radio station frequency labels and by using the radio favorites page button (FAV button). Press the FAV button to go through up to six pages of favorites, each having six favorite stations available per page. If Automatic Store is used, then four pages of favorites are available. Each page of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if equipped) stations. To store a station as a favorite: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press and release the FAV button to display the
page where the station is to be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered
pushbuttons until a beep sounds. When the pushbutton is pressed and released, the station that was set will return.
4. Repeat the Steps 1 through 3 for each radio station
to be stored as a favorite.
3-42
To setup the number of favorites pages: 1. Press and hold FAV until the radio setup menu
displays.
2. Select the desired number of favorites pages by
pressing the pushbutton located below the displayed page numbers.
3. Press FAV to return to the original main radio
screen showing the radio station frequency tabs and to begin the process of programming favorites for the chosen amount of numbered pages.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Mid/Treble) SOUND (Bass/Mid/Treble): Press to adjust the bass, midrange, or treble. Adjusting the Bass To adjust the bass: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Bass tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
Adjusting the Midrange To adjust the midrange: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Mid tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds. Adjusting the Treble To adjust the treble: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Treb tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
3-43
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
Setting the EQ
SOUND (Equalization): Press to select an equalization setting.
Setting the EQ To set the EQ: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the P.EQ tab on the display. The Pop, Rock, Ctry, Voice, Jazz, Clas tabs appear on the display.
3. Press the pushbutton below the desired selection to
set the EQ. Pressing the same pushbutton again cancels the EQ setting.
SOUND (Balance/Fade): Press to adjust the balance or fade. Adjusting the Balance To adjust the balance: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Bal tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
Adjusting the Fade To adjust the fade: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Fad tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
3-44
XM Satellite Radio Service XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces. XM Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound. During your trial or when you subscribe, you will get unlimited access to XM Radio Online for when you are not in the vehicle. A service fee is required to receive the XM service. For more information, contact XM at xmradio.com or call 1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677 in Canada. Radio Messages for XM Only See XM Radio Messages on page 3-56 later in this section for further detail. Using the Auxiliary Input Jack The radio system has an auxiliary input jack located on the lower right side of the faceplate. This is not an audio output; do not plug the headphone set into the front auxiliary input jack. An external audio device such as an iPod®, laptop computer, MP3 player, CD changer, etc. can be connected to the auxiliary input jack for use as another audio source.
Drivers are encouraged to set up any auxiliary device while the vehicle is in P (Park). See Defensive Driving on page 4-2 for more information on driver distraction. To use a portable audio player, connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) cable to the radio’s front auxiliary input jack. When a device is connected, press the radio CD/AUX button to begin playing audio from the device over the vehicle speakers. O (Power/Volume): Turn to adjust the volume. Additional volume adjustments may have to be made from the portable device if the volume is too quiet or too loud.
AUX (Auxiliary): Press to listen to the radio while a portable audio device is playing. Press again and the system begins playing audio from the connected portable audio player. If a portable audio player is not connected, No Aux Input Device Found may display.
3-45
Radio with CD
Playing the Radio O (Power/Volume): Press and release to turn the system on. Press and hold this knob for more than two seconds to turn the system off.
Turn to increase or decrease the volume. When the system is on, press and release O to mute the system. Press and release O again to turn the sound back on.
3-46
Finding a Station BAND: Press to choose FM, AM, or XM™ (if equipped). The display will show the selection.
u SEEK: Press to seek the next radio station with a strong signal in the selected band.
t SEEK: Press to seek the previous radio station with a strong signal in the selected band. [ TUNE: Press to go to the next station manually. r TUNE: Press to go to the previous station manually.
SCAN/AST: Press to scan radio stations. The radio goes to a station, plays for a few seconds, then goes to the next station. The radio only scans stations with a strong signal in the selected band. Press SCAN/AST again to stop scanning.
Press and hold SCAN/AST to use Auto Store. The radio only scans stations with a strong signal in the selected band.
AST (Automatic Store): Twelve preset stations with the strongest reception in the area can be automatically stored. The radio will only scan stations with a strong signal that are in the selected AM or FM band.
If the Automatic Store function is started in the FM
band, only FM stations are stored in preset pages A1
and A2. If the Automatic Store function is started in the
AM band, only AM stations are stored in A1 and A2.
A combination of AM, FM and XM (if equipped)
stations can be stored manually into the other four
favorite pages.
