1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Owners Manual

[n the DOOR position the illuminated :ntry/exit system is activated. To turn 3ff all interior lights, move the lever to OFF. ro Replace the Bulb: Grasp the center front and center rear portion of the housing and squeeze Firmly but gently. The housing should pop off. [f this doesn’t work, you may need to use a small, flat-head screwdriver under the side of the housing to help pry it off.

Reading Light (OPTION) This light comes on when you open either front door or move the dome light lever to DOME. You can turn on either reading light by pressing the depression in either light’s lens. To Replace the Bulb Use a small, flat-head screwdriver under the side of the housing to help pry it off.

Features & Controls

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Rear Compartment Light (WAGON) To turn on the rear compartment light, press the button located on the light. To Replace the Bulb Grasp the center front and center rear portion of the housing and squeeze firmly but gently. The housing should pop off. If this doesn't work, you may need to use a small, flat-head screwdriver under the side of the housing to help pry it off.

Mindshield Wipers fou control the windshield wipers by noving the stalk with the wiper symbol In it up or down. For a Single Wiper Cycle: ?ush the stalk down to MIST until the vipers start, then let go. The wipers will ;top after one cycle. For more cycles, lold the stalk down on MIST longer. For Steady Wiper Cycles: vlove the stalk up to either I (Low) or [I (High), depending on the wiper ;peed you want. To Turn Wipers Off: vlove the stalk to OFF.

Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts. Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

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Driving without washer fluid can be dangerous. A bad mud splash can block your vision. You could hit another vehicle or go off the road. Check your washer fluid level often.

Intermittent Windshield Wipers (OPTION) If your vehicle has intermittent windshield wipers, you can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or snow. Move the stalk to DEL, then rotate the band marked DELAY to choose the delay you want. Rotate the band up for shorter delay times between wiper cycles. Rotate the band down for longel delay times between wiper cycles. For a single wiper cycle, push the stalk to MIST, then let go.

Windshield Washer Standard Wipers: To spray washer fluid on the windshield, pull the stalk with the wipe] symbol on it toward you one time. When you release the stalk the washers will stop, but the wipers will keep going in low until you move the wiper control to OFF. Intermittent Windshield Wipers: If you have intermittent windshield wipers, after each wash cycle ends the wipers will resume the delay speed you were using before. If you had no speed selected, the wipers will stop.

Features & Controls

NOTICE: When using concentrated washer fluid, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding water. Don’t mix water with ready-to- use washer fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid. *Fill your washer fluid tank only % full when it’s very cold. This allows for expansion, which could damage the tank if it is completely full. *Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your windshield washer. It can damage your washer system and paint.

(OPTION)

&&? co&ol With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h). When you apply your brakes, or the clutch pedal, the cruise control shuts off.

To Set Cruise Control 1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.

2. Get up to the speed you want.

To Increase speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to go to a higher speed. Here’s the first: 1. Use the accelerator pedal to get to

the higher speed.

2. Push the button at the end of the

lever, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.

Here’s the second way to go to a higher speed:

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want, and then release the switch. To increase your speed in very small amounts, move the switch to R/A for less than half a second and then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

3. Push in the SET button at the end of

the lever and release it.

4. Take your foot off the accelerator

pedal.

To Resume a Set Speed Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake or clutch pedal. This, of course, shuts off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it. Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 kwh) or more, you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A (which stands for Resume/ Accelerate) for about half a second. You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there. If you hold the switch at R/A longer than half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the switch or apply the brake or clutch pedal. You could be startled and even lose control. So unless you want to go faster, don’t hold the switch at R/A.

Features & Controls

To Reduce Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control:

Push in the button at the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it. To slow down in very small amounts, push the button for less than half a second. Each time you do this, you’ll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

Using Cruise Control on Hills How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to

step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake or clutch pedal takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too, much trouble and don’t use cruise control on steep hills.

To Get Out of Cruise Control There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal, or push the clutch pedal, if you have a manual transaxle; OR Move the cruise switch to OFF.

To Erase Cruise Speed Memory When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

Inside Manual DaylNight Rearview Mirror To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever toward you to the night position.

Convex Outside Mirror Your right side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat

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Remote Control Mirror The driver side outside mirror should be adjusted with the control lever on the door so that you just see the side of your vehicle when you ‘are sitting in a comfortable driving position.

