:>,
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your Buick. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier
and cargo are still securely fastened.
The Instrument Panel: Your
Information System
Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a
glance how your car is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many
other things you’ll need to now to drive safely and
economically.
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven,
in either miles (used in the U.S.) or kilometers (used in
Canada).
Your Buick has a “tamper-resistant odometer.” On the
standard odometer, if you can see silver lines between
99
the numbers, probably someone has tried to turn it back.
The numbers may not be true.
You may wonder what happens if a car has to have a
new odometer installed. If possible, the new one has to
be set to the same reading the old one had. If it can’t be,
then it’s set at zero, but a label on the driver’s door must
show the old reading and when the new one was
installed.
Trip Odometer
A trip odometer can
tell you how many
miles you have driven
since you last set it
back to zero. To reset
it, push the trip set
knob.
90
TRIP
SET
100
Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This section describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Wdrning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive re,pair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in
the details on the next few pages, some warning lights
come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to
let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with
this section, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage shows about
how much fuel is in your
tank. It works only when
the engine is on. When the
indicator nears “E,” you
still have a little fuel left.
You need to get more right
away.
UNLEADEL,
FUEL ONLY
Here are four concerns some owners have had about the
fuel gage. All these situations are normal and indicate
nothing wrong with the fuel gage.
8 At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads “F”.
e It takes more (or less) gas to fill up than the gage
indicated. For example, the gage indicated 1/2 full,
but it took more -- or less -- than half of the tank’s
capacity to fill it.
e The gage moves a little when you turn a corner,
speed up, or stop your vehicle.
When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t go all
the way back to “E”.
Low Fuel Light
When your fuel gage reads
in the red band, this light
will go on. You should get
more fuel as soon as you
can.
LOW
FUEL
101
This light will also come on when you set your parking
brake, and will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem. If the
light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to
push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.) A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake warning light on can lead to an accident. If
the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed fo
service.
aw,Tp
c -
1 e-
Brake System Warning Light
(a)(!)
Your Buick’s hydraulic
brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t
working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For
good braking, though, you
need both parts working
well.
BRAKE
If the warning light goes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there’s a problem.
102
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
(Option)
With anti-lock, this light will go on unless you start your
engine and it will stay on for three seconds. If the light
doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on or comes on when you’re driving,
stop as soon as possible and turn the key off. Then start
the engine to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you’re driving, your Buick
needs service. Unless the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you will still have brakes, but not
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, see “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this part.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light ever flashes,
your anti-lock brake system is still working but needs
.service as soon as possible.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, your engine is too
hot !
TEMP
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
103
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on, your
system is low on coolant
and the engine may
overheat.
Engine Oil Pressure Gage
I You can read your engine
oil pressure directly from
the gage on your instrument
panel.
OIL
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
If the gage reads in the red band and stays there, it
means oil isn’t going through your engine properly. You
could be low on oil, or you might have some other oil
problem. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If &I
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Low Oil Warning Light
When the “LOW OIL”
light comes on you
should check your
engine oil level and
add engine oil. See
“Engine Oil” in the
Index.
LO
1L
problems can be cost
105
Volts Gage
Check Gages Light
The “VOLTS” gage shows
voltage in the electrical
system. The normal range
is 11 to 15 volts. If the gage
reading stays in either red
range, have your Buick
dealer check the electrical
system.
CHECK
GAGES
The “CHECK GAGES”
light indicates that there is
an engine or electrical
problem. If the “TEMP,”
“OIL” or “VOLTS” gages
read properly, there may
still be an electrical
problem which should be
checked by your Buick
dealer.
VOLTS
.,
106
NOTICE:
If you keep drivln
after a while the em-ission controls won’t work as
well, your fuel economy won’t be as good and
your engine may not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly repairs not covered by yo
warranty.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition
and emission control systems. This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show you it is working. If it does not come on
at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or it comes
on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that
you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for
service soon.
107
Tachometer
The tachometer tells you how fast the engine is running.
It shows speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). Do not
operate your engine in the red line range. If you do you
can cause severe engine damage.
108
@ Part 3 Comfort Controls And Audio Systems
In this part you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control systems and audio systems offered with your Buick .
Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle .
Part 3 includes:
~~
Comfort Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater and Defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Airconditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RearWindowDefogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AudioSystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
110
111
111
113
112
113
SettingtheClock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.16,121
RadioControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115, 119
Tape Player Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 7, 121
CDPlayerControls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
118
Understanding Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
113
Care of Cassette ‘hpe Player & l-hpes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
CareofCompactDiscs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Antennacare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
124
109
Your Buick Comfort Control System
Air Outlets
Adjust the direction of air flow by moving the louvered
vents.
