1998 Chevrolet Camaro Owners Manual

Second Gear Start Switch (V6 Automatic)

E Audio System G. Comfort Controls H. Glove Box I. Cupholders

J. Parking Brake Lever K. Storage Console L. Shift Lever M. Convertible Top Switch (If Equipped) N. Rear Window Defogger Switch 0. Horn P. Remote Hatch Release Q. Cigarette Lighter R. Ashtray S. Accessory Power Outlet

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Instrument Panel Cluster

AIR BAG

5.7L V8 Engine shown, 3800 V6 Engine similar

Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how fast you're going, your engine's rpms, about how much fuel you have left and many other things you'll need to know to drive safely and economically. 2-74

Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven, in either miles (used in the United States) or kilometers (used in Canada). You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer installed. If possible, the new one has to be set to the same reading the old one had. If it can’t be, then it’s set at zero, but a label on the driver’s door must show the old reading and when the new one was installed.

Trip Odometer The trip odometer can tell you how far your car has been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero. To set the trip odometer to zero, press the knob on the instrument panel cluster. Tachometer The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm).

I NOTICE:

Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in the red area, or engine damage may occur.

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning lights and gages could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights come on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in the details on the next few pages, some warning lights come on briefly when you start the engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.

Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together to let you know when there’s a problem with your vehicle. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows there may be a problem, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help. Safety Belt Reminder Light When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will come on for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their safety belts.

Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.

AIR BAG

This light will come on when you start your engine, and it will flash for a few seconds. Then the light should go out. This means the system is ready.

The safety belt light will also come on and stay on for about 70 seconds. If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the light will come on.

If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away. The air bag readiness light should flash for a few seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

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Voltmeter

You can read battery voltage on your voltmeter. If it reads less than 11 volts or more than 16 volts while your engine is running, and it stays there, you have a problem with the electrical charging system.

may

Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter reading in a warning zone could drain your battery. If you idle your engine for a while, the voltmeter reading might move into the low voltage zone (indicated by red dots). If the reading stays in the low voltage zone while you are driving, you may have a problem with the electrical charging system. Have it checked. While the voltmeter reads in the low voltage zone, your battery may not be able to power certain electrical accessories, like ABS. (If this happens, your ABS INOP light will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in this section.)

If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter reading in a warning zone, turn off all your accessories, including your air conditioning system and audio system. Brake System Warning Light Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well. If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.

BRAKE

This light should come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’ in the Index.)

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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come on when you start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds. That’s normal.

ABS INOP

If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again If the while you’re driving, your vehicle needs service. light is on and the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. Adjust your driving accordingly. The anti-lock brake system warning light should come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake system warning light with the brake system warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.

is on. Driving

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will also come on when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.

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ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) System Warning Light (Option)

Low Traction Light

ASR OFF

This warning light should come on briefly as,you start the engine. If the warning light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.

If it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there may be a problem with your ASR system and your vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. The ASR system warning light will come on if you turn the system off by pressing the ASR switch located on the instrument panel and the warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the system back on, press the switch again. The warning light should go off. (See “ASR System” in the Index for more information.) If the ASR system warning light comes on and stays on for an extended period of time when the system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.

LOW TRAC

When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, this light will come on.

If you have the ASR system, this light will also come on when the system is limiting wheel spin. You may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions may exist if the low traction light comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly. The light will stay on for a few seconds after the ASR system stops limiting wheel spin. The low traction light also comes on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the anti-lock brake system or ASR system is active.

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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is approaching an overheating condition.

If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. In “Problems on the Road” this section shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating,’’ in the Index. Low Coolant Light ( 5.7L V8 Engine)

This warning light should come on briefly while you are starting your engine. If the light doesn’t come on, have it remired.

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Your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant indicator that is designed to detect when the coolant level drops below the set limit. If the low coolant level sensor (on the radiator) detects that the level drops while the engine is running, the low coolant indicator will light and remain lit for five minutes or until the ignition switch is turned to OFF. Check the coolant level and add coolant as needed. The low coolant light might stay on after filling the radiator. Turn the ignition switch to the OW position, then restart the engine to verify that the low coolant light goes out. See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.

NOTICE:

Driving with the low coolant light on could cause your vehicle to overheat. See “Engine Overheating’’ in the Index. Your vehicle could be damaged, and it wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)

SERVICE ENGINE SOON

I Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission control systems.

This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.

NOTICE:

If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a while, your emission controls may not work as well, your fuel economy may not be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by your warranty.

