2007 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual

If the radio has the Bose® audio system, the equalization settings are EQ1 through EQ6 and CUSTOM.

247

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) e (Balance/Fade): To adjust the balance between the right and the left speakers, press this knob until BALANCE appears on the display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward the right or the left speakers. To adjust the fade between the front and the rear speakers, press this knob until FADE appears on the display. Turn the knob to move the sound toward the front or the rear speakers. To adjust the balance and fade to the middle position, press and hold this knob when the speaker control is on the display. The level changes to the middle position. To adjust all tone and speaker controls to the middle position, press and hold this knob when no tone or speaker control is displayed. AUDIO SETTINGS CENTERED appears on the display.

Finding a Category Station (RDS and XM™ (if equipped)) To select and find a desired category perform the following: 1. Press the CAT (category) button. The last selected category appears on the display. 2. Turn the tune knob to select the category. 3. Once the desired category is displayed, press

either SEEK arrow to go to a category’s station. SEEKING CATEGORY appears on the display.

4. To go to another station within that category, press the CAT button to display the category, then press either SEEK arrow to go to another station.

If both category and traffic are on, the radio searches for stations with the selected category and traffic announcements. If the radio cannot find the desired category, NONE appears on the display and the radio returns to the last station tuned.

248

SCAN: Scan the stations within a category by performing the following: 1. Press the CAT button. The last selected

category appears on the display.

2. Turn the tune knob to select the category. 3. Once the desired category is displayed, press and hold either SCAN arrow until you hear a beep and SCAN CATEGORY appears on the display. The radio begins scanning the stations in the category.

4. Press either SCAN arrow to stop scanning. If both category and TRAF (traffic) are on, the radio scans for stations with the selected category and traffic announcements.

BAND (AF Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequency allows the radio to switch to a stronger station in the same category. To turn alternate frequency on, press and hold BAND for four seconds. AF ON appears on the display. The radio may could to stations with a stronger frequency. To turn alternate frequency off, press and hold BAND again for four seconds. AF OFF appears on the display. The radio will not switch to other stations.

This function does not apply for XM™ Satellite Radio Service. RDS Messages ALERT!: Alert warns of local or national emergencies. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, ALERT! appears on the display. You will hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or a CD is playing. If a CD is playing, play stops during the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be turned off. ALERT! is not affected by tests of the emergency broadcast system. This feature is not supported by all RDS stations. 4 (Information): If the current station has a message, INFO (information) appears on the display. Press this button to see the message. The message may display the artist, song title, call in phone numbers, etc. If the entire message is not displayed, parts of the message appears every three seconds. To scroll through the message, press and release this button. A new group of words appears on the display after every press of the button.

249

Once the complete message has displayed, INFO disappears from the display until another new message is received. The last message can be displayed by pressing this button. The last message until a new message is received or the radio is tuned to a different station. When a message is not available from a station, NO INFO appears on the display. TRAF (Traffic): If TA (traffic) appears on the display, the tuned station broadcasts traffic announcements. When a traffic announcement is broadcast on this station, you will hear it. If the station does not broadcast traffic announcements, press the TRAF button and the radio seeks to a station that does. When a station that broadcasts traffic announcements is found, the radio stops seeking and TA appears on the display. If no station is found that broadcasts traffic announcements, NO TRAFFIC appears on the display. If TA is on the display, press the TRAF button to turn off the traffic announcements.

The radio plays the traffic announcement even if the volume is low. The radio interrupts the play of a CD if the last tuned station broadcasts traffic announcements. This function does not apply to XM™ Satellite Radio Service. Radio Messages

CAL ERR (Calibration Error): The audio system has been calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CAL ERR appears on the display, it means that the radio has not been configured properly for your vehicle and must be returned to your dealer for service.

LOCKED: This message is displayed when the THEFTLOCK® system has locked up. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, contact your dealer. If the radio displays an error message, write it down and provide it to your dealer when reporting the problem.

250

XM™ Radio Messages If your vehicle has XM™ Satellite Radio Service, the radio may display screen messages pertaining to the XM™ radio service, software and hardware. See XM Radio Messages on page 265
later in this section for further detail. Playing a CD (Single CD Player) Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls it in and the CD should begin playing. If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the player, it stays in the player. When the ignition or radio is turned on, the CD starts playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source. When a CD is inserted, CD and the CD symbol appears on the display. As each new track starts to play, the track number appears on the display.

The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner. If playing a CD-R, the sound quality (and playback performance) may be reduced due to the CD-R quality, method of recording, the quality of the music that has been recorded, and the way the CD-R has been handled. For better playback performance when home burning audio discs, use brand named CD media with the [“Compact Disc” trade mark logo], and a burn rate no faster than 12X. There may be an increase in skipping, difficulty in finding tracks, and/or difficulty in loading and ejecting. If these problems occur, check the bottom surface of the CD. If the surface of the CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will not play properly. If the surface of the CD is soiled, see Care of Your CDs on page 269 for more information.