Fresh air from outside your vehicle flows through your
Buick when the car is moving, When the vehicle is not
moving, you can get outside air to flow through by
selecting any air choice (except the rear window
defogger) and the HI fan speed.
Fan Control
The fan control is used to select the blower speed.
Temperature Control
Move the TEMP slide control to change the temperature
of the air coming through your air outlets.
If you have the optional dual control air conditioner you
have a second temperature lever.
The top lever control the temperature for the driver. The
lower lever controls the temperature for the front seat
passenger. Both use the same mode and fan speed.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioning has three settings. On very hot
days, open the windows long enough to let hot inside air
escape.. This reduces the amount of work your air
conditioner’s compressor will have to do, which should
help fuel economy.
Max
This provides maximum cooling with the least amount
of work. This setting recirculates much of the air inside
your vehicle so it maximizes your air conditioner’s
performance and fuel economy.
Norm
Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting cools
outside air and directs it through the instrument panel
outlets.
Bi-Lv (Bi-Level)
This setting is designed for use on sunny days where the
air is only moderately warm or cool. On days like these,
the sun may adequately warm your upper body, but your
lower body may not be warm enough.
The Bi-level setting directs outside air into your vehicle
in two ways. Cool air is directed toward your upper
body through the front instrument panel outlets, while
slightly warmed air is directed through the heater outlet
at your feet.
111
The air conditioner compressor operates in all Air
Conditioning positions, and the Defrost position when
the outside temperature is above 40'F (4.5 "C).
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or
cooling is needed, press the VENT button. Air will flow
through the instrument panel outlets. Use the air outlets
to turn on, adjust and turn off the air flow. Adjust the
TEMP lever to control the temperature.
Heating
When outside temperatures are cold, press the button
marked HTR and slide the TEMP lever toward HOT to
send heated air through the floor outlets.
Defog
When your windshield is foggy, press the DEFOG
button to direct most of the air flow toward the
windshield. When it's 50 F ( 10 C) or warmer, the
system will provide cooled air.
112
Defrost
When fog or ice is on the
windshield, this setting
directs the maximum air
flow toward the windshield.
(10" C) or warmer the system will provide
Operate the system in another setting for 30 seconds
before pushing this button. This will take moist air out
of the system to avoid fogging of the windshield. When
it's 50'
cooled air.
Off
When the system is off, the ventilation system will allow
air to flow through your Buick when the vehicle is
moving.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
I -c
The lines you see on
I the rear window warm
the glass. Press the
button to start warming
your window. After 10
minutes, it will go off
by itself or pressing the
button again during the
heating cycle will shut
it off. If you need
additional warming
time, push the button
again.
NOTICE:
Scraping the inside of your rear window could
cut and damage the heater. Your warranty would
not cover this damage. And don’t plat decals
there; you might have to scrape them off.
Audio Systems
Your Delcom audio system has been designed to operate
easily and give years of listening pleasure. But you will
get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself
with it first. Find out what your Delcoa system can do
and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re
getting the most out of the advanced engineering that
went into it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to come and go.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise.
113
1
Before you add any sound eqi me
your
vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you c
add what you want. If you can, it’s very importan
to do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s
engine, Delco@ radio or other systems, and even
damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation of so
that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal r
covering mobile radio and telephone units
AM Stereo
This means the DelcoB system can receive C-QUAM@
stereo broadcasts. Many AM stations around the country
use C-QUAM@ to produce stereo, though some do not.
(C-QUAM@ is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.)
If your Delcoa system can get C-QUAM@, your
“STEREO” light will come on when you’re receiving it.
A CAUTION:
late. Your hearing can
Hearing damage from loud noise is ZIIH IOSl
undetectable until it is too
adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that
seems normal can be loud and harmful to your
hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the
volume control on your radio to a safe sound
level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:
Adjust the volum
setting.
Increase volume
comfortably and clear11 ;i
Vol
The volume knob increases and decreases volume when
it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.
Tune
Rotate the tune knob to tune in radio stations. The tune
knob increases and decreases station frequency when it
is held slightly rotated against the spring load.
Fade
The fade control moves the sound between the front and
rear speakers.
B a1
The control behind the fade control allows you to
balance the sound between the right and left speakers.
AM/FM
Press the AM/FM button to get AM or FM.
Seek
Press the SEEK button to go to the next higher station
and stay there. Push it again and it will find the next
higher station.
