Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you will want to
consider a number of things:
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain
vehicle control?
What is the surface like? Smooth? Rough?
Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a
hidden creek bank or even a river bottom with
large rocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to
keep your vehicle headed straight down, and use a
low gear. This way, engine drag can help your brakes
and they will not have to do all the work. Descend
slowly, keeping your vehicle under control at all times.
{CAUTION:
Heavy braking when going down a hill can
cause your brakes to overheat and fade. This
could cause loss of control and a serious
accident. Apply the brakes lightly when
descending a hill and use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
Q:Are there some things I should not do when
driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you ignore
them you could lose control and have a serious
accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that is not too
steep to drive down may be too steep to drive
across. You could roll over if you do not drive
straight down.
4-22
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if
your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and
even people walking.
It is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape
and keep your windshield washer tank lled with
washer uid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts
when they show signs of streaking or missing areas
on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start
to separate from the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow down before
you hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build
up under your tires that they can actually ride on
the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When your vehicle
is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if
your tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see re ections
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could be
hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
4-29
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum
brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci cations.
Rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brake pads replaced, have the
rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your brakes adjust
for wear.
5-38
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are not needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
5-40
Fuses Usage
FOG/LAMP Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
A/C CMPRSR Air Conditioning Compressor
WSW Wiper/Washer Switch
PWR/WNDW Power Windows (If Equipped)
FUEL/PUMP Fuel Pump
STRTR Starter Solenoid Relay
WPR Wiper
ABS 2Anti-lock Brake System 2
(ABS Pump)
DR/LCK Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
ETC Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
02 SNSR Oxygen Sensors
CRUISECruise Control Switch, Inside
Rearview Mirror, Transfer Case
Control Module, Brake Switch,
Clutch Disable
HTD/SEAT Heated Seat (If Equipped)
AIRBAGSupplemental In atable Restraint
System, Sensing and Diagnostic
Module, Airbag Off Switch
ABSAnti-lock Brake System (ABS),
ABS module, Four-Wheel Drive,
Gravity Sensor
BCK/UP Back-up Lights
FRT/AXLE Front Axle ActuatorFuses Usage
TRN/HAZRD
REARRear Turn/Hazard Lights
ERLSERLS, Map Sensor, Can Purge
Solenoid
PCMI Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
TRANS Transmission Solenoid
IGNIgnition, Clutch Starter Switch,
Neutral Safety Back-Up Switch,
Ignition Coils 1-5, Air Conditioning
Relay
INJ Injectors
ABS 1Anti-lock Brake System 1
(ABS Logic)
FRT PRK
LAMPFront Park/Turn Lamps, Driver and
Passenger’s Side Power Window
Switches Lighting
REAR PRK
LAMPRear Parking Lamp 1, Passenger’s
Side Taillamp, License Plate Lamps
REAR PRK
LAMP2Driver’s Side Rear Taillamp,
Passenger Side Airbag Indicator
Lighting, Instrument Panel Dimming
Power (2WD/4WD switch lighting)
CLSTR Cluster
TRN/HAZRD
FRTTurn/Hazard/Courtesy/Cargo
Lamps/Mirrors
TCCM Transfer Case Control Module
5-101
A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-17
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-74
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-26
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-62
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-74
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-71
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-68
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-74
What Makes an Airbag In ate?......................1-68
What Will You See After an Airbag In ates?....1-69
When Should an Airbag In ate?....................1-67
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-64
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-43
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-72Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System..........................................3-72
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-29
Appearance Care............................................5-88
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-93
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-95
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-92
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-88
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-92
Finish Damage............................................5-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-91
Leather......................................................5-90
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-94
Tires..........................................................5-94
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-95
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-93
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Assist Handles...............................................2-42
1
Audio System(s).............................................3-42
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-43
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-72
Care of Your CDs........................................3-71
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-72
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-72
Radio with CD............................................3-46
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-60
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-43
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-42
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-71
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-71
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-72
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-21B
Battery..........................................................5-39
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Battery Warning Light......................................3-27
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-33
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-29
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-48
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps...........................5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-46
Headlamps.................................................5-46
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
2