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Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) when the
engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings
above the low pressure zone indicate the normal
operating range.A reading in the low pressure zone may be
caused by a dangerously low oil level or other
problem causing low oil pressure. Check your oil
as soon as possible.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
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Cruise Control Light
The cruise light comes on whenever you set your
cruise control. SeeCruise Control on page 151
for more information.
Reduced Engine Power Light
If the check engine and reduced engine power
lights are on, the throttle may be disabled
and a noticeable reduction in the vehicle’s
performance may occur.
If the reduced engine power light is on, but there is
no reduction in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be
driven at a reduced speed while the reduced engine
power light is on, but acceleration and speed may
be reduced.
Anytime the check engine light stays on, the
vehicle should be taken to an authorized
GM dealer as soon as possible for service.
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Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 149.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light
You have this light on
the instrument panel.
It will light whenever the
DRL are on. It is also
a reminder to turn
on your headlamps
when driving at night.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This message is
displayed when the
tow/haul mode has been
activated.
For more information, see “Tow/Haul Mode” in
Towing a Trailer on page 266.
Check Gages Warning Light
This light will come on briefly when you are
starting the engine.
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If the light comes on and stays on while you are
driving, check your coolant temperature and
engine oil pressure gages to see if they are in
the warning zones.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you
about how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will first indicate empty before you
are out of fuel, and you should get more fuel as
soon as possible.Listed are four situations you may experience with
your fuel gage:
•At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than
the fuel gage indicated. For example, the
gage may have indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
•The gage moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
•The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you
turn off the ignition.
None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.
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While your vehicle is parked:
•Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
•Familiarize yourself with its operation.
•Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system,
CD player, CB radio, mobile telephone,
or two-way radio, make sure that it can be
added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be
added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with the
operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has
been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety
belts, parking brake, and other functions
of your vehicle operate through the radio/
entertainment system. If that equipment
is replaced or additional equipment is added to
your vehicle, the chimes may not work. Make
sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 286.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition
is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 122for more information.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold the HR or MIN arrow for
two seconds. Then press HR until the correct hour
appears on the display. Press and hold MIN until
the correct minute appears on the display.
The time may be set with the ignition on or off.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 286.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with the ABS, this
warning light will stay
on. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light
on page 176.
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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.
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?
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•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?
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.
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