251

| (Fast Forward): Press and hold this button to fast forward through the current track.

RDM (Random): Press this button to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RANDOM DISC appears on the display. Press this button again to turn off random play.

RPT (Repeat): Press this button to hear a track over again. REPEAT appears on the display. Press this button again to turn off repeat play.

MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press this button again to turn the sound on. t SEEK u: Press the left arrow to go to the start of the current track if more than eight seconds have played. Press the right arrow to go to the start of the next track. If either arrow is held or pressed more than once, the player continues moving backward or forward through the CD.

If there is no apparent damage, try a known good CD. Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught in the CD player. If a CD is recorded on a personal computer and a description label is needed, try labeling the top of the recorded CD with a marking pen instead. Notice: If you add any label to a CD, insert more than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to play scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage the CD player. When using the CD player, use only CDs in good condition without any label, load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris. If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages” later in this section. O / e (Tune): Turn this knob to go to the next or previous track. { (Reverse): Press and hold this button to reverse the current track.

252

BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a CD is playing. The inactive CD remains safely inside the radio for future listening.

CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a CD while listening to the radio. CD appears on the display when a CD is in the player. If the system has a remote playback device, pressing this button a second time allows the remote device to play.

AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalization): Press AUTO EQ to select the equalization setting while playing a CD. The equalization is stored whenever a CD is played. For more information on AUTO EQ, see “AUTO EQ” listed previously in this section. X (Eject): Press this button to eject the CD. EJECT can be activated with either the ignition or radio off. Playing a CD(s) (Six-Disc CD Player) If the ignition or radio is turned off, with a CD in the player, it stays in the player. When the ignition or radio is turned on, the CD starts playing where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.

When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol appears on the CD. As each new track starts to play, the track number appears on the display. The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner. If playing a CD-R, the sound quality (and playback performance) may be reduced due to the CD-R quality, method of recording, the quality of the music that has been recorded, and the way the CD-R has been handled. For better playback performance when home burning audio discs, use brand named CD media with the [“Compact Disc” trade mark logo], and a burn rate no faster than 12X. There may be an increase in skipping, difficulty in finding tracks, and/or difficulty in loading and ejecting. If these problems occur, check the bottom surface of the CD. If the surface of the CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will not play properly. If the surface of the CD is soiled, see Care of Your CDs on page 269 for more information.

253

If you add any label to a CD, insert

If there is no apparent damage, try a known good CD. Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught in the CD player. If a CD is recorded on a personal computer and a description label is needed, try labeling the top of the recorded CD with a marking pen. Notice: more than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to play scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage the CD player. When using the CD player, use only CDs in good condition without any label, load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris. If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages” later in this section.

M (Load): Press this button to load CDs into the CD player. This CD player holds up to six CDs. To insert one CD, do the following: 1. Turn the ignition on. 2. Press and release the load button.

254

3. When INSET CD # appears on the display,

load a CD and insert the CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls the CD in.

To insert multiple CDs, do the following: 1. Turn the ignition on. 2. Press and hold the load button for

two seconds. A beep will sound and LOAD ALL DISC appears on the display.

3. When INSERT CD # appears on the display, load a CD and insert the CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls the CD in. Once the CD is loaded, wait for INSERT CD # to appear on the display, then load the next CD. The CD player takes up to six CDs. Do not load more than six.

To load more than one CD but less than six, complete Steps 1 through 3. When finished loading CDs, press the load button to cancel the loading function. The radio begins to play the last CD loaded. If more than one CD has been loaded, a number for each CD appears on the display.

Playing a Specific Loaded CD For every CD loaded, a number appears on the display. To play a specific CD press the numbered pushbutton that corresponds to the CD. If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages” later in this section. X (Eject): Press this button to eject CD(s). To eject the CD that is currently playing, press and release this button. To eject multiple CDs, do the following: 1. Press and hold the eject button for

two seconds. A beep will sound and EJECT ALL DISCS appears on the display.

2. When REMOVE DISC appears on the display,

the CD ejects and can be removed. To stop ejecting the CDs, press the load or the eject button.

If the CD is not removed, after 25 seconds, the CD is automatically pulled back into the player. If the CD is pushed back into the player, before the 25 second time period is complete, the player senses an error and tries to eject the CD several times before stopping. Do not repeatedly press the eject button to eject a CD after you have tried to push it in manually. The player’s 25-second eject timer resets at each press of eject, causing the player not to eject the CD until the 25-second time period has elapsed. O / e (Tune): Turn this knob to go to the next or previous track. { (Reverse): Press and hold this button to reverse within the current track. | (Fast Forward): Press and hold this button to fast forward through the current track.

