An emergency like this requires close attention and aquick decision. If holding the steering wheel at therecommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, it can beturned a full 180 degrees very quickly without removingeither hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, andjust as quickly straighten the wheel once you haveavoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are alwayspossible is a good reason to practice defensive drivingat all times and wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the edge of aroad onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below thepavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off theaccelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steerso that the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 inches),about one-eighth turn, until the right front tire contactsthe pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
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While driving on a surface with reduced traction, tryyour best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shiftingto a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause thetires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slipperyuntil the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warningclues—such as enough water, ice, or packed snow onthe road to make a mirrored surface—and slow downwhen you have any doubt.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only thebraking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Vehicles with all!wheel drive can be used for off!roaddriving. Vehicles without all!wheel drive and vehicleswith 22!inch tire/wheel assemblies should not be drivenoff-road except on a level, solid surface.
Many of the vehicle design features that help make thevehicle more responsive on paved roads during poorweather conditions also help make it better suited foroff!road use than conventional passenger vehicles.The vehicle does not have features usually thought tobe necessary for extended or severe off!road use suchas special underbody shielding and transfer case lowgear range.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under awide range of conditions, including off!road usage.Always wear your safety belt and observe safe drivingspeeds, especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on anyroad and this is certainly true for off-road driving.At the very time you need special alertness and drivingskills, your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment can beaffected by even a small amount of alcohol. You couldhave a serious—or even fatal—accident if you drinkand drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
Off-roading can be great fun but has some definitehazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. Whenoff-road driving, traffic lanes are not marked, curves arenot banked, and there are no road signs. Surfaces canbe slippery, rough, uphill, or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers. Failure tooperate the vehicle correctly off!road could result in lossof vehicle control or vehicle rollover.
Off-roading involves some new skills. That is why it isvery important that you read these driving tips andsuggestions to help make off-road driving safer andmore enjoyable.
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{WARNING:
When you are driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily throw you
out of position. This could cause you to lose
control and crash. So, whether you are driving on
or off the road, you and your passengers should
wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kindsof terrain. Be familiar with the terrain and its manydifferent features.
Surface Conditions :Off-roading surfaces can behard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow,or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the vehicle'ssteering, acceleration, and braking in different ways.Depending on the surface, slipping, sliding, wheelspinning, delayed acceleration, poor traction, andlonger braking distances can occur.
Surface Obstacles :Unseen or hidden obstacles canbe hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or bump can startleyou if you are not prepared for them. Often theseobstacles are hidden by grass, bushes, snow, or eventhe rise and fall of the terrain itself.
Some things to consider:
.Is the path ahead clear?
.Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
.Does the travel take you uphill or downhill?
.Will you have to stop suddenly or change directionquickly?
When driving over obstacles or rough terrain, keep afirm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs, or othersurface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands.
When driving over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles, thewheels can leave the ground. If this happens, even withone or two wheels, you cannot control the vehicle aswell or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it isespecially important to avoid sudden acceleration,sudden turns, or sudden braking.
Off-roading requires a different kind of alertness fromdriving on paved roads and highways. There are noroad signs, posted speed limits, or signal lights. Usegood judgment about what is safe and what is not.
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4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parkingbrake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
If the engine has been left running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even
when on fairly level ground, always put the shift
lever fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine
3. Shift into a gear
4. Release the parking brake
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and storethe chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling atrailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule orIndex for more information. Things that are especiallyimportant in trailer operation are automatic transmissionfluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling systemand brake system. It is a good idea to inspect thesebefore and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and boltsare tight.
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Section 7 Service and Appearance Care
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement. . . . . . . . . . . 7-57
Tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-58Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-60Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-62Inflation - Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-65High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-66Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-67Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-68Tire Inspection and Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-71When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-73Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-73Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-75Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-76Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-77Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-77Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-78If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-79Changing a Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-80Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-81Removing the Flat Tire and Installing theSpare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-86Secondary Latch System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-91Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . 7-94Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-98
Appearance Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-98Interior Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-98Fabric/Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-99Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-100Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other PlasticSurfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-101Wood Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-101Speaker Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-101Care of Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-102Weatherstrips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-102Washing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-102Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-103Finish Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-103Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades . . . . 7-104Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheelsand Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-104Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-105Sheet Metal Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-105Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-106Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-106Chemical Paint Spotting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-106
Vehicle Identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-107Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . 7-107Service Parts Identification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-107
7-2
GM Accessories are designed to complementand function with other systems on the vehicle.Your GM dealer/retailer can accessorize the vehicleusing genuine GM Accessories. When you go toyour GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM Accessories,you will know that GM-trained and supported servicetechnicians will perform the work using genuineGM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-EquippedVehicle on page 2!89.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/oremit chemicals known to the State of California tocause cancer and birth defects or other reproductiveharm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems, manyfluids, and some component wear by-products containand/or emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications, such as airbaginitiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium batteriescontained in remote keyless transmitters, may containperchlorate materials. Special handling may benecessary. For additional information, seewww.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
7-5
(G) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
For information on recommended tire pressure
seeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 7!65and
Loading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of
a tire size.
Passenger (P!Metric) Tire
(A) Passenger (P!Metric) Tire:The United
States version of a metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first character in the tire size means
a passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards
set by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three!digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two!digit number that
indicates the tire height!to!width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 75, as
shown in item C of the light truck (LT!Metric) tire
illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is
75% as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means belted!bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in
inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters
represent the load index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is certified to
carry a load.
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Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon
page 7!65.
Curb Weight:The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an
alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See
Loading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear
axle. SeeLoading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
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