
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If you have the Traction Control System (TCS),
remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration
skid. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 310. If you do not have this system, or if the
system is off, then an acceleration skid is also
best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
316

If you have the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If
you do not have ABS, then in a braking skid,
where the wheels are no longer rolling, release
enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels
rolling again. This restores steering control.
Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are
rolling, you will have steering control.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the 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 vehicle’s 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.
317

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.
322

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 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.
324

CAUTION: (Continued)
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or
another opening, drive with your front,
main heating or cooling system on
and with the fan on any speed. This
will bring fresh, outside air into your
vehicle. Do not use the climate control
setting for maximum air because it
only recirculates the air inside your
vehicle. SeeClimate Control System
on page 200.
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 are a good deal longer, you will need to go
much farther beyond the passed vehicle
before you can return to your lane.
347

Fuse Usage
1 Empty
2 Steering Wheel Radio Controls
3 Power Door Locks
4 Empty
5 Empty
6 Empty
7 Empty
8 Empty
Fuse Usage
9 Empty
10Turn Signal and Hazard Lamp
Flashers
11 Power Seats
12Electronic Level Control (ELC)
Compressor
13 Liftgate and Endgate
14 Rear Auxiliary Power Outlet
15Electronic Level Control (ELC)
Compressor Relay and Height
Sensor
16 Heated Mirrors
17 Power Mirrors
18 Ignition 1 Module
19 Turn Signal Switch
21 Rear Defogger
22 Airbag Module
24 TCC Switch
25 HVAC Blower Motor
464

Fuse Usage
39 Engine Cooling Fan 1
40Main Battery Fuse for Retained
Accessory Power Relay and
Accessory Relay
41Main Battery Fuse for Heated Seats,
Air Conditioning, Defogger
44Main Battery Fuse for Power
Outlets, Level Control, Power Seats,
Mirrors, and Body Computer
46Main Battery Fuse for Climate
Control Blower and Ignition 3 Relay
47Main Battery Fuse for Ignition
Switch, Radio, Heads-Up Display
(HUD), Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE), Instrument Cluster, Air
Conditioning, and Body Computer
70
§Diode for Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
§71Diode for Ignition
Relay Usage
49 Horn
50 Fuel Pump
51 Air Conditioning Clutch
52 Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
53 Low-Beam Headlamps
54 Parking Lamps
55 High-Beam Headlamps
56 Fog Lamps
57 Starter Relay
58 Cooling Fan Series/Parallel
59 Powertrain
60 Cooling Fan 2
61 Cooling Fan 1
62 Ignition
468

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services.................... 478
At Each Fuel Fill...................................... 481
At Least Once a Month............................ 481
At Least Once a Year.............................. 482
Introduction.............................................. 472
Maintenance Footnotes............................ 479
Maintenance Record................................ 488
Maintenance Requirements...................... 472
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts............................... 486
Owner Checks and Services.................... 480
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....... 485
Scheduled Maintenance........................... 475
Using....................................................... 473
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 473
Malfunction Indicator Light........................... 222
Manual Lumbar Controls............................... 10
Manual Seats.................................................. 9
Memory Seat and Mirrors.............................. 11
Message
Center..................................................... 225
Change Engine Oil................................... 230
Charging System Indicator....................... 228
Check Gas Cap....................................... 231Message (cont.)
Door Ajar Warning................................... 230
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning....... 227
Highbeam Out Warning............................ 235
Low Brake Fluid Warning......................... 232
Low Fuel Warning.................................... 232
Low Oil Pressure..................................... 229
Low Washer Fluid Warning...................... 231
Park Lamp Warning................................. 234
PASS-Key
®III Security............................. 231
Program Mode......................................... 233
Rear Hatch Ajar Warning......................... 230
Reduced Engine Power............................ 228
Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter Battery
Low Warning........................................ 234
Service Traction System Warning............. 226
Service Vehicle Soon............................... 233
Traction Active......................................... 227
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror........................... 142
Outside Convex Mirror............................. 143
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror............... 143
Outside Heated Mirrors............................ 143
Outside Power Mirror............................... 142
MyGMLink.com............................................ 495
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