115
To Play This Radio
On-Off
Press the OFF-VOL knob to turn the radio on and off.
(The radio also goes on/off with the ignition).
Scan
Press the SCAN button to hear each station for a few
seconds. Push it again to stop scanning.
Pushbuttons
The five pushbuttons let you return to favorite stations.
To set the pushbuttons for up to ten stations (5 AM and
5 FM).
Tune in the desired station.
Press SET.
0 Within 5 seconds, push one of the pushbuttons.
Whenever you push that button again, the preset
station will return.
Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.
Clock
To set the clock,
Press SET. SET must be lit in VF display be
.adjusting the clock.
fore
0 Within 5 seconds, push and hold the SCAN button
until the correct minute appears.
Push and hold the SEEK button until the correct
hour appears.
116
Bass
Press the (BAS +) side of the button to increase bass
tones and press the (BAS -) side of the button to
decrease bass tones. Press the center of the control for
the preset bass setting.
Treble
Press the (TRB +) side of the button to increase treble
tones and press the (TRB -) side of the button to
decrease treble tones. Press the center of the control for
the preset treble setting.
To Play A Cassette
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than
that are so thin they may not work well in this player.
With the radio on, press a tape into the slot marked
AUTO REVERSE (tape side goes in first).
Once the tape is playing, use the volume, balance and
fade just as you did for the radio. The arrows indicate
which side of the tape is being played.
Program
To go from one side of the tape to the other, press the
PROG button.
Fwd
To advance the tape, press FWD and the tape will
rapidly go forward until you press the REV button
lightly.
Rev
To reverse the tape, press REV and the tape will rapidly
go backward until you press the FWD button lightly.
Eject
To remove the tape and switch to the radio, press EJCT
button.
To Play A Compact Disc
Use full -size compact discs. DO NOT use mini-discs
that are called singles. They won't eject.
To turn the system on, the radio power must be on.
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in. The word CD IN will appear in the
graphic display. Wait a few seconds and the disc should
play.
If the disc comes back out, check whether:
0 The disc is upside down.
0 It is dirty, scratched, or wet.
0 There's too much moisture in the air. (If there is,
wait about one hour and try again.)
117
RCL
Press RCL to see what track is playing. Press it again
within 5 seconds to see how long the CD has been
playing that track.
The track number also appears when you change the
volume or when a new track starts to play.
NEXT
Press NEXT to hear the next track now (instead of
waiting until the present track is finished.) If you hold
this button, or press it more than once, the disc will
advance further.
PREV
If you press and hold the PREV button, or press it more
than once, the disc will return to previous tracks.
SCAN
Press SCAN to hear the first ten seconds of each track.
Press it again to stop scanning.
STOP
By pressing STOP, the compact disc will stop playing
and the radio will play.
PLAY
Pressing PLAY will cause the radio to stop and the
compact disc will play, if there is one inserted.
COMP
Pressing the COMP button makes soft and loud passages
more equal in volume.
E JCT
By pressing EJECT, the disc will eject and the radio will
play. The disc will start at track one when you reinsert it.
Press the OFF-VOL knob or turn the ignition key off to
stop the disc player. The disc stays in the player and will
resume playing at the point where it stopped.
118
%ne
The tune knob increases and decreases station frequency
when it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.
Fade
The fade control fades the sound between your front and
rear speakers. It operates like the volume and tune
controls.
Balance
The control behind the fade control allows you to
balance the sound between the right and left speakers. It
operates like the fade control.
AMIFM
Press the AM/FM button to select either AM or FM
radio band. The band you select will be displayed along
with the frequency of the station. If the station is in
stereo, a STEREO indicator will also be displayed.
Seek
Press the SEEK button to search for the next station up
the AM or FM radio band. Press it again to go to the
next higher station.
119
To Play This Radio
On-Off
Press Off-Vol knob to turn the radio on or off when the
ignition is on.
Volume
The volume knob increases and decreases volume when
it is held slightly rotated against the spring load.
Scan
Press the SCAN button to hear each station for a few
seconds. Push it again to stop scanning.
Pushbuttons
The five buttons can be used to preset ten radio stations
(5 AM and 5 FM stations.)
Tune in the desired station.
Press SET. (The SET indicator will appear on the
screen for five seconds.)
While the SET indicator is displayed, press one of
the five buttons. Whenever you press that button
again, the preset station will return.
Repeat these steps for each of 5 AM and 5 FM
stations.
Loud
Press LD to increase the bass response.