To use Automatic Store:
1. Press and hold SCAN/AST to use Auto Store mode.
2. Press the pushbutton below the ON tab on the
radio display.
3. Automatic Store searches for radio stations with a strong signal and automatically set presets A1 and A2 with new stations.
4. After all stations are set, press the pushbutton
below the arrow tab on the radio display to return to the main radio screen
To reset the automatically stored radio stations, press and hold SCAN/AST. Then press the pushbutton below the RESE tab on the radio display. If no stations are stored on preset pages A1 and A2, the RESE option does not appear in the radio display. When the Automatic Store function is used, any stations that were previously set will be deleted and replaced with new stations.
Storing a Radio Station Drivers are encouraged to set up radio station favorites while the vehicle is in P (Park). Tune to favorite stations using the pushbuttons, favorites button, and steering wheel controls. See Defensive Driving on page 4-2. A maximum of 36 stations can be programmed as favorites using the six pushbuttons positioned below the radio station frequency labels and by using the radio favorites page button (FAV button). Press the FAV button to go through up to six pages of favorites, each having six favorite stations available per page. If Automatic Store is used, then four pages of favorites are available. Each page of favorites can contain any combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if equipped) stations. To store a station as a favorite: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press and release the FAV button to display the
page where the station is to be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six numbered
pushbuttons until a beep sounds. When the pushbutton is pressed and released, the station that was set will return.
4. Repeat the Steps 1 through 3 for each radio station
to be stored as a favorite.
3-47
Adjusting the Midrange To adjust the midrange: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Mid tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds. Adjusting the Treble To adjust the treble: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Treb tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
To setup the number of favorites pages: 1. Press and hold FAV until the radio setup menu
displays.
2. Select the desired number of favorites pages by
pressing the pushbutton located below the displayed page numbers.
3. Press FAV to return to the original main radio
screen showing the radio station frequency tabs and to begin the process of programming favorites for the chosen amount of numbered pages.
Setting the Tone (Bass/Mid/Treble)
SOUND (Bass/Mid/Treble): Press to adjust the bass, midrange, or treble. Adjusting the Bass To adjust the bass: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Bass tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
3-48
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
Setting the EQ
SOUND (Equalization): Press to select an equalization setting. Setting the EQ To set the EQ: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the P.EQ tab on the display. The Pop, Rock, Ctry, Voice, Jazz, Clas tabs appear on the display.
3. Press the pushbutton below the desired selection to
set the EQ. Pressing the same pushbutton again cancels the EQ setting.
SOUND (Balance/Fade): Press to adjust the balance or fade. Adjusting the Balance To adjust the balance: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Bal tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds. Adjusting the Fade To adjust the fade: 1. Press SOUND. 2. Press the pushbutton below the Fad tab on the
display.
3. Turn O to adjust the setting. 4. The settings are saved after five seconds.
3-49
XM Satellite Radio Service XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces. XM Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound. During your trial or when you subscribe, you will get unlimited access to XM Radio Online for when you are not in the vehicle. A service fee is required to receive the XM service. For more information, contact XM at xmradio.com or call 1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and xmradio.ca or call 1-877-438-9677 in Canada. Radio Messages for XM Only See XM Radio Messages on page 3-56 later in this section for further detail. Playing a CD Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls it in and the CD begins playing. A CD can be loaded while the ignition is in the OFF position.
When the CD is inserted, CDP appears on the display. As the CD is loading, LOADING appears on the display. As each new track starts to play, the track number displays. If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the player, it will stay in the player. When a CD is in the player and the ignition is in the ON/RUN position, the radio must be turned on before the CD will start playing. When the ignition and radio are turned on, the CD will start playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source. The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner. [ TUNE (Next Track): Press [ TUNE to go to the next track. The track number will appear on the display. The player will continue moving forward through the CD with each press of [ TUNE. r TUNE (Previous Track): Press to go to the start of the current track. The track number will appear on the display. The player will continue moving backward through the CD with each press of r TUNE.
3-50
BAND: Press to listen to the radio while a CD is playing. The CD remains inside the radio for future listening.
CD/AUX: Press to play a CD when listening to the radio. CDP appears on the display when the CD player has been selected. The CD symbol will appear on the display when a CD is loaded.
Press CD/AUX while a CD is playing to pause the CD. PAUSE flashes on the display. Press CD/AUX again to start playing the CD.
Press CD/AUX to play a CD when listening to the audio contents from other device (AUX mode). CDP appears on the display when the CD player has been selected. The CD symbol will appear on the display when a CD is loaded.