Adjust this mirror by hand so that you just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable driving position.

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SUR visors To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.

Cup Holder To use the cup holder, slide it out from the dash. Use the right side for larger containers.

~wzroof (OPTION) rhe sunroof includes a glass panel that )pens for ventilation and is completely removable, and an air deflector that mures a smooth flow of air.

Rear Ashtray To clean the rear console-mounted ashtray, open it, push down on the snuffer and pull it out.

NOTICE: Don’t put papers and other things that burn into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other smoking materials could set them on fire, causing damage.

Ashtrays and lighter To open the center console ashtray, lift the lid. To clean the ashtray, pull up on the LIFT tab along the left edge. To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go. When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.

NOTICE: Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to back away from the heating element when it’s ready. That can male it overheat, damaging the lighter and the heating element.

Features & Controls

ro Open the Sunroof: W, down on the latch release handle nd then push it forward and up until tl he glass panel locks into place.

ro Remove the Sunroof Glass Panel:. . With the. sunroaf open, press up on the glass .release tab; located inside the latch release handle. I, Li€t the pane1 up- ahd aut. The air deflector will automatically pap up.

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Store the glass panel in the special storage bag in the trunk.

4. If you have the optional fold-down rear seat, you can secure the storage bag containing the glass panel to the trunk anchors using the straps provided.

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Features & Controls

To Install the Sunroof Glass Panel: 1. Center the glass panel upright on the weatherstrip. Then line up the hinges on the panel with the slots in the roof opening.

2. Push forward on the rear edge of the

glass while lowering the panel. Do not force a hinge if it binds in a slot. Reposition the glass panel and start again.

3. Push the glass release tab and engage

the latch with the striker. Close the panel.

NOTICE: Loading cargo that weighs more than 125 pounds (57 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage your vehicle. When you carry large things, never let them hang over the rear or the sides of your vehicle. Load your cargo so that it rests on the slats and does not scratch or damage the vehicle. Put the cargo against the side rails and fasten it securely to the luggage carrier.

Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your Chevrolet. For more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see the Index under Loading Your Vehicle. To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.

Roof Luggage Carrier (WAGON, OPTION) If you have the optional luggage carrier, you can load things on top of your vehicle. The luggage carrier has slats attached to the roof, side rails, and tiedowns.

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The Instrument Panel- Your Information System Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.

The main components of your instrument panel are: 1. Side Vent 2. Instrument Panel Intensity Control 3. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever 4. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch 5. Instrument Cluster 6. Ignition Switch 7. Windshield Wipermasher Controls 8. Interior Light Control 9. Audio System 10. Center Vents

1 1. Cup Holder 12. Side Vent 13. Glove Box 14. Climate Controls and Rear Window

Defogger

15. Parking Brake Lever 16. Ashtray/Lighter 17. Gearshift Lever 18. Horn 19. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (Option) 20. Fuse Panel 21. Hood Release Lever

Features & Controls

2.2L L4 CLUSTER

CHECK

CAVALIER

TEMP

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Instrument Panel Clusters Your Chevrolet is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which include indicator warning lights and gages that are explained on the following pages. Be sure to read about those that apply to the instrument panel cluster for your vehicle.

Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (ltm/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven, in either miles (used in the U.S.) or kilometers (used in Canada).

1 Tamper Resistant Odometer Your Chevrolet has a tamper resistant odometer. If you see silver lines between the numbers, you'll know that someone has probably tried to turn it back, so the numbers may not be true. You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer installed.

I 3.1L V6 CLUSTER

If the new one can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must be. But if it can’t, then it’s set at zero and a label must be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer was installed.

Trip Odometer (3. I L v6 ENGINE) The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero. To set the trip odometer to zero, press the knob to the right of it.

Tachometer (3.1 L v6 ENGINE) The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm).

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

Features & Controls

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators This section describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. 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 go on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in the details on the next few pages, some warning lights come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to let you lmow they’re working. If you are

familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed when this happens. Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together to let you know when there’s a problem with your vehicle. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows there may be a problem, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly - and even dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.

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fi FUEL ONLY

Fuel Gage When the ignition is on, your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have left. When the indicator nears E (Empty), you still have a little fuel left, but you should get more soon. Here are four things that some owners ask about. None of these show a problem with your fuel gage: At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the gage reads I: (Full).

