1994 Chevrolet Camaro Owners Manual

To Play a Cassette Tape 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. The longer side with the tape visible goes in first. If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it may not be in squarely. Press “STOP-EJECT” to remove the tape and start over. Once the tape is playing, use the upper and lower knobs just as you do for the radio. The arrows show which side of the tape is playing.

Press 4 or b to rapidly rewind or advance the tape. Press “STOP-EJECT” half way to stop the tape.

Automatic Program Search When you push “APS” you can go to the beginning of a new selection.

To go forward to the beginning of the next selection, press b . 0 To go back to the beginning of the current selection, press 4 . Push 4 again to go to the beginning of the previous selection.

Program Press the upper knob on your system to switch from one side of the tape to the other or to stop the tape from searching. Your cassette tape player can play continuously be&use the player has an auto-reverse feature.

Eject Press “STOP-EJECT” fully to remove the tape or stop the tape and switch to the radio.

CrO2 (Delco/Bose System) The “CrO2” button lets you set the system for the type of cassette being used. If you are using chrome or metal tapes, push “CrO2” in. If you are using standard tapes, make sure “CrO2” is out.

Noise Reduction (Delco/Bose System) Your sound system has the Dolby@ automatic noise reduction feature. Dolby@ Noise Reduction is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. “Dolby” and the 00 @ symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

115.. .

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

[ VOLOBAL

POWER

TUNE 0 0 FADE

COMP RDM REV FWD SCAN PREV NEXT

‘c

AM-FM a

AM!FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player

To Play the Radio Turn the upper knob to turn the system on or off.

Volume Turn the upper knob to adjust the volume.

AM-FM Press the lower knob to get AM, FMl or FM2.

. . . 116

Tune Turn the lower knob to choose radio stations.

Recall Press “RCL” to reca .I1 the station being played or the time.

Seek Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK ” to go to the next lower or higher station and stay there.

Scan Press “SCAN’ to hear each station for a few seconds. When you want to stop scanning, press “SCAN’ again or the upper knob.

Pushbuttons The five pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. To set the pushbuttons for up to 15 stations (5 AM, 5 FMl and 5 FM2), just:

1. Press the lower knob to choose AM,

F M l or FM2.

2. Tune in the station. 3. Press “SET.” (“SET” will appear on the display for about five seconds.) 4. Within five seconds, press one of the pushbuttons. Whenever you press that button, the preset station will return.

POWER

\ A M - F M r z

f ST-PL

COMP RDM REV

FWD SCAN PREV NEXT^

” or “BASS v ’’ to ” or “TREB v

Setting the Tone Bass: Press “BASS A hear more or less bass. Treble: Press “TREB A to hear more or less treble. For the clearest sound, keep both of these adjusted all the way up. If a station is weak and noisy, press “TREB v ” to reduce the noise.

”

Adjusting the Speakers Balance: Turn the balance control behind the upper knob to move the sound between the right and left speakers. Fade: Turn the Fade control behind the lower knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. The Delco/Bose premium speaker system only includes three speakers. It does not include speakers in the panel behind the grilles next to the rear seat.

To Play a Compact Disc Before you begin, please note: don’t use the mini-discs that are called “singles.” They won’t eject. Use full-size compact discs. With the audio system on, insert a disc into the slot with the label side up. “CD” will appear on the display and track 1 wil begin to play. If the disc comes back out and “ERR” appears on the display, it could be that:

The disc is upside down. It is dirty, scratched, or wet.

0 There’s too much moisture in the air. You are driving on a very rough road. 0 The temperature is too hot or too cold. Recall Press “RCL” to see what track is playing. Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has been playing. The track number also appears when the disc is inserted.

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems To Play the Next Selection Press “NEXT” to hear the next track now (instead of waiting until the present track is finished). If you press and hold this button or press it more than once, the disc will advance further.

Scan Press “SCAN” to listen to each track for about 10 seconds. Press “RDM” or “SCAN” to stop the scanning.

Compression Press “COMP’ to make loud and soft passages more nearly equal in volume.

To Replay the Current Selection Press “PREV” to hear a track again. If you press and hold this button, or press it more than once, the disc will return to previous tracks.

Reverse Press and hold “REV” to rapidly return to a favorite passage. Release it to play the passage.

Fast Forward Press and hold “FWD’ to quickly advance within a track. Release it to resume playing.

