
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and the
road, you can have a very slippery situation. You will
have a lot less traction, or grip, and will need to be very
careful.
What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on.
4-24

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the engine air cleaner/filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) and replace it every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km). If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the filter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the engine air cleaner/filter remove the filter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt, a
new filter is required.
5-17

How to Check and Add Fluid
You do not need to check the fluid level unless you
suspect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, look
on the side of the reservoir. If the fluid reaches the
MAX (A) mark on the reservoir, the fluid level is correct.
The reservoir is located near the back of the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-23.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and proper
coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-20

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-34.
5-31

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc 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 firmly.
{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 first 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 specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-23.
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 apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-33

A
Accessories and Modifications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-19
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-64
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-81
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-31
Readiness Light..........................................3-30
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-52
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-64
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-58
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-60
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-64
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-58
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-57
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-55
Antenna, Integrated Windshield.........................3-75
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-35Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-78
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-80
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-77
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-74
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-75
Finish Care.................................................5-77
Finish Damage............................................5-79
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-76
Leather......................................................5-76
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-79
Tires..........................................................5-79
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-79
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-80
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-77
Weatherstrips..............................................5-76
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-78
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-20
Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-73
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-75
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-75
Integrated Windshield Antenna.......................3-75
Radio with CD............................3-45, 3-49, 3-57
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-65
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-74
1

Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-20
B
Battery..........................................................5-34
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-20
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-25
System Inspection.......................................6-23
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Brakes..........................................................5-31
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-15
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-40
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) ........................................5-45, 5-46
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-42
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-40
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-39Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps.................................................5-40
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-48
Sidemarker Lamps.......................................5-44
Taillamps, Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps......5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-47
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-43
Buying New Tires...........................................5-59
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specifications............................5-88
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-30, 4-23, 4-35
Care of
Your CD Player...........................................3-75
Your CDs ...................................................3-75
Cargo Shade..................................................2-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . 5-45, 5-46
Chains, Tire...................................................5-63
2

Electrical System (cont.)
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-83
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-82
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-82
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-34
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-37
Coolant......................................................5-20
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
Cooling System Inspection............................6-23
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-23
Starting......................................................2-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-16
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-79
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-10Flat Tire........................................................5-63
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-64
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-73
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Manual Transaxle........................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-29
Windshield Washer......................................5-30
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-41
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-17
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-35
Front Storage Area.........................................2-35
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-43
System Inspection.......................................6-22
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-85
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-82
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-83
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-82
5