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the gage indicated. For example, the gage may have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill the tank. The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or speed up. The gage doesn’t go back to E when you turn off the ignition.

For your fuel tank capacity, see Service Station Information on the last page of this manual.

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hgine Coolant Temperature Gage With the ignition in the Run position, this gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too hot! It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY! In Problems on the Road, this manual shows what to do. See the Index under Engine Overheating.

Low Coolant Warning Light (3.1 L V6 ENGINE) If this light comes on and stays on, your system is low on coolant and the engine may overheat. See the Index under Coolant and have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.

Features & Controls

I CHECK

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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Charging System Light The charging system light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition and the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working. Then it should go out. If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a problem with the electrical charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose generator drive belt, or another electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on could drain your battery. If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.

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9rake Sysfem Warning Light tour Chevrolet’s hydraulic brake ;ystem is divided into two parts. If one )art isn’t working, the other part can ;till work and stop you. For good )raking, though, you need both parts vorlting well. [f the warning light comes on, there zould be a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away. rhis light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem. [f the light comes on while you are jriving, pull off the road and stop zarefully. You may notice that the pedal .s harder to push. Or, the pedal may go

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

If the regular brake system warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See Brake System Warning Light earlier in this part. If the anti-lock brake system warning light ever flashes, your anti-lock brake system is still working but needs service as soon as possible.

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Shift Light (MANUAL TRANSAXLE) This light comes on when you need to shift to the next higher gear. See the Index under Manual Transaxle.

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light With anti-lock, this light will come on when you start your engine and it will stay on for three seconds. That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If the light stays on, 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 while you’re driving, your Chevrolet needs service. If the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes.

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I CHECK

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

Malfunction lndicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control systems. This light should come on when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working. If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or it comes on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for service soon.

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Liftgate Ajar Light (WAGON) This light will come on if the liftgate is not fully closed. Have your vehicle serviced if this light comes on and stays on after the liftgate is closed.

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CHECK ’

OAGES

If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a moment. This is normal.

NOLANT

D)(8, I Check Gages Light

This light will come on briefly when yo1 are starting the engine. If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving, check your various gages to see if they are in the warning zones. This light will also come on when the fuel level is low, 1 to 3 gallons (3.8 to

liters)

Oil Warning Light (2.2~ ~4 ENGINE) If you have a low engine oil pressure Iroblem, this light will stay on after yob start your engine, or come on when you ue driving. This indicates that your mgine is not receiving enough oil. The mgine could be low on oil, or could haw some other oil problem. Have it fixed immediately. The oil light could also come on in two other situations: When the ignition is on but the engin is not running, the light will come on as a test to show you it is working, but the light will go out when you turn the ignition to Start. If it doesn’l come on with the ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have it fixed right away.

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

Features & Controls

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oil PfeSSUI'e Gage (3.7L V6 ENGINE) The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil presure in psi (pounds per square inch) when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in 1tPa. Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside temperature, and oil viscosity, but readings above the red warning zone indicate the normal operating range. A reading in the red zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil level or other problem causing low oil pressure. Have your vehicle serviced immediately.

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

I n this part you'll find out how to operate the comfort control systems and audio systems offered with your Chevrolet. Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle.

Part 3 Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

Climate Control System ............................................................................................ 92 Air Conditioning System .......................................................................................... 93 Rear Window Defogger ............................................................................................. 95 Setting the Clock ....................................................................................................... 97 AM/FM Stereo Radio ................................................................................................ 97 AM/FM Stereo Radio with Cassette Tape Player .................................................... 99 AM/FM Stereo Radio with Compact Disc Player.. ................................................ 101 Understanding Radio Reception. ............................................................................ 104 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player ......................................................................... 104 Care of Your Compact Discs .................................................................................. 105 Fixed Mast Antenna ................................................................................................ 105

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

HTR (Heater): This setting brings heated air through the heater ducts, and some through the windshield defroster vents. If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use it during cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly provide heat because the engine coolant is already warmed. See the Index under Engine Coolant Heater. BLEND: This setting divides the air flow equally between the heater duets and the windshield defroster vents. DEF (Defrost): This setting directs most air through the windshield defroster vents, and some through the heater ducts.