255

RDM (Random): Press this button to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential order, on one CD or all of the loaded CDs. To use random, do one of the following: (cid:127) To play the tracks on the CD you are listening

to in random order, press and release this button until RANDOM DISC PLAY appears on the display.

(cid:127) To play the tracks on all of the CDs that are loaded in random order, press and release this button until RANDOM ALL DISCS appears on the display.

To turn off random play, press and release the RDM button until RANDOM OFF appears on the display.

RPT (Repeat): Press this button to hear a track or an entire CD over again. To use repeat, do one of the following: (cid:127) To repeat a track, press and release this

button until REPEAT appears on the display.

(cid:127) To repeat an entire CD, press and release this

button until REPEAT ONE DISC appears on the display.

256

To turn off repeated play, press and release the RPT button until REPEAT OFF appears on the display t SEEK u: Press the left arrow to go to the start of the current track, if more than ten seconds have played. Press the right arrow to go to the next track. If either arrow is held or pressed more than once, the player continues moving backward or forward through the CD. t SCAN u: To scan one CD, press and hold either SCAN arrow for more than two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and you hear a beep. The radio goes to the next track, plays for 10 seconds, then goes to the next track. Press either SCAN arrow again, to stop scanning. To scan all loaded CDs, press and hold either SCAN arrow for more than four seconds until CD SCAN appears on the display and you hear a beep. Use this feature to listen to 10 seconds of the first track of each loaded CD. Press either SCAN arrow again, to stop scanning.

BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a CD is playing. The inactive CD(s) remains safely inside the radio for future listening.

CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a CD when listening to the radio. CD appears on the display when a CD is in the player. If your system has a remote playback device, pressing this button a second time allows the remote device to play.

AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalization): Press AUTO EQ to select the equalization setting while playing a CD. The equalization is stored whenever a CD is played. For more information on AUTO EQ, see “AUTO EQ” listed previously in this section. Playing an MP3 CD-R Disc Your vehicle’s radio system may have the MP3
feature. If it has this feature, it is capable of playing an MP3 CD-R disc. For more information on how to play an MP3 CD-R disc, see Using an MP3
on page 259 later in this section.

Using R (Song List) Mode (Single CD, MP3, and Six-Disc CD) This feature is capable of saving 20 track selections. To save tracks into the song list feature, perform the following steps: 1. Turn the CD player on and load it with at least

one CD.

2. Check to see that the CD player is not in song list mode. S-LIST should not appear on the display. If S-LIST displays, press the song list button to turn it off.

3. Select the desired CD by pressing the

numbered pushbutton and then use the SEEK right arrow or turn the tune knob to locate the track to be saved. The track begins to play.

4. Press and hold the song list button to save

the track into memory. When song list is pressed, one beep is heard immediately. ADDED SONG appears on the display. 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for saving other

selections.

SONGLIST FULL appears on the display if you try to save more than 20 selections.

257

To delete the entire song list, perform the following steps: 1. Turn the CD player on. 2. Press the song list button to turn song list on.

S-LIST appears on the display.

3. Press and hold the song list button for more

than four seconds. One beep is heard and SONGLIST EMPTY appears on the display indicating the song list has been deleted. If a CD is ejected, and the song list contains saved tracks from that CD, those tracks are automatically deleted from the song list. Any tracks saved to the song list again are added to the bottom of the list. To end song list mode, press the song list button. One beep is heard and S-LIST is removed from the display.

To play the song list, press the song list button. The recorded tracks begins to play in the order they were saved. Seek through the song list by using the SEEK arrows. Seeking past the last saved track returns to the first saved track. To delete tracks from the song list, perform the following steps: 1. Turn the CD player on. 2. Press the song list button to turn song list on.

S-LIST appears on the display.

3. Press either SEEK arrow or turn the tune

knob to select the desired track to be deleted.

4. Press and hold the song list button for

two seconds. Release the button when SONG REMOVED appears on the display.

After a track has been deleted, the remaining tracks are moved up the list. When another track is added to the song list, the track is added to the end of the list.

258

CD Messages

CHECK CD: If this message appears on the display and/or the CD comes out, it could be for one of the following reasons: (cid:127)

It is very hot. When the temperature returns to normal, the CD should play.

(cid:127) You are driving on a very rough road. When the

road becomes smoother, the CD should play.

(cid:127) The CD is dirty, scratched, wet, or

upside down.

(cid:127) The air is very humid. If so, wait about an hour

and try again.

(cid:127) There may have been a problem while burning

the CD.

(cid:127) The label may be caught in the CD player. If the CD is not playing correctly, for any other reason, try a known good CD. If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be corrected, contact your dealer. If the radio displays an error message, write it down and provide it to your dealer when reporting the problem.

Using an MP3
MP3 CD-R Disc MP3 Format If you burn your own MP3 disc on a personal computer: (cid:127) Make sure the MP3 files are recorded on a

CD-R disc.

(cid:127) Do not mix standard audio and MP3 files on

one disc.

