check engine CHEVROLET BLAZER 1997 2.G Owner's Guide
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Page 195 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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 journcv. 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:
0 Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lurrzps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are
the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure'?
Weather For-ecvrsts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time to avoid
a major storm system?
0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps'!
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Page 196 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. Don’t let it
happen
to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a secund, 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:
0
0
0
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you Sct dwpy. pull off the road into a rest, service
or
parking xe;L and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety. treat drowsiness on the highway as
an
emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
L
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving
in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning
to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See “Off-Road
Driving’’ in the Index for information about driving
off-road.)
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Page 197 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and
also the brakes, tires. cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard
on
mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing
to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift
to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
A CAUTION:
If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a
hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your
engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
I A 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 wouldn’t 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.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a
lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and
transmission. and you can climb the
hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads
in hills or mountains. Don‘t swing wide or cut
across the center
of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something
in your lane. like a. stalled car or an accident.
You may see hishway 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.
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Page 201 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that
is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just
a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This
will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When
you run the engine, make it 90 a little faster
than
just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle. and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater
run for a while.
Then. shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when
you feel really uncomfortable
from the
cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm. you can get
out of the vehicle
and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every
half hour or so until help comes.
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Page 210 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get
into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the
Index). Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by
the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave
just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains
to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 Ibs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes -- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for
the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer’s brake system can tap
into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system
only if
The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
fluid tap at the port
on the master cylinder that sends
fluid to
the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing for
this.
if you do, it will bend and finally break off. Use
steel brake tubing.
Page 211 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a Trailer
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
0 Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through
a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main heating or cooling system on and
with the
fan on
any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside
air into your vehicle. Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See b‘ Comfort
Controls”
in the Index.) Towing
a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road. you‘ll want
to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before
you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments). safety chains. electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes. start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip. check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure. and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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Page 213 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may
think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear byfilw you start
down
a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down. you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On
a long uphill grade. shift down and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
if
you have an automatic transmission. you should use
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life
of your
transmission. Or.
if you have a manual transmission. it's
better not to use
FIFTH (5 j gear. just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or. as you need to. a lower gear). When
towing
at high altitude on steep uphill grades.
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes.
If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this. let the
engine
run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or the
rnanual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see "Engine
Overheating"
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle. with a trailer
attached.
on ;I hill. If something goes wrong, your ris
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
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Page 215 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
whiie you:
Start your engine:
Shift into a gear: and
Release the parking brake.
3,. 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 more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belt. cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual. and
the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it‘s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your
trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Page 220 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle.
But please use the following steps to do
it safely.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by
your warranty.
Do not try to start your vehicle by pushing or
pulling it. This could damage your vehicle, even if
you have
a manual transmission. And if you have
an automatic transmission, it won’t start that
way.
I A CAUTION:
I
~ Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
1 because:
~ 0 They contain acid that can burn you.
I They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
~ 0 They contain enough electricity to
~ burn you.
~ If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
~ of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
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Page 222 of 402
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Open both hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
I A CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You don’t
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed
in every new GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could
be present.
Battery
fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on
~ou. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes
or on your skin, flush the place with
water
and get medical help immediately.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before
you connect the cables, here are some basic
things
you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) and negative (-) will go to a metal
engine part. Don’t connect positive
(+) to
negative (-) or you’ll get a short that would damage
the battery and maybe other parts too.
of the vehicle with the
dead battery.
5-5