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 cannot 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 re-adjust 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.
4-17
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 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.
4-21
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?
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 highway hypnosis?
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 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.
4-23
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 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.
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 will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are 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 are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-42
Fuses Usage
POWER
MIRRORSPower Mirrors
EPS Electric Power Steering
RUN/CRANK Run, Crank
HVAC
BLOWER HIGHHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower - High
CLUSTER/
THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster, Theft
Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®
NOT
INSTALLEDBlank
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag (Ignition)
HVAC CTRL
(BATT)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control (Battery)
PEDAL Pedal
WIPER SW Wiper Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Sensor
NOT
INSTALLEDBlank
NOT
INSTALLEDBlank
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR
LIGHTSInterior Lamps
NOT
INSTALLEDBlank
Fuses Usage
POWER
WINDOWSPower Windows
HVAC CTRL
(IGN)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control (Ignition)
HVAC
BLOWERHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower
DOOR LOCK Door Locks
ROOF/HEAT
SEATSunroof, Heated Seat
NOT
INSTALLEDBlank
NOT
INSTALLEDBlank
AIRBAG
(BATT)Airbag (Battery)
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
FUSE PULLER Fuse Puller
5-77
Light (cont.)
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-26
Security.....................................................3-35
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-35
TCS Warning Light......................................3-30
Traction Control System Active......................3-30
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-30
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-17
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Door........................................................... 2-9
Lockout Protection.......................................2-12
Power Door................................................2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-36
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-31
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-40
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-34
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-35
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
7
O
Odometer......................................................3-26
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-26
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-34
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System.............................................2-36
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-23
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-35
Power Mirrors.............................................2-35
Overhead Console Reading Lamps....................3-17
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Park (P) Headlamps Off in Park (P)..................3-14
Parking
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Passing.........................................................4-14PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-18
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-18
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-75
Lift Seat....................................................... 1-6
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-21
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Windows....................................................2-15
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-27
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-38
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-12
R
Radios..........................................................3-44
Care of Your CD and DVD Player..................3-78
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-78
Radio with CD....................................3-46, 3-51
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-62
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-45
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-45
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-76
8
Radios (cont.)
Understanding Reception..............................3-77
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-21
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-33
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®.....................................................2-34
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-33
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-59
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-40
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-58
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-58
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-58
Replacing Parts...........................................1-58
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-21Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-21
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-30
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-32S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-27
Reminder Light............................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-69
Driver Position............................................1-13
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-13
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-12
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-21
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-21
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-21
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-8
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-20
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
60/40 Split Bench Seat.................................. 1-7
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
9