Mute
Pressing Mute allows you to silence the radio or tape
player; press again to listen. During mute, only volume
up works.
Clock
With the ignition on and the radio off, press SET. The
set indicator will appear on the display for five seconds.
During that five seconds, press SCAN to set the
minute.
0 Press SET again. Within 5 seconds, press SEEK to
set the hour.
To Play A Cassette Player
To turn the system on, the radio power must be on. The
radio will play until a cassette is pushed into the cassette
entry door (the tape side goes in first). Do not use tapes
that are longer than 92 minutes (46 minutes on each
side.)
120
___
Once the tape is playing, use the volume, balance, and
fade controls just like you did for radio.
Equalizer
The EQUALIZER enables you to adjust five separate
sound frequencies to your individual taste.
Slide an EQUALIZER control up to emphasize a
frequency, down to de-emphasize it. It’s best to begin
with all the controls in the middle position, then adjust
each control as you like.
FWD
Press to advance the tape rapidly. Press again to play the
tape. (The radio plays while a tape is advancing.)
REV
Press to reverse the tape rapidly. Press again to play the
tape. (The radio plays while a tape is rewinding.)
SEEK
To search for the next selection on the tape, press SEEK
then press either FWD or REV. For the SEEK to stop,
there must be at least a 4-second gap between selections
on the tape.
PROG
Press PROG to change the side of the tape being played.
When the A is lit, the selections listed on the top side of
is lit, selections listed
the tape are played. When the
on the bottom side of the tape are played. When the end
of a tape is reached, the other side will then play.
00 Dolby
Press 00 to remove unwanted noise on tapes.
CrO2
When playing high bias chrome or metal tapes, press
CrO2. This button sets tape bias. When playing standard
tapes, press again.
EJCT
Press EJCT to eject the cassette tape from
player.
the tape
121
Steering Wheel Controls
If your car has this feature, you can also control certain
functions at the steering wheel.
On/Off
Press ON/OFF to turn the radio on or off.
Vol
To increase or decrease the volume, press VOL A or v.
AM/FM
Press this to choose AM or FM.
Seek
Press 4 to go to a lower frequency station. Press b to
go to a higher frequency station.
Prog
Press 4 or
pushbuttons. Press five times to hear them all.
f i n e
Press 4 or b to tune up or down, only as long as the
button is held.
to hear the stations preset on your radio
122
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly each
month or after every 15 hours of use. If you notice a
reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to
see if the tape or the tape player is at fault.
cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the
tape player.
Clean your tape player with a wiping-action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette, and follow the directions
provided with it.
If this other
123
Power Antenna Mast Care
Your power antenna will look its best and work well if
it’s cleaned from time to time.
To Clean the Antenna Mast:
1. Turn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna to
full mast extension.
2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or
equivalent solvent.
3. Wipe cloth over the
mast sections,
removing any dirt.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should
replace it.
Check every once in a while to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender,
If necessary, tighten the antenna with your hand until
snug and then use a wrench to tighten it another 1/4 of a
turn.
124
4. Wipe dry with clean cloth before retracting.
5. Make the antenna go up and down by turning the
radio or ignition on and off.
6. Then repeat if necessary.
Don’t lubricate
your radio to make the power antenna go down.
This will prevent the mast from possibly getting
damaged. If the antenna does not go down when
you turn the radio off, it may be damaged or need
to be cleaned. In either case, lower the antenna
If the mast portion of your antenna is damaged, you can
easily replace it. See your dealer for a replacement kit
and follow the instructions in the kit.
125
b
126
'L.
" ... ...
1954 Buick 56C
@ Part 4 Your Driving And The Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds
included many other useful tips on driving .
Part 4 includes:
..
of roads and in varying weather conditions . We've also
Roadsigns .......................................................................
DefensiveDriving .................................................................
DrunkenDriving ..................................................................
ControlofaVehicle ................................................................
BrakingTips .................................................................
SteeringTip ..................................................................
Steering in Emergencies ........................................................
Passing .....................................................................
LossofControl ...............................................................
DrivingatNight ....................................................................
DrivingintheRain .................................................................
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze ........................................................
CityDriving .......................................................................
FreewayDriving ...................................................................
DrivingonaLongTrip ............................................................
HillandMountainRoads ..........................................................
ParkingonHills ...................................................................
WinterDriving ....................................................................
TowingaTrailer ...................................................................
128
134
135
138
139
144
145
147
148
149
152
154
156
157
159
161
163
166
170
Color of Road Signs
I WRONC
I WAY
RED means STOP. It may also indicate that some
movement is not allowed. Examples are DO NOT
ENTER and WRONG WAY.