Defogging Windows To defog the windows, slide the lower lever to HOT, set the upper lever to DEF and turn the fan control to HI.

I Climate Control System Nith this system, you can control the rentilation and heating in your vehicle. four vehicle also has the flow-through Jentilation system described later in this rection. Lever Controls: The upper lever :hanges the functions of your system. rhe lower lever changes the temperature If the air coming through the system. Slide the upper control lever to OFF to :urn off the system. 3f: Sets the fan speed. To select the :orce of air you want, turn the knob.

VENT: Use when outside temperatures are mild and little heating or cooling is needed. Air flow is through the instrument panel outlets. Set the lower lever to the temperature desired. B/L (Bi-Level): Use on cool, but sunny days. This setting brings in the outside air, but directs it in two ways. Cool air is directed to the upper portion of your body through the instrument panel outlets, and slightly warmer air is directed through the heater ducts and defroster vents. At times, this temperature difference may be more apparent than others.

Air Conditioning System

(OPTION)

The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation system described later in this section. Lever Controls: The upper lever changes the functions of your system. The lower lever changes the temperature of the air coming through the system. Slide the upper control lever to OFF to turn off the system. 3f: Selects the fan speed. To select the force of air you want, turn the h o b . The fan is always running unless the upper lever is moved to OFF.

Air Conditioning The upper lever has three air conditioner settings. On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the amount of work your air conditioner's compressor will have to do, which should help fuel economy. A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to enable the air conditioner compressor. The indicator light will glow when the button is pressed. Press the button again to turn off the air conditioner compressor. The air conditioner compressor operates automatically (and the light glows) when in the MAX setting, or in the DEF (Defrost) setting when the

outside temperature is higher than about 40°F (4.5"C). Below 40°F (4.5"C), the light will glow in these settings, but the compressor will not turn on. MAX (Maximum): Use for maximum cooling. This setting recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle so it maximizes fuel economy and your air conditioner's performance. VENT: Use on pleasant days when little heating or cooling is needed, to direct outside air into the vehicle. In this setting, the air flow is through the instrument panel outlets. B/L (Bi-Level): Use on cool, but sunny days. This setting brings in the outside air, but directs it in two ways. Cool air is directed to the upper portion of your body through the instrument panel outlets, and slightly warmer air is directed to the lower portion of your body through the heater ducts and defroster vents. At times, this temperature difference may be more apparent than others.

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

HTR (Heater): Use this setting to direct most of the air flow through the heater ducts, and some through the windshield defroster vents. If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use it during cold weather, 0°F (-18°C) or lower, your heating system will more quickly provide heat because the engine coolant is already warmed. See the Index under Engine Coolant Heater. BLEND: This setting divides the air flow equally between the heater ducts and the windshield defroster vents. DEF (Defrost): This setting directs most air through the windshield defroster vents, and some through the heater ducts.

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Defogging Windows with the Air Conditioning System Slide the lower lever to HOT. To defog the windshield, set the upper lever to DEF and turn the fan control to HI.

To defog the side windows, set the upper lever to B/L, the fan control to HI, and press the A/C button. Aim the side vents toward the side windows. For increased air flow to the side vents, close the center vents.

Do not attach a temporary vehicle license 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.

Flow-Through Ventilation System Your Chevrolet’s flow-through ventilation system lets outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or the air conditioning fan is running.

Rear Window Defogger (owlonr) The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the and rear window. Press the button an indicator light will glow. The defogger will turn off automatically after about 10 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 button again, or by turning off the ignition.

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Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

Audio Systems The following pages describe the audio systems available for your Chevrolet, and how to get the best performance from them. Please read about the system in your vehicle. 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:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting. Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.

NOTICE: Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle - like a tape player, CB radio, mobile 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, DelcoB radio or other systems, and even damage them. And, 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.

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. In cold weather, turn the blower fan to HI 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.

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pwR-VOL TREBLE

VSEEKA

1 2 3 4 s E T

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TUNE

BASS

No matter which audio system you have in your vehicle, setting the clock is easy. 1. With the ignition on and the radio on or off, press SET. The SET indicator will appear on the digital screen for five seconds.

2. You must begin to set the clock to the correct hour and minute during those five seconds. If your audio system does not have a CD player: Press VSEEK to set the hour. Press SEEKA to set the minute.