(cid:127) Make sure playlists have a .mp3 or .wpl

extension, other file extensions may not work. (cid:127) Files can be recorded with a variety of fixed or

variable bit rates. Song title, artist name, and album are available for display by the radio when recorded using ID3 tags version 1 and 2. (cid:127) Create a folder structure that makes it easy to

find songs while driving. Organize songs by albums using one folder for each album. Each folder or album should contain 18 songs or less.

259

(cid:127) Make sure to finalize the disc when burning

an MP3 disc, using multiple sessions. It is usually better to burn the disc all at once.

(cid:127) Do not use CD-RW discs. (cid:127) Do not use colored discs. The player will be able to read and play a maximum of 50 folders, 50 playlists, 10 sessions, and 255 files. Long file names, folder names, or playlist names may use more disc memory space than necessary. To conserve space on the disc, minimize the length of the file, folder, or playlist names. You can also play an MP3 CD that was recorded using no file folders. The system can support up to 11 folders in depth, though, keep the depth of the folders to a minimum in order to keep down the complexity and confusion in trying to locate a particular folder during playback. If a CD contains more than the maximum of 50 folders, 50 playlists, 10 sessions, and 255 files the player lets you access and navigate up to the maximum, but all items over the maximum are ignored.

Root Directory The root directory is treated as a folder. If the root directory has compressed audio files, the directory is displayed as F1 ROOT. All files contained directly under the root directory are accessed prior to any root directory folders. However, playlists (Px) are always accessed before root folders or files. Empty Directory or Folder If a root directory or a folder exists somewhere in the file structure that contains only folders/ subfolders and no compressed files directly beneath them, the player advances to the next folder in the file structure that contains compressed audio files. The empty folder does not display. No Folder When the CD contains only compressed files, the files are located under the root folder. The next and previous folder functions will not function on a CD that was recorded without folders or playlists. When displaying the name of the folder the radio displays ROOT.

260

When the CD contains only playlists and compressed audio files, but no folders, all files are located under the root folder. The folder down and the folder up buttons searches playlists (Px) first and then goes to the root folder. When the radio displays the name of the folder the radio displays ROOT. Order of Play Tracks are played in the following order: (cid:127) Play begins from the first track in the first playlist and continues sequentially through all tracks in each playlist. When the last track of the last playlist has played, play continues from the first track of the first playlist. If the CD does not contain any playlists, then play begins from the first track under the root directory. When all tracks from the root directory have played, play continues from files according to their numerical listing. After playing the last track from the last folder, play begins again at the first track of the first folder or root directory.

(cid:127)

When play enters a new folder, the display does not automatically show the new folder name unless the folder mode has been chosen as the default display. See the information button later in this section for more information. The new track name appears on the display. File System and Naming The song name that is displayed is the song name that is contained in the ID3 tag. If the song name is not present in the ID3 tag, then the radio displays the file name without the extension (such as .mp3) as the track name. Track names longer than 32 characters or four pages are shortened. Parts of words on the last page of text and the extension of the filename will not display. Preprogrammed Playlists Preprogrammed playlists that were created by WinAmp™, MusicMatch™, or Real Jukebox™ software can be accessed, however, they cannot be edited using the radio. These playlists are treated as special folders containing compressed audio song files.

261

Playing an MP3
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up. The player pulls it in, and READING appears on the display. The CD should begin playing and the CD symbol appears on the display. If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD-R in the player, it stays in the player. When the ignition or radio is turned on, the CD-R starts to play where it stopped, if it was the last selected audio source. As each new track starts to play, the track number appears on the display. The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner. If playing a CD-R, the sound quality (and playback performance) may be reduced due to the CD-R quality, method of recording, the quality of the music that has been recorded, and the way the CD-R has been handled. For better playback performance when home burning audio discs, use brand named CD media with the [“Compact Disc” trade mark logo], and a burn rate no faster than 12X.

262

There may be an increase in skipping, difficulty in finding tracks, and/or difficulty in loading and ejecting. If these problems occur, check the bottom surface of the CD. If the surface of the CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will not play properly. If the surface of the CD is soiled, see Care of Your CDs on page 269 for more information. If there is no apparent damage, try a known good CD. Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught in the CD player. If a CD is recorded on a personal computer and a description label is needed, try labeling the top of the recorded CD with a marking pen instead. Notice: more than one CD into the slot at a time, or attempt to play scratched or damaged CDs, you could damage the CD player. When using the CD player, use only CDs in good condition without any label, load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot free of foreign materials, liquids, and debris.

If you add any label to a CD, insert

If an error appears on the display, see “CD Messages” later in this section. O / e (Tune): Turn this knob clockwise or counterclockwise to go to the next or previous track. { (Previous Folder): Press this button to go to the first track in the previous folder. Press and hold this button to reverse through the current track. | (Next Folder): Press this pushbutton to go to the first track in the next folder. Press and hold this button to fast forward the current track.