This light should come on, as a check to show you it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired. This light will also come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:

Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and may damage the emission control system on your vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required. Light On Steady -- An emission control system malfunction has been detected on your vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required.

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If the Light Is Flashing The following may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle: 0 Reducing vehicle speed. 0 Avoiding hard accelerations. 0 Avoiding steep uphill grades. 0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of-

cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing, follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or qualified service center for service.

If the Light Is On Steady You may be able to correct the emission system malfunction by considering the following: Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle? If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the light off. Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water? If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition will usually be corrected when the electrical system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off. Are you low on fuel? As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.

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Have you recently changed brands of fuel? If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see “Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected by the system and cause the light to turn on. If you experience one or more of these conditions, change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off. If none of the above steps have made the light turn off, have your dealer or qualified service center check the vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may have developed.

Engine Oil Pressure Gage

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\!

120

5.7L VS Engine

3800 V6 Engine

This gage tells you if there could be a problem with your engine oil pressure. The engine oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) in the U.S., or kPa (kilopascals) in Canada, when the engine is running. Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi (140 to 550 kPa). On the 3800 engine, the oil pressure should be between 20 and 120 psi (140 to 827 Wa).

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It may vary with engine speed, outside temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the red area show the normal operating range. Readings in the red area tell you that the engine is low on oil, or that you might have some other oil problem. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.

Low Oil Light

LOW OIL

This warning light should come on while you are starting your engine. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.

Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your engine can become so hot that it catches fire. You or others could be burned. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

NOTICE:

Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be costly and is not covered by your warranty.

If the light stays on after starting your engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You may need to add oil. See “Engine Oil’’ in the Index.

NOTICE:

The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil level when you are starting your engine. It does not keep monitoring the level once the engine is running. Also, the oil level check only works when the engine has been turned off long enough for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

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Check Gages Light

CHECK GAGES

This warning light will come on briefly when you are starting the engine.

If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving, check your gages to see if they are in the warning areas. Fuel Gage

Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your tank. The fuel gage works only when the ignition is in the RUN.

When the gage pointer first indicates empty (E) you still have a little fuel left (about one to two gallons) (3.8 to 7.6 litres), but you need to get more fuel right away. Here are four concerns some owners have had about the fuel gage. All these situations are normal and do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage. 0 At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the

gage reads full (F).

0 It takes more (or less) gas to fill up than the gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s capacity to fill it.

0 The gage moves a little when you turn, stop or

speed up.

0 When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t go

back to empty (E).

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,@b NOTES

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0 Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

In this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.

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Comfort Controls Air Conditioning Heating Ventilation System Defogging and Defrosting Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped) Setting the Clock for Systems without Automatic Tone Control Setting the Clock for Systems with Automatic Tone Control AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player

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AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped) Trunk Mounted CD Changer (If Equipped) Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped) Understanding Radio Reception Tips About Your Audio System Care of Your Cassette Tape Player Care of Your Compact Discs Care of Your Compact Disc Player Fixed Mast Antenna

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Comfort Controls

With this system, you can control the heating and ventilation in your vehicle. If you have the air conditioning option, you can also control cooling. Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation system described later in this section. Fan Control Knob # FAN: Turn this knob to select the force of air you want.

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Temperature Control Knob Turn the knob to change the temperature of the air flowing from the heating system. Turn it toward the red or to the right (clockwise) for warmer air and toward the blue or to the left (counterclockwise) for cooler air. The temperature of the air cannot be less than the temperature of the outside air. Air Control Knob OFF: The system is off. 2 VENT Air flows through the upper air vents. ’ ! ! BI-LEVEL: Air is directed through the upper air vents and the heater ducts. ‘!A HEATER: This setting directs most of the air through the heater ducts and some of the air through the windshield defroster vents. 9 BLEND: Air is directed through the windshield 9 DEFROST This setting directs most of the air

defroster vents and the heater ducts.

through the windshield defroster vents and some of the air through the heater ducts.

Air Conditioning

The air conditioning system uses the same controls as the heating system, except that the air control knob has two extra settings, described below. MAX: Provides maximum cooling or quick cool-down on very hot days. This setting recirculates most of the air inside your vehicle. If it is used for long periods of time, the air may become dry. This setting directs air through the upper air vents.