EJECT: Press to eject a CD. The CD can be ejected when the ignition or the radio is turned off.
RPT (Repeat): Press the pushbutton under the RPT tab on the display to repeat the current track, RPT appears on the display. Press the pushbutton again to stop repeat.
RDM (Random): Press the pushbutton below the RDM tab on the display to play tracks in random, rather than sequential order, RDM appears on the display. Press the pushbutton again to stop random play.
INT (Scan): Press the pushbutton below the INT tab on
the display to listen to the first few seconds of each
track on the CD, INTRO appears on the display.
Press the pushbutton again to stop scanning and the
current track begins to play.
Playing an MP3/WMA CD-R Disc
The radio has the MP3/WMA CD-R disc capability.
For more information, see Using an MP3 on page 3-54
later in this section.
3-51
CD Messages CHECK CD: If this message displays and/or the CD comes out, it could be for one of the following reasons:
It is very hot. When the temperature returns to normal, the CD should play. The road is very rough. When the road becomes smoother, the CD should play. The CD is dirty, scratched, wet, or upside down. The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and try again. The format of the CD might not be compatible. See Using an MP3 on page 3-54 later in this section. There could have been a problem while burning the CD. The label could be caught in the CD player.
If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason, try a known good CD. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, contact your dealer/retailer. If the radio displays an error message, write it down and provide it to your dealer/retailer when reporting the problem.
Care of CDs If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality of the music that has been recorded, and the way the CD-R or CD-RW has been handled. Handle them carefully. Store CD-R(s) in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the bottom surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD does not play properly or not at all. Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while handling it; this could damage the surface. Pick up CDs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge. If the surface of a CD is soiled, clean it with a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed with water. Make sure the wiping process starts from the center to the edge. Care of the CD Player Do not add labels to a CD, it could get caught in the CD player. Use a marking pen to write on the top of the CD if a description is needed. Do not use CD lens cleaners, they could damage the CD player.
3-52
(cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) If a label is added to a CD, or more than
Notice: one CD is inserted into the slot at a time, or an attempt is made to play scratched or damaged CDs, the CD player could be damaged. While using the CD player, use only CDs in good condition without any label, load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris. If an error displays, see “CD Messages” earlier in this section. Using the Auxiliary Input Jack The radio system has an auxiliary input jack located on the lower right side of the faceplate. This is not an audio output; do not plug the headphone set into the front auxiliary input jack. An external audio device such as an iPod, laptop computer, MP3 player, CD changer, etc. can be connected to the auxiliary input jack for use as another audio source. Drivers are encouraged to set up any auxiliary device while the vehicle is in P (Park). See Defensive Driving on page 4-2 for more information on driver distraction.
To use a portable audio player, connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) cable to the radio’s front auxiliary input jack. When a device is connected, press the radio CD/AUX button to begin playing audio from the device over the vehicle speakers. O (Power/Volume): Turn to adjust the volume. Additional volume adjustments may have to be made from the portable device if the volume is too quiet or too loud.
CD/AUX (Auxiliary): Press to play a CD while a portable audio device is playing. Press CD/AUX a second time for the system to begin playing audio from the connected portable audio player. The portable audio device continues playing until it is turned off.
3-53
Using an MP3
MP3/WMA CD-R Disc
MP3 Format
If you burn your own MP3/WMA disc on a personal
computer:
(cid:129) Make sure the MP3/WMA files are recorded on a
CD-R disc.
(cid:129) Do not mix standard audio and MP3/WMA files on
one disc.
(cid:129) Make sure each MP3/WMA file has a .m3u or
.wma extension, other file extensions might not work. Files can be recorded with a variety of fixed or variable bit rates. Song title, artist name, and album are available for display by the radio when recorded using ID3 tags version 1 and 2.
(cid:129) Make sure to finalize the disc when burning an
MP3/WMA disc, using multiple sessions. It is usually better to burn the disc all at once.
The player is able to read and play a maximum of 50 folders, five sessions, and 999 files. Long file names and folder names can use more disc memory space than necessary. To conserve space on the disc, minimize the length of the file and folder names.