Road Signs
The road signs you see everywhere are coded by color,
shape and symbols, It's a good idea to know these codes
so that you can quickly grasp the basic meaning or intent
of the sign even before you have a chance to read it.
128
I
i?
, -
A-
RAILROAD
ADVANCE
CROSSING
NARROW
BRIDGE
LOW
SHOULDER
FLAGGER
AHEAD
WORKERS
AHEAD
YELLOW indicates a general warning. Slow down and
be careful when you see a yellow sign. It may signal a
railroad crossing ahead, a no passing zone, or some
other potentially dangerous situation. Likewise, a yellow
solid line painted on the road means “Don’t Cross.”
ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance.
You’ll want to slow down when you see an orange sign,
as part of the road may be closed off or torn up. And
there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around,
too.
1
E X I T
I 1 SMALLTO
BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’
services.
GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may
indicate upcoming freeway exits or show the direction
you should turn to reach a particular place.
CANOEING
SWIMMING
BROWN signs point out recreation areas or points of
historic or cultural interest.
Shape of Road Signs
The shape of the sign will tell you something, too.
An OCTAGONAL
(eight-sided) sign
means STOP. It is
always red with
white letters.
ST0 P
A DIAMOND-shaped
sign is a warning of
something ahead - for
example, a curve, steep
hill, soft shoulder, or a
.\
b narrow bridge.
F 40 I PASSING
A TRIANGLE, pointed
downward, indicates
YIELD. It assigns the
right-of-way to traffic
on certain approaches
to an intersection.
A TRIANGULAR
sign also is used on
two-lane roads to
indicate a NO
PASSING ZONE.
This sign will be on
the left side of the
roadway.
1 2 1
Symbols on Road Signs
KEEP
RIGHT
LEFT OR
THROUGH
RIGHT TURN
ONLY
RECTANGULAR (square or oblong) signs show speed
limits, parking regulations, give directions, and such
information as distances to cities.
There are many international road signs in use today.
The basic message of many of these signs is in pictures
or graphic symbols. A picture within a circle with a
diagonal line across it shows what not to do.
132
Traffic Lights
We’re all familiar with traffic lights or stop lights. Often
green arrows are being used in the lights for improved
traffic control. On some multilane roads, green arrows
light up, indicating that traffic in one or more lanes can
move or make a turn. Green arrows don’t mean “go no
matter what.” You’ll still need to proceed with caution,
yielding the right of way to pedestrians and sometimes
to other vehicles.
Some traffic lights also use red arrows to signify that
you must stop before turning on red.
REVERSIBLE
LANE ON
NIULTI-
LANE
ROADWAY
Many city roads and expressways, and even bridges, use
reversible-lane traffic control during rush hours. A red X
light above a lane means no driving in that lane at that
133
time. A green arrow means you may drive in that lane.
Look for the signs posted to warn drivers what hours
and days these systems are in effect.
Pavement Markings
NO
PASSING
ZONE
Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals.
They give information to drivers without taking
attention from the roadway. A solid yellow line on your
side of the road or lane means “don’t cross.”
Your Own Signals
Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite,
it’s safer to let other drivers know what you are doing.
And in some places the law requires driver signals.
Turn and lane change signals. Always signal when you
plan to turn or change lanes.
If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window:
Left arm straight out for a left turn, down for slow or
about-to-stop, and up for a right turn.
Slowing down. If time allows, tap the brake pedal once
or twice in advance of slowing or stopping. This warns
the driver behind you.
Disabled. Your four-way flashers signal that your
vehicle is disabled or is a hazard. See “Hazard Warning
Flasher” in the Index.
Traffic Officer
The traffic police officer is also a source of important
information. The officer’s signals govern, no matter
what the traffic lights or other signs say.
The next section discusses some of the road conditions
you may encounter.
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive
defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
Buick: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.)
134
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.’’
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Expect children to dash out from behind.parked cars,
often followed by other children. Expect occupants in
parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for
movement in parked cars -- someone may be about to
open a door.
Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a
through street. Be ready to brake if necessary as you go
through intersections. You may not have to use the
brake, but if you do, you will be ready.
If you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot
where there are well-marked lanes, directional arrows,
and designated parking areas, expect some drivers
to
ignore all these markings and dash straight toward one
part of the lot.
Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general,
you must give way to pedestrians even if you know you
have the right of way.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving.