RDM (Random): Press this button to hear the tracks in random, rather than sequential order, on one CD, one folder, or all of the loaded CDs. To use random, do one of the following: (cid:127) To play the tracks on the CD you are listening

to in random order, press and release this button until RANDOM DISC appears on the display.

(cid:127) To play the tracks in the folder you are

listening to in random order, press and release this button until RANDOM FOLDER appears on the display.

(cid:127) To play the tracks on all of the CDs that are loaded in random order, press and release this button until RANDOM ALL appears on the display.

To turn off random play, press and release the RDM button until RANDOM OFF appears on the display.

263

RPT (Repeat): Press this button to hear a track, CD, or a folder over again. To use repeat, do one of the following: (cid:127) To repeat a track, press and release this button until REPEAT TRACK appears on the display.

(cid:127) To repeat a CD, press and release this button

until REPEAT DISC appears on the display.

(cid:127) To repeat a folder, press and release

this button until REPEAT FOLDER appears on the display.

To turn off repeated play, press and release the RPT button until REPEAT OFF appears on the display

MUTE: Press this button to silence the system. Press this button again to turn the sound on. This button is not available on the Radio with Six-Disc CD.

t SEEK u: Press the left arrow to go to the start of the current track, if more than 10 seconds have played. Press the right arrow to go to the next track. If either arrow is held or pressed more than once, the player continues moving backward or forward through the CD. 4 (Information): Press this button to display the artist name and album contained in the ID3 tag.

BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a CD is playing. The inactive CD remains safely inside the radio for future listening.

CD AUX (Auxiliary): Press this button to play a CD when listening to the radio. The CD symbol appears on the display when a CD is loaded. Y (Eject): Press this button to eject a CD. Eject can activated with either the ignition or radio off.

264

XM Radio Messages If your vehicle has XM™ Satellite Radio Service, the radio may display some of the screen messages as shown in the XM™ Radio Message table. If any of these messages do appear on the radio display, follow the information and/or instructions provided in the table.

Radio Display Message

Condition

Action Required

XL (Explicit Language Channels)

XL on the radio display, after the channel name, indicates content with explicit language.

These channels, or any others, can be blocked at a customer’s request, by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).

Updating

Updating encryption code The encryption code in the receiver is being updated, and no action is required. This process should take no longer than 30 seconds.

No Signal

Loss of signal

The system is functioning correctly, but the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™ signal. When you move into an open area, the signal should return.

Loading XM

CH Off Air

CH Unavail

Acquiring channel audio (after 4 second delay)

The audio system is acquiring and processing audio and text data. No action is needed. This message should disappear shortly.

Channel not in service

This channel is not currently in service. Tune to another channel.

Channel no longer available

This previously assigned channel is no longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this station was one of the presets, choose another station for that preset button.

265

Radio Display Message

Condition

Action Required

No Info

No Info

No Info

No Info

Artist Name/Feature not available

Song/Program Title not available

Category Name not available

No artist information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly.

No song title information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly.

No category information is available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly.

No Text/Informational message available

No text or informational messages are available at this time on this channel. The system is working properly.

Not Found

No channel available for the chosen category

There are no channels available for the selected category. The system is working properly.

XM Locked

Theft lock active

Radio ID

Radio ID label (channel 0)

Radio ID not known (should only be if hardware failure)

Hardware failure

Unknown

Chk XMRcvr

266

The XM™ receiver in the vehicle may have previously been in another vehicle. For security purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be swapped between vehicles. If this message is received after having your vehicle serviced, check with your dealer.

If tuned to channel 0, this message alternates with the XM™ Radio eight digit radio ID label. This label is needed to activate the service.

If this message is received when tuned to channel 0, there could be a receiver fault. Consult with your dealer.

If this message does not clear within a short period of time, your receiver could have a fault. Consult with your dealer.

Navigation/Radio System Your vehicle may have a navigation radio system. The navigation system has built-in features intended to minimize driver distraction. Technology alone, no matter how advanced, can never replace your own judgment. See the Navigation System manual for some tips to help you reduce distractions while driving.

Theft-Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCK® is designed to discourage theft of your vehicle’s radio. The feature works automatically by learning a portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it will not operate and LOCKED will appear on the display. With THEFTLOCK® activated, the radio will not operate if stolen. Your radio has a blinking indicator light located on the upper left side of the radio. The indicator light is used to show that the theft-deterrent feature mode is set. The blinking indicator light will only flash when the ignition is in the off position.

Audio Steering Wheel Controls

If your vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel. They include the following:

x w: Press the up or the down arrow to go to the next or to the previous radio station and stay there. The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal that are in the selected band. To scan stations, press and hold either arrow for two seconds until SCAN appears on the display and you hear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press either arrow again to stop scanning.