3-54
An MP3/WMA CD that was recorded using no file folders can also be played. The system can support up to eight folders in depth, though, keep the depth of the folders to a minimum in order to keep down the complexity and confusion in trying to locate a particular folder during playback. If a CD contains more than the maximum of 50 folders, five sessions, and 999 files, the player lets you access and navigate up to the maximum, but all items over the maximum are ignored. Root Directory The root directory is treated as a folder. If the root directory has compressed audio files, the directory is displayed as ROOT. All files contained directly under the root directory are accessed prior to any other directory. Empty Directory or Folder If a root directory or a folder exists somewhere in the file structure that contains only folders/subfolders and no compressed files directly beneath them, the player advances to the next folder in the file structure that contains compressed audio files. The empty folder does not display.
(cid:129) No Folder When a CD contains only compressed files, the files are located under the root folder. The next and previous folder function does not function on a CD that was recorded without folders or playlists. When displaying the name of the folder the radio displays ROOT. When a CD contains only compressed audio files, but no folders, all files are located under the root folder. When the radio displays the name of the folder, the radio displays ROOT. Order of Play The player play will begin from the first track under the root directory. When all tracks from the root directory have been played, play will continue from files according to their numerical listing. After playing the last track from the last folder, the player will begin playing again at the first track of the first folder or root directory. File System and Naming The song name in the ID3 tag is displayed. If the song name is not present in the ID3 tag, then the radio displays the file name without the extension (such as MP3/WMA) instead. Track names longer than 32 characters or four pages are shortened. Parts of words on the last page of text and the extension of the filename does not display.
Playing an MP3/WMA With the ignition in the ON/RUN position, insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls the disc in. LOADING, and then MP3 or WMA appears on the display. The CD should begin playing. As each new track starts to play, the track number, and the song name will appear on the display. If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the player, it will stay in the player. When a CD is in the player and the ignition is turned on, the radio must be turned on before the CD will start playback. When the ignition and radio are turned on, the CD will start playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source. The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner. Sound quality may be reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the quality of the music that has been recorded, and the way the CD-R has been handled.
DIR (Directory): Press to repeat the tracks in the current directory. DIR displays.
Press DIR again to repeat the tracks in all of the directories. ALL displays.
Press DIR again to turn off repeat play.
3-55
u SEEK t (Next/Previous Folder) (in MP3/WMA Mode): Press to change the folder. If CD-R does not have any folders, “ROOT” flashes on the display for a short time. [ TUNE (Next Track): Press the up TUNE arrow to go to the next track. The track number displays. The player continues moving forward through the CD each time TUNE is pressed. r TUNE (Previous Track): Press the down TUNE arrow to go to the start of the current track. The track number displays. The player continues moving backward through the CD each time TUNE is pressed.
INFO/DISP (Information/Display): Press to display additional text information related to the current MP3/WMA song. A choice of additional information such as: Song Title, Album Title, and Artist. Bit rate might also display. When information is not available, No Info displays. Press this button for longer than two seconds to change display mode.
SCROLL (MP3/WMA Mode Only): Press the SOUND button for longer than two seconds. The song title or other available information of a song scrolls on/off. The offset is scroll on. The scroll mode can be changed only when the SOUND button is pressed for longer than two seconds.
3-56
XM Radio Messages
UPDATING: The encryption code in the receiver is being updated, and no action is required. This process should take no longer than 30 seconds.
NO SIGNAL: The system is functioning correctly, but the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™ signal. When the vehicle is moved into an open area, the signal should return.
LOADING: The audio system is acquiring and processing audio and text data. No action is needed. This message should disappear shortly.
OFF AIR: This channel is not currently in service. Tune in to another channel.
CH UNAVAILABLE: This previously assigned channel is no longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this station was one of the presets, choose another station for that preset button.
RADIO ID: If tuned to channel 0, this message alternates with the XM™ Radio 8 digit radio ID label. This label is needed to activate the service.
CHECK XM TUNER: If this message does not clear within a short period of time, the receiver could have a fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Front View of the
Steering Wheel Controls
Side View of the Volume Control
If the vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel.
PWR (Power): Press and release to turn the system on and off.
When the system is on, press and release for a short time to mute the system. Press and release again to turn the sound back on.
+ VOLUME – : Press the toggle bar located below the + VOLUME − to adjust the volume. Press the left side of the toggle bar, below the + (plus) sign to increase the volume. Press the right side of the toggle bar, below the − (minus) sign to decrease the volume. SEEK: Press and release to go to the next preset station.
Press and hold for a long time to go to the next AM, FM, or XM station. The radio seeks stations only with a strong signal that are in the selected band.
When playing a CD, press and release to go to the next track. Press and hold to fast forward through the tracks.
MODE: Press and release this button multiple times to cycle through the audio playback options that are available on the vehicle. Options may include FM, AM, XM, CD, and AUX.
