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 fluid reservoir filled.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 6-44.
•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 inflated 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, find a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
•Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
•Keep interior temperature cool.
5-14
ProCarManuals.com
Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-6
California Fuel...............................................6-6
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-9
Filling the Tank............................................6-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-23
Cooling System............................................6-24
Engine Coolant.............................................6-25
Engine Overheating.......................................6-28Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................6-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-32
Brakes........................................................6-33
Battery........................................................6-35
Jump Starting...............................................6-36
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-40
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-41
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-41
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps...................................6-41
License Plate Lamp......................................6-43
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-43
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-44
Tires..............................................................6-44
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-45
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................6-48
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................6-51
High-Speed Operation...................................6-52
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-53
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-54
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-57
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-59
Buying New Tires.........................................6-60
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-61
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1
ProCarManuals.com
•Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
•Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven
in dusty conditions only). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-21.
•Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
MaintenanceII
•Perform all services described in MaintenanceI.
•Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
•Engine cooling system inspection. Visual inspection
of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and
replacement, if needed.
•Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and wiper
blade cleaning, if contaminated. SeeWindshield
and Wiper Blades on page 6-93. Worn or damaged
wiper blade replacement. SeeWindshield Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 6-44.
•Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and
rear compartment and hood hinges and latches
lubrication. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-10. More frequent lubrication
may be required when vehicle is exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
•Restraint system component check. SeeChecking
the Restraint Systems on page 2-75.
•Engine air cleaner filter inspection. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-21.
•3.6L Engine Only: Automatic transmission fluid level
check and adding fluid, if needed. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6-23.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
•
Engine oil level check. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-17.
•Engine coolant level check. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-25.
•Windshield washer fluid level check. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 6-32.
7-4
ProCarManuals.com
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system.••
Engine coolant level check.••
Windshield washer fluid level check.••
Tire inflation pressures check.••
Tire wear inspection.••
Rotate tires.••
Fluids visual leak check.••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only).••
Brake system inspection.••
Steering and suspension inspection.•
Engine cooling system inspection.•
Windshield wiper blades inspection.•
Body components lubrication.•
Restraint system components check.•
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions).•
3.6L Engine Only: Automatic transmission fluid level check.•
7-7
ProCarManuals.com
A
Accessories and Modifications............................ 6-3
Accessory Power............................................3-20
Accessory Power Outlets.................................4-15
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................6-32
Additional Factors Affecting System Operation.....2-73
Additional Program Information.........................8-10
Additional Required Services.............................. 7-4
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................6-96
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)..............4-56
Adjustment
Chime Level...............................................4-84
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-21
Air Conditioning..............................................4-16
Airbag
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................2-74
Airbag System
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................2-65
Passenger Sensing System...........................2-68
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........2-73
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................2-65
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....2-66
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................2-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................2-61Airbags.........................................................2-75
Passenger Status Indicator...........................4-29
Readiness Light..........................................4-28
System Check.............................................2-58
AM ...............................................................4-83
Antenna
Backglass...................................................4-84
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................4-84
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-4
Warning Light.............................................4-31
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................6-94
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-95
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-92
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-90
Finish Care.................................................6-92
Finish Damage............................................6-95
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................6-91
Interior Cleaning..........................................6-89
Leather......................................................6-91
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-94
Tires..........................................................6-94
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-95
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-92
Weatherstrips..............................................6-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................6-93
1
ProCarManuals.com
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................6-23
Power Steering...........................................6-30
Windshield Washer......................................6-32
FM Stereo.....................................................4-83
Tire Size.......................................................6-47
Fog Lamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................4-12
Folding Rear Seat...........................................2-10
Following Distance..........................................5-31
Format..........................................................4-61
Fuel............................................................... 6-5
Additives...................................................... 6-7
California Fuel.............................................. 6-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................6-12
Filling the Tank...........................................6-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 6-9
Gage .........................................................4-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 6-6
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 6-6
Fuel Economy
Driving for Better.........................................1-23
Fuses...........................................................6-97
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................6-100
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................6-97
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................6-102
Windshield Wiper.........................................6-96G
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................4-33
Fuel..........................................................4-38
Speedometer..............................................4-26
Tachometer.................................................4-26
Trip Odometer.............................................4-26
Garage Door Opener.......................................3-34
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 6-6
Specifications............................................... 6-6
Glove Box.....................................................3-41
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 8-6
H
Halogen Bulbs................................................6-41
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 4-3
Head Restraints............................................... 2-2
Headlamps....................................................4-10
Aiming .......................................................6-40
Bulb Replacement.......................................6-41
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).....................4-11
Delayed.....................................................4-11
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 4-5
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 4-5
On Reminder..............................................4-10
7
ProCarManuals.com
When the Change Oil Soon Message Displays..... 7-3
When to Add Engine Oil..................................6-18
When to Change Engine Oil.............................6-20
When to Check..............................................6-52
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................6-31
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....6-21
Where to Put the Child Restraint.......................2-42
Why Safety Belts Work....................................2-13
Window Lockout.............................................3-15
Windows.......................................................3-13
Power ........................................................3-14
Windshield
Washer........................................................ 4-6
Washer Fluid..............................................6-32
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................6-44
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................6-93
Wiper Fuses...............................................6-96
Wipers......................................................... 4-5
Winter Driving................................................5-16X
XM Radio Messages.......................................4-67
XM Satellite Radio Service...............................4-57
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna.....................................................4-84
XM™ Satellite Radio Service............................4-83
Y
Your Responsibility..........................................1-25
18
ProCarManuals.com