267

Radio Reception You may experience frequency interference and static during normal radio reception if items such as cellphone chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the item from the accessory power outlet. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range can cause station frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio reception, most AM radio stations will boost the power levels during the day, and then reduce these levels during the night. Static can also occur when things like storms and power lines interfere with radio reception. When this happens, try reducing the treble on your radio.

To scan presets, press and hold either arrow for four seconds until PRESET SCAN appears on the display and you hear a beep. The radio will go to a station, play for a few seconds, then go on to the next station. Press either arrow again to stop scanning. When a CD is playing, press the up or the down arrow to go to the next or previous track. To scan the current CD, press and hold either up or down arrow for more than two seconds. The CD will go to the next track, play the first 10 seconds, then go on to the next track. Press either up or down arrow again to stop scanning. To scan all of the CDs loaded, press and hold either up or down arrow for more than four seconds. The CD will go to the next CD, play the first 10 seconds of each track, then go on to the next CD. Press either up or down arrow again to stop scanning. + − (Volume): Press the plus or minus button to increase or to decrease the volume. 1–6 (Preset Pushbuttons): Press this button to play stations that are programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons. The radio will only seek preset stations with a strong signal that are in the selected band.

268

FM Stereo FM stereo will give 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 fade in and out. XM™ Satellite Radio Service If your vehicle as the XM™ Satellite Radio Service, this type of radio service gives digital radio reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM, tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the XM™ signal for a period of time. The radio may display NO SIGNAL to indicate interference.

Care of Your CDs Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the bottom surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will not play properly or not at all. If the surface of a CD is soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed with water, and clean it. Make sure the wiping process starts from the center to the edge. Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while handling it; this could damage the surface. Pick up CDs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.

269

Care of the CD Player Do not use CD lens cleaners for CD players because the lens of the CD optics can become contaminated by lubricants.

Diversity Antenna System The AM-FM antenna is a hidden self tuning system. It optimizes the AM and FM signals relative to the vehicle’s position and radio station source. No maintenance or adjustments are needed.

XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System If your vehicle has the XM™ Satellite Radio Service, it will have an XM™ Satellite Radio antenna. This type of antenna is located on the roof or on the trunk lid of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow and ice build up for clear radio reception.

270

Section 4

Driving Your Vehicle

Your Driving, the Road, and

Your Vehicle ............................................ 272
Defensive Driving ...................................... 272
Drunken Driving ........................................ 273
Control of a Vehicle .................................. 276
Braking ...................................................... 276
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .................. 277
Braking in Emergencies ............................. 279
Traction Control System (TCS) .................. 279
Active Handling System ............................. 281
Limited-Slip Rear Axle ............................... 283
Selective Ride Control ............................... 284
Steering .................................................... 284
Off-Road Recovery .................................... 287
Passing ..................................................... 287
Loss of Control .......................................... 289
Racing or Other Competitive Driving .......... 290

Driving at Night ......................................... 291
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads ............ 293
City Driving ............................................... 295
Freeway Driving ........................................ 296
Before Leaving on a Long Trip .................. 298
Highway Hypnosis ..................................... 299
Hill and Mountain Roads ........................... 300
Winter Driving ........................................... 302
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,

Ice, or Snow .......................................... 306
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out ........... 307
Loading Your Vehicle ................................ 307
Towing ........................................................ 313
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 313
Recreational Vehicle Towing ...................... 313
Towing a Trailer ........................................ 313

271

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle

{CAUTION:

Defensive Driving The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your vehicle: Buckle up. See Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 16.

Defensive driving really means “Be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or expressways, 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 and be ready. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on the driving task. Anything that distracts from the driving task makes proper defensive driving more difficult and can even cause a collision, with resulting injury. Ask a passenger to help do these things, or pull off the road in a safe place to do them. These simple defensive driving techniques could save your life.

272

Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It is the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle: (cid:127) Judgment (cid:127) Muscular Coordination (cid:127) Vision (cid:127) Attentiveness 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, more than 16,000 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 is against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological, and developmental reasons for these laws. The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much” if someone plans to drive? It is 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: (cid:127) The amount of alcohol consumed (cid:127) The drinker’s body weight (cid:127) The amount of food that is consumed before

and during drinking

(cid:127) The length of time it has taken the drinker to

consume the alcohol

273

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 liquors like whiskey, gin, or vodka.

It is 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 level than a man of her same body weight will when each has the same number of drinks. The law in most U.S. states, and throughout Canada, sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent. In some other countries, the limit is even lower. For example, it is 0.05 percent in both France and Germany. 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 have seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them.

274

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 will be careful” is not the right answer. What if there is 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 is something else about drinking and driving that many people do not 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.

{CAUTION:

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

275

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 are driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 279 and Active Handling System on page 281. Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 318.

Braking See Brake System Warning Light on page 194. Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time. Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a second. But that is only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.