. . .118

Random Press “RDM” to hear a random selection of tracks.

To Stop the Disc Player

Turn the power off or turn the ignition key off. The disc stays in the player and will resume playing at the point where it stopped. Press “ST-PL” to stop playing the disc and switch to radio. Press “ST-PL,” to restart the disc at the point where it stopped. Press “EJCT” to eject the disc and the radio will play. The disc will start playing at track 1 when you reinsert it.

Theft-Deterrent Feature Delco-Loc I1 is a security feature for the compact disc player. It can be used or ignored. If ignored, the system functions normally. If it is used, your system won’t be usable if it’s ever stolen.

Setting Your Security Code The instructions below tell you how to enter a security code into the system. If your vehicle loses battery power for any reason, you must enter the security code again before the system will turn on. 1. Write down any six-digit number and

keep it in a safe place.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the “Acc”

or “Run” position.

3. Turn the audio system off. 4. Press and hold pushbuttons

“1” and

“4” together until “---” shows on the display.

You are now ready to enter your security code. Don’t wait more than 15 seconds between steps.

5. Press “SET” and “000” will appear

on the display.

6. Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK b ” and hold until the first digit of your code appears. Release the button.

7. Turn the lower knob to make the second and third digits appear.

8. Press the lower knob and “000” will appear on the display. Now you are ready to enter the last three digits of your code.

9. Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK b ” and

hold until the fourth digit of your code appears. Release the button. 10. Turn the lower knob to make the fifth and sixth digits of your code appear.

11. Press the lower knob. “rEP” will appear for five seconds, and then “000” will appear.

12. For verification, repeat steps 6

through 11. If “SEC” appears, your audio system is secured. If “---” shows on the display, your system is not secured. You must restart the entire procedure again from step 5.

Shutting Off the Theft-Deterrent Feature If your audio system is secured (“SEC” shows on display) and you wish to disable it, enter your security code as follows, pausing no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1. Turn the ignition on. Make sure the

audio system is off. The time will show on the display.

2. Press pushbuttons “1” and “4”

together until “SEC” shows on the display.

3. Press “SET.” “000” will appear on the

display.

4. Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK b ” and hold until the first digit of your code appears. Release the button.

5. Turn the lower knob until the second

and third digits appear.

6. Press the lower knob. “000” will

appear on the display.

7. Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK b ” and

hold until the fourth digit of your security code appears. Release the button.

8. Turn the lower knob until the fifth and

sixth digits of your code appear.

9. Press the lower knob. If “---” shows, you have shut off the theft-deterrent feature. If “SEC” shows, your audio system is still secured.

NOTE: If you lose or forget your security code, see your dealer for assistance.

Unlocking the Audio System after a Power Failure If power is disrupted to the audio system while in the “SEC” mode, the unit will not work and “LOC” will show on the display whenever the ignition is on. To unlock the unit: 1. Turn the ignition switch to the “Acc”

or “Run” position.

2. Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK b ” and hold until the first digit of your code appears. Release the button.

3. Turn the lower knob to make the

second and third digits appear.

4. Press the lower knob. “000” will

appear on the display.

5. Press “SEEK 4 ” or “SEEK b ” and

hold until the fourth digit of your security code appears. Release the button.

119.. .

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems 6. Turn the lower knob until the fifth and

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 if you ever get it.

sixth digits of your code appear, 7. Press the lower knob. The clock

display will appear and the unit will work. If “LOC” shows, the numbers did not match and the unit is still locked.

How to Change Your Security Code You can change your security code by following these steps: 1. Using your old code, follow the

directions given under “Shutting Off the Theft-Deterrent Feature.”

2. Repeat directions of “Setting Your

Security Code” with your new security code.

Understanding Radio Reception

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.

. . .I20

AM Stereo This means the Delco@ 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 Delco@ system can get C-QUAM@, your “STEREO” light will come on when you’re receiving it.

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. If this other 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. 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.

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.

Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in theil original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. U 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.

121

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

. . .I22

Part 4 Your Driving and the Road

H e r e you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving.

DefensiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 DrunkenDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Control of a Vehicle , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 DrivingatNight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Driving in the Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 CityDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 FreewayDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 WinterDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 TowingaTrailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

123 ...

Your Driving and the Road

Defensive Driving

Drunken Driving

The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Chevrolet: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.) 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. 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.

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 Police records show that almost 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. About 20,000 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. The drinker’s body weight. The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking. The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol.