If your audio system has a CD player:

. Press SCAN to set the hour.

Press VSEEK to decrease minutes or SEEKA to increase minutes.

AMIFM Stereo Radio The digital display indicates information on time or radio station frequency, the AM or FM radio band, whether the station is in stereo, and other radio functions. PWR-VOL (Power-Volume): With the ignition on, rotate the upper knob to turn the system on and off, and to control the volume. Press the upper knob to change between the clock and the radio station frequency displayed when the radio is on, and to display the time when the ignition is off.

R L (Balance): The control ring behind the upper knob adjusts the right/left speaker balance. TUNE: Rotate the lower knob to tune in radio stations. AM/FM: Press the lower knob to change between AM and FM bands. F R (Fade): The control ring behind the lower knob adjusts the fronthear speaker balance. TREBLE: Slide this lever up to increase treble, or down to decrease it. If a station is weak or noisy, reduce the treble.

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

BASS: Slide this lever up to increase bass, or down to decrease it.

SEEK A: Press to seek and stop on the next station higher or lower on the radio band. SCAN: Press both SEEK buttons together to listen for a few seconds to the next station on the AM or FM band; the scan will continue every few seconds to the next station on the AM or FM band. The radio will scan upward if you press SEEKA first and downward if you press V SEEK first. When the radio is scanning stations, the word SCAN will appear on the digital display. Press either of the SEEK buttons or the PWR-VOL knob to cancel SCAN and select a station.

To Preset Radio Stations: The four pushbuttons under the digital display can be used to preset up to 14 radio stations (seven AM and seven FM stations). 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET. The word SET will

appear on the digital screen for five seconds.

3. While SET is displayed, press one of the four pushbuttons. Whenever you press this button again, the preset station will be tuned in.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of the four

AM and four FM stations.

Up to three additional stations on each band may be preset by “pairing” pushbuttons: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET, and within five seconds press any two adjacent pushbuttons at the same time. Whenever you press these buttons again, the preset station will be tuned in.

PWR-VOL

TREBLE

AM/FM Stereo Radio with Cassette Tape Player The digital display indicates information on time or radio station frequency, the AM or FM radio band, whether the station is in stereo, and other radio functions. PWR-VOL (Power-Volume) : With the ignition on, rotate the upper lmob to turn the system on and off, and to control the volume. PROG-RCL (Program-Recall): Press the upper knob to change between the clock and radio station frequency

displayed when the radio is on, to display the time when the ignition is off, and to change sides of the tape when a cassette is playing. R L (Balance): The control ring behind the upper knob adjusts the right/left speaker balance. TUNE Rotate the lower knob to tune in radio stations. AM/FM: Press the lower knob to change between the AM and FM bands. F R (Fade): The control ring behind the lower knob adjusts the fronthear speaker balance.

TREBLE: Slide this lever up to increase treble, or down to decrease it. If a station is weak or noisy, reduce the treble. BASS: Slide this lever up to increase bass, or down to decrease it. VSEEKA: Press to seek and stop on the next station higher or lower on the radio band. SCAN: Press both SEEK buttons together to listen for a few seconds to the next station on the AM or FM band; the scan will continue every few seconds to the next station on the AM or FM band. The radio will scan upward if you press SEEKA first and downward if you press VSEEK first. When the radio is scanning stations, the word SCAN will appear on the digital display. Press either of the SEEK buttons or the PWR-VOL knob to cancel SCAN and select a station. To Preset Radio Stations: The four pushbuttons under the digital display can be used to preset up to 14 radio stations (seven AM and seven FM stations).

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET. The word SET will

appear on the digital display for five seconds.

3. While SET is displayed, press one of the four pushbuttons. Whenever you press this button again, the preset station will be tuned in.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of the four

AM and four FM stations.

Up to three additional stations on each band may be preset by “pairing” pushbuttons: 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press SET, and within five seconds press any two adjacent pushbuttons at the same time. Whenever you press these buttons again, the preset station will be tuned in.

Fast Forward Press the button with the arrow pointing in the same direction that the tape is playing. To stop fast forward, press the STOP-EJECT button. Reverse: Press the button with the arrow pointing in the opposite direction that the tape is playing. To stop reverse, press the STOP-EJECT button. STOP-EJECT: To stop playing a tape, fully press this button (the cassette will be partially ejected, and the radio will begin playing).