276

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. The 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 vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If the 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. Under certain weather or operating conditions, occasional brake squeak, squeal, or other noise may be heard with your vehicle’s performance braking system. This brake system is designed for superior fade resistance and consistent operation using high performance brake pads. Brake noise is normal and does not affect system performance.

Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 318.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a braking skid. When you start your engine and begin to drive away, ABS 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 a little. This is normal.

If there is a problem with ABS, this warning light will stay on. See Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 195.

277

ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what happens with ABS: A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel.

278

As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

Remember: ABS does not 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 will not 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 ABS. Using ABS Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear a motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal move a little during a stop, but this is normal.

Braking in Emergencies With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

Traction Control System (TCS) Your vehicle has a traction control system called TCS that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are 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. The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE message displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212. You may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal. If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS 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 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 158.

279

The SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message and the TCS warning light will come on to let you know if there is a problem with your TCS system. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212.

To turn the system off, press the button located on the console.

When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message are on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. The TCS 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 TCS system off if you ever need to.

You can turn the system on or off at any time by pressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button. The DIC will display the appropriate message when you push the button. Notice: When traction control is turned off, or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the rear wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible to cause damage to the transmission. Do not attempt to shift when the rear wheels do not have traction. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered. See your warranty book for additional information.

280

Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 318 for more information. Active Handling System The Active Handling System is a computer controlled system that helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is accomplished by selectively applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes. When you first start your vehicle during cold winter weather and begin to drive away, the message ACTIVE HANDLING WARMING UP may be displayed in the DIC. This is normal. You can acknowledge this message by pressing the RESET button. The Active Handling System performance is affected until the message, ACTIVE HANDLING READY, is displayed in the DIC. The ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message may be displayed in the DIC and the instrument panel cluster light will be on after exceeding 18 mph (30 km/h) for 10 seconds. The Active Handling System is off until the ACTIVE HANDLING READY message is displayed. This could take up to 15 minutes.

The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on when the system is operating. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212 for more information. You may also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.

The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message will be displayed, the instrument cluster light will come on, and a chime will sound to let you know if there is a problem with the system.

See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212 for more information. When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.

281

If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system detects a flat tire and the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays TIRE FLAT, or if the TPM system is malfunctioning and the DIC displays SERVICE TIRE MONITOR, the Active Handling System will be affected as follows: (cid:127) The Active Handling System cannot be turned

(cid:127)

off by the driver. If the Active Handling System is off, it will be turned on automatically.

(cid:127) Competitive Driving Mode is unavailable. (cid:127) The Active Handling System will feel different in

aiding and maintaining directional control.

The Active Handling System comes on automatically whenever you start your vehicle. To help maintain directional control of the vehicle, you should always leave the system on. You can turn the system off if you ever need to. If you turn the Active Handling System off, the Traction Control System will also be turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.

To turn the system off, press the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the console for five seconds. You can turn the system on at any time by pressing the button. The DIC will display the appropriate message when you push the button.

282

Competitive Driving Mode The driver can select this optional handling mode by pressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the console two times within a five second time period. COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE will be displayed in the DIC. Competitive Driving Mode allows the driver to have full control of the rear wheels while the Active Handling System helps maintain directional control of the vehicle by selective brake application. This involves less intervention than with both the Active Handling System and Traction Control Systems on. The instrument cluster light will not be on. The Traction Control System will not be operating. Adjust your driving accordingly. When you press the ACTIVE HANDLING button again, or turn the ignition to Acc., the Active Handling and Traction Control Systems will be on. The TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING-ON message will be displayed temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.

Notice: When traction control is turned off, or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the rear wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible to cause damage to the transmission. Do not attempt to shift when the rear wheels do not have traction. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered. See your warranty book for additional information.

Limited-Slip Rear Axle Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the other does, this feature will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.

283

Selective Ride Control You may have a ride control system on your vehicle called Magnetic Selective Ride Control. The system provides the following performance benefits: (cid:127) Reduced Impact Harshness (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Better Control of Body Ride Motions

Improved Road Isolation Improved High-Speed Stability Improved Handling Response

This knob is located on the center console. Turn it to select the suspension of your choice.

TOUR: Use for normal city and highway driving. This setting provides a smooth, soft ride.

284

SPORT: Use where road conditions or personal preference demand more control. This setting provides more “feel”, or response to the road conditions. You can select a setting at any time. Based on road conditions, steering wheel angle and your vehicle speed, the system automatically adjusts to provide the best ride and handling. Select a new setting whenever driving conditions change. There are three Driver Information Center (DIC) messages that are displayed when a malfunction occurs with the Selective Ride Control system (SERVICE RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS INOPERATIVE, MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH (129 KM/H). Refer to DIC Warnings and Messages on page 212 for more information. 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.

Magnetic Speed Variable Assist Steering Your vehicle has a steering system that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds. Steering Tips It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here is 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 is no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.

