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.
If the vehicle has theTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-7orEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-10, it improves the ability to accelerate on slipperyroads, but slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. When driving through deep snow, turn off the
ETS, if equipped, to help maintain vehicle motion at lower
speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but
whether the vehicle has ABS or not, apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement. Without ABS, if the
vehicle begins to slide, let up on the brake pedal a little
and apply steady pedal pressure to get the most traction.
On vehicles without ABS, braking so hard that the wheels
stop rolling can cause the vehicle to slide — brake so the
wheels always keep rolling so you can still steer.
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.
4-19
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability,
and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, antilock brakes, traction
control, and electronic stability control, the performance
of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle may
not provide an acceptable level of performance and
safety if tires not recommended for those wheels
are selected. You may increase the chance that you
will crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
speci c wheel and tire systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly installed by a GM
certi ed technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-65andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
which grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
5-67
C
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 5-4
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Speci cations..........................5-108
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................2-34
Trunk.........................................................2-12
Winter Driving.............................................4-19
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-97
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-66
Center Console Storage...................................2-41
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-43
Chains, Tire...................................................5-70
Charging System Light....................................3-28
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-33
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-101
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-39
Older Children.............................................1-29Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-48
Systems.....................................................1-35
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Circuit Breakers............................................5-103
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-100
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-98
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-95
Finish Care.................................................5-98
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-96
Interior.......................................................5-94
Leather......................................................5-96
Tires........................................................5-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-97
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-99
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-20
Clock, Setting.................................................3-53
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-19
3
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Loading......................................................4-22
Parking Your...............................................2-33
Running While Parked..................................2-35
Symbols......................................................... iii
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-17
Vehicle Data Recording, Radio
Frequency (RFID)........................................7-19
Vehicle Identi cation
Number (VIN)............................................5-102
Service Parts Identi cation Label..................5-102
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-47
Vehicle, Remote Start....................................... 2-6
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-20
Visors...........................................................2-16
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-22
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-42
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iiiWheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-68
Different Size..............................................5-67
Replacement...............................................5-69
When It Is Time for New Tires..........................5-64
Where to Put the Child Restraint.......................1-38
Windows.......................................................2-14
Manual......................................................2-15
Power ........................................................2-15
Windshield
Washer........................................................ 3-9
Washer Fluid..............................................5-29
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-47
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................5-99
Wiper Fuses.............................................5-103
Wipers......................................................... 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-19
Wiper Activated Headlamps..............................3-13
X
XM Radio Messages.......................................3-73
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-87
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14