AUTO DNR: This unit is equipped with an automatic Dynamic Noise Reduction system that reduces background hiss on AM or FM radio broadcasts, as well as on cassette tapes. Cassette Tape Player With the power on, insert a tape into the cassette door. Do not use tapes that are longer than 45 minutes on each side. When the left arrow is lit, selections listed on the top side of the cassette are playing. When the right indicator arrow is lit, selections listed on the bottom side of the cassette are playing. To change sides of the tape, press the upper control knob (PROG) while the cassette is playing. The tape player automatically begins playing the other side when it reaches the end of the tape.

Comfort Concr

5 & Audio Systems

4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each of five AM

and five FM stations. Compact Disc Player Many of the controls for the radio also have functions for the compact disc player, as explained here. Don’t use mini-discs that are called singles. They won’t eject. Use only full- size compact discs. 1. Turn the PWR-VOL knob to turn on

the power.

2. Insert a disc part-way into the slot,

with the label side up. The player will pull it in. Within a few seconds, the disc should play.

If the disc comes back out and/or Err appears on the display:

The disc may be upside down. The disc may be dirty, scratched or wet. There may be too much moisture in the air (wait about one hour and try again). The player may be too hot, or the road may be too rough for the disc to play. As soon as things get back to normal, the disc should play. 102

While a disc is playing, the CD indicator is displayed on the digital screen, as is the clock. RCL (Recall): Press this button once to see which track is playing. Press again while the track number is still displayed to see how long your selection has been playing. The track number also will be displayed when the volume, bass, or treble is changed or a new track starts to play. COMP (Compression): Pressing this button makes soft and loud passages more equal in volume. Press again to resume normal play. RDM (Random): Press to play tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. This feature remains active until the RDM button is pressed again.

REV (Reverse): Press and hold to rapidly reverse the disc. Release to resume playing. FWD (Fast Forward): Press and hold to rapidly advance the disc. Release to resume playing. SCAN: Press this button to sample ten seconds of each track. Press again to stop scanning. PREV (Previous): Press to play a track again. If you keep pressing the PREV button, the disc will keep backing up to previous tracks. NEXT: Press to advance to the next track. If you keep pressing the NEXT button, the disc will keep advancing to other tracks. When Finished with the Compact Disc Player: If you turn off the radio, or turn off the ignition, the disc will stay in the player

and start again when you turn on the ignition or the PWR-VOL button. The disc will begin playing at the point where it had been stopped. ST-PL (Stop-Play): Press to stop the disc player; the radio will play. Press again to play the disc (the player will start playing the disc where it had stopped earlier). EJCT (Eject): Press to eject the disc; the radio will play. The disc will start at track 1 when you reinsert it. EJCT works even when the radio or the ignition is off.

CD Player Anti-Theft Feature Delco LOC II@ is a security feature that can be used or ignored. If you ignore it, the radio will play normally. If you use it, your radio cannot be turned on if it is stolen. These instructions will tell you how to enter a secret code into the radio. If battery power is lost for any reason, the secret code must be entered again before your audio system can be turned on. To Set the Anti-Theft System: 1. Write down any six-digit number and keep it in a safe place. This is your secret code.

2. Turn the ignition on. 3. Rotate the PWR-VOL knob to turn

the radio off. 4. Press station preset buttons 1 and 4 at the same time and hold until "- - -" shows on the display. You now have only 15 seconds between each of the following steps.

5. Press SET and 000 will appear on

the display.

6. Press SCAN until the first digit of

your code appears.

7. Press SEEK until the second and third digits of your code appear. 8. Press the TUNE knob (000 will

appear on the display).

9. Press SCAN until the fourth digit of

your code appears.

IO. Press SEEK until the fifth and sixth

digits of your code appear.

11. Press the TUNE knob (rEP will

appear for five seconds, then 000 ) .

12. Repeat steps 6 through 10. Then

press the TUNE knob again. SEC

will appear, indicating that Delco LOC I P is set, and your radio is secure. If "- - -" appears, the steps were not successful and you must repeat the entire procedure.

To Disable the Anti-Theft System: Enter your secret code by following these steps (you will have only 15 seconds between each step). 1, Turn the ignition on and the radio off, then press station preset buttons 1 and 4. SEC will appear, showing the radio is secure.