Suppose you are 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. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 279. 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 will want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while the 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. Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modifications on page 318.

285

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 cannot; there is not room. That is 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 on page 276. 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.

286

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.

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

If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that 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.

287

So here are some tips for passing: (cid:127) 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.

(cid:127) 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 is 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.

(cid:127) Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you are awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you are following a larger vehicle. Also, you will not have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.

(cid:127) When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and do not get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes

288

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 vehicles are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone is not trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot.

(cid:127)

(cid:127) Check your vehicle’s 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 vehicle’s inside mirror, activate the right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. Remember that your vehicle’s passenger side outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is.

(cid:127) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle.

(cid:127) Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too

rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you are being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.

(cid:127)

Loss of Control Let us review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems — brakes, steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.

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 are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.

289

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 will 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 reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until 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.

290

If you use your vehicle for racing or

Racing or Other Competitive Driving See your warranty book before using your vehicle for racing or other competitive driving. Notice: other competitive driving, the engine may use more oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can damage the engine. For information on how to add oil, see Engine Oil on page 332. Z06 Only: Be sure to check the oil level often during racing or other competitive driving and keep the level at or near the upper mark that shows the proper operating range on the engine oil dipstick. Except Z06: Be sure to check the oil level often during racing or other competitive driving and keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the upper mark that shows the proper operating range on the engine oil dipstick. After the competitive driving, remove excess oil so that the level on the dipstick is not above the upper mark that shows the proper operating range.

Vehicles with the Z51 performance package have greaseable outer ends on both of the rear toe-links. Under normal use, lubrication should be performed as described in the maintenance schedule. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 433 and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 443. If you use the vehicle for racing, lubrication should be performed at the end of each racing day. See your dealer for lubrication and make sure any needed repairs are made at once. Proper procedures for performing these services can be found in the service manual. See Service Publications Ordering Information on page 471.

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. Here are some tips on night driving. (cid:127) Drive defensively. (cid:127) Do not drink and drive. (cid:127) Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the

glare from headlamps behind you.

(cid:127) Since you cannot see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles.

(cid:127) Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.

(cid:127) (cid:127)

291

Keep the 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 the headlamps light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as the 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 are not even aware of it.

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 are driving, do not 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 re-adjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare, as from a driver who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps, slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamps.

292

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads

Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread left, you will get even less traction. It is 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 is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer fluid reservoir 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.

{CAUTION:

Wet brakes can cause accidents. They may not 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.

293

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow down before you hit them. Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning does not 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. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.

Driving Through Deep Standing Water Notice: If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. Driving Through Flowing Water

{CAUTION:

Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces. If you try to drive through flowing water, as you might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can be carried away. As little as six inches of flowing water can carry away a smaller vehicle. If this happens, you and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not ignore police warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious about trying to drive through flowing water.

294

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips (cid:127) Besides slowing down, allow some extra

following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. (cid:127) Have good tires with proper tread depth.

See Tires on page 378.

City Driving

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals.

295

Freeway Driving

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving: (cid:127) Know the best way to get to where you are

going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip.

(cid:127) Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross

most large cities. You will save time and energy. See Freeway Driving on page 296. (cid:127) Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

Mile for mile, freeways — also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.

296

The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow. Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.

Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in your blind spot. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are.

297

Before Leaving on a Long Trip Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you are not fresh — such as after a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily drive in. Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you will find experienced and able service experts in GM dealerships all across North America. They will be ready and willing to help if you need it.

Here are some things you can check before a trip: (cid:127) Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir

full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?

(cid:127) Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape? (cid:127) Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you

checked all levels?

(cid:127) Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses

clean?

(cid:127) Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure?

(cid:127) Weather Forecasts: What is the weather

outlook along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?

(cid:127) Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

298

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a second, and you could crash and be injured.

What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can happen. Then here are some tips: (cid:127) Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,

with a comfortably cool interior.

(cid:127) Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your instruments frequently. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.

(cid:127)

299

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. (cid:127) Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system, and transmission. These parts can work hard on mountain roads.

{CAUTION:

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

Hill and Mountain Roads

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain.

300

{CAUTION:

Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down. They could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

(cid:127) Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.

(cid:127) Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift

down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.

(cid:127) Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Do not swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane.

(cid:127) As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

(cid:127) You may see highway signs on mountains that

warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

301

Winter Driving

Here are some tips for winter driving: (cid:127) Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. (cid:127) You may want to put winter emergency

supplies in your vehicle. Also see Tires on page 378.

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

302

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

What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution. Traction control improves your ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a traction control system, you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions. Under certain conditions, you may want to turn the traction control system off, such as when driving through deep snow and loose gravel, to help maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 279. The Active Handling System may also activate. See Active Handling System on page 281.

303

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS, you will want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 277. (cid:127) Allow greater following distance on any

slippery road.

(cid:127) Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that is covered with