Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can not see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They
may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a lm caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and ash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.
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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.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.
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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.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all uid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
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Driving with a Trailer
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 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.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
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Fuses Usage
RADIOAudio, OnStar
®, Rear Seat DVD
(Option)
WIPERWindshield Washers and Wipers
(Front)
IGN 3Left Heated Seat Switch, Right
Heated Seat Switch, Air
Conditioning, Rear Defogger Relay
DEFOG LED Rear Defog LED
BTSI/BCM/
MIRRORBrake Transaxle Shift Interlock,
Body Control Module, Power Mirror
DIMMER Dimmer Switch
RR COMP LP Trunk Compartment Lamp
Relays Usage
RR DEFOG Rear Defogger
IGN 3 Ignition Switch
PARKLAMP Park Lamps
HEADLAMP Headlamps
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The passenger’s side fuse block is located by the
passenger’s right leg.
Use a key or a coin to remove the fuse panel door and
access the fuses and relays.
Fuses Usage
LOCKS Power Door Locks
BODYPower Door Locks, Heated Mirror
Relay, Liftgate Latch
POWER SEAT Power Seat
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
PREM AMP/MCSPremium Sound System
Ampli er
HEATED SEATS Seat Heater
RR WIPER/
SUN ROOFRear Wiper/Washer (Wagon)
Relays Usage
POWER
WINDOWPower Windows, Power Sunroof
DRIVER DOOR
UNLOCK RELAYDriver Door Unlock
DOOR UNLOCK
RELAYDoor Unlock
DOOR LOCK
RELAYDoor Lock
HEATED MIRROR Power Mirrors
FOG LAMP Fog Lamps
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A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature................3-69
Adding Windshield Washer Fluid.......................5-35
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-91
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-44, 3-47, 3-52
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-28
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-62
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-72
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-68
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-71
What Makes an Air Bag In ate?....................1-68
What Will You See After an Air Bag In ates?......1-69
When Should an Air Bag In ate?...................1-67
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-64
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-8
AM ...............................................................3-71
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-42
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-73
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-31
Appearance Care............................................5-82
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-88Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-82
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-85
Finish Damage............................................5-88
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-89
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Assist Handles...............................................2-41
Audio Output..................................................3-61
Audio System(s).............................................3-41
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-42
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-72
Care of Your CD and DVD Player..................3-73
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-73
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-73
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-50
Radio with CD............................................3-45
Setting the Time..........................................3-41
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-69
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-71
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-20
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..........2-35, 2-37
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Operation........................................3-21
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-21
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-23
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Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-50
Older Children.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-58
Top Strap...................................................1-46
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-47
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-82
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-88
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-87
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-86
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-82Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-84
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-84
Cleaning the DVD Player.................................3-68
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-36, 2-38
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-84
Cleaning the Video Screen...............................3-68
Cleaning Tires................................................5-87
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-84
Cleaning Windshield, Backglass and Wiper
Blades.......................................................5-86
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-24
Automatic...................................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-81
Compass Calibration...............................2-35, 2-37
Compass Operation.........................................2-37
Compass Variance..................................2-35, 2-37
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-33
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-32
Heater, Engine............................................2-22
Low Warning Light.......................................3-33
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-26
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Cruise Control................................................3-10
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