3-57
Radio Reception Frequency interference and static can occur during normal radio reception if items such as cell phone chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the item from the accessory power outlet. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range can cause station frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio reception, most AM radio stations boost the power levels during the day, and then reduce these levels during the night. Static can also occur when things like storms and power lines interfere with radio reception. When this happens, try reducing the treble on the radio. FM Stereo FM signals only reach about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Although the radio has a built-in electronic circuit that automatically works to reduce interference, some static can occur, especially around tall buildings or hills, causing the sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service XM Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM, tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the XM signal for a period of time. Cellular Phone Usage Cellular phone usage may cause interference with the vehicle’s radio. This interference may occur when making or receiving phone calls, charging the phone’s battery, or simply having the phone on. This interference causes an increased level of static while listening to the radio. If static is received while listening to the radio, unplug the cellular phone and turn it off.
Fixed Mast Antenna (Hatchback) Vehicles without OnStar® have a fixed mast antenna that can withstand most car washes without being damaged. If the mast should ever become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent, replace it.
3-58
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still tightened to the antenna base located on the roof of the vehicle. If tightening is required, tighten by hand.
Backglass Antenna (Sedan) Vehicles without OnStar® have the AM-FM antenna integrated with the rear window defogger, located in the rear window. Make sure that the inside surface of the rear window is not scratched and that the lines on the glass are not damaged. If the inside surface is damaged, it could interfere with radio reception. Also, for proper radio reception, the antenna connector at the top-center of the rear window needs to be properly attached to the post on the glass. Notice: Using a razor blade or sharp object to clear the inside rear window may damage the rear window antenna and/or the rear window defogger. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Do not clear the inside rear window with sharp objects. Notice: Do not apply aftermarket glass tinting with metallic film. The metallic film in some tinting materials will interfere with or distort the incoming radio reception. Any damage caused to your backglass antenna due to metallic tinting materials will not be covered by your warranty.
Because this antenna is built into the rear window, there is a reduced risk of damage caused by car washes and vandals. If static is heard on the radio, when the rear window defogger is turned on, it could mean that a defogger grid line has been damaged. If this is true, the grid line must be repaired. If adding a cellular telephone to the vehicle, and the antenna needs to be attached to the glass, make sure that the grid lines for the AM-FM antenna are not damaged. There is enough space between the grid lines to attach a cellular telephone antenna without interfering with radio reception.
Multi-Band Antenna Vehicles with OnStar® have a multi-band antenna that is located on the roof of the vehicle. The antenna is used for the AM/FM radio, OnStar® and the XM™ Satellite Radio Service System. Keep the antenna clear of obstructions for clear reception. If the vehicle has a sunroof, the performance of the AM/FM radio, OnStar®, and the XM system may be affected if the sunroof is open.
3-59
✍ NOTES
3-60
Section 4
Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle ............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy .......................4-2
Defensive Driving ...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving .................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle ........................................4-3
Braking .........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS) ...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies ...................................4-6
Steering ........................................................4-6
Off-Road Recovery .........................................4-8
Passing ........................................................4-8
Loss of Control ..............................................4-8
Driving at Night ............................................4-10
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads ..................4-10
Before Leaving on a Long Trip .......................4-11
Highway Hypnosis ........................................4-12
Hill and Mountain Roads ................................4-12
Winter Driving ..............................................4-13
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow ...................................................4-15
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out .................4-16
Loading the Vehicle ......................................4-16
Towing ..........................................................4-24
Towing Your Vehicle .....................................4-24
Recreational Vehicle Towing ...........................4-24
Towing a Trailer ...........................................4-27
4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel Economy Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible. (cid:129) Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly. (cid:129) Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops. (cid:129) Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time. (cid:129) When road and weather conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control, if equipped.
(cid:129) Always follow posted speed limits or drive more
slowly when conditions require.
(cid:129) Keep vehicle tires properly inflated. (cid:129) Combine several trips into a single trip. (cid:129) Replace the vehicle’s tires with the same TPC Spec number molded into the tire’s sidewall near the size. Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.
Defensive Driving Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear your safety belt — See Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 1-16.
{ CAUTION:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do and be ready. In addition:
(cid:129) Allow enough following distance between you
and the driver in front of you. (cid:129) Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting in injury or possible death. These simple defensive driving techniques could save your life.