A/C: Use for normal cooling on hot days. This setting cools outside air and directs it through the upper air vents. The air conditioner compressor operates in MAX, N C , BI-LEVEL, BLEND and DEFROST when the outside temperature is above freezing. When the air conditioner is on, you may sometimes notice slight changes in your vehicle’s engine speed and power. This is normal, because the compressor uses power and the system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to keep the desired cooling and help fuel economy. Cooling The air conditioner works best if you keep your windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows just long enough for the hot air to escape. 1. Turn the air control knob to A/C for normal cooling.

For faster cooling move the knob to MAX.

2. Turn the temperature control knob to a

comfortable setting.

3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.

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Heating The heater works best if you keep your windows closed while using it. 1. Turn the air control knob to HEATER. 2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed. 3. Turn the temperature control knob to a

comfortable setting.

If your vehicle is equipped with an optional engine coolant heater, you can use it in cold weather (around 20°F/-8 “C or lower) to improve heater performance on initial start up. Because an engine coolant heater warms the engine coolant, your vehicles heating system can more quickly and efficiently provide heat for your vehicle’s passenger area. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index. Bi-Level Heating You may want to use bi-level heating on cool, but sunny days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and warmer air toward your feet. 1. Turn the air control knob to BI-LEVEL. 2. Turn the temperature control knob to a

comfortable setting.

Ventilation System

Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the louvered vents. Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the blower fan is running. For mild outside temperatures when little heating or cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through your vehicle. 1. Turn the air control knob to VENT. 2. Turn the temperature control knob to a

comfortable setting.

3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.

3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.

Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow, or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater and defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the fan control knob to the right for a few moments before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects. This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.

Defogging and Defrosting 1. Turn the air control knob to DEFROST. 2. Turn the temperature control knob to the

desired setting.

3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed. The side window defogging works equally as well in the HEATER, BLEND and DEFROST modes.

Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window.

Press the switch to turn on the defogger. An indicator light will come on to remind you that the defogger is on,. The defogger will turn off automatically after about ten minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the defogger will operate for about five minutes only. You can also turn the defogger off by pressing the switch again. The indicator light will go off when the system is shut off.

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Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license or a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.

NOTICE:

Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

Audio Systems Your Delco Electronics audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your Delco Electronics system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.

If you have power door locks, your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio system even after the ignition is off. See “Retained Accessory Power” in the Index. Setting the Clock for Systems without Automatic Tone Control Press SET. SET will appear on the display for five seconds. Within five seconds, press and hold the right arrow on the SEEK button until the correct minute appears. Press and hold the left arrow on the SEEK button until the correct hour appears. Setting the Clock for Systems with Automatic Tone Control Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. Press and hold MN until the correct minute appears.

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AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player

Playing the Radio VOLUME: This knob turns the system on and off and controls the volume. To increase volume and turn the radio on, turn the knob to the right. Turn it to the left to decrease volume. RECALL: Display the time with the ignition off by pressing the RECALL knob. When the radio is playing, press this button to recall the station frequency.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press the lower knob to switch between AM, FMl and FM2. The display shows your selection. TUNE: Turn the lower knob to choose radio stations. SEEK: Press the right or left arrow to go to the next higher or lower station and stay there. PUSHBUTTONS: The four numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 21 stations (seven A M , seven FM1, and seven FM2 ). Just: 1. Turn the radio on. 2. Press AM-FM to select the band. 3. Tune in the desired station. 4. Press SET. (SET will appear on the display.) 5. Press and hold one of the four numbered buttons, within five seconds. The sound will mute. When it returns, release the button. Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return.

6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

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In addition to the four stations already set, up to three more stations may be preset on each band by pressing two adjoining buttons at the same time. Just: 1. 2. 3.

Tune in the desired station. Press SET. (SET will appear on the display.) Press any two adjoining pushbuttons at the same time, within five seconds. The sound will mute. When it returns, release the buttons. Whenever you press the same buttons, the station you set will return. Repeat the steps for each pair of pushbuttons.

4. P.SCAN: Press both SEEK arrows and P.SCAN will appear on the display. Use PSCAN to listen to each of your preset stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to the frst preset station stored on your pushbuttons, stop for a few seconds, then go on to the next preset station. (If a preset station has weak reception, it will not stop.) Press either SEEK arrow or the upper knob to stop scanning. Setting the Tone BASS: Slide the lever up or down to increase or decrease bass. TREB: Slide the lever up or down to increase or decrease treble. If a station is weak or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.

Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Turn the control behind the upper knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers. The middle position balances the sound between the speakers. FADE: Turn the control behind the lower knob to move the sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle position balances the sound between the speakers.