2. Press SET and 000 will appear on

the display.

3. Press SCAN until the first digit of

your secret code appears.

4. Press SEEK until the second and third digits of your code appear. 5. Press the TUNE knob (000 will

appear on the display).

6. Press SCAN until the fourth digit of

your code appears.

7. Press SEEK until the fifth and sixth

digits of your code appear.

I03

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

8. Press the TUNE knob. If the display shows "- - -," the radio is unsecured and will play again. If the display shows SEC, the steps were not successful and the numbers did not match the secret code.

If you lose or forget your code, see your dealer. If you lose battery power, when the battery is reconnected the radio will not turn on and IX)C will appear. Follow steps 1-8 for disabling your system, and the time will appear if you are successful. If SEC appears, the numbers did not match and YOUK unit is still locked.

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 l a ) . Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other, AM can also pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. To lower this noise, try reducing the treble level.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly is subject to reduced sound quality, ruining the cassette, or damaging the mechanism. Tape cassettes that are not properly stored in their plastic cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat may not operate properly and could cause premature failure the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned monthly or with every 15 hours of use, as regular maintenance. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If the second cassette results in no improvement in sound

of

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.

quality, try cleaning the tape player. Proper tape player cleaning should be done with a wiping action nonabrasive cleaner cassette. To properly clean your tape player, you should follow the directions on the cleaning cassette. Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always verify that the cassette tape is in good condition before obtaining service on your tape player.

.,"

c.

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.

Notes

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 .

Part 4 Your Driving and the Road

. .

Drlvmg

Defensive 108 Drunken Driving ..................................................................................................... 108 Control of a Vehicle

....................................................................................................

Braking ................................................................................................................. 110 Anti-Lock Brakes ................................................................................................. 111 Steering Tips ......................................................................................................... 113 Steermg m Emergencies ....................................................................................... 114 Passing .................................................................................................................. 115 Driving at Night ...................................................................................................... 117 Driving in the Rain .................................................................................................. 118 City Driving ............................................................................................................. 119 Freeway Driving ...................................................................................................... 120 Before Leaving on a Long Trip ............................................................................... 121 Hill and Mountain Roads ........................................................................................ 122 . . Winter Drnmg 123 Recreational Towing ................................................................................................ 125 Towing a Trailer ...................................................................................................... 126

.........................................................................................................

.........

107

Your Driving and the Road

Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Chevrolet: Buclde 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 mistaltes. 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.

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

Judgment Muscular Coordination 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.

Drinking That WIN Resuit in a BAC of -05% in the Time Shown

3 HOURS

2 HOURS

1 HOUR

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

100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240

BOQY WEIGHT IN POUNDS

rhe law in most U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In Canada the limit is 0.08 percent, and in some other countries it’s lower than that. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. But it’s very important to keep in mind that the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the

effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in an accident increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has doubled his or her chance of having an accident. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver having an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chances are twenty-five times greater! And, the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with a higher BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse. That’s especially

Your Driving and the Road

true for brain, spinal cord and heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been drinking - driver or passenger - is in a crash, the chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if that person had not been drinking. And we’ve already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for drinking drivers.

Condrol of a Khkk 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 ta ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control af your vehicle.

Bruking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception the. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction the. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important.

L

And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes. 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.

- 20 - 10

9nti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your Chevrolet has an advanced dectronic braking system that will help prevent skidding. rhis light on the instrument panel will 30 on when you start your vehicle. When you start your vehicle, or when you begin to drive away, you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise.

Your Driving and the Road

L-

And you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing itself. If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on or flash. See Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light in the Index.

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

Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. 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.

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. 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. 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.

Your Driving and the Road

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.

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can De 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

I Off-Ruad Recovery You may find sometime that your right lvheels have dropped off the edge of a soad onto the shoulder while you're hiving. :f the level of the shoulder is only ;lightly below the pavement, recovery ;hould be fairly easy. Ease off the iccelerator and then, if there is nothing n the way, steer so that your vehicle itraddles the edge of the pavement. You :an turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 urn until the right front tire contacts he pavement edge. Then turn your ;teering wheel to go straight down the toadway.

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. 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.

Your Driving and the Road

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 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 and an acceleration skid are 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 braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking slid.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights 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 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