4-2
(cid:129) Drunk Driving
{ CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and attentiveness. Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological, and developmental reasons for these laws. The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means that when anyone who has been drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle The following three systems help to control the vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle. Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 5-3.
4-3
Braking See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-28. Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is reaction time. Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a second. But that is 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 three-fourths 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 the vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
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. The brakes might not have time to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic and allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life. If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops, there will still be some power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push. Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 5-3.
4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS) The vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid.
If the vehicle has ABS, this warning light comes on briefly when the vehicle is started.
The warning light is on the instrument panel cluster. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light on page 3-30. Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what happens with ABS: A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as required, faster than any driver could. This can help the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS. Using ABS Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let antilock work. A slight brake pedal pulsation might be felt or some noise might be heard, but this is normal.
4-5
Steering Power Steering If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be steered but it will take more effort. Steering Tips It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed. Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is the one factor that can be controlled. If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering the curve, while the front wheels are straight. Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. If the vehicle has ABS, it allows the driver to steer and brake at the same time. However, if the vehicle does not have ABS, the first reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down — might be the wrong thing to do. The wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot respond to the driver’s 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 the driver was trying to avoid, or into traffic. If the vehicle does not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking technique. This gives maximum braking while maintaining steering control. 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 helps retain steering control. With ABS, it is different. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5. In many emergencies, steering can help more than even the very best braking.
4-6
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. These problems can be avoided by braking — if you can stop in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time because there is no room. That is the time for evasive action — steering around the problem. The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply the brakes — but, unless the vehicle has antilock brakes, not enough to lock the wheels. See Braking on page 4-4. It is better to remove as much speed as possible from a 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 holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, it can be turned a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.
4-7
Off-Road Recovery The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving.
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 the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. Turn the steering wheel 3 to 5 inches, 8 to 13 cm, (about one-eighth turn) until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
4-8
Passing Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing: Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect a successful pass. If in doubt, wait.
(cid:129) Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection. Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side of the lane.
(cid:129) Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
(cid:129) Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle. (cid:129) When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control Let us review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems — brakes, steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
(cid:129) 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 the vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering 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. If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, 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 reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until the 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 the vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If the vehicle does not have ABS, 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.
4-9
Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue. Night driving tips include: (cid:129) Drive defensively. (cid:129) Do not drink and drive. (cid:129) Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
(cid:129) Slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles because headlamps can only light up so much road ahead.
(cid:129) Watch for animals. (cid:129) When tired, pull off the road. (cid:129) Do not wear sunglasses. (cid:129) Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps. (cid:129) Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
(cid:129) Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
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 might need at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-10
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through large puddles and deep-standing or flowing water.
{ CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not work as well in a quick stop and could cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until the brakes work normally. Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces. Driving through flowing water could cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not ignore police warnings and be very cautious about trying to drive through flowing water.
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: (cid:129) Allow extra following distance. (cid:129) Pass with caution. (cid:129) Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape. (cid:129) Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled. (cid:129) Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires
on page 5-51. 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: (cid:129) Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full?
Windows clean — inside and outside?
(cid:129) 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?
(cid:129) Weather and Maps: Safe to travel?
Have up-to-date maps?
4-11
(cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) 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: (cid:129) Keep the vehicle well ventilated. (cid:129) Keep interior temperature cool. (cid:129) Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
(cid:129) Check the rearview mirror and vehicle
instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include: (cid:129) Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape. (cid:129) Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
(cid:129) Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
4-12
{ CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{ CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down and they could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Always have the engine running and the vehicle in gear when going downhill.
(cid:129) Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your lane (stalled car, accident).
(cid:129) Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt or sand. Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5 improves vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but whether the vehicle has ABS or not, apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement. Without ABS, if the vehicle begins to slide, let up on the brake pedal a little and apply steady pedal pressure to get the most traction. On vehicles without ABS, braking so hard that the wheels stop rolling can cause the vehicle to slide — brake so the wheels always keep rolling so you can still steer. Allow greater following distance on any slippery road and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering maneuvers and braking while on ice. Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
4-13
(cid:129) Blizzard Conditions Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible, use the Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-7. To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6. Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{ CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to get inside. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
(cid:129) Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust pipe.
(cid:129) Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
CAUTION:
(Continued)
4-14
CAUTION:
(Continued)
(cid:129) Open a window about two inches (5 cm) on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind to bring in fresh air.
(cid:129) Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
(cid:129) Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index. For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 2-32. Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust.
(cid:129) (cid:129) Run the engine for short periods only as needed to keep warm, but be careful. To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off and close the window most of the way to save heat. Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm also helps. If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-16.
{ CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could be injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine compartment fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as little as possible and avoid going above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle, see Tire Chains on page 5-68.
4-15
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area around the front wheels. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear, or with a manual transmission, between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and R (Reverse), spinning the wheels as little as possible. To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-24.
Loading the Vehicle It is very important to know how much weight your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight or maximum load amount and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the Certification label.
{ CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life of the vehicle.
4-16
Tire and Loading Information Label - United States
Label Example
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s door open, you will find the label attached below the door lock post (striker).
The Tire and Loading Information label shows the number of occupant seating positions (A), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds. The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures (D). For more information on tires and inflation see Tires on page 5-51 and Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-57. There is also important loading information on the Certification label. See “Certification Label” later in this section. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the statement ‘‘The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4-17
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.
4-18
Example 1
Item
Description
Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 2 = Available Occupant and Cargo Weight =
Total
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
700 lbs (317 kg)
Example 2
Example 3
Item
Description
Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight =
Total
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
750 lbs (340 kg)
250 lbs (113 kg)
Item
Description
Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3 = Subtract Occupant Weight 200 lbs (91 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight =
Total
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label for specific information about your vehicle’s capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passenger, and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight.
4-19
Tire and Loading Information Label - Canada
Label Example
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the driver’s side, center pillar (B-pillar). This label shows the Maximum Load amount, the number of occupant seating
4-20
positions, the original equipment tires, and the recommended cold tire inflation pressure. For more information on tires and inflation see Tires on page 5-51 and Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-57. There is also important loading information on the Certification label. See “Certification Label” later in this section. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the “Maximum Load” amount. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from the Maximum Load amount.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the Maximum Load amount equals 1400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (295 kg).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed nor intended to tow a trailer.
Example 1
Item
Description
Vehicle Capacity Weight or Maximum Load for Example 1 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 2 = Available Occupant and Cargo Weight =
Total
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
300 lbs (136 kg)
700 lbs (317 kg)
4-21
Example 2
Example 3
Item
Description
Vehicle Capacity Weight or Maximum Load for Example 2 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight =
Total
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
750 lbs (340 kg)
250 lbs (113 kg)
4-22
Item
Description
Vehicle Capacity Weight or Maximum Load for Example 3 = Subtract Occupant Weight 200 lbs (91kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight =
Total
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
1,000 lbs (453 kg)
0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information label for specific information about your vehicle’s capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers, and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s maximum load weight.
Certification Label
A vehicle specific Certification label is attached to the center pillar (B-pillar), below the driver’s door latch. This label tells you the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle. And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out. See “Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit” earlier in this section.
Label Example - United States
{ CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life of the vehicle.
Notice: Overloading your vehicle may cause damage. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
4-23
Label Example - Canada
If you put things inside your vehicle — like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{ CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
(cid:129) Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly. (cid:129) Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats.
(cid:129) Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
(cid:129) When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
(cid:129) Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle must be towed. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-7. To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational purposes, such as behind a motorhome, see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly.
4-24
Here are some important things to consider before recreational vehicle towing: (cid:129) What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
(cid:129) What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow. Is the proper towing equipment going to be used? See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations. Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is prepared to be towed. See Before Leaving on a Long Trip on page 4-11.
Dinghy Towing
If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels
Notice: on the ground, the drivetrain components could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. If the vehicle must be towed, a dolly should be used. See “Dolly Towing” that follows for more information.
4-25
(cid:129) (cid:129) Dolly Towing From the Front
3. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in N (Neutral).
4. Set the parking brake and remove the key. 5. For an automatic transmission, insert the key into the shift-lock release slot and shift to N (Neutral). See Shifting Out of Park on page 2-30.
6. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing.
7. Release the parking brake.
The vehicle can be towed from the front using a dolly. To tow the vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps: 1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
4-26
Dolly Towing From the Rear
Towing a Trailer The vehicle is neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.
Notice: Towing the vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground could cause transmission damage. Do not tow the vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.