Playing 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. If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it may not be in squarely. Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over. While the tape is playing, use the VOL, FADE, BAL, BASS and TREB controls just as you do for the radio. Other controls may have different functions when a tape is inserted. The display will show an arrow to show which side of the tape is playing. REV: Press the SEEK arrow pointing to the left and the tape will reverse rapidly until you press this button again lightly.

FWD: Press the SEEK arrow pointing to the right and the tape will rapidly advance until you press this button again lightly. RECALL: Press this knob to hear the other side of a tape that is playing. EJECT: Press this button to remove the tape. The radio will play. If you leave a cassette tape in the player while listening to the radio, it may become warm. CLN: If this message appears on the display, the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player. See “Care of Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator was reset.

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)

Included with the AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control are eight high performance speakers and an eight channel amplifier. See your dealer for details.

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Playing the Radio PWR-VOL: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. To increase volume, turn the knob to the right. Turn it to the left to decrease volume. The knob is capable of rotating continuously. RECALL: Press this button to recall the station being played. If you press the button when the ignition is off, the clock will show for a few seconds. SCW Your system has a feature called Speed-Compensated-Volume (SCV). With SCV, your audio system adjusts automatically to make up for road and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the desired level. Move the control ring behind the upper knob to the right to adjust the SCV. Then, as you drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as necessary, to overcome noise at any particular speed. The volume level should always sound the same to you as you drive. If you don’t want to use SCV, turn the control all the way down. Each notch on the control ring allows for more volume compensation at faster vehicle speeds.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1 and FM2. The display shows your selection. TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to choose radio stations. Push the knob back into its stored position when you’re not using it. SEEK: Press the right or left arrow to go to the next higher or lower station. The sound will mute while seeking. SCAN: Press one of the SEEK arrows for two seconds, and SCAN will appear in the display. Use SCAN to listen to stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to a station, stop for a few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press SEEK again to stop scanning. The sound will mute while scanning. PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2). Just: 1. Turn the radio on. 2. Press AM-FM to select the band. 3. Tune in the desired station. 4. Press AUTO TONE to select the equalization that

best suits the type of station selected.

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5. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons. The sound will mute. When it returns, release the button. Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return and the AUTO TONE equalization that you selected will also be automatically selected for that button. 6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton. P.SCAN: Press this button to listen to each of your favorite stations stored on your pushbuttons for a few seconds. The radio will scan through each of the stations stored on your pushbuttons, except those stations with weak reception. The AUTO TONE setting stored for that pushbutton will be automatically chosen. Press P.SCAN or one of the pushbuttons again to stop scanning. P.SCAN will be displayed whenever the tuner is in the P.SCAN mode. The channel number (P 1 -P6) will appear momentarily just before the frequency is displayed. In FM mode, this function will scan through both FM1 and FM2 preset stations and €341 or FM2 will appear on the display.

Setting the Tone BASS: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right to increase bass and to the left to decrease bass. When you use this control, the radio’s AUTO TONE setting will switch to manual and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right to increase treble and to the left to decrease treble. When you use this control, the radio’s AUTO TONE setting will switch to manual and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. If a station is weak or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble. Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you’re not using them. AUTO TONE: This feature allows you to choose preset bass and treble equalization settings designed for country/western, classical, news, rock, pop and jazz stations. C/W will appear on the display when you first press AUTO TONE. Each time you press it, another setting will appear on the display. Press it again after JAZZ appears and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. Tone control will return to the BASS and TREB knobs. Also, if you use the BASS and TREB knobs, control will return to them and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. Use PUSHBUTTONS to program AUTO TONE.

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Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right for the right speakers and to the left for the left speakers. The middle position balances the sound between the speakers. FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right to adjust the sound to the front speakers and to the left for the rear speakers. The middle position balances the sound between the speakers. Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you’re not using them. Playing 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. If a tape is inserted when the ignition is on but the radio is off, the tape will begin playing. A tape symbol is shown in the center of the graphic display whenever a tape inserted. When a tape is active, the tape symbol will be accompanied by a direction arrow. While the tape is playing, use the VOL, AUTO TONE, BAL, FADE, BASS and TREB controls just as you do for the radio. Other controls may have different €unctions when a tape is inserted. The display will show

is

the tape symbol and an arrow to show which side of the tape is playing. If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it may not be in squarely. Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over. The player is able to detect a tight or broken tape, and will eject the tape. The radio will go back to playing the last station selected. The player automatically senses the cassette for metal or Cr02 and sets the pre-emphasis. Anytime a tape is inserted, the top side is selected to play first. PREV (1): Press this button or the left SEEK arrow to go to the previous selection on the tape if the current selection has been playing for less than eight seconds. If the PREV button is pressed and the current selection has been playing for more than eight seconds, it will go to the beginning of the current selection. Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection for PREV or SEEK to work. The tape direction arrow blinks during PREV or SEEK operation. The sound will mute during PREV or SEEK operation. Press this button or one of the SEEK arrows again tQ return to normal play. PROG (2): Press this button to play the other side of the tape.

