................2-34
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-18
Overhead Console..........................................2-36
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-30
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-11
P
PARK LAMPS ON..........................................3-78
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking
Brake........................................................2-27
Over Things That Burn.................................2-30
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-13
PARKING BRAKE ON.....................................3-78
Parking on Hills..............................................4-43Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections..........6-14
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-16
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-17
Passing.................................................4-16, 4-41
PASS-Key
žIII ................................................2-15
PASS-KeyžIII Operation..................................2-16
Performance Shifting with TAP-ShiftŸ................2-25
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape................................3-109
Playing a Compact Disc...............3-98, 3-111, 3-123
Playing a Speci®c Loaded
Compact Disc............................................3-124
Playing the Radio........................3-90, 3-101, 3-115
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-23
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System.........................................5-99
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-5
Seat............................................................ 1-4
Steering Fluid.............................................5-42
Windows....................................................2-13
Power Steering...............................................4-14
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-28
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-9
10
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-29
Radio Data System (RDS)............3-89, 3-100, 3-114
Radio Messages...................................3-95, 3-106
Radios..........................................................3-88
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-130
Care of Your CD Player..............................3-131
Care of Your CDs......................................3-131
Radio with Cassette and CD.......................3-100
Radio with CD............................................3-89
Radio with Six-Disc CD..............................3-114
Setting the Time..........................................3-88
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-128
Understanding Reception............................3-130
RDS Messages...........................3-94, 3-105, 3-120
READING LAMP ON.......................................3-78
Rear Assist Handle Reading Lamps...................3-18
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-26
Rear Seat Passenger Positions.........................1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
ž...........................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Recirculation..................................................3-28Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-33
REDUCED ENGINE POWER...........................3-79
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-10
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-82
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-80
Removing Wheel Nut Caps..............................5-82
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-66
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-48
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..............................................1-57
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-10
General Motors...........................................7-10
United States Government.............................. 7-9
Restraint System Check...................................6-11
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-56
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-57
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-56
Replacing Parts...........................................1-57
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-19
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
RIGHT FRONT TURN LAMP OUT....................3-79
RIGHT REAR TURN LAMP OUT......................3-80
11
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Uplevel DIC with Trip Computer........................3-53
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-35
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-76
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-91
Using Song List Mode...................................3-126
V
Variable Effort Steering....................................4-14
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-35
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identi®cation
Number (VIN).............................................5-98
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-98
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-48
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-29
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-13
Visors...........................................................2-13
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-31
Warnings.......................................................3-65
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-65
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4Warnings (cont.)
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-93
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-11
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-39
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-18
What Kind of Oil to Use..................................5-21
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-21
What to Use..........................................5-27, 5-43
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-75
Replacement...............................................5-75
When to Add..................................................5-43
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-20
When to Check......................................5-21, 5-69
When to Check and Change............................5-24
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-42
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill.........................................4-43
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-38
Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-11
Window Lock-Out............................................2-13
Windows.......................................................2-12
Power........................................................2-13
15