4-27
✍ NOTES
4-28
Section 5
Service and Appearance Care
Service ............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications ..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning .....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements .....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work .........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle .................................................5-5
Fuel ................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane ............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications ....................................5-5
California Fuel
...............................................5-6
Additives .......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries ...............................5-7
Filling the Tank ..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container .....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood ....................5-11
Hood Release ..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview .......................5-14
Engine Oil ...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System ..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ................................5-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid .........................5-21
Manual Transmission Fluid .............................5-23
Hydraulic Clutch ...........................................5-23
Cooling System ............................................5-24
Engine Coolant .............................................5-25
Engine Overheating .......................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid .....................................5-32
Windshield Washer Fluid ................................5-33
Brakes ........................................................5-34
Battery ........................................................5-37
Jump Starting ...............................................5-38
Headlamp Aiming ...........................................5-43
Bulb Replacement ..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs ..............................................5-43
Headlamps ..................................................5-44
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps ..........................................5-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Hatchback) ..............................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan) ...................................................5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps ...................5-48
License Plate Lamp ......................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs .......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ..............5-50
Tires ..............................................................5-51
Tire Sidewall Labeling ...................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Definitions .....................5-54
Inflation - Tire Pressure .................................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor System .........................5-59
5-1
Section 5
Service and Appearance Care
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation .....................5-60
Tire Inspection and Rotation ...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires .......................5-63
Buying New Tires .........................................5-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels ......................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ..................5-67
Wheel Replacement ......................................5-67
Tire Chains ..................................................5-68
If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................5-69
Changing a Flat Tire .....................................5-70
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................5-71
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire ................................................5-73
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ............5-78
Compact Spare Tire ......................................5-78
Appearance Care ............................................5-79
Interior Cleaning ...........................................5-79
Fabric/Carpet ...............................................5-80
Leather .......................................................5-81
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces ..................................................5-81
Care of Safety Belts ......................................5-82
Weatherstrips ...............................................5-82
Washing Your Vehicle ...................................5-82
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses .....................5-83
Finish Care ..................................................5-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades .........................5-84
Aluminum Wheels .........................................5-84
Tires ...........................................................5-85
Sheet Metal Damage .....................................5-85
Finish Damage .............................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance ................................5-85
Chemical Paint Spotting .................................5-85
Vehicle Identification ......................................5-86
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .................5-86
Service Parts Identification Label .....................5-86
Electrical System ............................................5-86
Add-On Electrical Equipment ..........................5-86
Headlamp Wiring ..........................................5-87
Windshield Wiper Fuses ................................5-87
Power Windows and Other Power Options .......5-87
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ............................5-87
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ..........................5-88
Engine Compartment Fuse Block ....................5-89
Capacities and Specifications ..........................5-93
5-2
Service For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer. You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modifications When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control. Some of these accessories could even cause malfunction or damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. Damage to vehicle components resulting from the installation or use of non-GM certified parts, including control module modifications, are not covered under the terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining warranty coverage for affected parts. GM Accessories are designed to complement and function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM dealer/retailer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained and supported service technicians will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories. Also, see Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-74.
5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems (including some inside the vehicle), many fluids, and some component wear by-products contain and/or emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements Certain types of automotive applications, such as airbag initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium batteries contained in remote keyless transmitters, may contain perchlorate materials. Special handling may be necessary. For additional information, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work
{ CAUTION:
You can be injured and the vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it.
(cid:129) Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts, and tools before attempting any vehicle maintenance task.
(cid:129) Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric fasteners can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners are used, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service work, use the proper service manual. It tells you much more about how to service the vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-17.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to do your own service work, see Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-73. Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work performed. See Maintenance Record on page 6-17.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect the airflow around it. This can cause wind noise and can affect fuel economy and windshield washer performance. Check with your dealer/retailer before adding equipment to the outside of the vehicle. Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance, we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specifications At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of gasolines containing MMT. See Additives on page 5-6 for additional information.
5-5
California Fuel If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. See the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog-check test. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-32. If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing the emission control system to work properly. In most cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended by General Motors.
5-6
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and prevent most deposit-related problems. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines, if they comply with the specifications described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels. Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under the vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of the emission control system could be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you will be driving.
5-7
To open the fuel filler door, pull up on the release lever with this symbol on it. It is located on the floor on the outboard side of the driver seat.
Filling the Tank
{ CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the pump island. Turn off the engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.
5-8
Hatchback shown. Sedan similar
The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel door on the passenger side of the vehicle. To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is released too soon, it will spring back to the right.
{ CAUTION:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill the tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-82.
5-9
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-32.
If a new fuel cap is needed, be sure to get
Notice: the right type. Your dealer/retailer can get one for you. The wrong type might not fit properly. This can cause the malfunction indicator lamp to light and can damage the fuel tank and emissions system. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-32.
{ CAUTION:
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station