The most dangerous time for driving in the U.S. is very
early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM Research studies
show that the most and the least dangerous times for
driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is
Sunday. The most dangerous time is Sunday from 3 a.m.
to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11
a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m.
isn’t just a little more dangerous than it is at 10 a.m. It’s
about 134 times more dangerous!
That leads to the next section.
Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national, tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the
highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every
year. Alcohol takes away three things that anyone needs
to drive a vehicle:
Judgment
0 Muscular Coordination
0 Vision
135
Police records show that half of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol - a driver, a
passenger or someone else, such as a pedestrian, had
been drinking. In most cases, these deaths are the result
of someone who was drinking and driving. Over 25,000
motor vehicle-related deaths occur each year because of
alcohol, and thousands of people are injured.
Just how much alcohol is too much if a person plans to
drive? Ideally, no one should drink alcohol and then
drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”? It can be
a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on
each person and situation, here is some general
information on the problem.
The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of someone who is
drinking depends upon four things:
How much alcohol is in the drink.
0 The drinker’s body weight.
0 The amount of food that is consumed before and
during drinking.
0 The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol.
136
According to the American Medical Association, a
180-pound (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce
(355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a
BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the
same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses
of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces
(45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.
It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if
the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces
or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s
BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who
consumes food just before or during drinking will have a
slightly lower BAC level.
IG THAT WILL
RE! LI IN A BAC OF .05%
IN THE TIME SHOWN
3 HOURS
rn 2 HOURS
OF DRINKS
(as In plcture) 4
BODY WEIGHT IN POUNDS
The law in most U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC
of 0.10 percent. In Canada the limit is 0.08 percent, and
in some other countries it’s lower than that. The BAC
will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one
hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how
much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the
person drinks them.
But it’s very important to keep in mind that the ability to
drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent.
Research shows that the driving skills of many people
are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and
that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are
impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics
show that the chance of being in an accident increases
sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or
above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three
beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has
doubled his or her chance of having an accident. At a
BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver
having an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15
percent, the chances are twenty-five times greater! And,
the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol
in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold
showers will speed that up.
“I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an
emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a
child darts into the street? A person with a higher BAC
might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the
collision.
There’s something else about drinking and driving that
many people don’t know. Medical research shows that
137
1 HOUR
23
100 120
140 160 180 200 220 240
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries
worse. That’s especially true for brain, spinal cord and
heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been
drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, the
chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher
than if that person had not been drinking. And we’ve
already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for
drinking drivers.
I A CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment will be
affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You
could have a serious -- or even fatal -- accident if
you drive after drinking. Please don’t drink and
drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you’re with a group,
designate a driver who will not drink:.
138
Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
Don’t “ride” the brakes by letting your left foot rest
lightly on the brake pedal while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time.
First, you nave to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That’s reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a
vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20
m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; and the condition of your brakes.
Most drivers treat their brakes with care. Some,
however, overwork the braking system with poor
driving habits.
139
“Riding” your brakes can cause th%m to overhed
to the point that they won’t work well. You might
not be able to stop your vehicle in time to avoid
an accident. If you “ride” your brakes, they will
get so hot they will require a lot of pedal force to,
. . ,
3 .
:.
., ii:
SI0
.I_ :
. ...4.L,::z
c.
- .
lown. Avoid “rid
a’’ the brak
, +
‘
I “Riding” the brakes
rs them out K%ch faster.
You would need costly brake replacement much
sooner th
economy.
If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
0 If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (Option)
If your Buick has this system, your Buick has an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent skidding.
If you have an anti-lock brake system (ABS), the brake
pedal will say so. And this light on the instrument panel
will go on when you start your vehicle.
When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away,
you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. And
you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little
while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing
itself. If you have your foot on the brake pedal, this
check won’t happen until the vehicle goes about 4 mph
(6 km/h) or until you take your foot off the brake pedal.
After an ABS stop, you may hear a clicking noise the
next time the vehicle goes about 4 mph (6 km/h).
If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the
anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on or
flash.
See “Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light” in the
Index.
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. The
computer separately works the brakes at each front
wheel and at the rear wheels.
141
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions.
... ..
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
142
/A CAUTION:
Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you won't
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
cvddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
luom up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock:
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
and let anti-lock work for you. You also may hear a
clicking noise as you accelerate after a hard stop.
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your Buick has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
--
A LAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well. Thal
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out ‘-ake pat-
could result in costly brake repair
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear.
