Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your
exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce
your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any
distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If
you must start when you are not fresh — such as
after a day’s work — do not plan to make too many
miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable
clothing and shoes you can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will find experienced and able service experts
in GM dealerships all across North America. They
will be ready and willing to help if you need it.
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 inflated 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?
240
Service........................................................ 264
Accessories and Modifications................... 264
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 265
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 265
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 266
Fuel............................................................. 266
Gasoline Octane........................................ 266
Gasoline Specifications.............................. 266
California Fuel........................................... 267
Additives................................................... 267
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 268
Filling the Tank......................................... 269
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 272
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 273
Hood Release........................................... 274
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 276
Engine Oil................................................. 277
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 281
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 283Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 285
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 286
Engine Coolant.......................................... 287
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 290
Engine Overheating................................... 290
Cooling System......................................... 292
Power Steering Fluid................................. 297
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 298
Brakes...................................................... 299
Battery...................................................... 303
Jump Starting............................................ 304
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 309
Bulb Replacement....................................... 309
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 309
Headlamps (Hatchback)............................. 310
Headlamps (Sedan)................................... 311
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
(Hatchback)............................................ 312
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
(Sedan).................................................. 313
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
261
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 281.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 277.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 277.
D. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 299andHydraulic
Clutch on page 286.
E. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 283.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 292.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 361.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 297.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 303.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 298.Engine Oil
If the engine oil
pressure light comes
on, check the engine oil
level right away.
The oil pressure light is on the instrument panel
cluster for sedans. SeeOil Pressure Light on
page 169. For hatchbacks, the oil pressure light is
on the Secondary Information Center (SIC).
SeeOil Pressure Light on page 184. You should
check the engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
277
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
The level should be between the MIN (B) and
MAX (A) marks on the reservoir. If the level drops
below the MIN (B) mark, add power steering
fluid. Do not overfill the reservoir and remember to
replace the cap tightly when you are finished
and clean up any spilled fluid.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 396. Always use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If
you will be operating your vehicle in an area where
the temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid
that has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 276
for reservoir location.
298