Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going
fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-58.
Turn off cruise control.
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.
4-28
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain begins
to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet
ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt
or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
CAUTION: (Continued)
4-30
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect
at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing a trailer:
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks
and make necessary repairs before starting
a trip.
Never drive with the liftgate, trunk/hatch, or
rear-most window open.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-38.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Get to know the rig before setting out for the open road.
Get acquainted 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 longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This checks the electrical connection
at the same time.
During the 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 the vehicle without a trailer. This
can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
4-55
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-40
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-40
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-44
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-44
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-43
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-44
MP3 .............................................................3-80
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-5
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-19
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual.................................3-85
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
O
Odometer......................................................3-30
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-30
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-14
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-43
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Gage............................................3-42
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-22
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32Online Owner Center........................................ 7-5
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-19
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-45
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-49
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-26
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-19
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-44
Heated Mirrors............................................2-44
Manual Mirrors............................................2-43
Power Mirrors.............................................2-44
Overhead Console..........................................2-53
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-116
Park
Shifting Into................................................2-35
Shifting Out of............................................2-37
Park Brake....................................................2-34
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-37
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-33
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-63
Passing.........................................................4-12
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer...............2-19
9
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-10
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-40
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-40
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-7
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-32
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-40
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-44
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation . . . 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-97
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-94
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-54
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-14
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-16
General Motors...........................................7-16
United States Government............................7-15
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-70
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-71
Retained Accessory Power...............................2-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-32
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-15
Running the Vehicle While Parked.....................2-39S
Safety Belt Reminders.....................................3-31
Safety Belts
Care of ....................................................5-112
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-18
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-27
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-32
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-31
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-13
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints..........................................1-10
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Memory ....................................................... 1-5
Power Lumbar .............................................. 1-4
Power Seats................................................. 1-3
Rear Seat Operation....................................1-11
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-7
Secondary Latch System................................5-103
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position............................1-51
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-49
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-52
Security Light.................................................3-44
11