. . .I24

RESULT IN A BAC OF .05%

DRINKING THAT WILL IN THE TIME SHOWN

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 (1 20 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.

100

140

1no 200 120 BODY WEIGHT IN POUNDS

160

220 240

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.

125 ...

Your Driving and the Road There’s something else about drinlcing md driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse. That’s especially true for brain, spinal card 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 penmmently disabled is higher than if that person had not been &inking. And we’ve already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher far drinkine drivers.

Br4king h k b l g W t i Q I l hVlolV(eB and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That% perception time, Then you have to bring up yslur foot and do it. That’s

i t n ~ have three systems that make you rehide go where you want it to go. They ue the brakes, the steering and the um&mtor. All thee systems have to do heir work at the places where the tires neet the road. Zametimea;, as when you’re driving on mow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those :ontrol systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

. . ,126

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. 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. 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.

inti-Lock Brakes (ABS) tour Chevrolet has an advanced klectronic braking system that will help - revent sludding.

ABS INOP

?his light on the instrument panel will go m when you start your vehicle. Nhen you start your vehicle, or when yo1 )egin to drive away, you may hear a nomentary motor or clicking noise. And ’ou may even notice that your brake bedal moves a little while this is going on :his is the ABS system testing itself. If here’s a problem with the anti-lock brake ystem, the anti-lock brake system varning light will stay on or flash. ;ee “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ight” in the Index.

127 ...

Your Driving and the Road

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. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels. 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. Remember: 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 suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room 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 may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise,

. . .I28

but this is normal. When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, the “LOW TRAC” light will come on. See “Low Traction Light” in the Index. ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) System (Option: LT1 VS Engine) Your vehicle may have an ASR system that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle and managing spark) to limit wheel spin. The “LOW TRAC” light will come on when your ASR system is limiting wheel spin. See “Low Traction Light” in the Index. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. The ASR system may operate on dry roads under some conditions, and you may notice a reduction in acceleration when this happens. This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle. Examples of these conditions include a hard acceleration in a turn, or an abrupt upshift or downshift.

‘I

ASR

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the ASR system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automaticallq disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in the Index.) The “ASR” warning light will come on when you tu-n the ASR system off. Whe~ the system is on, this light will come on to let you know if there’s a problem with your ASR system. See “ASR System Warning Light” in the Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your drjving accordingly.

The ASR system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should always leave the system on. But you can turn the ASR system off if you ever need to. (You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle” in the Index.) To turn the system off, press the button on the console near the cigarette lighter. The “ASIC” warning light will come on and stay on. -If the ASR system is limiting wheel spin when you press the button, the system won’t turn off right away. It will wait until there’s no longer a current need to limit wheel spin.

You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing the button again. The *‘ASR’ warning light should go off. [f your car is equipped with P245/50ZR16 tires, the ASR system will automatically turn off at speeds above 108 mph (173 km/h). (The “ASR” warning light will not come on.) When vehicle speed drops below 103 mph (165 km/h), the system will automatically turn on again.

Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you can steer and brake a1 the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

129 ...

I

Your Driving and the Road Steering Power Steering If you lase power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. 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 carve 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. . . ,130

Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve, Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems - steering and acceleration - have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have traction control and the system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the 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 opt of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.

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 Chevrolet can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. 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. 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.

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:

“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. 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

1 3 1 . . .

Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder (A) while you’re driving. If the level of the shoulder is only slight11 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 (B) until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

Your Driving and the Road

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. 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. 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, 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.

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 Chevrolet’s three control systems. In the brakmg skid your wheels aren’t 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

. . .132

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine bralung 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. Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.

much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you have the ASR system, remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not have traction control, or if the system is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your 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, your 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, 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.

..

Driving at Night

\Tight driving is more dangerous than day hiving. One reason is that some drivers tre likely to be impaired - by alcohol or lrugs, with night vision problems, or by atigue. lere are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively. Don’t drink and drive. 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.

133 ...

Your Driving and the Road

vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights. 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. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, malung the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. 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 blinduess - the inability to see in dim light - and aren’t even aware of it.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light up only so much road ahead.

0 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. 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 . . .I34

Driving in the Rain 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.

It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

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.

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. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or 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.

135.

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.

Your Driving and the Road 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.

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Turn on your low-beam headlights - not just your parking lights - to help make you more visible to others. 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. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)

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:

Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip. Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the next section, “Freeway Driving.”)

