stop start GMC JIMMY 1997 User Guide

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 il 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 lilnited.
While driving
on a surface with reduced traction. try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or
braking (inclucling engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear).
Any sudden changes could cause the tircs lo slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until yo11r
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water. ice or packed snow on
the road to make a "mirrored surface" -- and slow down
when you
have any doubt.
Remember:
Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving Guidelines
This multipurpose passenger vehicle is defined as a utility
vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
of the United States Department of
Transportation.
Utility vehicles have higher ground
clearance
and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing
in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give them
a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of the higher
ground clearance is
a better view of the road allowing yo11
to anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds
as conventional
two-wheel-drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are dcsigned
to perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions.
If at all possible. avoid shalp turns or abrupt
manewers. As with other vehicles
of this type. failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result
in loss of control
or vehicle rollover.
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Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds
of terrain. You need to be fimilix with the terrain and its
many different features. Here are some things
to consider.
Surfcm Corzc1i~io11.s. Off-roading can take you over
hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, rrrud. snow
or ice. Each
of these surfaces affects the steering.
acceleration and braking
of your vehicle in different
ways. Depending upon the kind of surface you are on.
you may experience slipping. sliding, wheel spinning,
delayed acceleration, poor traction and longer
braking distances.
Su@ce Ohstclcles. Unseen or hidden obstacles can be
hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can startle you if
you're not prepared for them. Often these obstacles are.
hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fall of
the
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terrain itself. Here are some things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
Does
the travel take you uphill or downhill? (There's
more discussion of these subjects later.)
Will
you have to stop suddenly or change
direction quickly? When you
drive over obstacles or rough terrain. keep
a
firm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts. troughs or other
surface features can jerk
the wheel out of your hands if
you're not prepared.
When
you drive over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles,
your wheels can leave the ground. If this happens, even
with one or two wheels. you can't control the vehicle
as
well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface., it's
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden
tl1rnC ot- suclden braking.
In a way. off-road driving requires a different kind of
alertness from driving
on paved roads and highways.
There are
no road signs. posted speed limits or signal
lights.
You have to use your own good judgment about
what is
safe and what isn't.
Drinking
and driving can be very dangerous on any
1-oad. And this is certainly true for off-nmi driving. At
the very tirne you need special alertness and driving
skills, your reflexes. perceptions and judgment can be
affected by
wen a small amount of alcohol. You could
have
:I serious -- or even fital -- accident if you drink
and drivc or ride with a drivel- who has been drinking.
See "Drunken Driving" in the Index.
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Q.' Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A: It's nl~lch mo~x likely to happen going ~~phill. But if
it happens going downhill, here's whut to do.
Stop your vehicle by applying the reg~11;~I brakes.
Shift to PARK (P) (or to NEUTRAL (N) with the
Apply the
parking brake.
manual transmission) and, while still braking. restart
the engine.
and drive straight
down.
Shif't back to a low gear, release the parking brake.
if the engine won't start, get out md gct help.
Driving Across an Incline
Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go m-oss
the incline of a hill. if this happens, yo^^ have to decide
whether to try to drive across the inc!int.. Here are some
things to consider:
A hill that can be driven straight up 01- down may be
too steep to drive across. When you go straight LIP or
down a hill, the length of the wheel base (the
distance from the front wheels to the I-car whecls)
reduces the likelihood
the vehic!e will tumble cnd
over end.
But wlwn you drive i~cross an incline. the
much more narrow track width (the distance bctwee1l
the left and right wheels) nay not prevent the vehicle r
Driving across an incline that's too steep will
make your vehicle roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt
about the steepness
of the incline, don't drive
across it. Find another route instead.

Q=
A:
What if I'm driving across an incline that's not
too steep,
but I hit some loose gravel and start to
slide downhill. What should
I do?
Stalling on an Incline
if your vehicle stalls when you're crossing an incline, be
SLW yo11 (and your passengers) get out on the uphill
side.
evet1 if the tloor there is harcler to open. If you get
out on the downhill side and the vehicle starts to roll
over, you'll be right in its path.
It ~OLI have to walk down the slope, stay out of the path
the vehicle will take
if it does roll o\w.
Getting out on
the downhill (low) side of a vehicle
stopped across an incline is dangerous. If' the
vehicle rolls over, you could be crushed
or killed.
Always get out on the uphill (high) side of the
vehicle and stay
well clear of the rollover path.
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4-25

If the water isn't too deep, then drive through it slowly.
At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system
and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can dso occur if you
tailpipe is under water, yo~l*II never be able to start your
engine. When
you go through water. remember that
when your brakes get
wet. it nay take you longer
to stop.
2 wt your tailpipe under water. And. as long as your
Driving through rushing water can be dangerous. Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream
and
you and your passengers could drown. If it's
only shallow water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and you could lose
traction and roll the vehicle over. Don't drive
through rushing water.
After Off-Road Driving
Relmove any brush or debris that has collected on the
underbody. chassis or 11nder the hood. These
accumulations CUI be a fire hazard.
After operation
in mud or sand. have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can C~LIS~
glazing and 1111even braking. Check the body structure.
steering. suspension. wheels, tires and exlxwst system
for damage.
Also. check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your
vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
4-27

The heavier the rain. the harder it is to see. Even il'yo~~r
windshield wiper blades are
in good sl~ape. a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals.
pavement markings, the edge
of the road and even
people walking.
It's wise
to keep your wiping equipment in good shape
and keep your windshield washer tank filled with
washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts
when they show signs
of streaking or missing areas on Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't work
the windshield. or when strips of rubber start to separatc as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
from the inserts. 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 nornlally.
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Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to IIIOVC
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.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't 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's ready to go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts
in GM
dealerships all across North America. They'll be ready
and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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Windshield Wldwr Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper. Blcrd~s: Are they in good shape?
F~lel, EI1girw Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
LUIII~S: Are they all working'? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Wecrtlwr For-cxmts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Mclps: Do you have up-to-date maps'?
4-34

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
I, Apply your reg~~lar brakes and lwld the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear: and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service nlore often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on
this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation
are automatic transmission fluid (don't
overfill), engine
oil. ~~xle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and
brakc adjustment. Each of these is covered in this
manurd.
and the Index will help you find then] quickly.
If you're trailering. it's a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-54

Engine Fan Noise If a Tire Goes Flat
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch
is not engaged. This improves
fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy
vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the
fan speed increases when the clutch
engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This
is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping
or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You
may also hear this fan noise when you start he
engine.
It will go away as the fan clutch disengages. It's
unusual
for a tire to "blow out" while you're driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of
a tire, it's muc11 more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a "blowout." here are a few
tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to ~naintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout. particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove yo~~r foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the c.ehicle under control
by
steering the way ~OLI want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy
and noisy. but you can still steer. Gently
brake to
a stop -- well off the road if possible.
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