NEXT (3): Press this button or the right SEEK arrow to go to the next selection on the tape. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving forward through the tape. Your tape must have at least three seconds of silence between each selection for NEXT or SEEK to work. The tape direction arrow blinks during NEXT or SEEK operation. The sound will mute during NEXT or SEEK operation. Press this button or one of the SEEK arrows again to return to normal play. REV (4): Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly. Press it again to return to playing speed. The radio will play the last-selected station while the tape reverses. 00 (5): Press this button to reduce background noise. Note that the double-D symbol will appear on the display. Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. FWD (6): Press this button to advance quickly to another part of the tape. Press the button again to return to playing speed. The radio will play the last-selected station while the tape advances.

AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a tape is in the player. TAPE AUX: Press this button to change to the tape function when the radio is on. The tape symbol with an arrow will appear on the display when the tape is active. If your system is equipped with a remote playback device, pressing this button a second time will allow the remote device to play. EJECT Press this button to remove the tape. The radio will play. EJECT may be activated with either the ignition or radio off. Cassettes may be loaded with the radio off if this button is pressed first. If you leave a cassette tape in the player while listening to the radio, it may become warm. CLN: If this message appears on the display, the cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to the tapes and player. See “Care of Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator was reset.

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AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)

Included with the AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Automatic Tone Control are eight high performance speakers and an eight channel amplifier. See your dealer for details.

CD Adapter Kits It is possible to use a CD adapter kit with your cassette tape player after activating the bypass feature on your tape player. To activate the bypass feature, use the following steps: 1. Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC. 2. Turn the radio off. 3. Press and hold the TAPE AUX button for five

seconds. The tape symbol on the display will flash for two seconds, indicating the feature is active.

4. Insert the adapter while the tape symbol is flashing.

It will power up the radio and begin playing.

This override routine will remain active until EJECT is pressed.

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Playing the Radio PWR-VOL: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. To increase volume, turn the knob to the right. Turn it to the left to decrease volume. The knob is capable of rotating continuously. RECALL: Press this button to recall the station being played. If you press the button when the ignition is off, the clock will show for a few seconds. SCV: Your system has a feature called Speed-Compensated-Volume (SCV). With SCV, your audio system adjusts automatically to make up for road and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the desired level. Move the control ring behind the upper knob to the right to adjust the SCV. Then, as you drive, SCV automatically increases the volume, as necessary, to overcome noise at any particular speed. The volume level should always sound the same to you as you drive. If you don’t want to use SCV, turn the control all the way down. Each notch on the control ring allows for more volume compensation at faster vehicle speeds.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1 and FM2. The display shows your selection. TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to choose radio stations. Push the knob back into its stored position when you’re not using it. SEEK: Press the right or left arrow to go to the next higher or lower station. The sound will mute while seeking. SCAN: Press one of the SEEK arrows for two seconds, and SCAN will appear on the display. Use SCAN to listen to stations for a few seconds. The radio will go to a station, stop for a few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press SEEK again to stop scanning. The sound will mute while scanning. PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FMl and six FM2). Just: 1. Turn the radio on. 2. Press AM-FM to select the band. 3. Tune in the desired station. 4. Press AUTO TONE to select the equalization that

best suits the type of station selected.

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5. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons. The sound will mute. When it returns, release the button. Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return and the AUTO TONE equalization that you selected will also be automatically selected for that button. 6. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton. P.SCAN: Press this button to listen to each of your favorite stations stored on your pushbuttons for a few seconds. The radio will scan through each of the stations stored on your pushbuttons, except those stations with weak reception. The AUTO TONE setting stored for that pushbutton will be automatically chosen. Press P.SCAN or one of the pushbuttons again to stop scanning. P.SCAN will be displayed whenever the tuner is in the P.SCAN mode. The channel number (Pl-PB) will appear momentarily just before the frequency is displayed. In FM mode, this function will scan through both FM1 and FM2 preset stations and FM1 or FM2 will appear on the display.

