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, the 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.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If your traction control
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.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
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Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the
inside rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles because headlamps
can only light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns
or curves.
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 might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
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Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full?
Windows clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires in ated
to recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel?
Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd
a safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle
instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on at or rolling terrain. Tips for driving
in these conditions include:
Keep your vehicle serviced and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
Going down steep or long hills, shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
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Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads
are a few reasons why you will need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended
for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you do not seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if
it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow
safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Since your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak®, your
trailer brakes cannot tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic
system.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes, so you will be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
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.
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Fuses Usage
CIGAR Cigarette Lighter
ECM/TCMEngine Control Module (ECM)/
Transmission Control Module (TCM)
FSCM Fuel Storage Control Module
ISRVM Inner Side Rearview Mirror)
Cluster Instrument Panel Cluster
AIR BAG Airbag System
OSRVM Outer Side Rearview Mirror
KEY CAP Key Capture Solenoid
WHL S/W Steering Wheel Switch
F/DR LCK Front Driver Door Lock
APO2 Accessory Power Outlet 2
BCM (VB3) Body Control Module (BCM) (VB3)
DR LCK Door LockFuses Usage
BCM (VB6) Body Control Module (VB6)
BCM (VB4) Body Control Module (VB4)
BCM (VB5) Body Control Module (VB5)
TRL Trailer
AIRCON Air Conditioner
AUDIO Audio
BCM (VB7) Body Control Module (VB7)
IGN SW Ignition Switch
AIR BAG Air Bag System
WASHER Washer Pump
APO1 Accessory Power Outlet 1
FSCM Fuel Storage Control Module
RR CLR Rear Closure
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Lights
Exterior Lamps............................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-22
Lockout Protection............................................ 2-8
Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Door ........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection......................................... 2-8
Power Door .................................................. 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-42
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-40
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-6
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-36
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-6
Manual Reclining Seatbacks............................... 1-7
Manual Seats................................................... 1-4
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-31
Manual Rearview.........................................2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-32
MP3 .............................................................3-70
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
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N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-16
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
O
Odometer......................................................3-27
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-27
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-39
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-38
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-16
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-16
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-33
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-37
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-23
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-17Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-32
Heated Mirrors............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-32
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-85
Park Brake....................................................2-26
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-27
Shifting Out of............................................2-28
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-30
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-63
Passing.........................................................4-12
PASS-KEY
®III Electronic Immobilizer................2-14
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation...................................................2-15
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California....... 5-4
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Power
Door Locks.................................................. 2-7
Electrical System.........................................5-89
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-18
Seat ............................................................ 1-5
Windows....................................................2-11
Privacy..........................................................7-15
Event Data Recorders..................................7-15
Navigation System.......................................7-16
OnStar .......................................................7-16
Radio Frequency Identi cation.......................7-16
R
Radio Frequency Identi cation (RFID), Privacy......7-16
Radio(s)........................................................3-62
Radios
Reception...................................................3-76
Setting the Clock.........................................3-60
Rainsense™ II Wipers....................................... 3-9
Reading Lamps..............................................3-17
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-8
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-43
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-11
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-31Rearview Mirror, Manual..................................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks, Manual.............................. 1-7
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-28
Regenerative Braking......................................2-26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-5
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-45
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-13
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-13
Saturn.......................................................7-13
United States Government............................7-13
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-70
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-71
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-18
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-22
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-14
Running Out of Fuel........................................2-30
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