If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your
brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that
way, then -- very carefully -- make a few moderate
brake stops about every 1000 miles (1600 km), so your
brakes will adjust properly.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you don’t have anti-lock, your
first reaction -- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down -- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can
stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can’t respond to
your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever
direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.
That could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you don’t have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on
the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency you will probably want to “squeeze”
the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear
or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This
will help you retain steering control.
(If you & have anti-lock, it’s different: see Index under
“Anti-lock Brake System.”) In many emergencies,
steering can help you more than even the very best
braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but it
will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a r8 easonable speed.
144
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems --
steering and braking -- have to do their work where the
tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel
anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you’re steering through a
sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate.
Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration --
can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the
road and make you lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on the
brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
When you drive into a curve at night, it’s harder to see
the road ahead of you because it bends away from the
straight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to
drive slower.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s
the time for evasive action -- steering around the
problem.
Your Buick can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes -- but, unless you have
anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels. It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. Rut you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object. You must then be prepared to steer
back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled
stop.
Depending on your speed, this can be rather violent for
an unprepared driver. This is one of the reasons driving
1 A C
experts recommend that you use your safety belts ana
keep both hands on the steering wheel.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the
right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn
your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
/+-- &-A ..
OFF ROAD RECOVERY
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times.
Off-Road Recovery
You may find sometime that your right wheels have
dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you're driving.
146
If the shoulder appears to be about four inches (100
mm) or more below the pavement, this difference can
cause problems. If there is not enough room to pull
entirely onto the shoulder and stop, then follow the same
procedures. But if the right front tire scrubs against the
side of the pavement, do NOT steer more sharply. With
too much steering angle, the vehicle may jump back
onto the road with so much steering input that it crosses
over into the oncoming traffic before you can bring it
back under control.
Instead, ease off again on the accelerator and steering
input, straddle the pavement once more, then try again.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error
in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
0 “Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and
to crossroads for situations that might affect your
passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever
about making a successful pass, wait for a better
time.
0 Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might
indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A
broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to
pass (providing the road‘ahead is clear). Never cross
a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid
line, even if the road seems empty of approaching
traffic.
0 If you suspect that the driver of the vehicle you want
to pass isn’t aware of your presence, tap the horn a
couple of times before passing.
0 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.
0 When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start” that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
147
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lights are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
148
Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
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 Buick’s
three control system.s. In the braking skid your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steeri.ng 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 and an acceleration skid are best
handied by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide (as when you turn a corner
on a wet, snow- or ice-covered road), ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal as soon as you feel the vehicle start
to slide. Quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to
go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle
will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front
wheels.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll
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 engine braking 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.
If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes
to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling,
you will have steering control. Steer the way you want
to go.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired --
by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
149
Here are some tips on night driving.
0 Drive defensively. Remember, this is the most
dangerous time.
0 Don’t drink and drive. (See “Drunken Driving” in
the Index for more on this problem.)
0 Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlights behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and other
vehicles. It’s hard to tell how fast the vehicle ahead
is going just by looking at its taillights.
0 Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlights can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
0 If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and
rest.
Night Vision
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 may require at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night.
But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night.
They may cut down on glare from headlights, but they
also make a lot of things invisible that should remain
visible - such as parked cars, obstacles, pedestrians, or
even trains blocking railway crossings. You may want to
put on your sunglasses after you have pulled into a
brightly-lighted service or refreshment area. Eyes
shielded from that glare may adjust more quickly to
darkness back on the road. But be sure to remove your
sunglasses before you leave the service area.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It
can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for
your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced
with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower
the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlights),
slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the
approaching lights. If there is a line of opposing traffic,
make occasional glances over the line of headlights to
make certain that one of the vehicles isn’t starting to
move into your lane. Once you are past the bright lights,
give your eyes time to readjust before resuming speed.
150
High Beams
If the vehicle approaching you has its high beams on,
signal by flicking yours to high and then back to low
beam. This is the usual signal to lower the headlight
beams. If the other driver still doesn’t lower
the beams,
resist the temptation to put your high beams on. This
only makes two half-blinded drivers.
On a freeway, use your high beams only in remote areas
where you won’t impair approaching drivers. In some
places, like cities, using high beams is illegal.
When you follow another vehicle on a freeway or
highway, use low beams. True, most vehicles now have
day-night mirrors that enable the driver to reduce glare.
But outside mirrors are not of this type and high beams
from behind can bother the driver ahead.
A Few More Night Driving Suggestions
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Tobacco smoke also
makes inside glass surfaces very filmy and can be a
vision hazard if it’s left there.
Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than
clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes
contract repeatedly. You might even want to keep a cloth
and some glass cleaner in your vehicle if you need to
clean your glass frequently.
Remember that your headlights light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve.
Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out
dimly lighted objects.
Just as your headlights should be checked regularly for
proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly.
Some drivers suffer from night blindness -- the inability
to see in dim light -- and aren’t even aware of it.
151
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road you can’t stop, .accelerate or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction.
It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get
wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving
on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even
people walking. Road spray can often be worse for
vision than rain, especially if it comes from a dirty road.
So it is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good
shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled.
Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show
Driving in the Rain
1 L3
signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or
when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.
A CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t
work well in a quick stop and may cause pulling
to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the water.
This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re
going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
You might not be aware of hydroplaning. You could
drive along for some time without realizing your tires
aren’t in constant contact with the road. You could find
out the hard way: when you have to slow, turn, move out
to pass -- or if you get hit by a gust of wind. You could
suddenly find yourself out of control.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your
tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or
153
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.
~.-lll
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing
on the road. If you can see reflections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops
“dimple” the water’s surface, there could be
hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when it is raining, and be
careful.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your headlights -- not just your parking
lights -- to help make you more visible to others.
Look for hard-to-see vehicles coming from behind.
You may want to use your headlights even in
daytime if it’s raining hard.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you pass
another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room
ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray. If the road spray is so heavy you are
actually blinded, drop back. Don’t pass until
conditions improve. Going more slowly is better
than having an accident.
Use your defogger if it helps.
154
0 Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See
“Tires” in the Index.)
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze
Fog can occur with high humidity or heavy frost. It can
be so mild that you can see through it for several
hundred feet (meters). Or it might be so thick that you
can see only a few feet (meters) ahead. It may come
suddenly to an otherwise clear road. And it can be a
maj or hazard.
When you drive into a fog patch, your visibility will be
reduced quickly. The biggest dangers are striking the
vehicle ahead or being struck by the one behind. Try to
“read” the fog density down the road. If the vehicle
ahead starts to become less clear or, at night, if the
taillights are harder to see, the fog is probably
thickening. Slow down to give traffic behind you a
chance to slow down. Everybody then has a better
chance to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead.
A patch of dense fog may extend only for a few feet
(meters) or for miles (kilometers); you can’t really tell
while you’re in it. You can only treat the situation with
extreme care.
One common fog condition -- sometimes called mist or
ground fog -- can happen in weather that seems perfect,
especially at night or in the early morning in valley and
low, marshy areas. You can be suddenly enveloped in
thick, wet haze that may even coat your windshield. You
can often spot these fog patches or mist layers with your
headlights. But sometimes they can be waiting for you
as you come over a hill or dip into a shallow valley.
Start your windshield wipers and washer, to help clear
accumulated road dirt. Slow down carefully.
Tips on Driving in Fog
If you get caught in fog, turn your headlights on low
beam, even in daytime. You’ll see -- and be seen --
better. Use your fog lights if your vehicle has them.
Don’t use your high beams. The light will bounce off
the water droplets that make up fog and reflect back at
you.
Use your defogger. In high humidity, even a light
buildup of moisture on the inside of the glass will cut
down on your already limited visibility. Run your
windshield wipers and washer occasionally. Moisture
can build up on the outside glass, and what seems to be
fog may actually be moisture on the outside of your
windshield.
Treat dense fog as an emergency. Try to find a place to
pull off the road. Of course you want to respect
another’s property, but you might need to put something
between you and moving vehicles -- space, trees,
telephone poles, a private driveway, anything that
removes you from other traffic.
If visibility is near zero and you must stop but are
unsure whether you are away from the road, turn your
lights on, start your hazard warning flashers, and sound
155
your horn at intervals or when you hear approaching
traffic.
Pass other vehicles in fog only if you can see far enough
ahead to pass safely. Even then, be prepared to delay
your pass if you suspect the fog is worse up ahead. If
other vehicles try to pass you, make it easy for them.
City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
0 Know the best way to get to where you are going.
Try not to drive around trying to pick out a familiar
street or landmark. Get a city map and plan your trip
into an unknown part of the city just as you would
for a cross-country trip.
0 Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the
next section, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the red
light.
0 Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they
are for ideal road, weather and visibility conditions.
You may need to drive below the posted limit in bad
weather or when visibility is especially poor.
156
Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear or
intersections when you see or hear emergency
vehicles.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways,
parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways)
are the safest of all roads. But they have their own
special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
Entering the Freeway
At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to