Setting the Tone BASS: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right to increase bass and to the left to decrease bass. When you use this control, the radio’s AUTO TONE setting will switch to manual and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. TREB: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right to increase treble and to the left to decrease treble. When you use this control, the radio’s AUTO TONE setting will switch to manual and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. If a station is weak or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble. Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you’re not using them. AUTO TONE: This feature allows you to choose preset bass and treble equalization settings designed for country/western, classical, news, rock, pop and jazz stations. CNV will appear on the display when you first press AUTO TONE. Each time you press it, another setting will appear on the display. Press it again after JAZZ appears and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. Tone control will return to the BASS and TREB knobs. Also, if you use the BASS and TREB knobs, control will return to them and the AUTO TONE display will go blank. Use PUSHBUTTONS to program AUTO TONE.

Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to the right for the right speakers and to the left for the left speakers. The middle position balances the sound between the speakers. FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn me knob to the right to adjust the sound to the front speakers and to the left for the rear speakers. The middle position balances the sound between the speakers. Push these knobs back into their stored positions when you’re not using them.

Playing a Compact Disc Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The player will pull it in. The disc should begin playing. The display will show CD and the CD symbol. If you want to insert a compact disc with the ignition off, first press RECALL or EJECT. If you’re driving on a very rough road or if it’s very hot, the disc may not play and ERR (error) may appear on the display. Press RECALL to take ERR off the display. When things get back to normal, the disc should play. If the disc comes out, it could be that: 0 The disc is upside down.

It is dirty, scratched or wet. It is very humid. (If so, wait about an hour and try again.)

PREV (1): Press this button or the left SEEK arrow to go to the previous track if the current selection has been playing for less than eight seconds. If the PREV button is pressed and the current selection has been playing for more than eight seconds, it will go to the beginning of the current selection. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving back through the disc. The sound will mute while seeking. RDM (2): Press this button to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RANDOM will show on the display. Press RDM again to turn off random play. RDM is reset to off when the disc is ejected. NEXT (3): Press this button or the right SEEK arrow to go to the next track. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving forward through the disc. The sound will mute while seeking. REV (4): Press and hold this button to quickly reverse within a track. Release it to play the passage. You can use the counter reading on the display to locate a passage more easily.

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FWD (6): Press and hold this button to advance quickly within a track. Release it to resume playing. You can use the counter reading on the display to locate a passage easily. RECALL: Press this button to see which track is playing. Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has been playing (elapsed time). The track number also appears when you change the volume or when a new track starts to play. AM-FM: Press this button to play the radio when a disc is in the player. The letters CD will go off the display. CD AUX: Press this button to change to the disc function when the radio is on. A CD icon will appear on the display when the disc is in the player, whether it is active or not. If your system is equipped with a remote playback device, pressing this button a second time will allow the remote device to play. EJECT: Press this button to remove the disc. The radio will play. The disc will start at the first track when you reinsert it.

If you turn off the ignition or radio with a disc in the player, it will stay in the player. When you turn on the ignition or system, the disc will start playing where it was stopped. If you press EJECT but don’t remove the disc, in to protect it after about the player will pull the disc back one minute. If you leave a compact disc in the player while listening to the radio, it may become warm. Trunk Mounted CD Changer (If Equipped) With the optional compact disc changer, you can play up to 12 discs continuously. Normal size discs may be played using the trays supplied in the magazine. The small discs (8 cm) can be played only with specially designed trays.

I NOTICE:

Place large objects in the trunk appropriately so that they will not come into contact with the CD changer.

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A

You must first load the magazine with discs before you can play a compact disc. Each of the 12 trays holds one disc. Press the button on the back of the magazine and pull gently on one of the trays. Load the trays from bottom to top, placing a disc on the tray label side down. If you load a disc label side up, the disc will not play and an error will occur. Gently push the tray back into the magazine slot. Repeat this procedure for loading up to 12 discs in the magazine.

is closed, the

Once you have loaded the discs in the magazine, slide open the door of the compact disc (CD) changer. Push the magazine into the changer in the direction of the arrow marked on top of the magazine. Close the door by sliding it all the way to the left. If the door is left partially open, the changer will not operate and an error will occur. When the door changer will begin checking for discs in the magazine. Ths will continue for up to two minutes depending on the number of discs loaded. To eject the magazine from the player, slide the CD changer door all the way open. The magazine will automatically eject. Remember to keep the door closed whenever possible to keep dirt and dust from getting inside the changer. Whenever a CD magazine with discs is loaded in the changer, the CD symbol will appear on the radio display. If the CD changer is checking the magazine for CDs, the CD symbol will flash on the display until the changer is ready to play. When a CD begins playing, a disc and track number will be displayed. The disc numbers are listed on the front of the magazine. All of the CD functions are controlled by the radio buttons, except for ejecting the CD magazine.

