Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as well
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread
left, you will get even less traction. It is always wise to
go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while
you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when
your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.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 fluid reservoir filled
with washer fluid. 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.
{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.
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.
4-17
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
•Start your engine.
•Shift into a gear.
•Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual. If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-46
Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Cover...............................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-20
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-37
Rear Axle.......................................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-44
Headlamps..................................................5-44
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-47
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-51
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................5-54
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-59
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-59
Buying New Tires.........................................5-60
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites it,
you could be badly burned. Fuel can spray out
on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly.
This spray can happen if your tank is nearly
full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open
the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise
to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel
from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-33.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling, do not
remove the nozzle. Shut off the ow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by notifying the
station attendant. Leave the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get
the right type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not t properly.
This may cause your malfunction indicator lamp to
light and may damage your fuel tank and emissions
system. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-33.
5-9
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system — for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you need new ones put in — be sure you get
new approved GM replacement parts. If you do not,
your brakes may no longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for
your vehicle, the balance between your front and rear
brakes can change — for the worse. The braking
performance you have come to expect can change in
many other ways if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
®replacement battery. The
battery is located under the rear of the vehicle.Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-37for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
5-36
Fuses Usage
4 Driver’s Side High Beam Headlamp
5 Driver’s Side Low Beam Headlamp
6 Cargo Cover Release
7Transmission Control
Module/Canister
8 Truck Body Controller
9 Windshield Washer
10 Driver’s Side Stoplamp/Turn Signals
11 Fuel Pump
12 Fog Lamps
13 Stoplamps
14 Headlamp Driver Module (HDM)
15Passenger’s Side Stoplamp/Turn
Signals
16 Cigarette Lighter
17 Hazard Warning Flashers
18 Coils
19 Truck Body Control, Ignition 1
20 Starter
21 Airbag System
22 Horn
23 Ignition EFuses Usage
24Instrument Panel Cluster, Driver
Information Center (DIC)
25Automatic Transmission Shift
Interlock Control System
26 Back-up lamps, Lock Out
27 Engine Control Module
28 Oxygen Sensor B
29 Injector B
30 Air Conditioning
31Engine Control Module (ECM),
Transmission Control Module (TCM)
32 Transmission
33 Engine 1
34Engine Control Module, Electronic
Brake Controller
35 Oxygen Sensor A
36 Injector A
37 Engine Cooling Fan
38 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
39 Ignition A
40 Climate Control Fan
41 Ignition B
5-91
Seatback Latches............................................. 1-6
Seats
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Memory.....................................................2-53
Power Seats................................................. 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Seatback Latches.......................................... 1-6
Securing a Child Restraint
Passenger Seat Position...............................1-36
Security Light.................................................3-37
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modifications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-33
Publications Ordering Information...................7-14
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-51
Setting the Time.............................................3-60
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-83
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-23
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-24
Side-Saddle Storage.......................................2-45
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-7
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-95
Speedometer..................................................3-26
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-17
Steering........................................................4-11
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-85Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-6
Storage
Side-Saddle................................................2-45
Storage Areas
Cargo Management System..........................2-45
Cargo Net System.......................................2-40
Center Console Storage Area........................2-35
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-34
Glove Box..................................................2-34
Instrument Panel Storage Area......................2-34
Map Pocket................................................2-35
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-28
Sun Visors.....................................................2-13
Switchbanks
Center Console...........................................3-19
T
Tachometer....................................................3-26
Tailgate.........................................................2-10
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-47
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-32
Theater Dimming............................................3-17
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-84
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-13
Passlock
®...................................................2-15
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
10