Instrument Panel Overview........................ 140
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 142
Other Warning Devices............................. 142
Horn.......................................................... 142
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 142
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 143
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 144
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 145
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 145
Windshield Washer.................................... 145
Windshield Wiper Lever............................. 146
Cruise Control........................................... 147
Headlamps................................................ 150
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 151
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 151
Fog Lamps................................................ 152
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 152
Dome Lamp.............................................. 153
Entry Lighting............................................ 153
Map Lamps............................................... 153
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 153
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 153
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 154Climate Controls......................................... 155
Climate Control System
(Without Air Conditioning)....................... 155
Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)........................... 157
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 160
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 161
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 163
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 164
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 165
Trip Odometer........................................... 165
Tachometer............................................... 165
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 166
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 166
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 167
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 168
Battery Warning Light................................ 170
Up-Shift Light............................................ 170
Brake System Warning Light..................... 170
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 172
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 173
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 174
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel
is located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, pull the lever down. Then, move
the wheel to a comfortable position and raise
the lever to lock the wheel in place.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Headlamps
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Flash-to-Pass Feature
For additional information on the exterior lamps,
seeHeadlamps on page 150.
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Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when
you are not using cruise, you might hit a
button and go into cruise when you do not
want to. You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise control switch
off until you want to use cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are located on the
steering wheel.
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Message Center
The message center is located in the instrument
panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts.
If there are several messages, each message will
be shown for a few seconds and will continue
to repeat until cleared. To clear a message, press
the trip/reset button while the message you
want to clear is being displayed.
Many messages will also cause a chime to sound,
to alert you to the message.
Changing the Language (Canada Only)
Vehicles rst sold in Canada have instrument panel
clusters that show messages in either English or
French. To change the language, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press the trip/reset button until the current
language of ENGLISH or FRENCH is
displayed.
3. Press and hold the trip/reset button for
several seconds until the language is
changed.
4. Press the trip/reset button to return to the
odometer display.
Low Traction Message
If your vehicle has an
enhanced traction
system (ETS), this LOW
TRAC message will
be displayed when the
system is limiting
wheel spin.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 226for more information.
Traction Off Message
If your vehicle has an
enhanced traction
system (ETS), this
TRAC OFF message
will be displayed brie y
when the system
has been turned off.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 226for more information.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
rst reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down — may be the wrong thing to do.
Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to your steering.Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That
could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease
off the brake pedal. This will help you retain
steering control. If you do have ABS, it is different.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 223.
In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
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Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
vehicle’s speed. While you are in a curve, speed
is the one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control. SeeEnhanced Traction System
(ETS) on page 226.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
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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.
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.Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your
vehicle for racing or other competitive driving.
After reviewing your warranty book, please see the
GM Performance Parts website or catalog and
contact the race sanctioning bodies, for example
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) or Grand
American, for parts and equipment required
for racing or other competitive driving.
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.
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