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PREV (1): Press this button or the SEEK left arrow to go to the previous track if the current selection has been playing for less than eight seconds. If the PREV button is pressed and the current selection has been playing for more than eight seconds, it will go to the beginning of the current selection. If you hold or press this button more than once, the player will continue moving back through the disc. The sound will mute while seeking. PROG (2): Press this button to select a disc. The disc number and track number will be displayed. NEXT (3): Press this button or the SEEK right arrow to go to the next track. If you hold the button or press it more than once, the player will continue moving forward through the disc. The sound will mute while seeking. REV (4): Press and hold this button to reverse quickly through a track selection. Release it to resume playing. FWD (6): Press and hold this button to advance quickly through a track selection. Release it to resume playing. SEEK: Press the right arrow to seek to the next selection on the CD. Press the left arrow to search for the previous selection on the CD. The sound will mute while seeking. P.SCAN: Press this button to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RANDOM will appear on the display. Press P.SCAN again to turn off random play.

TAPE AUX: Press this button if you have a disc loaded in the changer and the radio is turned on, to play a compact disc. Press AM-FM to return to the radio when a compact disc is playing. Press TAPE AUX to switch between the tape and compact disc if both are loaded. To eject the disc holder in the trunk mounted CD changer, slide the CD changer door all the way open and the disc holder will automatically eject. Compact Disc Changer Errors If an error occurs while trying to play a CD in the compact disc changer, the following conditions may have caused the error: 0 The road is too rough. The disc should play when the

road is smoother.

0 The disc is dirty, scratched, wet or loaded label side up. 0 The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour and

try again.

0 The CD changer door is open. Completely close the

changer door to restore normal operation.

0 An empty magazine is inserted in the CD changer. Try the magazine again with a disc loaded on one of the trays.

If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, please contact your dealer.

Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped) THEFTLOCK@ is designed to discourage theft of your radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed. Your audio system is equipped with THEFTLOCK if THEFTLOCK is displayed on the front of the radio. The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is activated, your radio will not operate if stolen. When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery power has been interrupted. If your battery loses power for any reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code before it will operate. Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature The instructions which follow explain how to enter your secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is recommended that you read through all nine steps before starting the procedure. NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.

1. Write down any three or four-digit number from

000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from the vehicle.

2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN. 3. Turn the radio off. 4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down until --- shows on the display. Next you will use the secret code number which you have written down.

5. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display. 6. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree

with your code.

7. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree

with your code.

8. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the

code matches the secret code you have written down. The display will show REP to let you know that you need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your secret code.

9. Press AM-FM and this time the display will show SEC to let you know that your radio is secure. The indicator by the volume control will begin flashing when the ignition is turned off.

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Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1. LOC appears when the ignition is on. 2. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display. 3. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree

with your code.

4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree

with your code.

5. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the

code matches the secret code you have written down. The display will show SEC, indicating the radio is now operable and secure.

If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will appear on the display. You will have to wait an hour with the ignition on before you can try again. When you try again, you will only have three chances to enter the correct code before INOP appears. If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer. Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps:

1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN. 2. Turn the radio off. 3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down

until SEC shows on the display.

4. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display. 5 . Press MN again to make the last two digits agree

with your code.

6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree

with your code.

7. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the

code matches the secret code you have written down. The display will show ---, indicating that the radio is no longer secured.

If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear on the display. The radio will remain secured until the correct code is entered. When battery power is removed and later applied to a secured radio, the radio won’t turn on and LOC will appear on the display. To unlock a secured radio, see “Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss” earlier in this section.

Understanding Radio Reception 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. 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). Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go. Tips About Your Audio System Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it.

To help avoid hearing loss or damage: 0 Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.

NOTICE: vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile Before you add any sound equipment to your telephone or two-way radio -- be sure you can add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delco Electronics radio or other systems, and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added improperly. So, before adding sound equipment, check with your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules covering mobile radio and telephone units.