. . .136

3egin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance wer your shoulder as often as necessary. Iiy to blend smoothly with the traffic flow. Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit.

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes luite sharply. The exit speed is usually losted. Reduce your speed according to lour speedometer, not to your sense of notion. After driving for any distance at ligher speeds, you may tend to think you we going slower than you actually are. Before Leaving on a Long Trip Make sure you’re i-eady. Try to be well hted. If you must start when you’re not iresh - such as after a day’s work - jon’t plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable zlothing and shoes you can easily drive Ln. [s your vehicle ready for a long trip? If yob keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Chevrolet dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it. Here are some things you can check before a trip: 0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the

reservoir full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?

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. 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 entrdnce ramp, you should

Your Driving and the Road

sleepy. Don’t let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a second, and you could crash and be injured. What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can happen. Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool interior. Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your instruments frequently. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.

Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape? Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels? Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean? Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure? Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system? Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you . . .13%

Hill and Mountain Roads

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain. If you drive regularly in steep :ountry, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing

down. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.

If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transmission, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

Winter Driving

Here are some tips for winter driving: 0 Have your Chevrolet in good shape

for winter. Be sure your engine coolant mix is correct.

139 ...

Your Driving and the Road

Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful.

0 You may want to put winter

;i”iii’ i ;i7: : . .

,,::

emergency supplies in your vehicle. Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.

. . . I 4 0

P. :’ $;.,

What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing (32°F; OOC) and freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever the condition - smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose snow - drive with caution. If you have traction control, keep the system on. It will improve your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a traction control system, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions. See “Acceleration

You can run the engine to keep warrn, but be careful.

Slip Regulation (ASR) System” in the Index. If you don’t have the traction control system, accelerate gently. 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. Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See “Anti-Lock” in the Index. Allow greater following distance on any slippery road. Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

If You’re Caught in a Blizzard If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a serious situation. You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help and you can hike through the snow. Here are some things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe: Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been stopped by the snow. Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats - anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.

141 .

Your Driving and the Road

Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes.

Towing a Trailer

NOTICE: Pulling a trailer improperly can dam- age your vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow the advice in this section, and see your Chevrolet dealer for important information about towing a trailer with your vehicle.

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this section. But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That’s the reason for this section. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety md that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer.

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile.

. . .142

t Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight, The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.

If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer If you do, here are some important points.

There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.

Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to save wear on your vehicle’s parts.

Three important considerations have to do with weight:

Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,500 pounds (680 kg) under normal driving conditions. It should never weigh more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) when driven on long grades at high ambient temperatures. But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can

also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at:

Chevrolet Motor Division Customer Assistance Department P.O. Box 7047 Troy, MI 48007-7047

In Canada, write to:

General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7

143. ..

Your Driving and the Road

weight 10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or see “Loading Your Vehicle ” in the Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle.

Hitches It’s important to have the correct hitch zquipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow:

Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt and water can, too. The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper.

Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chdins under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety chains. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.

Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total capacity weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it. and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity. If you’re using a “dead-weight’’ hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should . .I44

Trailer Brakes If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs its own brakes - and they must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well, or at all. Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly so responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains, electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes

are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.

Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns.

Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up

slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you.

Making Turns When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing a trailer, the green arrows Dn your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.

145.

Your Driving and the Road Driving on Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes so much that they would get hot and no longer work well. On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 kmh) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating. If you are towing a trailer and you have an automatic transmission with Overdrive, you may prefer to drive in “ D ’ instead of Overdrive (or, as you need to, a lower gear). Or, if you have a manual transmission with fifth (or sixth) gear and you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to use fifth (or sixth) gear. Just drive in fourth gear (fifth gear if you have a six-speed manual transmission) (or, as you need to, a lower gear).

both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged. But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it: 1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P’ (Park) yet, or into gear for a manual transmission.

2. Have someone place chocks under the

trailer wheels.

3. When the wheel chocks are in place,

release the regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.

4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then

apply your parking brake, and then shift to “P” (Park), or “R” (Reverse) for a manual transmission. 5. Release the regular brakes.

When You Are Ready to Leave after Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold

the pedal down while you:

Parking on Hills You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured, and

. . ,146

Start your engine;

0 Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.

2. Let up on the brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear

of the chocks.

4. Stop ahd have someone pick up and

store the chocks.

Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections before you start your trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.

Part 5 Problems on the Road

I' H e r e you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road .

Hazard Warning Flashers ........................................... Jumpstarting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TowingYourVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engineoverheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IfaTireGoesFlat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ............................

148 149 152 157 166 177

147 .

Problems on the Road

Hazard Warning Flashers

Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police know you have a problem. Your front and rear turn signal lights will flash on and off.

’ress the button in to make your front ant ear turn signal lights flash on and off. (our hazard warning flashers work no natter what position your key is in, and ven if the key isn’t in.

b turn off the flashers, pull out on the i ’ I ol 1 ar. Vhen the hazard warning flashers are on, our turn signals won’t work. Ither Warning Devices f you carry reflective triangles, you can 11 et one up at the side of the road about SI 00 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.

. ,148

Jump Starting

If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your Chevrolet. But please follow the steps below to do it safely.

other. If they are, it could cause a ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your Chevrolet, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems. 3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all lights that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it could save your radio!

NOTICE: If you leave your radio on, it could be’ badly damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

4. Open the hoods and locate the

batteries.

NOTICE: Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your war- ranty. Trying to start your Chevrolet by pushing or pulling it could damage your vehicle, even if you have a manual transmission. And if you have an automatic transmission, it won’t start that way.

To Jump Start Your Chevrolet: 1. Check the other vehicle. It must have

a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system. NOTICE:

If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each

149 ...

Problems on the Road

Find the positive (+> and negative (-j terminals on each battery.

5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too. Before you connect the cables, here are some basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-j or a metal engine part. Don’t connect (+) to (-) or you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.

. . .150

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to

the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.

7. Don‘t let the other end touch metal.

Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one. But don’t use the junction block on your Chevrolet.

a. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery’s negative (-) terminal. Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative cable doesn’t go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.

151 . ,

Problems on the Road

9.

0.

Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection is just as good there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a while.

1.

2.

Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it won't start after a few tries, it probably needs service. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch each other or any other metal. A. Heavy Metal Engine Part B. Good Battery c. Dead Battery

I Towing Your Vehicle ?y to have a GM dealer or a professional ]wing service tow your Chevrolet. The sua1 towing equipment is a sling-type A) or a wheel-lift (B) or car carrier (C) 3w truck. f your vehicle has been changed or nodified since it was factory-new by Idding aftermarket items like fog lamps, Lero skirting, or special tires and wheels, hese instructions and illustrations may tot be correct. 3efore you do anything, turn on the lazard warning flashers.

- . 152

When you call, tell the towing service: 0 That your vehicle cannot be towed

from the front or rear with sling-type equipment. That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.

0 The make, model, and year of your

vehicle.

0 Whether you can still move the shift

lever.

0 If there was an accident, what was

damaged.

When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to see them.

153

. I I .

Problems on the Road When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping device designed for towing service. Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this, The transmission should be in “Neutral” and the parking brake released. Don’t have your vehicle towed on the rear wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the rear wheels, don’t go more than 35 mph (55 km/h) or farther than 50 miles (80 km) or your transmission will be damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the rear wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

. . .154

?ront Towing Hook-Ups Ittach T-hook chains to slots in frame *earward of front wheels on both sides.

NOTICE: Do not attach winch cables or “J” hooks to suspension components when using car carrier equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots.

NOTICE:

Do not tow with sling-type equip- ment or fascia/fog light damage will occur. Use wheel lift or car carrier equip- ment. Additional ramping may be required for car carrier equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.

Attach a separate safety chain around outboard end of each lower control arm.

I NOTICE: I Take care not to damage the brake

pipes and hoses or the ABS sensor and wiring.

NOTICE: Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle-to-ground or vehicle-to-wheel-lift-equipment contact. To help avoid damage, install a towing dolly and raise vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.

155 ...

Problems on the Road I I

NOTICE:

4ttach a separate safety chain around jutboard end of the rear axle.

Do not tow with sling-type equip- ment or rear bumper valance will be damaged. Use wheel lift or car carrier equip- ment. Additional ramping may be required for car carrier equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.

NOTICE: Take care not to damage the brake pipes and cables.

Rear Towing Hook-Ups Attach T-hook chains in front of rear wheels in bottom of frame rail on both sides.

NOTICE: Do not attach winch cables or "J" hooks to suspension components when using car carrier equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots.

. . .156