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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 may cause failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every 50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate that you have used your tape player for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer. If this message appears on the display, your cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and player. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if it is the tape or the tape player at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player. The recommended cleaning method for your cassette tape player is the use of a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. The recommended cleaning cassette is available through your dealership (GM Part No. 12344789).

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When using a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette, it is normal for the cassette to eject because your unit is equipped with a cut tape detection feature and a cleaning cassette may appear as a broken tape. To prevent the cleaning cassette from being ejected, use the following steps. If your vehicle is equipped with the AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC. Turn the radio on. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette. Within five seconds, press and hold the REV and FWD buttons at the same time for three seconds. The tape symbol on the display will flash showing that the cut tape detection feature is no longer active. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning time.

5.

If your vehicle is equipped with the AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control: 1. Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC. 2. Turn the radio off.

3.

4.

5.

Press and hold the TAPE AUX button for five seconds. The tape symbol on the display will flash for two seconds. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette while the tape symbol is flashing. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer's recommended cleaning time.

When the cleaning cassette has been ejected, the cut tape detection feature is active again. You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not eject on its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner. The use of a non-scrubbing action, dry'type cleaning cassette is not recommended. After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator was reset. Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette tape is in good condition before you have your tape player serviced.

Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge. Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge. Care of Your Compact Disc Player The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism. 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 rear quarter panel.

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b NOTES

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0 Section 4 Your Driving and the Road

Here 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.

4-2 4-2 4- 5 4- 6 4- 10 4- 12 4-13 4- 14 4-15

Defensive Driving Drunken Driving Control of a Vehicle Braking Steering Off-Road Recovery Passing Loss of Control Driving at Night

4- 17 4- 19 4-20 4-2 1 4-22 4-23 4-24 4-28 4-30

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads City Driving Freeway Driving Before Leaving on a Long Trip Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads Winter Driving Loading Your Vehicle Towing a Trailer

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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. Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs a vehicle:

to drive

Judgment

a Muscular Coordination 0 Vision

Attentiveness.

Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device 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.”

in your

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The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol.

According to the American Medical Association, a 180-lb. (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1 - 1/2 ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.

Police records show that almost half 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, over 17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with more than 300,000 people injured. Many adults -- by some estimates, nearly half the adult population -- choose never to drink alcohol, so they never drive after drinking. For persons under 21, it’s 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 solve this highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much’’ if the driver plans to drive? It’s 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 Concentration (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things: 0 The amount of alcohol consumed 0 The drinker’s body weight

The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking

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level than a

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 somewhat lower BAC level. There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In a growing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, the limit is 0.08 percent. In some other countries, it’s even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent. 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 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 a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater! 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 even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that 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.

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Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness and of alcohol. You can have a serious -- or even judgment can be affected by even a small amount fatal -- collision if you drive after drinking. Please don’t drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you’re with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.

Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. 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.

Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 314 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

so

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Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a braking skid. When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you may even notice that your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.

ABS INOP

If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, this warning light will stay on. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS. A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at both rear wheels.

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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.

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. 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. Using Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but this is normal.

LOW TRAC

’ When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, this light will come on. See “Low Traction Light” in the Index.

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.

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ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) System (Option: V8 Engine) Your vehicle may have a traction control system called ASR 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 engine spark) to limit wheel spin.

This light will come on when your ASR system is limiting wheel spin. See “Low Traction Light” in the Index. You may feel or hear the system working, 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.

If your vehicle is in cruise control when the ASR system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in the Index.)

ASR OFF

When the system is on, this warning 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 driving 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.)

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1 To turn the system off,

press the ASR switch

Steering Power Steering If you lose 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 curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.

The ASR system warning light in the cluster will come on and stay on. The light on the switch will go out. If the ASR system is limiting wheel spin when you press the switch, the warning light will come on -- but 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 switch again. The ASR system warning light should go off. Braking in Emergencies With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

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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. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to “ASR’ in the Index. 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 out 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 vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (See “Braking in Emergencies” earlier in this section.) 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.

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Off-Road Recovery You may ftnd that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving.

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.

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If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

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 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.

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0 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.)

0 Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on

two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle.

0 Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn.

0 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 vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking 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 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 ASR, 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. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.

Driving at Night

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.

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Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively. Don’t drink and drive. Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. 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

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driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot of things invisible. You can be temporarily blinded by approaching headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamps. 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, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. Remember that your headlamps 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 headlamps should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren’t even aware of it.

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads

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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 windshield wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled with washer fluid. 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.

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Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires do not have 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.

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even